which sky+ box to get

psarinuk

Hello,

I am subscribed to sky tv package (TV, Broadband & phone). Downstairs I've SKY+hD (twin cable, 2 records at one time or 1 record + 1 view) but upstairs I only have a single cable in my bedroom connected to the SKY dish.

I wish to get a digibox that can record TV for upstairs. Could you please advise of my options with a single cable feed? I am not fussed with HD. Just need to be able to watch a channel and/ or record it.

Thanks in advance..

macman

You need a twin feed if you want to record one channel while viewing another-a very simple job assuming that you have a spare output on the LNB. if not, you'll need to change the LNB.
With a single feed, you can only record the channel you are viewing.

psarinuk

That is fine Macman as I said in my original post. As long as I can record the channel that I am watching.. I have spare output from LNB but don't want to bring another cable in..

macman

Then just get yourself a cheap Sky+ box on eBay for next to nothing (or free on freegle).
Or you could get a cheap Freesat PVR if you want to record from that platform instead-that would give you the 4 HD channels.

psarinuk

Does sky+ box work like this (plug and play)? Would I need a sky card or use my sky account to get recording feature work on SKY+ box?

spike7451

psarinuk wrote: »

Does sky+ box work like this (plug and play)? Would I need a sky card or use my sky account to get recording feature work on SKY+ box?

You have two options;

1-Subscribe to Multiroom which is an extra £10.50 per month,you will then need to have BOTH Sky boxes connected to a working phone line,With this option you get a mirror subscription.(The same channels as on your main box)

2-Pay Sky £10 per month to use the recording facility on the box without subscribing to Multiroom,in this case you'll only get the FTA satellite channels.

For both options you would need a Sky card for the box,for option#2 it'd be a one of £25 for the card.

macman

You can only get the Freesat from Sky channels unless you take Multiroom, or you'd have to pay the £10 sub for using the Sky+ feature.
Which is why I suggested Freesat as a free alternative (depending on what channels you want to record).

psarinuk

Thanks,

Is there no FREE recording option for FTA channels? Going by your description, I think its a NO if I use a SKY+ box.

How about a freesat PVR? Would that allow me to record for free? Is there any subscription involved here?

macman

No not for Freesat for Sky-to use the recording encryption, you have to pay the £10pm.
Freesat is a free service, as the name implies-no subscription involved, just the one-off cost of the PVR.

psarinuk

ok thanks, can you please recommend some freesat PVR boxes that would allow me to view FTA as well as record what I am watching.

Also if I buy a twin tuner freesat PVR, can I still use it with 1 cable coming from a SKY LNB? I understnad that I won't be able to record a channel that I am not watching..

macman

All Freesat boxes will give you acces to the Freesat channels, and in non-Freesat mode to the FTA channels on the same satellite alignment.
Yes, you can use it with a single feed (but why impose this restriction for the cost of a length of cable?).
The Humax Foxsat HDR is the obvious choice.