The digital era HAS arrived! (BskyB)

Member Name: marktjones

Product:	BskyB
Date:	08/01/01 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Email, Shop, Bank, Electronic TV guide, Order Movies/Live events through your handset, Top quality Sports, Digital quality picture/sound

Disadvantages: Possibly a little expensive for some people

We signed up for sky digital over a year ago, but this was when you had to pay £200 for it, although luckily on the day we ordered, there was a reduction in price (to £60 + installation if you used a credit card right then), only to find that a few weeks later, it was free (all you pay for it now is installation). The good thing is though that a few months ago, the subscription prices had gone up by £2 per month accross the board, but because we signed up earlier, we didn't have to pay this increase for two years, thus recouping some of the money. This huge price drop is such an incentive for new customers, that it simply can't be missed.

Anyway, ever since we have had it installed, it has been absolutely brilliant. There are just so many channels available, that there is something for everyone. From the main SkySports channels, to Sky1, National Geographic, [.tv] - ( A computer channel), and a whole range (about 70 screens) of Sky BoxOffice, where you order movies as you want to watch them, but they only cost £3 each.

The good thing about BoxOffice on digital compared to analogue is that you can order movies/ Sporting events with your remote control, rather than phoning up, therefore saving money on your phone bill, because the box doesn't even dial-up to register the event.

The main feature though is probably the "SkyGuide", which is an electronic TV guide, where you can see at a glance what is on, on all the channels, and if you like something, then you simply press Select, and you are taken to that particular channel. While hovering over the programme, if you press "i", then it gives you a description of the programme, a little like in the newspaper. A feature of this electronic guide is that while watching a programme, you can use the "search and scan" banner, which appears at the bottom of the screen, enabling you to see what is on Now and Next on each channel, without having to turn over
to do so. I find this particular feature very useful, because if this wasn't available, then you would have to scroll through the hundreds of channels, which could take all day!.

A little while after we get SkyDigital, they introduced interactivity to the service (free of charge), which is called "open....". With this, you can Shop (safer than on the web, because all transactions are handled by HSBC, and do not go over the web), Bank, play games, E-Mail and look at the latest movie reviews (With little clips from the films accompanying them). I use this service a lot because you don't go on-line while browsing the many shops, untill you are ready to purchase, added to the fact that I know that the transaction is safe.

Many people may be detered by getting Sky because they think that it is expensive, but for the thing as a whole, you are paying for a LOT of things, that are so very useful. Once you have seen it for yourself, with the clarity of sound and picture, you will not want to watch analogue TV again.

info: Currently to get all the movie channels and Sports channels, plus the interactive "open....", it is £31.99 per month, but many people have the "family package", which is £13.99 per month. This is the same package as the £31.99 one, except without the Movies and Sports.

Summary: