Buying 2nd hand Sky HD box

Jimmy Bottles

Hi there.

Thinking of buying a 2nd hand Sky HD box in order to get the FTA HD channels.

A few questions though.

1. Is there any issue with hooking up a HD box in place of a standard Sky+ box ? All the leads are the same ?

2. Any issue with switching my sky card into the new box ? Will it take time for the new box to adjust to my card ?

3. Any Sky HD boxes I should avoid due to associated problems ? Aiming for the 250GB one if I can get it cheap enough.

Thanks.

zg3409

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

Hi there.

1. Is there any issue with hooking up a HD box in place of a standard Sky+ box ? All the leads are the same ?

Thanks.

No issue. The leads are the same. For Hd you need a HD TV and HDMI lead.

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

Hi there.

2. Any issue with switching my sky card into the new box ? Will it take time for the new box to adjust to my card ?

You need to ring Sky to "pair" the card to the box. It won't take more than 1/2 a hour.

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

Hi there.

Any Sky HD boxes I should avoid due to associated problems ? Aiming for the 250GB one if I can get it cheap enough.

Assuming you have a Sky Ireland subscription there are very few free HD channels. Some of the "free to air" channels cannot be tuned in via other channels even though they are not encrypted. It's a limitation of the settings on the "other channels" menu of Sky boxes.

Off the top of my head BBC HD is the only one (this is in the program guide). There are probably a couple more.

See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HD_channels_in_Ireland
Cream channels and ones in green with Hd in their name

Manually tuned channels have problems with recording.


To make the most of HD you need a really big TV >32" and sit very close.

Beware getting a small storage. Sky uses a LOT of this storage for "Sky anytime" so it is not available to store recordings. Someone mentioned on the 500GB model only 250GB is available to record. HD recordings take more space. 1000GB (1TB) are not that expensive.

John mac

1, No issus. just swap out the cables
2, No just ring sky ,
3, Very old thompson boxes that dont have upgraded psu.

you get bbc1hd and nhkhd. too..

Jimmy Bottles

zg3409 wrote: »

Off the top of my head BBC HD is the only one (this is in the program guide). There are probably a couple more.

See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HD_channels_in_Ireland
Cream channels and ones in green with Hd in their name

Manually tuned channels have problems with recording.


To make the most of HD you need a really big TV >32" and sit very close.

Beware getting a small storage. Sky uses a LOT of this storage for "Sky anytime" so it is not available to store recordings. Someone mentioned on the 500GB model only 250GB is available to record. HD recordings take more space. 1000GB (1TB) are not that expensive.

I only have a standard sky sub so would I be right in saying the only HD channels I could get would be:

- BBC HD
- ITV HD
- C4 HD

Have a 37 inch TV so would prob be big enough to jusitfy HD channels.

John mac

no.
you can add itvhd and ch4hd to other channels but cant record them.


bbchd and bbc1hd are on the epg. (and nhk)

zg3409

Yes. Most Hd channels need a HD subscription which is 15 per month extra. Channels added via "other channels" can not be readily recorded.

I am not sure if the EPG is better or different/faster or not.

Jimmy Bottles

Thanks guys

John mac

I dont know either as I have a tompson box. still on the older software.

Jimmy Bottles

One other quick question.

Sky HD costs €15 per month extra right ?

Had a look at the Sky website and they say that you get a free Sky HD box and installation for current customers if you sign up to Sky HD channel package. They also say you get your first 3 months free.

I'm guessing that you'll have to sign up to the HD channel pack for a year and then you are out of the woods. Considering the first 3 months are free, this would be an addition cost of €135 for the entire year.

So, €135 for a Sky HD box and HD Channel for a year versus €60 for just a 2nd hand box.

Any idea what capacity of box sky are offering. I've taken a look and they don't seem to mention it anywhere.

zg3409

The page for existing cutomers is here:
http://www.sky.com/ireland/tv/high-definition/getting-sky-plus-hd/

Jimmy Bottles

Had a look and it seems to be for existing customers.

sweetie

the epg is much much better and even the sd channels are clearer

zg3409

(set-up fees may apply). I presume unless they say so it's the 500GB box, but you can only use 250GB for your own recordings.

zg3409

Sky+HD box: Existing Sky+ box households are not eligible for a discounted box unless taking the HD Pack. Existing customers must agree to new 12 month minimum term for Sky TV. One free/discounted box per household. Sky+HD box up to €149 if you are not eligible for discounted price (Sky TV subscription required).

A Sky+HD box can store an average of 60 hours of HD or 185 hours of standard definition programmes. HD ready TV required. Standard set-up is free for new Sky TV customers joining online.

Standard set-up for customers is €30 for a Sky+HD box taken with the HD Pack. Non-standard set-up may cost extra.

Sky+ box: Existing Sky+ box households are not eligible for a discounted box. Existing customers must agree to new 12 month minimum term for Sky TV. One free/discounted box per household. Sky+ box up to €149 if you are not eligible for discounted price (Sky TV subscription required). You will receive a Sky+HD box which has all the features of Sky+ and can store an average of 185 hours of standard definition programmes. To view free-to-air HD content you need an HD ready TV. To view Sky HD content you will also need the HD Pack (€15 a month). Standard set-up is free for new Sky TV customers joining online. Standard set-up for existing customers is €60. Non-standard set-up may cost extra.




Sky+HD 1TB box: €99 for Sky TV customers taking their first HD Pack (€15 pm) or existing Sky+HD customers adding Sky Multiroom (€15 per box). Existing Sky+HD customers are entitled to one €149 box, additional boxes €249. New customers are entitled to one €149 box when taking with HD pack, any additional boxes thereafter or when taking without the HD Pack are €249. Standard set-up is free for new Sky TV customers joining online. Standard set-up for existing customers is €30 when taken with the HD Pack, or €60 when taken without the HD Pack. Non-standard set-up may cost extra.

zg3409

So the 1TB box is 99 more (+30 setup) + 15 x 9months

So the normal offer is not the 1TB box