Sky+ Box Use with Normal Sky

[nooky_bear]

Hi,

My folks are converting to cable TV due to poor signal strength caused by large fir trees. Anyway they had Sky+, I have normal Sky and they've said I can have the Sky+ box.

If I plug in the Sky+ box am I right in thinking I'll still only get the use of my Sky package i.e. won't be able to record, rewind etc. with the box? I noticed there was an extra cable into their box so so I need another cable from my dish to the box to allow the playback functions?

Also do I have to subscribe to an upgrade to be allowed to use the box? Obviously the box is there for free so I'd like to be able to use the recording facility on it?

Any advice would be appreciated/

[penrhyn]

All you need is a Quad LNB and an extra feed down to the box. Sky + is now free irrespective of the package you have.
It should be possible for you to do it yourself and just ring up Sky to activate when you have set it up.

This is the sort of thing needed:

SKY+ and Replacing your minidish LNB

[nooky_bear]

Thanks for that mate.

[reddwarfcrew]

Just to be clear, when you ring up sky (after updgrading the LNB and putting the second cable in), you need to ask Sky to do 2 things:

1 - marry up your viewing card with your new box
2 - activate your sky+ functionality

make sure they do both!

[GordonM]

Interesting stuff - however, I was thinking about doing the same and have found that (and this is roughly)...

2nd hand sky+ box approx £25 or more off ebay
New quad LNB at least £30 delivered
New Cabling - haven't price yet
Hassle of getting on roof and changing LNB + additional cabling - priceless

I think I might just go for the Sky upgrade itself at £130 - it just seems like less hassle for an additional cost of maybe £50.

what do you think?

[reddwarfcrew]

exactly as you have stated. If you DIY, it is cheaper, but you have the hassel and you dont have the warranty.

If you get sky to do it, it is less hassel (you hope!) and you have a warranty, but its more expensive.

Totally personal preference really. You pay your money and take your chance.

Personally I have done DIY.

For me, the crucial part is how confident you are getting up the ladder (for swapping the lnb).

[Rick-uk]

For me, the crucial part is how confident you are getting up the ladder (for swapping the lnb).

For me anything higher than the third rung is too high

[jtumath]

For me anything higher than the third rung is too high

Gosh you are brave
Just looking at a ladder does it for me.

So Sky+ DIY out of the question for me.

[SK617]

According to tthe sky helpline, you need to have a phone connection, even if its a DIY set up