how do check the size of sky+ hdd?

overworked_underpaid

I've recently had sky+ installed but was not at home when it was done. How can I tell what the size of the HDD is? and how many hours it will let me record? When I go into TV Guide>Planner it states the size as a percentage.

Any ideas?

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Have a look here.

Millionaire

Basic guidelines regarding size is that you half the size of HD to work out the amount of total recording time.

So 40GB = 20HRS recording.

By the way did you get it free and if so which BOX version did you get accordiing to the link provided ?

overworked_underpaid

I have had a look at the website you mentioned, Phantom Flan Flinger but I still cant tell the size of the HDD.

Its an AMSTRAD from the picutres on the website.
Amstrad DRX-180. But there is no mention of HDD size?
The version number is 4F2001 and the model number is A20B015

Since I have had SKY+ installed I have noticed the picture quality to be poorer than before I had Sky+. Can anyone explain this?

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Seems to be an older PVR2 with only 40Gb of memory.

Did you get Sky+ on an offer where they would supply a refurbished box?

About your picture quality, have you set it to output as RGB in the settings?

overworked_underpaid

I rang sky to cancel as I was thinking about moving to Virgin media but Sky offered me a sky+ box so i stayed with them. They didn't tell me that they will supply a refurbished box.

The output is set to RGB. The quality of the picture is okay, but it was much better before sky + installation.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Don't know what else to say I'm afraid. It does seem like an old or refurbed box though.

Maybe someone else has an idea?

edna_clouds

The 'older' PVR2 40gb hardrive, approx 20 hours of recording have the five small buttons in a row in the center on the front.. The newer PVR3 160gb,80gb for you and 80gb reserved for sky download on demand or what ever it's going to be used for, approx 40 hours of recording have the five small buttons in a row on the left on the front of the receiver... If that makes sence.. to many fosters me thinks..:beer:

overworked_underpaid

I assumed it was a new box as the installation engineer took it out of a what seemed to be a sealed cardboard box. However, there is nothing to say that it could be a refurbished sealed box.

It has the five small buttons in a row, in the center. I recorded a few programs last night and can confirm that it will record approx 20 hours.

To be honest, I think 20 hours recording is enough for me, but I have also noticed that when I change channels it takes longer than before. On my old standard Sony Sky box it was instant, however with this Amstrad Sky+ box it take a second or two. I think I will ring Sky customer servives and complain. Maybe they can suggest a fix or replace? I'll let you know how I get on.

Caffers_2

I subscribed to sky + a year a go and was given a PVR3 box(160gb) however it broke a couple of weeks ago and the engineer replaced it with a new box which should have been identical to the first with the same memory capacity. However today I discovered that as the engineer didn't have a PVR3 in stock he replaced it with a PVR2 - 80gb (without telling me) which has halved the memory capacity. I have complained to sky and they are sending another engineer to replacer it with a PRV3 - although this is still not guaranteed as it depends on what he has in stock in his van at the time.

If the same happens I would check with customer services or the engineer as to what box they are replacing it with as you might be given a reconditioned bow with lower capacity.