Im getting rid of Sky. I pay £30 per month for practically hee-haw. The ability to record stuff like Strictly is the only reason we have it really. We dont do sport or watch many movies.
Can anyone comment on Freesat boxes re reliability/ease of use etc. are they easy to set up? And can you recommend any particular make or model. Must have wifi facility as our router is elsewhere in the house. We already have basic rate Netflix and a blu-ray play station that does the stuff like dvds and photos etc. so really its the playback/record system we need. Thanks
We got a Humax Freesat PVR Foxsat 320gb receiver used back in 2008, although well old now, we still take it to France each July and it has been brilliant.
Try Humax Direct, there Graded stock is just the same as new, we got a Freeview PVR 500gb model from them, and that has been superb as well.
The only issue is the EPG, nothing touch's Sky for that, but you soon get used to using a different EPG.
We got rid of Sky for the same reason. We got a Humax freesat+ with freetime over 2 year ago,and never looked back. it has never failed, the EPG, Electronic program guide is the TV guide is as said not as user friendly as the sky box, but you get used to it.
You already have freesat built into your SKY box and a little tuning is all thats needed and no contract or wi fi needed.
Netflix can be played through your laptop and then played through your tv using a chromecast dongle (costing app £28) or directly using a cable
Unfortunatly you will not have the the ability to record on the sky box.
If im right you can buy a card from sky for £10 per month that enables you to record???.
The good point about doeing it this way is all the equipment is there and and its very easy to set up and its free
Saving £30 or £360per year ( you will still need your internet connection though???? for your computer,
We bought a Manhattan Plaza back in June to replace the Sky box. To be honest, it always felt a little basic and clunky but did the job! No wifi although it offered BBC iPlayer and ITV player through an ethernet connection. Not really sure why you need wifi if you only intend to use it for the tuner, record and playback functions.
It, however developed an intermittent fault over the last few weeks. As John Lewis no longer stock it, we have upgraded to a Humax HDR-1100S. Now, I only collected it yesterday so can't comment on reliability yet, but it definitely feels much slicker and more responsive and user-friendly. Standard and series record are available. It does have wifi, full range of UK catch-up services, You Tube, the ability to rollback last 7 days and several apps that I haven't yet explored. Worthwhile extras in my opinion! The Freetime function also gives you access and control via a smartphone. I also get the impression that the picture is better.
Set-up of both machines was straightforward plug & play.
I just phoned Sky. They have reduced my payment to £5 per month for 10 months. Because I have recently paid i'll pay nothing till January as I'm in credit. I was given the date the deal ends and I've put it in my phone to contact them next July for another discussion. I can live with that for now.
I am going to have to get an Amazon Fire Stick, a friend of mine has just got one, £35 one of payment, and it gives you Sky TV and many of the latest films etc, along with all your normal TV channels.
Not sure how such a device can exist, as it is sure to put a massive dent into Sky, BT and Virgin's coffers.
Fair comment robin54, but the OP requires Record/Pause etc, which is disabled on a Sky+ Box with no subscription.
With a Freesat+ Box, you get all the usual PVR functions.
Strangely though my Sky+ SD Box still gives me all the PVR functions, even though I do not subscribe to Sky, in fact it has been doing so for the last 10 years!
try youview i left sky and got a youview box great epg all the players eg now tv netflix prime and all the free players too i love my little youview box
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Topic: Freesat box?
