Sky + box records FTA UK and Irish channels without sub

digitaldr

My in-laws got Sky Q about a week ago so I took their old Sky HD+ box as my humax freesat 1100s has no signal on both inputs - not sure if it was the box or the dish at fault. Anyway the Sky box worked fine so figured the Humax box was at fault. A factory reset on the humax sorted it.

Interestingly the Sky box was able to record and timeshift on Irish channels and UK FTA ones too. My understanding was that non-sub boxes (and none of the subscription channels work) lost PVR functionality?

While it's nice to have Irish and UK channels on the one box the 7 day EPG seems to have gone on the sky box (< 24 hrs now) and I'm not sure if series linking works properly. I might go back to the Humax as I've got BBC iplayer working on it although my xbox one has it too. Irish channels are via my TV with hdd attached for recording. Sky is more wife friendly though. Decisions, decisions ....

Johnboy1951

digitaldr wrote: »

My in-laws got Sky Q about a week ago so I took their old Sky HD+ box as my humax freesat 1100s has no signal on both inputs - not sure if it was the box or the dish at fault. Anyway the Sky box worked fine so figured the Humax box was at fault. A factory reset on the humax sorted it.

Interestingly the Sky box was able to record and timeshift on Irish channels and UK FTA ones too. My understanding was that non-sub boxes (and none of the subscription channels work) lost PVR functionality?

While it's nice to have Irish and UK channels on the one box the 7 day EPG seems to have gone on the sky box (< 24 hrs now) and I'm not sure if series linking works properly. I might go back to the Humax as I've got BBC iplayer working on it although my xbox one has it too. Irish channels are via my TV with hdd attached for recording. Sky is more wife friendly though. Decisions, decisions ....

Besides the very off capability of being able to record FTA channels on a non-sub Sky+ HD box, the fact that you are receiving (cleared) the Irish channels should indicate to you that the box is behaving as if it has a current subscription.
No Irish channels are FTA on Sky satellite, so would not normally be available.

You have described an extremely unusual circumstance, and not the norm.

Are you sure there is not some Sky card in the box?

Kevin Finnerty

Sounds like an upgrade where the old card hasnt shut down yet.

digitaldr

I've just had another play around with it and one of the f connecters was loose. 7 day EPG and all sub channels now working so I'm guessing you're correct Kevin and the old card will be shutdown soon - this is the first time box has been plugged in since change over to Sky Q

digitaldr

Paid channels gone this morning but PVR functions still working at the moment. I ordered a Tiviar Alpha+triple tuner as was getting sick of not having UK and Irish channels on the same EPG - combo boxes have come a long way since I had my last one which was a heap of s*ite. Once I get it up and running properly the Humax 1100s will be going on adverts.

digitaldr

Irish channels and PVR still working. Last time I cancelled sky both disappeared sooner than this. How long on average should it take? I have read on some other forum that a lucky few have retained PVR indefinitely but not sure if actually true.

Johnboy1951

digitaldr wrote: »

Irish channels and PVR still working. Last time I cancelled sky both disappeared sooner than this. How long on average should it take? I have read on some other forum that a lucky few that retain PVR indefinitely but not sure if actually true.

Pity it is not dependable as it could disappear any time.

The Ayatolla

Turn the card upside down and put it back in. That's the real test.