What's the best Sky+ box make?

[dillonxx]

Getting Sky+ on 2nd August. Any advice on which make of Sky Plus box to get would be appreciated. One with the least problems. Best sound quality.

Thanks

DT

[Russ]

None are better than any other but i`m positive someone else will say that's b/s !

You also wont be able to ask for a certain make of box as you will be supplied with one by the engineer when he comes out, although when he does come out you can always ask, just don't expect the request to be fulfilled!

[Russ]

Deleted due to a double post

[ebacardi]

Can speak for the Thompson 160, it makes a continuous background hum due to the disc and fan running all the time, very annoying. I'm cancelling it because of this. If you put it in a glass cabinet it might be ok. Might be worth asking for a Pace if you can get one.

[Russ]

We have a Thomson 160. no noise/hum etc, works a treat!

[big bob]

I have had the Pace box for almost a month now. Seems great.

[ebacardi]

I'm surprised that you can get a Thomson that's quiet, wish I could get one - we had an engineer round to replace our Thomson and the replacement was just as bad. Does that mean it's just down to your luck if you get a quiet one or a noisy one? I noticed here New Thompson Sky + box... Argh! A bit too noisy! - Digital Spy Forums that others were complaining about noisy Thomsons and even discussing disconnecting the fan or putting the disc onto corks to keep it cool - a bit drastic for me. I think I'll maybe get a Pace from ebay and plug that in, but not sure if Sky allows you to get your own box, I'll have to find out.

[justjames]

I am relatively new to sky+ but I have the Pace TDS470N. Bought off ebay, upgraded hard drive to 250gb straight away, works a treat. Cooling seems a bit more efficient in this box than the 'plastic coffin' (as it seems to be called) of the thomson. The hard drive is just hung on rubber grommets on the left of the case with air vents above and to one side out of the case with a small fan blowing the heat out. Its quiet and the case remains cool even when recording two things and watching a recording.

I have not tried any other make but bought this model on recommendation from forums and so far mine has worked well. I've bought another for my parents as well.

@ ebacardi

Sky will allow you to supply your own equipment, but not for one of their 'engineers' to install. However as you have already had the install the cabling is done and its just a case of replacing the box and phoning sky to pair your card with the new box and activate the sky+ features for it. However as you have paid for an upgrade you are tied to a contract and if you are unhappy its up to sky to replace your box with one your happy with if it is detrimental to your viewing. It would be an extra expense to then buy your own box as well, when they will replace it free during the first 12 months I believe, but this may cost more in time wasted waiting for engineers' etc.