Yes its changeover time yet again. If you get a message on screen saying …

Then check with Fransat to see if it has expired, go to CARD CHECK

Note : Jan 2022, PC7 is the new card type

Currently I can supply old customers @ £60 and new customers @ £80

Please give your installation invoice number. IF you no longer have the invoice just email me.

Fransat, for reasons of maintaining security from piracy and broadcasting rights, use a system requiring a change of card every 4 years. In this way they can change the electronics of the card used and integrate the latest secure methods.

Its just a pity that the French do not simply adopt an FTA (free to air) policy like UK Freesat, Germany, Turkey and others, where the signals are unencrypted, equipment costs are minimized and legitimate viewers from those countries living abroad can see their programmes without jumping through so many hoops.

Normally , with a single LNB dish, the default “Quick Install” in the Installation menu of any TNT box, is all that is required.

I have been asked a few times , what to do if your TNT box ( potentially any dedicated service box ) is connected to a multi satellite dish, via a diseqc switch ( LNB switch )

If the LNB for Astra 1 19.2 east satellite , is connected to the port 1 ( sometimes marked A or AA on diseqc 1.1 type switches ) then it will work as usual

If the Astra 1 satellite is on port 2,3,4 ( any other port than 1 ) then simply set it up first in the antenna settings

These instructions are for the Strong SRT 7404 , a very popular box, but will apply equally to all TNT boxes.

Strong TNT 7404  HD

Select Switch Type then “DiSEqC 1.0” or “Tone Burst” according to your switch type

Select Switch Input then “Port 2, 3 or 4” depending on the switch port through which you receive Astra 19.2

Save by pressing the “red” button on the remote control, then exit the menu to begin your search for TNTSAT channels

Select “Quick Install”

Press the “red” button on the remote control to start the search. Once completed, the SRT7404 will start on ch 1.

Updated 2022:

Tuning on the new range of receivers, Strong 7406

Strong TNT 7406 HD

Easy to use, complete with card, will record if USB disc is connected, will connect to old ( scart ) or new ( HDMI) type tvs.  Even has IR extension lead so the box  can be hidden away if required and the IR Infra Red remote control will still operate.  
Standard TNT Channel list: TF1: TF1, TFX, TF1 films series, CanalPlus: Canal+ ( en clair ), Cstar, Cnews, France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5,  France Ô, Arte, M6, C8, W9, Monte Carlo, NRJ12, LCP, BFM, Gulli, L’equipe, 23, RMC Decouverte, Cherie 25, 6Ter, LCI , FranceInfo, All the regional France3 channels. Plus : i24, RT France, France24, CCTV, TV5monde Europe, TV5 France Belgique Suisse, M6 Boutique, EuroNews  Almost all channels are now HD

However, when using this receiver for multi-satellite, the recent changes in the software of the box will prevent some channels from being viewed.

In particular, the Italian main channels, RAI 1 , 2 and 3 which are FTA (free to air) will not show.

Some German channels will be affected, but fortunately not the main ZDF and ARD channels

The Spanish free channels TVE and TVE news are unaffected.

A few Freesat channels, from the UK, though most remain ok.

In general, if your FTA channel shares a TP ( frequency ) with any Encrypted channel, it will not be viewable.