Sky+ Replacement-whats best?

TBirdUK

TBirdUK

TBirdUK

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Joined
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High Wycombe
I am finally getting rid of Sky but will really miss the Sky+ facility. I have both normal aerial and the Sky Sat dish and want to know:

Which should I go Freeview or Freesat?

What is the best value of either of the above that will do HD and the record/pause functions of Sky+?

Many thanks
 
V+ from Virgin. Regarding freeview or freesat I don't know if they do recording or what the setup needed is or even if they are as good. Virgin costs money...
 
You would still have access to some of the FTA channels but without a subscription you'll lose the Sky+ record ability. As that is specifically what you've asked for, I'd suggest it comes down to whether you want HD channels. If you do, then get a Humax freesat recorder. If not, get a Freeview+ box.

HTH.

C.
 
You can use your existing sky dish to get Freesat. You can also reuse you sky box to get Freesat and keep the sky+ functionality by paying sky a fee. Or if you don't want to pay sky any fees just replace your sky box with a Humax Freesat pvr.
 
checjb said:
You would still have access to some of the FTA channels but without a subscription you'll lose the Sky+ record ability. As that is specifically what you've asked for, I'd suggest it comes down to whether you want HD channels. If you do, then get a Humax freesat recorder. If not, get a Freeview+ box.

HTH.

C.
Click to expand...

Or Freeview HD ...
 
Thanks all, looks like the Humax is the way ahead - didnt know you could still use the Sky+ feature if you paid - anyone know how much it is?

I do want the freeview/freesat HD. Is it only avail by freesat - I thought I saw a freeview HD box when trawling but now cant do it from work!
 
I think if you want to keep the recording function you need to pay £10/month but I'm not sure. You'll need to check with Sky.
 
TBirdUK said:
Thanks all, looks like the Humax is the way ahead - didnt know you could still use the Sky+ feature if you paid - anyone know how much it is?

I do want the freeview/freesat HD. Is it only avail by freesat - I thought I saw a freeview HD box when trawling but now cant do it from work!
Click to expand...

You can just buy a Freeview HD box and plug it into your aerial - a recording one will be about £170
 
May as well use the dish and go for Freesat. I've got the Humax FOXSAT-HDR recorder box which is pricey but superb.
 
TBirdUK said:
I do want the freeview/freesat HD. Is it only avail by freesat - I thought I saw a freeview HD box when trawling but now cant do it from work!
Click to expand...

The hardware for FreeviewHD is available but not all areas are transmitting HD yet. Some areas are transmitting now, most will be on by the end of 2011 (broadcasting of HD terrestrial is being turned on in conjunction with the digital switchover). So you'll need to check whether or not it is an option for you.
 
not availible where I am until Aug 2011 so guess its freesat for me.

Recommendations for a box that does what SKY+ does eg twin tuner etc. One other thing, does the Humax allow an output through the aerial that I can pump round the house and is there any possibility the sky remote widgets (cant remember thier names) that allow you to control the box will work (albeit with a different remote?)?
 
Freesat, specifically the Humax Foxsat-HDR :)

You need to add an external scart modulator to the freesat box which outputs a analogue uhf channel which you send by coax to the remote TV / use a magic eye on.
 
cheers for that - and the magic eye (thanks for naming it for me) will work ok?

Does the Humax play avi/divx files from usb, if it does that would be great (1 up from my Sky!)
 
TBirdUK said:
Thanks all, looks like the Humax is the way ahead - didnt know you could still use the Sky+ feature if you paid - anyone know how much it is?
Click to expand...

I believe it is £10 per month. I have cancelled Sky in the past but missed some of the channels and recording ability but I would go with Freesat over paying Sky just for recording.

I like the look of the new Virgin TiVo box out next year but it is £200 for the box plus £40 installation :eek:

Edit: Didn't see Shine's reply. I blame man flu.
 
I do have an HTPC running windows 7 but think it only has an anologue tv card - maybe I should get usb digital tv card??
 
Just been testing a Humax HDR-FOXT2-1TB which I recommended my old man bought my mum for Christmas and must say it's a pretty damn nice piece of kit!

The freeview-HD looks stunning and you can also play a fair amount of full hd mkv's via usb or network


TBirdUK said:
Does the Humax play avi/divx files from usb, if it does that would be great (1 up from my Sky!)
Click to expand...

The Humax HDR-FOXT2 I've been testing plays them just fine via both USB or Network
 
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C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Just been testing a Humax HDR-FOXT2-1TB which I recommended my old man bought my mum for Christmas and must say it's a pretty damn nice piece of kit!

The freeview-HD looks stunning and you can also play a fair amount of full hd mkv's via usb or network




The Humax HDR-FOXT2 I've been testing plays them just fine via both USB or Network
Click to expand...

He's on about the Foxsat HDR, not the FOXT2.. don't confuse things :p
 
You should way up the cost of the boxes over time. It may be worth just paying sky £10pm for their recording service.
 
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