Sky watch from the start while recording

digbydog

I've had a Sky subscription for years and am now well outside the contract period. Every evening, I watch Channel 4 News via my Sky box, starting about 30 minutes after it begins, while it's still being broadcast. I often fast-forward through segments I'm not interested in, but this service is costing me around £50 a month.

I've tried various Channel 4 apps on Android, Xbox, and PC, but they don't seem to allow fast-forwarding and are a bit clunky.

I’ve considered getting a Freeview box with a hard drive, but I don’t have a working TV aerial and don’t want to invest in repairs and a new box without knowing if it will meet my needs. I also looked into the EE box, which seems similar to Sky, but I’m hesitant to sign up without being sure it does what I want.

Any ideas?

Thanks

howlsatthemoon

Not sure, but would Freesat not meet your needs? No aerial required just plug existing satellite dish leads into Freesat box

p00hsticks

howlsatthemoon said:

Not sure, but would Freesat not meet your needs? No aerial required just plug existing satellite dish leads into Freesat box

Our freesat box is pretty basic and old but doesn't have the streaming functionality of 'watch from start' and 'fast forward' that the OP appears to want - it;s just basically live TV. Things may be different now...

digbydog

howlsatthemoon said:

Not sure, but would Freesat not meet your needs? No aerial required just plug existing satellite dish leads into Freesat box

Thank you. I had forgotten that Freesat was a thing. I always think of Freeview and not Freesat. I've just looked it up, and it does look like it does what I want. 

.

TadleyBaggie

Be aware, if your current Sky box is Sky Q, it uses a different type of LNB that many Freesat boxes are not compatible with.

digbydog

TadleyBaggie said:

Be aware, if your current Sky box is Sky Q, it uses a different type of LNB that many Freesat boxes are not compatible with.

No, it predates Sky Q. I guess it is about ten years old

basill

I have an idea Sky do a record ony subscription with a selection of channels similar to Freeview for £5/month.  You could get a Freesat 4K recording box but these are quite expensive starting at £170.  i have one and we have already lost the ability to set up recordings via the app, I fear there will be little improvement and the suppliers would prefer us to move to Freely steaming Tv over the next few years

digbydog

basill said:

I have an idea Sky do a record ony subscription with a selection of channels similar to Freeview for £5/month.  You could get a Freesat 4K recording box but these are quite expensive starting at £170.  i have one and we have already lost the ability to set up recordings via the app, I fear there will be little improvement and the suppliers would prefer us to move to Freely steaming Tv over the next few years

Do you have any links to the Sky record-only option? I cannot see it on their website.

I was not aware of Freely. This is getting complex!

Thanks

basill

digbydog said:

basill said:

I have an idea Sky do a record ony subscription with a selection of channels similar to Freeview for £5/month.  You could get a Freesat 4K recording box but these are quite expensive starting at £170.  i have one and we have already lost the ability to set up recordings via the app, I fear there will be little improvement and the suppliers would prefer us to move to Freely steaming Tv over the next few years

Do you have any links to the Sky record-only option? I cannot see it on their website.

I was not aware of Freely. This is getting complex!

Thanks

I have only seen reference to the record only sub on forum posts, I suspect it is only available on request.   Incidentally if you do ring them for a chat about leaving sky they will almost certainly offer a hefty discount to retain your custom,  I think the £5 might be a last ditch attempt by the retentions department to keep you paying them something.
Freesat recordable has been a very good replacement for Sky and as I dont miss it or the bills.  It only takes a few months of no Sky bill to pay for the box outright!   Just over long term I think Freely  will get all the investment, channels and features.

Olinda99

I agree with the above - basically buy a Freesat PVR. disconnect the two satellites feeds from the back of your sky box and screw them into the back of the freesat box 

you will then be free to watch and record all freesat channels for free !

Detail_Merchant

digbydog said:

Do you have any links to the Sky record-only option? I cannot see it on their website.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-essentials is the record-only option.
That page talks about Sky Q, but I am sure I have read about people getting it with Sky+
No price mentioned on that page, but from past posts, I think the list price is £15/month, but people have reported getting it for £5/month or £10/month.