The Official Sky HD Thread and FAQ - Page 3

T4V · 08-02-2009, 15:26

And you are suprised by that how?

Philc · 08-02-2009, 15:35

Well not really as it's Sky and they don't give any channels away do they now!!!

Anyway the box I have got is the Amstrad DRX780 and apparently it's the best one out there. Only been out about a month now and so far engineers are saying that it's really stable.

Also from the comments on the page below it seems alot of testing has been put into it.

The Amstrad DRX780 is the latest Sky+HD Digibox on the market. Amstrad is now owned by Sky and therefore this product has gone through much more intense testing than any other manufacturer of Sky+HD Digibox. So far the Amstrad has proven to be the most reliable of boxes, even more so than the Pace and Samsung models, and definitely much better than the Thomson previously supplied. The Amstrad DRX780 is an all round quality unit with better reliability to enjoy the very best of Sky television, both in standard and high-definition.

http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/amstrad-dr...gibox-p35.html

Feel free to amend the sticky with those details and also what spec the box has.

It's got a USB connection so wondering if you can get the content off from the HD? Not sure yet.

tobes · 10-02-2009, 07:37

I currently have sky+ and have gone for the update to HD. My question is when sky upgrade me, will I be able to keep my old sky+ box and will I still be able to watch the hours of programs stored on it that I've not yet got round to watching? I don't have multiroom btw.

T4V · 10-02-2009, 07:48

Keep the box yes, use it without mutliview no, time to off load all your stuff to tape/disk. Use the batch player to copy it over overnight.

tobes · 10-02-2009, 08:04

does that mean the box just won't anymore? What if I was (although it would be a pain) to keep swapping between boxes with my viewing card until I had watched everything currently stored on my sky+ planner? Without the card in, am I unable to access the planner in my sky+ box ? (sorry if these questions are a bit idiotic

)

T4V · 10-02-2009, 08:21

Cards and boxes are paired so no swaping can be done. Clear the box before they fit the HD box.

riz1 · 19-02-2009, 22:10

Steve do engineers generally only have one brand of box in the van or all of them?
If so I just wonder how many cups of tea and biccies would be needed to get an Amstrad box?

stevie c · 20-02-2009, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by riz1

Steve do engineers generally only have one brand of box in the van or all of them?

Depends really - we place an order for how many STBs (Set Top Boxes) we need then it's down to luck which brand we receive...

I'm spoiled for choice at the minute - which isn't really the norm - as I currently have Amstrad, Samsung, and A-Grade Thomsons in my van.

Best of luck with the replacement - hope you get what you're looking for!

Cheers,

Stevie.

riz1 · 22-02-2009, 20:34

Thanks.
Just placed my order now

T4V · 22-02-2009, 22:46

Man alive, does the Simpsons look good in HD!

Philc · 23-02-2009, 11:11

Does it? Recorded it last night so will have a look. I heard that the new episodes from Feb will be in HD so that's great news.

riz1 · 23-02-2009, 11:56

I have just been given a 3 month wait!
Can't wait!

broadz · 23-02-2009, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4V

Cards and boxes are paired so no swaping can be done.

Yes, cards and boxes are paired. However, a card will still play back all recordings on a box that it is no longer paired with, but was when the recordings were made, except for the premium channels (i.e. Sky Sports and Sky Movies). So, if you had recorded lots of non-premium stuff on the Sky+ box, you would still be able to put the card back in that box, connect the box to your satellite dish and watch those recordings back. Without having to re-pair the card with the original Sky+ box.

Guest 1367 · 01-03-2009, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philc

Anyway the box I have got is the Amstrad DRX780 and apparently it's the best one out there. Only been out about a month now and so far engineers are saying that it's really stable.

Also from the comments on the page below it seems alot of testing has been put into it.
The Amstrad DRX780 is the latest Sky+HD Digibox on the market. Amstrad is now owned by Sky and therefore this product has gone through much more intense testing than any other manufacturer of Sky+HD Digibox. So far the Amstrad has proven to be the most reliable of boxes, even more so than the Pace and Samsung models, and definitely much better than the Thomson previously supplied. The Amstrad DRX780 is an all round quality unit with better reliability to enjoy the very best of Sky television, both in standard and high-definition.

Got a new Amstrad as part of the Pace replacement yesterday and have couple of issues with the Amstrad though and want to know if you've seen these;

1) Using the subtitles on a live program is fine, but using them on a recorded program and the subtitles miss on average every other line of dialogue.

2) Fast forwarding through ad-breaks etc.. on x2 and x6 is fine, but on x12 or x30 and the recording jumps a lot further than the image you see on the screen sometimes up to 1minute. So watching for example CSI:NY last night and fast forwarding through the breaks to the sponsorsed by screens before pressing play and the picture would leap about 1minute further into the program than where I stopped it. This wasn;t happening with my Pace so is it a box or manufacturer issue?

Thanks

Kryten · 01-03-2009, 15:28

I just got a new Pace fitted yesterday. So far so good only downside is everything goes out as a widescreen signal even stuff that isn't widescreen so my TV stretched it

HD is as good as I remember it when I was in the US though

cervaro · 02-03-2009, 08:25

My old HD box has a previous viewing card inside. Will it default to Freeview/Freesat, with BBC HD only if I get my installer to run an extra line of cable when my new HD box and dish are installed soon? Or will I need to get a different card from somewhere?

Kryten · 02-03-2009, 08:49

Are you sure that it will not just be the same card moved over to the new box?

GCampbell · 02-03-2009, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu G

Got a new Amstrad as part of the Pace replacement yesterday and have couple of issues with the Amstrad though and want to know if you've seen these;

1) Using the subtitles on a live program is fine, but using them on a recorded program and the subtitles miss on average every other line of dialogue.

2) Fast forwarding through ad-breaks etc.. on x2 and x6 is fine, but on x12 or x30 and the recording jumps a lot further than the image you see on the screen sometimes up to 1minute. So watching for example CSI:NY last night and fast forwarding through the breaks to the sponsorsed by screens before pressing play and the picture would leap about 1minute further into the program than where I stopped it. This wasn;t happening with my Pace so is it a box or manufacturer issue?

Thanks

Stu, I also have a new Amstrad and for point (2) have found exactly the same - especially when x30 - and had no idea whether it was supposed to do this or not.

Will have to check regarding point (1).

mjb1975 · 02-03-2009, 10:18

The fast-forwarding bug thing has been well known for some time and happens on my older Thomson HD box too. You get used to it and you can run it on x12 or x30 speed for a few seconds then flick back to x6 speed and it kinda catches up with itself as if it's ffwd'd at the right speeds all along.

It's relatively easy to scan through the ads this way, once you're used to it.

mr starface · 02-03-2009, 11:32

Caved in and signed up for the HD upgrade yesterday.

Wont be holding my breath with the ridiculous 3 month wait I was quoted!

Is the general consensus that most people dont have to wait that long or is it really going to be a quarter of a year till I get the box!!

If I already have multiroom (Have 2 Sky+ boxes at the moment) will I still get an install charge when all the engineer is doing is delivering the box and swapping it over with the existing Sky+? (I think)