Upgrading SKY+ Box TO SKY+ HD? With AEI Digisender connected.

[thomastt37]

I currently have an old grey Amstrad Sky+ Box with 80gb Hard Drive which I have connected to a 32" Hitachi LCD TV 32LD30UB which is HD Ready and has two HDMI plugs available,I also have connected a Toshiba DR20KB Upscaling DVD Recorder and an AEI Digisender DG200 Transmitter connected with a scart Piggyback connector to the SKY+ Box.This transmits a signal upstairs to my bedroom to a Digisender Receiver which is connected via a Scart to my Samsung LE19B450C4W LCD TV This is HD Ready and has one HDMI plug.I receive a good TV Picture normally with little interference.
My question is this...I have recently been having a few problems with my SKY+ Box and have had SKY Reset it to try and resolve issues with Crashing and Freezing..but it still Occassionally Crashes and Freezes,Sky have also checked my Satelite Signal and have advised that its OK.I am wondering whether its worthwile me Upgrading to the SKY+HD Box with the larger Hard Drive or buy another replacement Old Style SKY+ Box, but I am concerned firstly about whether I would still be able to use my AEI Digisender which has no HDMI connections and Secondly about the cost?
Can someone help me please..Many Thanks Michael

[Isitme]

If it is your first HD box the cost will not be high. The HD boxes also have Scart out ports so you have nothing to worry about there. You will be able to connect the HD box by HDMI to your main TV and use the scart connector to transmit to your second one. Your DVD Upscaler can be connected to the second HDMI on your TV.

http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/hd-upgrades/

[gymno]

it's perhaps worth mentioning that the latest sky+hd boxes (drx890 & drx895) have only one scart socket.

[Isitme]

it's perhaps worth mentioning that the latest sky+hd boxes (drx890 & drx895) have only one scart socket.

Yes, sorry, when I said 'The HD boxes also have Scart out ports' it should have been, the HD boxes have scart port. It will make no difference unless you have a DVD/Video recorder.

[thomastt37]

...," when I said 'The HD boxes also have Scart out ports' it should have been, the HD boxes have scart port. It will make no difference unless you have a DVD/Video recorder.

Sorry for delay in replying as I have been in contact with Sky to see what they can offer me,? However, Thank you for your help,unfortunately I do have a Dvd recorder connected to my SKY+ Box via Scart and do record to DVD Disc from SKY+ Hard Disk.I did notice that the older Secondhand SKY+ HD 160GB Boxes available on E Bay have TWO Scart Sockets but only ONE HDMI Socket..would that Type of Box be better,as I don't have a full 1080 TV just 720 and don't want the extra cost of the SKY HD Package at £10 per month and I wont be taking up HD,I just want the better EPG programme and more storage. Your thoughts Appreciated Michael

[Scubbie]

I have a DVD Recorder too, which is connected between my Sky+ HD TV and the TV.

This works well for me.

My AV sender is connected to a Scart splitter between the DVD Recorder and the TV. Many DVD Recorders will have two Scart sockets. The hardest bit is to ensure that the cables are placed correctly to allow the signal to pass-through when they are switched off.

Sky+ HD STB --> DVD Recorder --> Splitter -->

Splitter (out a) --> TV
Splitter (out b) --> AV Sender

Admittedly the DVD Recorder hardly gets used now, but the signal passes through without any issues and I can see the picture on my other TV.

[thomastt37]

Scubbie Many thanks for your reply which is very helpful,however just a quick point,my Digisender is an Analogue version..does this matter?and secondly as I will not be taking HD would the earlier version of the SKY+HD Box currently available to purchase on E Bay be better for me,and would it work OK ..Reply appreciated and sorry for delay. Michael

[Scubbie]

The signal on a Scart connect should be standardised, otherwise anything talking to one another via the lead would come into conflict.

I suspect my AV sender is also analogue because if I move between the sender and receiver the interference is fuzzy. With digital signals you get a different kind of interference (i.e. blocky).

[Isitme]

would the earlier version of the SKY+HD Box currently available to purchase on E Bay be better for me

Apart from the Thomson, which will not allow you to get Anytime+, any of the older version would be OK. The only thing against them is age, it is quite a few years since Sky discontinued the Pace, the Samsung and the older Amstrad, so they could soon show defects. The newer the box you get the better.

[thomastt37]

Hi and thank you for your comment I will try and get the latest SKY+ possible..Michael