Sky box is dead - options?

[chim_knee]

Hello,

Came home from work on Monday to find that my Sky box was stuck on stand-by. After doing the "unplug for 10, stand-by for 60", "unplug overnight", "press and hold back-up" I've concluded that it's ed.

Now - not wanting to miss the Sound Of Music over the festive period and assuming I won't get the thing fixed in time, what are my options? I know that I won't be able to get a replacement/Sky+ upgrade in time.

Freeview PVR? OEM Sky+ box? etc.

Suggestions gratefully received!

Cheers,
Phil

[vixpy1]

Long Live Sky Box!

Sorry..

[telecat]

Depends really, is it only used for the FTA channels?? if so then a Freeview box could be the answer. Just bought a HUMAX 9200T which is proving very good an easy to use. However I have noticed Currys/Dixons are selling the Digifusion 100 PVR's at £119.99 only a 40GB drive but it's a start.

[DrDeAtH]

maybe the local chavs can get you one......

other than that, lootmight throw up a used box to get you by..

[Cotty]

I would suggest getting the Sky+ box even if you have to wait until after christmas.

If you are really desperate get a cheap freeview box to tide you over and flog it on e-bay

[mkgriff]

I have buddies that have had problems with their sky box, so upgraded to sky+ and after a while, had problems with that as well.

Take the opportunity to treat yourself to an Elonex Artisan multimedia pc. Twin freeview receivers and an excellent PC into the bargain!

This will be my 1st purchase of the new year.

[catretriever]

Switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead?

[chim_knee]

To be honest - I rarely watch anything other than FTA channels - my Sky package is the cheap £15 one.

I have a freeview box but I don't (currently) have an ariel feed to the TV (satellite only). I'm assuming I'm going to have to get an ariel feed down to the TV in the short term.

How much does a Sky+ type box cost (are there any good manufacturers?)

[Cotty]

catretriever said:

Switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead?

Why Dont You

[chim_knee]

catretriever said:

Switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead?

It is switched off!

[Nuggs]

If it's missing the adult entertainment that's a problem, may I suggest that you save yourself a whole stack of money, buy a pair of binculars and hang around outside Carrera2's gaff?

[Cotty]

chim_knee said:

To be honest - I rarely watch anything other than FTA channels - my Sky package is the cheap £15 one.

Sound like all you need is freeview

chim_knee said:

How much does a Sky+ type box cost (are there any good manufacturers?)

I got mine from Sky for £99 + £10 a month subscription but wouldnt be without it now

>> Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 21st December 10:54

[catretriever]

chim_knee said:

catretriever said: Switch off your television set and go out and do something less boring instead? It is switched off!

Off you go then

[Don]

Sky+ box very good. If you want to get Sky One with PVR functionality its the only way to go. Its also cheap.

If you don't care about the channel package...go freeview (FREE!). I can recommend a Media Center PC too - all the functionality of Sky+ and more.

Sadly they aren't cheap.

[chim_knee]

Don said:

Sky+ box very good. If you want to get Sky One with PVR functionality its the only way to go. Its also cheap. If you don't care about the channel package...go freeview (FREE!). I can recommend a Media Center PC too - all the functionality of Sky+ and more. Sadly they aren't cheap.

I have a PC in pieces at home that'd probably do as a PVR/Freeview thingy. One question though - is it possible to get an EPG online? Series link etc?

[catretriever]

chim_knee said:

One question though - is it possible to get an EPG online? Series link etc?

Yes and yes. All happens automatically and is the equal of the sky EPG

>> Edited by catretriever on Wednesday 21st December 11:01

[chim_knee]

catretriever said:

Yes and yes. All happens automatically and is the equal of the sky EPG

Do you have a link to a service? Any recommendations? Thanks.

[catretriever]

chim_knee said:

catretriever said: Yes and yes. All happens automatically and is the equal of the sky EPG Do you have a link to a service? Any recommendations? Thanks.

Sorry...I was talking about the one in Windows Media Center. You can buy the OS along with a remote control for around £90.

[chim_knee]

catretriever said:

chim_knee said: catretriever said: Yes and yes. All happens automatically and is the equal of the sky EPG Do you have a link to a service? Any recommendations? Thanks. Sorry...I was talking about the one in Windows Media Center. You can buy the OS along with a remote control for around £90.

Oh OK! I'll check it out.

[LuS1fer]

We called Sky out for duff reception (it was a tree that grew in the way of the dish) and he replaced the box as part of the £65 fee as it was an old one. Sure, we can't get movies now as it claims it's the "wrong card" and we can't get through to Sky as we're the 456th person in the queue but hey....

You could use this as an opprtunity to buy a Sony DVD Recorder which comes with Freeview built in.