This Service is a Definite Plus (Sky Plus (Sky+))

Member Name: shroud

Product:	Sky Plus (Sky+)
Date:	13/05/07 (1623 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: record two programmes at a time, stores days of programming, rewind and pause live TV

Disadvantages: requires subscription of a premium package as well as a sub for the sky plus service.

~~~Our History with Sky~~~

We have been customers of Sky now for over 6 years. We first became customers upon relocating from just outside London to southern Cheshire. Being that we moved into a cottage in a rural village up on a steep and very stony hill, we were unable to get cable, and the reception was terrible with an aerial, so we signed up. Having no major issues, when we moved from rented accommodation to our newly purchased home, we moved our Sky account as well. When we rang up to notify them of the impending move, they were extremely helpful. I vaguely mentioned we were moving on such and such a date, and I was aware NTL was available (as it was called last year when we moved!) and we received rebates on our first 6 months, a discounted deal for a Sky+ box (£99 rather than £199) and free installation of same, and a promise to be there to connect the day after we moved in.

~~~Multiroom~~~

They were as good as their word, and duly came and installed our new dish, hooked up our new box, and relocated our old ordinary Sky box to our bedroom TV. I had already been told that as we had Multi-room, that we needed to keep both boxes connected to a phone line, or be charged for tow subscriptions, so we ran a second extension up the stairs, and hooked the old box to it to keep it “legal”.

This may seem draconian to some, but it to prevent fraud by persons sharing or selling the box on and using it at a different residence without an additional subscription, as the card tells SKY the account the card is linked to. We did have a month where the cat got behind the TV and pulled the phone line loose, and we got a letter informing us they had sent a test signal and our box had not answered, and that if we did not call to let them know it was again connected, we would be charged for a second account. We simply plugged the line back in, rang the number, and 10 minutes later were assured that within the next few days they would resend the test signal. They must have done so, as we were never charged and have received no further letters of this sort.

~~How we Like Sky+~~~

We do not watch sports, but do have the movies and family package, including Disney. My hubby works away all week, so misses a lot of shows he wants to see. Occasionally there is a programme I also wish to see, and it is on at the same time as one he would have had me record on video. I was immensely satisfied at what a breeze this made recording! I simply go to the onscreen programming guide, highlight the programme I wish to record, and it sets the timer itself. It will record two programmes at once, so I can record his and mine at the same time without any hassle. I can record one programme and watch live TV at the same time, but if recording two programmes, I can only watch another recorded programme or one being recorded, which is the only little niggle. This seems to be because it automatically temporarily records up to 1 hour of a programme you are watching on live TV, so that you can rewind and pause the live TV as needed. The 1 hour of time is not static, it changes to move with the very second you are watching television. If you move off the station you are watching, however, even to glance at the onscreen programme guide, the clock starts again, and you cannot rewind to catch what you missed before ticking over to the next station or the guide. Also, if the programme you wish to record is a series, you can hit a coloured button on the remote (green button), and it will series link the timer setting, and record the series for you until the end of its series run, without you having to reset it.

As parents, I also have to say my husband I also rate this quite highly. This is the easiest way to manage our children’s viewing habits. Children’s shows loop on repeats like crazy in-between infrequent bouts of new episodes, and new programmes pop up before the old faves get the new episodes. Also, some shows our two enjoy are on at widely varying times of the day, including several of the “classics” such as Bagpuss and Rainbow, which come on after their bedtime. Enter Sky +, and the ability to record (or not!) for later viewing at a convenient time. Being able to rewind and fast forward the programmes is also great because we can fast forward past the dreadful advertisements and if we over shoot slightly, rewind to the correct spot. The set up to record, the fast forward, rewind, and pause features are so simple, our 5 year old can do it by herself, though she always asks before recording.

Another feature we adore as parents relates to the pin number feature Sky+ has on replaying certain shows that are recorded. Shows that are rated 15 or older, or are designated as post watershed fare can only be watched before the watershed by entering your pin number. If the film is rated 18, you will always need to enter your PIN number apparently ( we never watch movies rated 18, so have no personal experience of this).

The box holds literally weeks of programmes without having to begin deleting watched programmes. This means that we can clear our box, ensure the planner has all our desired shows set to record, and go on a two week holiday, secure in the knowledge that barring a power outage, we can return home and not miss a thing.

For those shows you may wish to save to a DVD, having the show saved on the Sky+ box also makes this a LOT easier. Being able to pause the DVD recording process in order to fast forward through advertisements means that you do not have to first record to a rewritable disc, then re-record after doing time consuming edits. I have done this more times than I can count, usually to make a disc of the kid’s TV to take to grandma’s to watch as she does not have Sky or cable, and other than having to sit and watch the shows so I know where to pause the recording process, then fast forward through the adverts, then restart the recording process, it is no hassle. Indeed, it is such a simple process that blonde non techie moi manages it with great ease, even managing to munch on biscuits and have a coffee at the same time!

For the energy conscious, I feel I should mention that the box can be placed on standby to save energy, and when the timer alerts it to a scheduled recording, it will turn itself on in order to make the recording. Unfortunately, it does not then place itself back on standby, but stays fully on, and will remain so until you place it on standby again. This is one niggle I feel the set top box manufacturers could improve on.

~~Conclusion~~
I have to say we are very happy with our Sky+ box, and enjoying the Multi-room experience. Simply making certain that both boxes are kept connected to the phone line, and periodically remembering to delete viewed recorded shows, and it should be smooth sailing. WE have had such a positive experience all around, that in a few years when we upgrade to a HD TV, we will upgrade our Sky+ box as well, and move the current SKY+ box up to our room. Then we can watch and record twice as much TV! Well, when there is something worth watching. I know I sure as heck am not watching or recording Eurovision! To get an idea on the terms and conditions, the package prices, and watch not, simply visit www.sky.com .

Summary: It's like having our own personal TV channel, with only what we want to watch, when we want to watch