Which box to choose?

[Patricia_rose]

Hi,
First can anyone tell me if it will be okay to buy from say Ebay a box that can record? At the moment I am using a very old standard box but would love to be able to record from the TV. I have the top package from Sky, plus one Multiroom subscription that does have a box that is capable of recording. I don't want HD it would be wasted on me....poor eyesight but all the boxes seem to be HD. So which box should I go for, would really appreciate some help.

[Annie UK]

You don't have to have a HD subscription

Personally I'd got for one of the latest Sky HD boxes as they get software updates before any other boxes.

The DRX890 that has 250GB of space for users to record or the DRX895 that has 1024GB or 1536GB of user space depending on the age of the box as newer ones have slightly bigger HDDs.

Stay clear of the Thomson boxes as Sky have withdrawn software support for these boxes.

We have both a DRX890 & DRX895 here and they are great

[seawright]

I would get a Sky+ HD (Amstrad) DRX890. Yes it is HD but there would not be any requirement to take a HD subscription. If you only have one feed from your dish to the existing box you are replacing then it would require switching to single feed mode. You would also have to contact Sky to ask them to add a free Sky+ subscription to your viewing card and to re-pair it to the new box before you would be able to record the TV channel you are watching.

[Isitme]

If you don't record on your multi room box, why not just switch your boxes over. As Annie says you will have to call Sky to get the recording functions enabled.

[bubblegun]

Hi,
First can anyone tell me if it will be okay to buy from say Ebay a box that can record? At the moment I am using a very old standard box but would love to be able to record from the TV. I have the top package from Sky, plus one Multiroom subscription that does have a box that is capable of recording. I don't want HD it would be wasted on me....poor eyesight but all the boxes seem to be HD. So which box should I go for, would really appreciate some help.

Call Sky option for thinking of leaving. Ask them if they have any offers for this. You shouldn't need to discuss leaving as a lot of advisors will happily sell you a new box without HD at a better price than eBay (or make it worth taking HD for a year).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[Patricia_rose]

Call Sky option for thinking of leaving. Ask them if they have any offers for this. You shouldn't need to discuss leaving as a lot of advisors will happily sell you a new box without HD at a better price than eBay (or make it worth taking HD for a year).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Hi Bubblegun,

Thanks for your reply, we tried what you said (before your reply) and were told that they could sell us a box for £199!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I nearly fell off my chair! And all this after being a customer with Sky for 20 years, never called them out and using an ancient box that loses reception in bad weather! It always seems to be that if you are a loyal customer always pays on time etc. etc. then you aren't given the options that a new customer would be given. Were also told that they no longer supplied a box that records without the HD option. I think like yourself, if I am correct, we also have Virgin for broadband, seriously thinking that I might have to switch to just Virgin, should save some money that way too.

[seawright]

It is true that Sky do not provide boxes without an HD capability any more however there is no requirement for you to pay the extra £10.25 per month for an HD subscription.

[moleman]

The daft thing is if you decide to move to virgin then when you actually call to cancel Sky they will probably try to make you various offers to stay. They will also send you offers after leaving to try to temp you back. (Its what happened to me). What a way to run a company!!!

[Scubbie]

...using an ancient box that loses reception in bad weather!

This might be caused by a loose arm or dish.

It you are able to gain access (safely!) to the dish.

Take a look at the fittings and see if there is any sign that they may be loose or anything to indicate that the dish may need someone to fix things. If there is nothing obvious carefully see if you can gently wobbly the arm or the dish, but please be careful. The dish should be secure and not fall out. If there is an issue, it might fall as you attempt to move it. Please anticipate this and ensure that it will not fall on you or anyone else.

I am pointing out a worse case scenario. In most cases all will be well.

If you are not happy to check things over, then I would definitely recommend that you get someone out to look at it for you. Sky will charge £65 for the call out, including parts. I don't know how much a local contractor will charge.

[bubblegun]

Hi Bubblegun,

Thanks for your reply, we tried what you said (before your reply) and were told that they could sell us a box for £199!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I nearly fell off my chair! And all this after being a customer with Sky for 20 years, never called them out and using an ancient box that loses reception in bad weather! It always seems to be that if you are a loyal customer always pays on time etc. etc. then you aren't given the options that a new customer would be given. Were also told that they no longer supplied a box that records without the HD option. I think like yourself, if I am correct, we also have Virgin for broadband, seriously thinking that I might have to switch to just Virgin, should save some money that way too.

Have you had a Sky+ now or in past?
If not then someone is taking the ****. A HD box without HD is £49 at worst for someone upgrading from a STB. If your tenure is 8+ years then you can get this for £29 or less depending on the advisor.



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