Sky box Amstrad DRX 890 does it just work out of the box

gfplux

Thinking of buying an Amstrad DRX 890 sky box from eBay or Amazon.
This is to replace my very old Pace digibox . This I use for Satelite free to air broadcasts
If I buy the amstrad will it automatically work and recieve the free Satelite to air broadcasts, or,
Do I need some sort of card to recieve these free programmes.
I do not and never had a sky contract.
I have an 80cm dish at the bottom of the garden

Inner_Zone

Should just plug in and work, but you won't be able to use the recording feature. BBC1 will probability be London region and ITV 1 Central region by default. Other BBC regions are on the EPG (in the 950's upwards) and other ITV regions can be added but will not show on the EPG.

Free channels (FTA) are just that no card required, Free to View (FTV about a dozen or less) require a Freesat from Sky card £25 for about five years use and subscription channels require a Sky card and appropriate subscription.

davemurgatroyd

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Should just plug in and work, but you won't be able to use the recording feature. BBC1 will probability be London region and ITV 1 Central region by default. Other BBC regions are on the EPG (in the 950's upwards) and other ITV regions can be added but will not show on the EPG.

Free channels (FTA) are just that no card required, Free to View (FTV about a dozen or less) require a Freesat from Sky card £25 for about five years use and subscription channels require a Sky card and appropriate subscription.

The default regions will only be BBC1 London, ITV Central West and BBC2 England if the box is brand new and/or has never had a viewing card inserted otherwise all the HD bpxes on the latest software will "remember" the regions of the last viewing card used in them. This can only be changed by doing a new install with a viewing card for the required region.

Note also that if you only have one satellite feed you would need to set the box to "single feed mode ON" - "services" "0" "0" "1" "Select".

gfplux

Thanks for the help.
However I am shocked the recording will not work. So there is no reason to pay extra for the hard disc version.

Browntoa

box is quicker than the old pace box in your case, thats it

[Deleted User]

gfplux wrote: »

I am shocked the recording will not work.

Sky+ features will only work with a Sky subscription. However, you'll get HD channels not available on your old box as well as a much improved EPG.

gfplux

Now I understand why a high quality (non sky) box with 500gb hard disk will cost around €400

prowla

The recording feature will only work with a Sky subscription, so there is no point in having a DRX-890 for freeview/sat.

They can be had for £10-20 on ebay/gumtree, but as I say, no point in getting one.

Sky also do a HD "multiroom" 2nd box, which doesn't record, and that is ideal for free viewing. Again they can be had for the £10-20 mark.

[Deleted User]

prowla wrote: »

Sky also do a HD "multiroom" 2nd box, which doesn't record, and that is ideal for free viewing. Again they can be had for the £10-20 mark.

Yes, this is a better option for the OP unless he intends to eventually upgrade to an actual Sky+ subscription.

penrhyn

OP, head over to Humax Direct and pick up a bargain Freesat HD PVR.

http://www1.humaxdirect.co.uk/Direct/ProdCat/all?ck=factory

Freesat HD PVR, with Freetime and 500Gb HDD £159, or £189 with a One Terror bite drive..

gfplux

Thanks again for all the info.
I also like the link to Humax direct and will look at their offer.
I don't live in the UK so would be unable to subscribe to Sky. However as I am not in need of more than match of the day as a football fix and prefer to see my blockbusters when they come out AND on the big screen I would never pay sky for their channels. There is more than enough available free without paying for MORE channels.
Thanks