Reply to: Sky TV

[Ruprect]

Isn't there similar non-Sky technology to do what Sky+ does?

Virgin+ claims to be better (record 2 channels not 1, whilst watching another) and the packages with SkySports only is cheaper than sky. Trouble is that you've got to use the phone service too, which is rubbish, as mine is paid by my company (and much as I'd like to I don't think I can justify spending 30 quid a month on virgin TV as part of my business). There doesn't appear to be an option to get the TV minus phone, for a cheaper rate.

Anyone had any experience with this, know of any flexibility? Also, what's V+ like? is it as wonk as NTL was?

[Clippy]

Much as I hate to line Murdoch's pockets - it's got to be Sky+.

Ditto.

There is sililar technology but not as convenient.
i.e. Doesn't integrate with the Sky Guide.

Also, without Sky, I would miss my regular (every couple of months) call to the Sky Indian call centre to complain about my box playing up.

[VectraMan]

Isn't there similar non-Sky technology to do what Sky+ does?

No.

I have to admit, they've got me with Sky+. Okay so a lot of it is a waste of time, but it's still much better value for money than the BBC.

[milanbenes]

thanks EC

Milan.

[richard-af]

Isn't there similar non-Sky technology to do what Sky+ does?

[bobhope]

Much as I hate to line Murdoch's pockets - it's got to be Sky+.

[Euro-commuter]

my house is nearly finished, and all the satellite cables are in.

And now I am thinking what I need for the satellite tv.

What size dish to pickup UK satellite tv in central europe ?

Motorised or not ?

In the beginning I don't want to subscribe to the 40gbp per month services because a, I'm a cheapskate and b, we don't watch so much tv, and c, I'd like to see what the free to air stuff is like and theoretically if we have a big enough dish and motorised we should be able to get a lot of free stuff

So, what size dish ?

Motorised ?

What decoder ?

My house is cabled up with satellite cables in each room and from what I understand I need to buy a satellite master switch to distribute the data

anyone know anything about this ?



TIA,

Milan.

Google for dish size, you should be able to find maps that show effective coverage by disk size. 1m prob enough. You're closer to the satellite but off its track.
Decoder? A digibox.
Distribution? Be aware of the problem, which is that the digibox sends a voltage up the cable to the dish, to choose horizontal or vertical polarization. Obviously you can not have both H and V simultaneously on a single LNB (that's the receiver block on the dish). You can buy double-LNBs so that in effect each of 2 digiboxes has its own dish receiver, sharing the physical dish reflector. But you will need 2 separate down-cables for the 2 LNB elements.


Correction: see bottom of this page for dish sizes, depends on channel: map

[Ruprect]

I get a offer flyer from Fox about every other week with a reply paid envelope, I put as much junk mail I can find, such as Gold Amex, meat offers, furniture offers and so forth and neatly fold them all so they fit in the Fox envelop and then post it. I don't go out of my way to do it, it's opportunist.

Just my little effort at recycling.

I also do it with pretty much every other "unsolicited" postage paid contracts, and how do I watch what I want to ? On the internet, it's all there via uk/euro torrent sites, I get Top gear sans adverts when I want it.

I reckon I've cost murdoch alot more than he's cost me in the last few years.

[barely_pointless]

I get a offer flyer from Fox about every other week with a reply paid envelope, I put as much junk mail I can find, such as Gold Amex, meat offers, furniture offers and so forth and neatly fold them all so they fit in the Fox envelop and then post it. I don't go out of my way to do it, it's opportunist.

Just my little effort at recycling.

I also do it with pretty much every other "unsolicited" postage paid contracts, and how do I watch what I want to ? On the internet, it's all there via uk/euro torrent sites, I get Top gear sans adverts when I want it.

I reckon I've cost murdoch alot more than he's cost me in the last few years.

[richard-af]

Isn't SKY really just equivalent to Freeview plus an occasional trip to Blockbuster? I except Sports from that, as I hate them.

[milanbenes]

my house is nearly finished, and all the satellite cables are in.

And now I am thinking what I need for the satellite tv.

What size dish to pickup UK satellite tv in central europe ?

Motorised or not ?

In the beginning I don't want to subscribe to the 40gbp per month services because a, I'm a cheapskate and b, we don't watch so much tv, and c, I'd like to see what the free to air stuff is like and theoretically if we have a big enough dish and motorised we should be able to get a lot of free stuff

So, what size dish ?

Motorised ?

What decoder ?

My house is cabled up with satellite cables in each room and from what I understand I need to buy a satellite master switch to distribute the data

anyone know anything about this ?



TIA,

Milan.

[richard-af]

I've been thinking about getting Sky, but 40 pm seems like a lot. I only want the extra sports channels, not bothered about all the other sh!te, yet I still have the internal repulsion at the thought of lining murdoch's pockets. I think Chicane is right (though I would like to be able to watch the 20-20 cricket world cup )

Take a long nap, say 2 years, then, upon waking, get down to Woolies and buy all of the sports vids compilation sets for a fiver each. Fresh (to you) footie, cricket, etc., and not an advert in sight! No muss, no fuss! Put that in your pipe Mr. Murdoch!

[Ruprect]

I've been thinking about getting Sky, but 40 pm seems like a lot. I only want the extra sports channels, not bothered about all the other sh!te, yet I still have the internal repulsion at the thought of lining murdoch's pockets. I think Chicane is right (though I would like to be able to watch the 20-20 cricket world cup )

[lukemg]

Sky is rubbish, I've got a humax freeview PVR (harddrive recorder same as sky+, EPG etc) holds 100 hours and I keep filling it, loads more channels now you can usually find some good stuff on through the week e.g. sharpe repeats on ukhistory, film4 etc.
I never watch anything when it is on, except delayed start so I can use the 30sec skip button to buzz past adverts.
Good footy match on - good excuse to go to the smoke-free pub n'est ce pas ?

[OrangeHopper]

Just to repeat others - Sky+.

We nver watch anything other than sport live. Series all recorded and watched at out leisure without the adverts.