Sky+ instalation query

evilivor

Looking for a bit of a steer here.

My parents have currently have UPC but as, they are based in an area only served by MMDS, apparently they can't get the Digital+ service - they'd like to be able to record one channel and watch another so now Sky+ seems to be the best solution - they have no issue paying for tv and, anyway, it works out cheaper than UPC.

I had a look at the Sky site which doesn't appear to be the most helpful so looking for a bit of advice.

If they want to get a reasonably basic service Sky+ in two rooms - plus sports - Dad likes his football - do they have to get an Entertainment pack as well as the sports pack or can they get the basic channels with just subscription Sky Sports?

Second issue, they already have a dish and a free to air system feeding two points in the house and want to keep them as is. I presume I will have to mention that at time of ordering so the installer will use the corect LNB (octo?) for the two additional + boxes - does that make it a non-standard instalation?

Also, there is a landline in the house but if there is any messing about with phone cables will that be done by installer as a matter of course.

Never dealt with Sky before and, as I wont be here at the time of the install, I want to make sure I am armed with as much knowledge as possible before making the call to order it for them.

Thanks in advance.

gbee

Far too complex, ask at one the their stands in any shopping cwntre.

By default, the installer will remove the existing dish ~ you'll need to check the local planning regs which stipulate ONE antenna [read sat dish] ~ so to get around this you'd need local advise on where one can legally put the second dish and if that location would also catch the satellite.

Cantona's Collars

Do your parents just want Sky in one room & fta in the others? If so,a single dish with a quad lnb (which is installed as standard) will do.If you want 2 Sky+ boxes installed for Sky multiroom it works out to be expensive as Sky charge a fortune for the 2nd plus box.You'd be better off getting a standard multiroom install (2nd box is free but doesn't record) and sourcing a Sky+ box yourself on Adverts.ie and installing it at a later date then pairing the card with it yourself.Sky+ needs 2 cables to function fully so get installer to use shotgun cable for the multiroom box.He'll be using it for the main box install anyway.

As Gbee said,it's easier to deal with someone face to face at a kiosk plus if you need an octo make sure the installer knows in advance so he doesn't turn up without one.They charge extra for them and the price can be scaldy so my advice is to pick one up on Amazon for a few quid & give it to him when he turns up to do the install.

evilivor

Thanks for the replies, the info on the standard multi room is the kind of help i need.

At present they have a dish with a twin LNB on it feeding two FTA boxes - one in a occasionally used sitting room and another to their bedroom - quite happy with them.

What they want to replace is their UPC set up in the main living room - a Sky+ box setup for this and a standard sky box setup for my Dad's den - though it might as well be wired for Sky+ to keep it future proofed.

I'd have a fair idea about what to order and how to talk it through with an installer or to someone at a kiosk but I'm only here for the weekend and, having read of Sky install horror stories, I want to be able to say to my da: - "This is what you need to order, this is what it'll cost you, don't let a lazy/dodgy installer put up a second dish/take away your existing set up/cock things up..."

What I might do is get my Dad to go visit the Sky kiosk in the nearest shopping centre and tell him when to order or get him to call me.

St Senan

evilivor wrote: »

What I might do is get my Dad to go visit the Sky kiosk in the nearest shopping centre and tell him when to order or get him to call me.

Signing up to Sky through a Kiosk means that you will be dealing with a Reseller.
The guy at the kiosk works for a sales company and the Installer you get works for an installation company and will be just a sub contractor. I have come accross plenty of people who gone down this route to get Sky only to realize that their warranty is not with sky it is with a 3rd party sales/installation company who have moved on to another Kiosk/stand somewhere else in the country.

If you want to deal with a person face to face the contact your local Independant installer or your local tv shop at least He/they will be local and wont be moving on elsewhere.

evilivor

scaller wrote: »

evilivor wrote: »

What I might do is get my Dad to go visit the Sky kiosk in the nearest shopping centre and tell him when to order or get him to call me.

Signing up to Sky through a Kiosk means that you will be dealing with a Reseller.
The guy at the kiosk works for a sales company and the Installer you get works for an installation company and will be just a sub contractor. I have come accross plenty of people who gone down this route to get Sky only to realize that their warranty is not with sky it is with a 3rd party sales/installation company who have moved on to another Kiosk/stand somewhere else in the country.

If you want to deal with a person face to face the contact your local Independant installer or your local tv shop at least He/they will be local and wont be moving on elsewhere.

The problem is no local installer or tv shop; my parents live in the country and I'm heading back to the city tomorrow.