Sky+

[LouG]

I have had sky digital for several years now, but I would like to know from people who have sky+ is it worth the money for the upgrade and has anybody modified there’s with a larger hard drive successfully?

[midzt]

I don't think you can expand the hard drive to a larger size. I tried putting an 80gb hard drive in it and it still only allows you to record 40gb worth. It more of a software limitation that sky has put on it.

It makes sense tho, otherwise people won't upgrade from the and buy new digiboxes off them if they allowed that to happen.

[fondie]

My parents have it, it's great! Definately worth it, v.simple to use, and you couldn't tell the difference in quality between the live broadcast, you really do end up watching things when you want rather than when the broadcasters decide to show things. Also they have expanded their range of films broadcast in Dolby Digital, which you can get through the digital out on the back of the Sky+, hurrah! Would have had it here but wasn't going to live here long enough and would have had to bother the landlord to route another cable through the loft.

Not put a bigger hard drive in my parents one yet but i'd be pretty confident in trying if they wanted it done. midzt, you sure it does only record 40Gb? I know the 'space remaining' doesn't correctly display for larger hard drives, but the space should still be there to record and playback from.

[midzt]

O yeh. I'm not sure then sorry.

The space remaining definately doesn't change. But I'm pretty sure it won't let you. Once it gets to 100% it starts righting over stuff that you haven't chose to keep doesn't it? So, if they have programmed it to do that then surely once it thinks it has used up all the space it won't record any more. Anyway, I'm not sure. Unfortunately I don't have a hard drive that larger than 40gb anymore so I can't test it. (I use a few 40gb as I can get them free off a mate )

The quality is amazing and really helpful how you can pause it and even if you miss the start you can record back (as long as you were on the same channel)

[IBM]

Can't recommend it enough....love that cooky little box....

Don't watch regular listed channels anymore, 'cause there's always something I really want to watch that I've recorded. It can record two channels at the same time in case you just can't decide, and the live pause, plus the ability to fast forward through the adverts is priceless.

I now hate watching regular TV because you can't fastforward....on the downside, my box broke down last week and wiped everything I'd recorded, including several half watched movies. But then again, it's Sky we're talking about, so I'll be able to record them again as soon as the box is back.

[mt50]

wow sky+ sounds great, the worst thing i find about sky or ntl digital is the fact that there is allways 2 or more programs i want to watch that will be on at the same time. i'm going to look into getting sky+ now and an extra box downstairs so i can record 2 things while watching another on the main tv. souns good to me. might wait until later this year though as i was talking to a guy who works for sky he said the sk+ boxes should be free by th end of the year, he might have been talking s**t but i'm not sure

[DR]

Trouble is, is there anyway to get it cheaper!

[directhex]

massive reliability issues in my experience

[Skeps]

I think i'm gonna be upgrading to this very soon, sounds cool

[midzt]

I've heard that the Amstrad digibox is more reliable than the Pace made one. I'm not sure if this is true but apparently some people are now asking for the Amstrad one instead of the Pace.

[LouG]

Thanks for your help guys, I do agree with David that it's a bit on the pricey side.

[DR]

If they dropped it to 100 for the box I would do it... but nah not at 200 + the extra sub costs

[directhex]

plus, what kind of crappy tivo clone doesn't skip adverts? doesn't seem to offer much more than a regular VCR if you ask me

[amoeba]

Its great - and you can just fast forward the adverts (you get used to timing it right after a while).

I got my box for £99 on some special deal :-)

I have Sky Movies, but not sure I would pay £10 extra subscription per month to have it...it would be a close call though as it is very useful.

[midzt]

Originally Posted by directhex

plus, what kind of crappy tivo clone doesn't skip adverts? doesn't seem to offer much more than a regular VCR if you ask me

Wihtout the adverts sky would probarbly never release sky+. The value of their adverts would drop considerrably as there exporsure would be far less. You can always just fsat forward it anyway.

[Legin76]

On a complete tangent and blatant advertising note we now have a selection of sky remotes and accessories. Including the digi-eye which allows you to control your sky box wiht a second remote from a different room.