I need a new HD Box

Henry O'Henry

Hi, I'm sure there is lots of info already on boards about this, but as the search function is not working at the moment I can't find them.
I have Sky HD and I love it, I just hate Sky. Last October my box started doing crazy things and over a series of weeks, despite several conversations and exercises with Technical Support things just deteriorated. The last straw was when it kept messing up recordings telling me that there had been a power cut! Finally in December they came out and installed a replacement box, which they charged me for.
This replacement box I found out subsequently was a reconditioned unit. In the last few weeks I have had to reboot the machine several times as it just keeps falling into a catatonic state. When I came home this evening and tried to watch some recordings from last night I was greeted with the familiar greeting of "Failed recording due to power failure". A long frustrating call to Technical Support got me no further than learning that the reconditioned unit is only guaranteed for 3 months. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate condescending smug Scots!

So, I want to buy a new HD box, but I do not want to pay a bloody Sky for a technician to come out & hook it up. I would prefer to get it on EBay. I understand that some manufacturers are better than others. Could someone advise me as to which is the best make to go for please?

Kashkai

I've got a Humax HD PVR (that has all the functionality of the SKY HD box minus the problems you've described!) that I use for my Freesat service so no paying a monthly ransom to SKY. It has worked flawlessly since I installed it last May and if the search function was working, I doubt if you'd find anyone saying a bad word about the Humax. Give Sky the boot and go the Freesat way and since you'll no longer be forking out on SKY each month, the Humax box will pay for itself in no time. I got mine from Richersounds (see their forum under "Biz - Talk to"). They were the cheapest when I bought mine.

stevethesatguy

Humax Foxsat HDR

or

Mvision HD200 Combo

Both are excellent receivers and you can record on both

enfant terrible

Henry O'Henry wrote: »

Hi, I'm sure there is lots of info already on boards about this, but as the search function is not working at the moment I can't find them.
I have Sky HD and I love it, I just hate Sky. Last October my box started doing crazy things and over a series of weeks, despite several conversations and exercises with Technical Support things just deteriorated. The last straw was when it kept messing up recordings telling me that there had been a power cut! Finally in December they came out and installed a replacement box, which they charged me for.
This replacement box I found out subsequently was a reconditioned unit. In the last few weeks I have had to reboot the machine several times as it just keeps falling into a catatonic state. When I came home this evening and tried to watch some recordings from last night I was greeted with the familiar greeting of "Failed recording due to power failure". A long frustrating call to Technical Support got me no further than learning that the reconditioned unit is only guaranteed for 3 months. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate condescending smug Scots!

So, I want to buy a new HD box, but I do not want to pay a bloody Sky for a technician to come out & hook it up. I would prefer to get it on EBay. I understand that some manufacturers are better than others. Could someone advise me as to which is the best make to go for please?

Are you paying a lot every month, if so they will probably waive the charge if you threaten to cancel?

Threaten to cancel like I did, tell then you can't afford the call out charge after already paying for it recently.

They will transfer you to cancellations who will ask why you are canceling and waive the call out charge.

If it seems like there going ahead with the cancellation just tell them you'll leave it a while and see how the box operates for the time being.

Nirvana999

Im a newbie.. I note the post from Kildare... is Freeview capable of being received here? What equipment is needed?

And, can you tell me that when I upgrade to Sky HD will the installer take away the old box or dish?

Thanks

Nirvana999

Zonda999

Nirvana999 wrote: »

Im a newbie.. I note the post from Kildare... is Freeview capable of being received here? What equipment is needed?

And, can you tell me that when I upgrade to Sky HD will the installer take away the old box or dish?

Thanks

Nirvana999

You definitely wont be able to get freeview in Kildare, way too far from the north

No the installer would use the same dish(unless its really ancient) and you can keep your old box, you own it after all!:)

gizmo555

Henry O'Henry wrote: »

A long frustrating call to Technical Support got me no further than learning that the reconditioned unit is only guaranteed for 3 months.

This is a cop out. Aside from whatever guarantee they offer, they must comply with consumer legislation, which specifies that the goods they sell must be fit for purpose and of merchantable quality. It would be hard to argue that a satellite receiver which failed after nine months use was either, whether reconditioned or not. Get back on to them and point these facts out. If they dig in their heels, you always have the option of taking a claim in the small claims court. See here for more info:

http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/Hot_Topics/Guides-to-Consumer-Law/Shopping/intro.html