Sky+ HD box problems, repair or replace?

Dwilly · 17-10-2010 09:19PM #1

I've had Sky HD for just over 3 years now, and the box is starting to play up, namely:

- Some channels are very distorted (e.g. BBC1)
- Some channels are fine (e.g. all the Irish channels, Sky Sports HD1)
- Some channels don't work at all and give the 'no signal is being received message (e.g. Sky1)
- Planned recorded programmes often fail

Had a quick chat to sky customer service, they asked me to do some diagnostic tests using the remotebut nothing was flagged up from that, seemingly.

So, as the box is well out of warranty, does it sound like it's on it's way out or should I just purchase a new one? Sky will charge €100 just for someone to come out and look and it, I think a new box is about €200 or so? It might make more sense just to replace it.

Cheers for any advice.

17-10-2010 11:25PM

switch the cables round ,putting lnb1 where lnb cable 2 was.
That usually sorts out reception issues for me which is also the likely cause of the failed recordings.

Dwilly · 18-10-2010 11:26AM

Thanks for that.
Switched cables but still no signal on input 2 and no difference regarding available channels.
Must be a jiggered input on the box?

gtg60 · 18-10-2010 12:27PM

Is it a Thompson box with Component out? If so the power supplies are known to give trouble, repairable but to be honest Sky HD boxes go very cheap on adverts.ie that it'd be much handier to pick one up there.

18-10-2010 12:49PM

Dwilly wrote: »

Thanks for that.
Switched cables but still no signal on input 2 and no difference regarding available channels.
Must be a jiggered input on the box?

Looks likely... so as gtg says -time to invest alright.

Tropheus · 18-10-2010 01:18PM

I've lost count of the number of Sky HD boxes we've had replaced over the past few years. All with the same problem - failed recordings and "no satillite signal". Fine after a reboot, but fails several times a week.

We have two boxes. When it happened first, I got a replacement PSU from Satcure in the UK. It worked a treat and that box hasn't given us any problems since.

The other box has been replaced several times and is now acting up again. All Thompson boxes. Sky won't admit that they're sh1t for obvious reasons. I didn't go the Satcure route with this one as they now require you to send the faulty PSU to them before they send the replacment out. You used to be able to send it to them after you received the replacement.

I'll take a look at adverts.ie and see if I can get a replacement. However, how do I know I'm not buying one with the same problem?

John mac · 18-10-2010 02:43PM

You could just buy the kit from satcure and replace the capacitors yourself,
or get someone to do it for you.

Dwilly · 19-10-2010 09:52AM

Cheers for the advice chaps.

Agreed to buy a 4 month old box for €60 from adverts.ie. Seems like a good deal, I think it's the new slimmer Amstrad one. Picking it up this evening.

Hopefully that'll be the end of it. If I miss another Strictly Come Dancing I may as well pack my bags.

Tropheus · 19-10-2010 08:27PM

I'll do that as well. Looks cheaper and quicker than the Satcure option.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Sky+ HD box problems, repair or replace?

Comments