It's a televisular revolution (Sky Plus (Sky+))

Member Name: cerys82

Product:	Sky Plus (Sky+)
Date:	03/06/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to use, fantastic functions

Disadvantages: I will never have enough space on there, no matter how much they give me!

I upgraded to Sky Plus nearly two years ago when there was a special offer when you bought a TV. Whilst I do not want to overexaggerate what an impact this machine has had on my life, I will say that I both got engaged and had Sky Plus installed within ten days and the engagement might have been the most exciting thing to happen out of those two - but only just!!

First and foremost its just easy to use, everything on the display and on the buttons is very logical, and is just an extension of how to use the normal Sky on-screen panel when choosing channels.

The series link function where it is embedded in the system to record every successive episode of a show is fantastic, particularly for late night series where the start times are shifted around frequently. I have noticed some sporadic issues with this however. Very occassionally the series link will pick up programmes that I haven't asked for. For example, at the moment it seems to be recording not only the new episode of Family Guy but the repeat also. However, this is only a minor quibble when considering just how wonderful everything else is.

The 'keep' function is invaluable, helping to prevent any accidental deletions from over-zealous button pressing.

All in all it has transformed my television viewing. It has made mine and my partners viewing habits more constructive. We spend such little time watching things 'just because nothing else is on', because inevitably we have something saved which we can put on for an hour or even shorter periods with such little ease.

It saves arguments when you and your family's viewing habits are different as you can record two things and even watch something that you have recorded at the same time. Even if you have a programme clash, there are now so many +1 sky channels that with a bit of forethought you can easily reschedule your recordings.

Another useful factor is that you can record radio if you so wish. In particular, I record particular shows on 6 music at the weekend because I don't have a chance to listen to them live, but also I don't like any of the breakfast shows on during the week so I can stick them on to potter around to if I so wish. The set-up for recording radio shows is somewhat different however. You have to go onto the station itself and then press record. You are then given some record options which are not dissimilar to the timer record functions on VCRs (remember those?!). However, what is fantastic particularly about this is that you can ask for it to be recorded for just that occasion or on a weekly or daily basis.

The design is slimline and attractive, not at all ostentatious so I would imagine that it fits well into almost every under-TV unit.

The fast forward and rewind buttons are brilliant and work to a number of different speeds which is great because you are likely to want to fast forward quickly during commercial breaks, but less quickly through opening credits etc.

The "pause live tv" function solves that perennial problem of what to do when you are really enjoying something on live TV and the phone rings.

I think that most importantly Sky+ has just opened up how I view television, as many of the things that I would like to have seen previously are on at such awkward times I would just have to choose to miss them. For example, I have been catching up with classic drama serials such as The Lakes which has shown on one of the ITV channels at times when I haven't been able to see it. Not anymore! Also, without it I would not have been able to view something like The Wire, which is shown very late and in clusters of episodes over a short period. However, the only problem is I haven't been able to watch more than a couple and I'm now constantly circling around the 10% mark. However, I do feel that I would never have enough room!

Summary: quite honestly the best non-edible thing since sliced bread