Sky Digital -> Sky Plus Upgrade

LSainsbury · 15-07-2007, 17:24

Afternoon,

We have a standard Sky Digital box which we've had for just over a year now.

We are thinking of upgrading to Sky+

Sky want Ã‚Â£99 for the box and Ã‚Â£30 install fee.

Can we just buy a Sky+ box from anywhere, plug it in and tell Sky we've upgraded the box. And since there is no subscription fee for Sky+ now all we need to outlay is the price of the Sky+ box.

Not sue is that is legal or the done thing so hope a CF member can advise!

Cheers

Lee

**Stuart** · 15-07-2007, 17:48

I could be wrong, but I suspect Sky might still charge the installation fee to activate sky+ on your account. AFAIK, it's not illegal. People pay for their own Sky + boxes, they are perfectly entitled to sell them.

LSainsbury · 15-07-2007, 17:57

Thanks Stuart C.

I've just been doing some reading and found an article that said said you need a dual LNB on the dish in order to use the dual channel facility - i.e. record one and watch another...

True or False?

MadGamer · 15-07-2007, 18:07

Dont they have to add sometrhing extra to the dish as well?

EBO48 · 15-07-2007, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Thanks Stuart C.

I've just been doing some reading and found an article that said said you need a dual LNB on the dish in order to use the dual channel facility - i.e. record one and watch another...

True or False?

True you need a dual LNB

**Matt D** · 15-07-2007, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Can we just buy a Sky+ box from anywhere, plug it in and tell Sky we've upgraded the box. And since there is no subscription fee for Sky+ now all we need to outlay is the price of the Sky+ box.

Yep

However...

You'd need a new LNB fitted to the dish (dual, or quad, or octo), plus a 2nd coax feed run from the dish to the box.

The box requires two LNB feeds for the Sky+ functions to work correctly (there are workarounds but they can be a pain).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

I could be wrong, but I suspect Sky might still charge the installation fee to activate sky+ on your account.

Nope

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Thanks Stuart C.

I've just been doing some reading and found an article that said said you need a dual LNB on the dish in order to use the dual channel facility - i.e. record one and watch another...

True or False?

True.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadGamer

Dont they have to add sometrhing extra to the dish as well?

Yep, the dish needs to have a dual (or quad or octo) LNB.

LSainsbury · 16-07-2007, 08:56

Fair enough - so the question is then - does Sky have to install the LNB or can I get another company to do it?

I'd try it myself but I don't have the tools to do it.

**Matt D** · 16-07-2007, 21:01

You can get whoever you want to do it - Sky don't care.

Remember, with satellite, the equipment is yours to do with as you wish.

However, I'd consider...

- How much a 3rd party installer would charge, seeing as Sky only charge Ã‚Â£30?

- How much cheaper than Ã‚Â£99 can you actually find a new Sky+ box?

LSainsbury · 16-07-2007, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

You can get whoever you want to do it - Sky don't care.

Cool...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Remember, with satellite, the equipment is yours to do with as you wish.

Is it? So we actually own it after the year? I was under the impression it still belonged to Sky!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

However, I'd consider...

- How much a 3rd party installer would charge, seeing as Sky only charge Ã‚Â£30?

- How much cheaper than Ã‚Â£99 can you actually find a new Sky+ box?

True...

One of my friends has just upgraded to Sky HD so we might be able to have his old Sky+ box for a fee...full known history as apposed to an eBay one!

16-07-2007, 21:21

I fitted a quad lnb and my own box and just told em. Also sky gave me a refurb box free to get me to rejoin with no ties

LSainsbury · 16-07-2007, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I fitted a quad lnb and my own box and just told em. Also sky gave me a refurb box free to get me to rejoin with no ties

Cool - was that difficult to do? What did you do regarding alignment?

**Matt D** · 16-07-2007, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Cool...

Is it? So we actually own it after the year? I was under the impression it still belonged to Sky!

You actually own it right from the start, AFAIK, however it has to be kept connected to a phoneline for 12 months.

All yours, not Sky's

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I fitted a quad lnb and my own box and just told em. Also sky gave me a refurb box free to get me to rejoin with no ties

I fitted my own SkyHD box... no messing with the dish though as it's communal (hence I have to use a single-feed workaround

).

GeoffW · 18-07-2007, 19:17

I just had Sky+ fitted after they removed the Ã‚Â£10 a month charge. Apart from the changes to the installation (phone, Dual LNB and twin cable), the other thing you need to get done is the box "paired" to your Sky viewing card. The installers do this for you but you need the phone line in and working first.