Sky+ - Where do I start please?

Werdnal

Thinking of upgrading to Sky+, to be able to record programmes, but don't want/need HD or multi-room. We currently have the basic original "no frills" Sky box, so what do we need to do to get Sky+. Is it just get a box and plug in, or is there an extra subscription to pay? Do we need to register for a new viewing card etc?

There are several cheap Sky+ boxes locally on eBay and just wondered if its a case of plugging in a new box and we are away, or is there more to it please.

Thanks

steve1980

You will have to have a re-install as the Sky+ box requires two inputs from the sky dish.

You can rewire yourself, it's not a difficult job, just make sure you get the correct cable.

Depending on how long you've been with Sky they may give you installation for free.

Werdnal

steve1980 wrote: »

You will have to have a re-install as the Sky+ box requires two inputs from the sky dish.

You can rewire yourself, it's not a difficult job, just make sure you get the correct cable.

Depending on how long you've been with Sky they may give you installation for free.

Thanks.

Just been looking on another site and they claim the 2nd cable is not strictly required. Only needed if you want to watch 1 channel whilst recording another, or for the time slip/rewind facility which we'd rarely use. We tend to watch something on Freeview whilst recording from Sky on our DVD recorder. Chances of wanting to watch and record Sky at the same time is minimal. So would a single cable allow us to watch or record onto the Sky+ box, or do we still need 2 just to record?

GunJack

believe me, if you have +, you'll very suddenly be watching one and recording another, or, as we do, be recording 2 things whilst watching something back off the hard drive (and skiping ALL the adverts in the process ) We NEVER watch stuff in real-time any more....

steve1980

Werdnal wrote: »

Thanks.

Just been looking on another site and they claim the 2nd cable is not strictly required. Only needed if you want to watch 1 channel whilst recording another, or for the time slip/rewind facility which we'd rarely use. We tend to watch something on Freeview whilst recording from Sky on our DVD recorder. Chances of wanting to watch and record Sky at the same time is minimal. So would a single cable allow us to watch or record onto the Sky+ box, or do we still need 2 just to record?

£22.64 for a 25m run of cable..... http://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-black-shotgun-coaxial-cable-sky-25m/99025?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Datafeed-_-Electrical%20and%20Lighting-_-Labgear%20Black%20Shotgun%20Coaxial%20Cable%20Sky%2B%2025m

The job will take you 30 minutes max.

neilwoods

Not so sure you can upgrade to Sky+ from the basic package. Thing it is the Sky+HD box, need to pay £49 for the box and £60 set up.

steve1980

neilwoods wrote: »

Not so sure you can upgrade to Sky+ from the basic package. Thing it is the Sky+HD box, need to pay £49 for the box and £60 set up.

You don't.

If you buy the box yourself, install it yourself, then not really alot Sky can do. You just call them to say you have Sky+ so can they update your card.

mandyc

We upgraded about four months ago. We had had our original box for years. Phoned Sky and actually reduced our package and got a hd+ box and install for free.

Give them a ring and see what they can do.

neilwoods

steve1980 wrote: »

You don't.

If you buy the box yourself, install it yourself, then not really alot Sky can do. You just call them to say you have Sky+ so can they update your card.

If you can get a cheap second hand one then yes, but then you have to buy the extra cable and a twin LNB (if you want to watch and record at same time)

So time you have bought box £40 for example, £23 for cable, £20 (ish) for twin LNB, so £83 or so if you go that route. So for the extra £20, may as well go the route of Sky+HD, full 12 month warranty.

Or as mandyc says, phone them and see what they can do. I phoned them about 9 months ago, said i wanted to leave and they reduced the cost to £10.25 a month for 6 months.

merlot123

We had sky, phoned and told them I wanted to leave as the box kept freezing etc, they agreed to give me a sky+ box for free including free installation.

I love my Sky + box, I rarely watch programmes in real time, so I skip adverts, it also great if someone knocks at the door, the pause function is a great thing.

Can't recommend it highly enough. (although Sky customer service is cr*p, they need to take note of First Direct service).

googler

Werdnal wrote: »

Just been looking on another site and they claim the 2nd cable is not strictly required. Only needed if you want to watch 1 channel whilst recording another, or for the time slip/rewind facility which we'd rarely use. We tend to watch something on Freeview whilst recording from Sky on our DVD recorder. Chances of wanting to watch and record Sky at the same time is minimal.

So if you don't want HD and don't want the above...... WHY do you want Sky+ ???