Product Support

HD channels are transmitted with Dolby Digital audio. If you cannot hear any sound on HD channels, it is likely that your TV does not support Dolby Digital but Dolby Digital is set to 'On' in the Sound section of the Settings menu. Change the setting to 'Off' to resolve the issue.

The HD-S has a power-saving feature called 'Auto Standby' that takes place after three hours when no buttons have been pressed on the remote control or front panel. This can be turned off in the Time section of the Settings menu.

Updates for the HD-S can be found in the 'Software Updates' section above. Before downloading, please check the software version displayed in the Information menu of your HD-S to determine if it is up to date. To do so, press MENU and then choose the 'Information' option.

Updated are provided in a 'zip' file that contains the main upgrade file, a PDF with updating instructions and another one with release notes about the update. (Zip files are used because they pack one or more computer files into a single file or folder which takes up less space).

To 'unzip' the file and extract the contents using Windows, right click on the file and choose the option to 'Extract All'. On a Mac, simply double click the file. You may find it more convenient to do this after copying the zip file to your Desktop.

After extracting the files, follow the updating instructions in the included PDF.

No software updates are being broadcast for the HD-S, which was discontinued in 2013. When a software update is broadcast, it is for a limited time period of up to a few months. If your device is unplugged or unused during that period, it may not pick up the update. Also, please note that only critical software updates are broadcast. Non-critical updates for the HD-S are released as USB downloads.

There are three possible issues:

1. The USB stick is not compatible with the receiver
2. The USB device is not formatted using the FAT32 filesystem
3. The USB device does not contain the correct upgrade file

If you're having difficulties, contact us and we will send you a USB pre-loaded with the software via normal post

Your PIN can be reset using the master PIN. In order to protect minors, we don't publish the master PIN, so please contact us and we will give it to you.

Once you have the master PIN, go to the System section of the Settings menu and choose the 'Set Lock PIN' option. When it asks for your PIN, enter the Master PIN and then follow the instructions to create a new on.

Please follow these steps:

1. Press the LIST button to display the main channel list
2. Highlight the channel that is showing a lock icon against it
3. Press the yellow button and then enter your PIN

If you have lost/forgotten your PIN, please see the question above for details about resetting it.

Unfortunately this is outside of our control as BBC iPlayer and ITV Player have been discontinued by the BBC and ITV for first generation Freesat devices. Please contact Freesat for more information.

These apps were never made available for first generation Freesat devices.

The USB connection is for software updates only.

Your manufacturer may not have programmed the remote control with the ability to control the HD-S. Universal Electronics have programmed their Universal Remote to control the HD-S using the code SAT 3735.

You don't need to connect both the cables. You can use either one of them to connect to the HD-S. Two cables are needed for recording models like the Plaza HDR-S or Sky+.

Freesat services are mostly broadcast from the Astra 2E satellite at 28.2°East. This satellite is targeted at the UK and ensures good reception on the smaller dish sizes typically in use by Freesat users. However, for viewers in continental Europe, reception will be limited as they are outside the footprint of the satellite. Freesat is and has always been intended for viewers in the UK only. For more information, please contact Freesat on 0345 313 0051