What happens if I don't have Sky box permanently plugged in?

Worztron · 01-11-2010 09:30AM #1

Hi.

I was told to keep my Sky box plugged at all times. Is this really necessary? I tested how long it takes to scan for channels if the Sky box was plugged out and then in again. It only took 30 seconds. Also I now have 2 Sky boxes. The second one is in the kitchen and is rarely used - is it best to keep that box plugged out?

Thanks.

John mac · 01-11-2010 01:07PM

it only needs to be plugged in to receive software updates , (or record stuff )

montgolfiere · 01-11-2010 02:32PM

It is not a good idea to power down Skyboxes everynight. they are designed to be left on standby 24/7.
in my (humble) experience a lot of Digibox failures occur when a Digibox is switched back on after being powered down.
however i can see no problem with a digibox being left powered down when only being used occasionally.
The Skyman

iPlop · 01-11-2010 06:37PM

You lose everything in the anytime function and it takes 4 hours to come back in.I realised this the hard way!sky told me that would happen and it did.I had to plug it out as I was moving the box from one place to another.

edit: mines a sky+HD box

Mike 1972 · 01-11-2010 07:26PM

Dont things like encryption keys and EPG data get lost if a box has been off for a while. They will come back but it might take a few hours.

zoltar_boi · 01-11-2010 07:58PM

We have a Sky box in the kitchen, and Sky+ in the living room. We power down the Sky box (kitchen) every night for the last year without a problem. Some days the EPG takes a few seconds to appear, but never more than 30 secs.

You don't mention if it's a Sky or Sky+ box you want to shut down, but we're always being told not to leave items in standby mode (save the planet).

tomdadude · 01-11-2010 08:19PM

I plug out my box every night and have done so for years now.

Never any problem.

Kristopherus · 01-11-2010 08:25PM

tomdadude wrote: »

I plug out my box every night and have done so for years now.

Never any problem.

Same here. Never lost a thing. And our last box was a Sky+ unit.

Cantona's Collars · 01-11-2010 09:33PM

All Sky boxes will switch off into low power mode themselves if not being used e.g at night when you're tucked up in bed-no need to plug them out.Told that to a guy I know and as I was speaking he went over and plugged it out along with the tv.lol

Worztron · 02-11-2010 09:16AM

zoltar_boi wrote: »

We have a Sky box in the kitchen, and Sky+ in the living room. We power down the Sky box (kitchen) every night for the last year without a problem. Some days the EPG takes a few seconds to appear, but never more than 30 secs.

You don't mention if it's a Sky or Sky+ box you want to shut down, but we're always being told not to leave items in standby mode (save the planet).

Hi zoltar_boi

I have the same setup as you. A Sky+ box in living room and ordinary Sky box in kitchen. The kitchen box is the one I am asking about. So perhaps it depends on whether you have a second box permanently plugged in (i.e. the one in the living room)?

12 element · 02-11-2010 11:34AM

I think the box also keeps the LNB powered at night because the LNB can freeze if the weather is cold enough. It won't work until it thaws out!

What happens if I don't have Sky box permanently plugged in?

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