Digital TV Cost Cutting Article - Discuss What You've Been Offered

jammin_2

nandrews wrote: »

Two questions

I am not sure whether, after over a year, with a Sky HD+ box is it mine now?

With Sky, you own the equipment from day one. It's not rented or on-loan, like with Virgin.

nandrews wrote: »

Or if I cancel from Sky will they come and take the box back (and probably charge me for that 'service')?!

No, it's your property.

nandrews wrote: »

Can I uise the Sky HD+ box to receive Freesat?

The "Freesat" channels as in the Free To Air channels at 28°E, yes. The Freesat EPG, no.

nandrews wrote: »

Sky seem intent to pull the HD channels from me,

Don't forget that you'll still be able to watch BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Luxe TV HD as these HD channels are Free To Air.

nandrews wrote: »

P.S. Sky used to offer a limited 'subscription free' service - is that still around?

"Freesat from Sky"? Yes, it's still around. However, a Sky box and a cancelled Sky subscription card is equal to "Freesat from Sky".

JOHNSTON24

I'm currently with virgin and phoned a number on a leaflet I had for sky to find out how much their packages were to move to them. The guy I spoke to told me he'd have to give me a telephone number of my local tv aerials company who are sky specialist who could help me. Can anyone confirm if this is the case? I thought it a bit strange that I have to contact them rather than sky itself just for package prices.

jammin_2

JOHNSTON24 wrote: »

I'm currently with virgin and phoned a number on a leaflet I had for sky to find out how much their packages were to move to them. The guy I spoke to told me he'd have to give me a telephone number of my local tv aerials company who are sky specialist who could help me. Can anyone confirm if this is the case? I thought it a bit strange that I have to contact them rather than sky itself just for package prices.

That's an independent, as opposed to directly with Sky. Nothing wrong with that. Just compare prices.

nandrews

Jammin,

Thanks for that (and the imbeded links).

You have put me straight on those things.

You say yes to Freesat on the Sky+ HD box, but no to the EPG.
Then to my P.S. you say "a cancelled Sky subscription card is equal to "Freesat from Sky". " Surely Sky can't push their service without an EPG? Or am I missunderstanding you.

Thanks again

Nigel

jammin_2

nandrews wrote: »

You say yes to Freesat on the Sky+ HD box, but no to the EPG.
Then to my P.S. you say "a cancelled Sky subscription card is equal to "Freesat from Sky". " Surely Sky can't push their service without an EPG? Or am I missunderstanding you.

"Freesat" and "Freesat from Sky" are not the same.

A cancelled Sky sub card in a Sky (or Sky+ or Sky+HD) box is the same as "Freesat from Sky".

"Freesat from Sky" has the same channels as "Freesat", but, as it is a Sky box and not a Freesat branded box, it has Sky's EPG and not "Freesat"'s EPG.

nandrews

Jammin,

O.K. that clears that then.
I assume I can still use the Sky EPG to set and record programmes that are in the 'Freesat'/'Freesat from Sky' selection.
So it seems I should call Sky to cancel - see if they will offer me a half price deal - then (or if they call my bluff!) proceed with the cancellation and just enjoy the 'Freesat' channels - and stop paying 'an arm and a leg' to Mr. M!

Thanks again
Nigel

jammin_2

nandrews wrote: »

I assume I can still use the Sky EPG to set and record programmes that are in the 'Freesat'/'Freesat from Sky' selection.

No, Sky+ recording facilities require an active Sky sub.

nandrews

Ah! that's a snag then, so the box becomes just a viewer (SkyHD).
I'll have to re-think this

Nigel

jammin_2

nandrews wrote: »

Ah! that's a snag then, so the box becomes just a viewer (SkyHD)

Exactly. If you want to keep the Sky+ recording facility you have to keep your Sky sub active, but drop down to the cheapest package, @ £19 /month.

jem16

jammin wrote: »

Exactly. If you want to keep the Sky+ recording facility you have to keep your Sky sub active, but drop down to the cheapest package, @ £19 /month.

Or pay for the recording features only at £10pm.