Replacement of Sky SD Box

Duzzie

I currently have an 11-year old sky SD satellite box (pace DS445NB) which has started playing up with lost satellite signal error messages and a pixilated picture. I have tried a different even older sky satellite box (Thomson ds14212c) with the same viewing card and I'm not getting any no signal errors and the picture is good suggesting that my pace sky box is faulty. I have been on to sky who suggest that the box needs replacing, but the only box that they have available is the sky q box which doesn't support the magic eye device for multi room viewing as there is no RF Out on the sky Q box. Unfortunately I don't have the remote for the old Thomson box so cannot use that long term.

My query relates to the compatibility of a sky+ HD box with my sky account. Could I swap my old SD box with a Sky+ box? If I understand correctly, I would need to get sky to pair my new box with my current viewing card, but other than that, it should just be a straightforward swap??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

EdmondShiels3

A sky+ hd box will work. I changed from an sd box. You can pair the card to the box online https://www.sky.com/help/diagnostics/sky-viewing-card/activate-your-viewing-card-online

Duzzie

EdmondShiels3 wrote: »

A sky+ hd box will work. I changed for an sd box. You can pair the card to the box online https://www.sky.com/help/diagnostics/sky-viewing-card/activate-your-viewing-card-online

Thanks for the quick response. I also understand that the Sky+ HD box doesnt have an RF2 output and that an i/o Link is needed to use it with a Magic Eye?? Is this correct??

decor58

Duzzie wrote: »

Thanks for the quick response. I also understand that the Sky+ HD box doesnt have an RF2 output and that an i/o Link is needed to use it with a Magic Eye?? Is this correct??

The DRX890c has the RF2 connection, if you can pick up one of them.

Randyleprechaun

Duzzie wrote:

Thanks for the quick response. I also understand that the Sky+ HD box doesnt have an RF2 output and that an i/o Link is needed to use it with a Magic Eye?? Is this correct??

Plenty of hd boxes on adverts with the rf2 outlet

Vic_08

If you have 2 satellite cables at that location you will have full functionality of the Sky+, if you only have 1 sat cable you will have to put the box into "single feed mode" accessible through the hidden installer menu <services> <0> <0> <1> <select>

Duzzie

Many thanks to everyone for your responses and advice. I have installed a new box, installed the i/o link, paired the sky card and set the box to single feed mode. All is working as expected.

I have one further query regarding the use of a single feed into the box though. Obviously the use of the single feed mode restricts the functionality of the box such that you cannot record one program whist watching a second. In order to have a second input cable into the box, does the second cable have to originate at the dish or would a satellite cable splitter like the link below work?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Justecheu-Connector-Adapter-Aerial-Splitter/dp/B07DWSCYQ2

decor58

Duzzie wrote: »

Many thanks to everyone for your responses and advice. I have installed a new box, installed the i/o link, paired the sky card and set the box to single feed mode. All is working as expected.

I have one further query regarding the use of a single feed into the box though. Obviously the use of the single feed mode restricts the functionality of the box such that you cannot record one program whist watching a second. In order to have a second input cable into the box, does the second cable have to originate at the dish or would a satellite cable splitter like the link below work?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Justecheu-Connector-Adapter-Aerial-Splitter/dp/B07DWSCYQ2

You can't use a splitter, connection has to go back to the dish.

winston_1

Duzzie wrote: »

Unfortunately I don't have the remote for the old Thomson box so cannot use that long term.

Use the one you do have. All sky sd boxes use the same remote.

decor58

Unfortunately I don't have the remote for the old Thomson box so cannot use that long term.
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Sky remotes look similar but they are not the same, they can be reprogrammed, there are videos on YouTube, I think it is the green or yellow button plus another to change between sd and hd boxes.