Reply to: DVD Recorder

[blacjac]

I think (I could be wrong) that the recording functionality only works while you have a subscription. I believe Sky levy a £10 a month charge for recording if you don't have a current subscription.

Actually, I think you could be right there.... recording is free if you have a current sky subscription or £10 a month without...

[jmo21]

interesting stuff, didn't know all that, cheers!

The sky+ box is currently £99 + £60 installation on their website

I guess i'll try blagging it cheaper when i phone them!

thanks again!

[DiscoStu]

I could be wrong but I think I read on AVForums that you keep the recording functionality now as well (as it's free).

However you will not be able to watch anything you previously recorded on the pay channels.

I think (I could be wrong) that the recording functionality only works while you have a subscription. I believe Sky levy a £10 a month charge for recording if you don't have a current subscription.

[blacjac]

Not entirely true. You can still use it to watch all the free channels, only the recording functionality is disabled. Plus they'll probably give you the box for free anyway so you won't have lost a penny

I could be wrong but I think I read on AVForums that you keep the recording functionality now as well (as it's free).

However you will not be able to watch anything you previously recorded on the pay channels.

[DiscoStu]

which is entirely useless if your street is not wired for VM



except having a useless box if I leave sky

thanks everyone - I may end up going for Sky+ anyway, the Murdoch comment was only half serious

Not entirely true. You can still use it to watch all the free channels, only the recording functionality is disabled. Plus they'll probably give you the box for free anyway so you won't have lost a penny

[jmo21]

switch to virgin media then, they have a similar system

which is entirely useless if your street is not wired for VM

WTS.

You're not locked into anything.

except having a useless box if I leave sky

thanks everyone - I may end up going for Sky+ anyway, the Murdoch comment was only half serious

[Platypus]

My Sony HX525 includes EPG (incl. some sky channels) and a widget which changes the channel of the Sky box. That model has been superseded by now but what you're looking for is available.

[gingerjedi]

I love Sky+ but there are alternatives: Foxsat-HDR, for a one off fee.

I can't decide if I should upgrade to SkyHD or get one of these.

One thing I'm sure of is a DVD recorder+HDD is not the way to go, EPG and instant setting is the only way IMO.

[Durbs]

I love Sky+, they should be presented with the Apple "It just works" slogan.

I get a great deal having broadband, phone and Sky+ with them. I used to have an external recorder before getting Sky and it was toss.

[VectraMan]

WHS, and I've long held this belief.

The Wheel -> Sliced Bread -> Sky+

WTS.

If you're already a Sky subscriber, it's a no brainer. The boxes aren't that expensive, and there's no extra subscription. You're not locked into anything.

[voodooflux]

Honestly, Sky+ is one of the best inventions ever.

WHS, and I've long held this belief.

The Wheel -> Sliced Bread -> Sky+

[TimberWolf]

can anyone recommend a good dvd recorder with a hard disk?

i've got sky but do not want to get sky+ - i'd rather have something not locked into Murdoch

I bought an ultra-cheap DVD + hard disk recorder years ago and even that basic model works great. I agree wholeheartedly about avoiding Sky, and other rip off merchants. Recording to DVD on my unit ceased to function after about a year but the unit's main usefulness is to record to hard disk, and for that it works admirably. Typing in a VideoPlus code to record on the timer takes seconds (Freeview and terrestrial TV) and you can watch another station and record simultaneously (I guess even the cheapest models have an inbuilt tuner). And record and watch the same programme with a time shift (handy for skipping adverts and fast forwarding through boring bits of a programme as you watch), etc. A must-have item. I imagine you will be able to record Sky programmes too. Cost: flip all.

[DiscoStu]

can anyone recommend a good dvd recorder with a hard disk?

i've got sky but do not want to get sky+ - i'd rather have something not locked into Murdoch

Honestly, Sky+ is one of the best inventions ever. Recording onto an external device will be a pain in the arse - not only will you have to set the Sky box to change to the right channel at the right time but you'll also have to set the times on your HD recorder. In addition, with Sky+ you can record one channel and watch another, or alternatively record two programmes at once. You wouldn't be able to do this with an external recorder.

If you've had Sky for a while they'll probably do the extra cabling & box for free, and there's no longer any charge for Sky+.

I hate to blow Murdoch's trumpet but Sky+ really does change the way you watch TV. It's dead simple to use and works pretty much flawlessly.

[Spacecadet]

i'd rather have something not locked into Murdoch

switch to virgin media then, they have a similar system

[NickFitz]

http://www.avforums.com/ is your friend