Can you use a sky plus box ?

bloodnok

Hi,
If I buy a sky plus box, can I just replace my digibox with it and start using it or do you have to contact sky to make it work.
There seem to be loads for sale and my video recorder is on the way out.
If you can help I'd be very grateful.
Also, if it's possible to just swop over boxes, can you suggest which are the best ones to buy second hand.
Thanks folks.

Stevenj214

You would have to get another wire from ur dish to the box. You would also need to get in touch with Sky to add Sky+ to your package (Free if you subscribe to one or more premium channels, £10 per month otherwise)

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Are you still in your 12 month contract with Sky?

If you're not, then it may be worthwhile ringing them up and threaten to leave. You should be able to get the Sky+ box and standard installation for £99. Depending on who you speak to you might even get it for £49.

I believe the Pace box is the best, then the Thomson and finally the Amstrad.

Astaroth

Certainly you used to be able to get through to the cancellations department and get a "reconditioned" box (with full warrenty) for £49 - best to say you reason for cancelling as you think it is too expensive and have no need for multiroom. I did this and got a brand new pace box - the job sheet the sub contractors had got didnt mention anything about a reconditioned box. Beware that it does tie you in for another 12 month contract though.

You can use a sky+ box with only 1 feed but you can only watch one channel like on a normal sky box (but the digital out does still work for sound). If you subscribe to sky+ features (free if you have 2 premium channels like Sky movies 1 & 2) you will then also be able to record/ rewind but as you only have 1 feed you can only watch or record one channel at a time rather than the normal record one whilst watching another (which requires the 2 feeds)