Sky+ to HD without subscription

shown73

Just noticed a Sky HD box for sale in a local second-hand shop, and I just wondered if there would be any benefit in replacing my existing Sky+ box with it. Can't justify the increased sub, so it would be just a substitution. I do have an HD-ready TV. Cheers....

penrhyn

You'll be able to receive the FTA channels in HD.

Bogtrotter

A current sky subscription (but without the HD subcription) you will be able to watch/record HD on BBCHD, BBC1HD, ITV1 HD, Channel4 HD and Five HD. Also because the hard disk in the Sky+HD boxes have a bigger capacity you will be able to record more.

Without any Sky subscription you will still be able to watch BBCHD, BBC1HD and ITV1HD and because the connection to your TV is by HDMI the picture quality on the other channels should be better than the old Sky+ box.

Inactive

troy_tempest wrote: »

Do it!! But as mentioned you wont be able to watch any HD channels but BBCHD is worth it alone!!

I am still trying to work out what you mean by that statement?

SellyOakBlade

Bogtrotter wrote: »

A current sky subscription (but without the HD subcription) you will be able to watch/record HD on BBCHD, BBC1HD, ITV1 HD, Channel4 HD and Five HD. Also because the hard disk in the Sky+HD boxes have a bigger capacity you will be able to record more.

As long as you aren`t in Scotland. ITV1HD is not available in Scotland.

Bogtrotter wrote: »

Without any Sky subscription you will still be able to watch BBCHD, BBC1HD and ITV1HD and because the connection to your TV is by HDMI the picture quality on the other channels should be better than the old Sky+ box.

Wouldn`t guarantee this. Many ahve said the picture quality of non-HD channels is worse on a Sky+HD box than on a standard Sky+ box.

You would also need to contact Sky to pair your current viewing card with the new Sky+HD box. This can be problematic...

swvillafan

Hi there, I did the same as you are planning, bought a second hand HD box, plumbed it in via a HDMI lead, called Sky and got them to pair my existing card with the new box (don't let them tell you that you need the HD pack @ £10 per month!). No probs experienced at all, HD picture is awsome and I would say that the normal SD channels are no worse than a normal Sky+ box. Do it!

scotsbob

SellyOakBlade wrote: »

As long as you aren`t in Scotland. ITV1HD is not available in Scotland.

Possibly not to Sky subscribers, but it is available.

ITV1 HD is available in Scotland on 10.936V 21,998. In addition, STV which is the Scottish ITV region, has it's own HD transmissions on 10,833H 21,998

poppy10_2

SellyOakBlade wrote: »

Wouldn`t guarantee this. Many hsve said the picture quality of non-HD channels is worse on a Sky+HD box than on a standard Sky+ box.

That was mainly on the older Sky HD boxes

You would also need to contact Sky to pair your current viewing card with the new Sky+HD box. This can be problematic...

Just took one simple phone call for me, no charge, no hassle.

strangerica

Originally Posted by troy_tempest
Do it!! But as mentioned you wont be able to watch any HD channels but BBCHD is worth it alone!!

Inactive wrote: »

I am still trying to work out what you mean by that statement?

I think it was meant to read 'wont be able to watch all HD channels'
but 'any' was typed by mistake