Ditching Sky- who next to go to?

JasX

Will just throw in there are options you could try with Sky if you fancied going down that route:

1- repair the sky box -depending on age/model some have had widely publicised faults that are cheaply and easily self repairable (eg the Thopmson PSU issue), or if its a software glitch get the hard disk out of the case and reformat/reapply a fresh image using copy+ (freeware). Worst case you could pop the hard disk into your PC for some extra storage space

2-Persuade sky to send you a new box (for free) if you have a sub by threatening to cancel.

althas

Depends on what service you want

If you want all those sky type channels, then you will have to go with Virgin. Though personally I would rarther do without a TV at all then EVER have anything to do with them

BT vision (which I have just got) is freeview and a bit extra. You need BT broadband as a lot of the content streams down that. You get on demand TV (a limited Iplayer for example) as well as set TV shows and series. Same with movies. You can also rent-a-movie (much like going and getting a DVD from a rental shop). I personally think it a great service, and I usually find something I like on the ever changing on-demand stuff

Niv

renegade wrote: »

Fed up now with Sky boxes breaking down, out of contract now so I am thinking of going to BT or Virgin for TV.
Anyone give me any pointers as to who I should go with, pros and cons? Thanks in advance for any help.

Assuming you want/need a subscription service (i.e Virgin or Sky basically) I would try and get a new bos off sky.

Your out of contract so you can legitimately leave with 1 months notice, they know that, you knwo that. Ring them, ask to speak to cancelations and say you wish to cancel as your box has broken so you cant watch sky and cannot afford a new box. Chances are they will offer you a new sky + HD box for ~£15 installation. You DONT need to get teh HD subscription and wills till be able to recieve bbc, itv, c4 HD channels (assuming you have a HD tv ofc).

I did similar to this a few months ago (said I was leaving as I couldnt record tv on my current box) and that was the deal I was given. I did however have to agree to a new 12 month contract (I didnt mind this).

If you want to leave as you dislike sky, thats a different matter. Feel free, if virgin is in your area I believe its a simialr service but I understand their customer service is shocking (no first hand experiance myself).

Either way, hope it works out for you.

Niv

renegade

JasX wrote: »

Will just throw in there are options you could try with Sky if you fancied going down that route:

1- repair the sky box -depending on age/model some have had widely publicised faults that are cheaply and easily self repairable (eg the Thopmson PSU issue), or if its a software glitch get the hard disk out of the case and reformat/reapply a fresh image using copy+ (freeware). Worst case you could pop the hard disk into your PC for some extra storage space

2-Persuade sky to send you a new box (for free) if you have a sub by threatening to cancel.

They won't give me another box as this is the 2nd one I have had in 18 months, told them I was thinking of going to Virgin or cancelling, didn't seem bothered, they would rather I DO THAT THEN ADMIT THAT THEY GIVE OUT DODGY REFURB BOXES!

renegade

Niv wrote: »

Assuming you want/need a subscription service (i.e Virgin or Sky basically) I would try and get a new bos off sky.

Your out of contract so you can legitimately leave with 1 months notice, they know that, you knwo that. Ring them, ask to speak to cancelations and say you wish to cancel as your box has broken so you cant watch sky and cannot afford a new box. Chances are they will offer you a new sky + HD box for ~£15 installation. You DONT need to get teh HD subscription and wills till be able to recieve bbc, itv, c4 HD channels (assuming you have a HD tv ofc).

I did similar to this a few months ago (said I was leaving as I couldnt record tv on my current box) and that was the deal I was given. I did however have to agree to a new 12 month contract (I didnt mind this).

If you want to leave as you dislike sky, thats a different matter. Feel free, if virgin is in your area I believe its a simialr service but I understand their customer service is shocking (no first hand experiance myself).

Either way, hope it works out for you.

Niv[/QUThanks for that input.How much is our new contract costing you, at the moment? i am paying £ 19.95 -no HD or Movie channels.

renegade

althas wrote: »

Depends on what service you want

If you want all those sky type channels, then you will have to go with Virgin. Though personally I would rarther do without a TV at all then EVER have anything to do with them

BT vision (which I have just got) is freeview and a bit extra. You need BT broadband as a lot of the content streams down that. You get on demand TV (a limited Iplayer for example) as well as set TV shows and series. Same with movies. You can also rent-a-movie (much like going and getting a DVD from a rental shop). I personally think it a great service, and I usually find something I like on the ever changing on-demand stuff

I do have BB & Phone with BT whats the cost of BT Vision?

renegade

rmg1 wrote: »

Why not just buy a Freesat box?
It's the same connectors as a Sky box, gives you loads of channels and you can programme it for more channels as you see fit.

I thought of that but then there is the extra expense plus the only other reason is that you can record .But bearing in mind that if I cancel my contract with Sky, the Box will revert to Freestat anyway so no need to buy another box.

Niv

renegade wrote: »

Niv wrote: »

for that input.How much is our new contract costing you, at the moment? i am paying £ 19.95 -no HD or Movie channels.

I have the 'basic' package plus News pack for £20.50 (so I can get sky sports news basically), so the new contract has not forced me to bump up the cost at all. So although they have given me a + HD box I have no obligation to take the HD package, in fact it wasnt even pushed that hard. They did ask, I said no, that was it, no hard sell. Pleasent to deal with too, from my experiance.

Niv

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

renegade wrote: »

But bearing in mind that if I cancel my contract with Sky, the Box will revert to Freestat anyway so no need to buy another box.

Bearing in mind that you won't be able to record on the Sky box once the contract is cancelled.

macman

renegade wrote: »

I thought of that but then there is the extra expense plus the only other reason is that you can record .But bearing in mind that if I cancel my contract with Sky, the Box will revert to Freestat anyway so no need to buy another box.

It will not revert to Freesat, it will revert to Freesat from Sky (the Sky FTA channels). Similar but not the same.