Sky + is my box b*gg*red?

[crockers]

I can watch sky fine - but when I record any movies the play back is awful - digital stuttering - freezing etc.

My box is out of warranty - by a few years - so am beginning to think about cancelling as I dont see the point in paying Rupert 50 big ones a month and not get the service --- or is it just the weather??? (yea right..!!)

 

[HughJarse]

Might just need a new hard drive... it is the only thing out techies guarantee will fail at some point.

Do you hav any old hard drive to try in it?

I believe that one is an IDE.

 

[MrT]

Try the defrag - <Services>, <4>, <0>, <1>, <Select> - then select Planner Rebuild. It shouldn't delete anything, but don't do it while you are recording anything as it will stop the recording and restart the box.

I find that the hard drives get worn out over time - if you've had several years out of it then you're doing pretty well. I usually get about 18 months out of mine - had 2 Sky+ boxes in the past and nearly worn out an HD one now.

Ring Sky, cancel and see what they offer you to stay - tell them it's because the box is screwed and demand a new box - I managed that when I got my replacement Sky+ box. And I didn't even have channel subscription, just the £10/month recording sub.

Another option would be Freesat - a recording box will be a direct substitute for a Sky+ - just plug it into the dish. No subscription at all, but obviously a limited range of channels compared to Sky and you have the equipment cost too.

 

[coupe deville]

I concur, ring them up. tell you are cancelling, they might come up with something. I rang topuptv [ I know I'm a cheapskate but times are hard and friends are few], told them I was cancelling because the set top box was rubbish, jumping back to start of prog while watching a recording and they sent me a new box.
also rang BT to complain about broadband speed and they sent me a better router

 

[HughJarse]

I concur, ring them up. tell you are cancelling, they might come up with something. I rang topuptv [ I know I'm a cheapskate but times are hard and friends are few], told them I was cancelling because the set top box was rubbish, jumping back to start of prog while watching a recording and they sent me a new box.
also rang BT to complain about broadband speed and they sent me a better router

With a record like that I would try ringing mercedes

 

[crammy69]

I had a similar problme and a mate said it was due to a buld up in static in the cable that connects to the box. Power down the box. Unplug from socket. Remove the cables from the back. Give it 5 minutes, then connect the cables, plug into wall, and then turn on. Should sort the freezing problem. Apparently this is what sky told him to do when he eventually got through!. Ours hasnt frozen once since we did this.

 

[coupe deville]

With a record like that I would try ringing mercedes

I'm good at complaining and moaning ,

miracles are best left to the good Lord and his disciples

 

[davidjpowell]

Sky will try hard to keep you. Customer services will tell you that they cannot do more, but the team that take cancelations seem to be given more flexibility. Last time I gave notice it was because they wanted to charge when I moved house. Decided that I did not want sky that much, and they then offered to it for free.

 

[Aletank]

Is yours a Amstrad box ? Have a read here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=432736
Let us know how you get on !!

 

[Antharro]

I have the Amstrad box and while it has a single ongoing issue with it freezing occasionally after forward or backward skipping, which is easily resolved by hitting pause then play, it has been a LOT more reliable than the earlier Pace models.

If you have this box click for pic then I have a trick that a Sky engineer told me that _completely_ resets the box but works well for resolving a whole range of problems.

Of course, if your hard drive is screwed, then nothing will really help it other than replacing it, which you can do yourself. Plenty of online guides.

 

[crockers]

I have the Amstrad box and while it has a single ongoing issue with it freezing occasionally after forward or backward skipping, which is easily resolved by hitting pause then play, it has been a LOT more reliable than the earlier Pace models.

If you have this box click for pic then I have a trick that a Sky engineer told me that _completely_ resets the box but works well for resolving a whole range of problems.

Of course, if your hard drive is screwed, then nothing will really help it other than replacing it, which you can do yourself. Plenty of online guides.

Yes that is the box I have.................the trick being?

 

[Londonscottish]

I. I rang topuptv [ I know I'm a cheapskate but times are hard and friends are few], told them I was cancelling because the set top box was rubbish, jumping back to start of prog while watching a recording and they sent me a new box.

I have TopUp TV (I am not a cheapskate - I just believe that 90% of TV and 99% of Sky is sh*t) and have had the same problem.

Will give them a call, thanks.

 

[crockers]

Try the defrag - <Services>, <4>, <0>, <1>, <Select> - then select Planner Rebuild. It shouldn't delete anything, but don't do it while you are recording anything as it will stop the recording and restart the box.

Tried that - can get to services (4) but there is no (0) afterwards



Email sent as per Aletanks post ..............wonder if that will do anything..

 

[Antharro]

Tried that - can get to services (4) but there is no (0) afterwards

You have to type the entire code at once. The options are hidden as it's the engineer's menu / installer setup.

Just press Services, 4, 0, 1, then hit select and you'll be in the menu.

 

[crockers]

Sent the email off last night - this morning got a call from Sky -engineer coming out Monday - either fix or fit a new box - no charge..

Thanks for the help..

 

[nickcc101]

I used to have the Amstrad Sky + but had the same problem with the hard drive. Bought two secondhand Pace boxes off ebay and fitted new 80gb hard drives (40 hrs recording). Early Amstrad boxes are known to suffer from this problem so not worth replacing the hard drive. If you need any more info re the fitting of new hard drives etc go into the Digital Spy Forum. Should be loads of cheap Sky + boxes now that people are changing to HD.

 

[crockers]

Well sky guy came yesterday - new Pace Box, New bits on dish, reangled dish etc and the results are perfect......

Thanks for all advice - much appreciated.

 

[Ted]

Just to let you know that there has been a manufacturing problem with pace boxes.
If you have a problem with yours, and they attempt to fob you off with a refurbiished box, (new case, 1 yr warranty, 3 month HD deal) INSIST on a new replacement from their van stock, and you should get a new box.

 

[Antharro]

Ted - Interesting. Does this affect the HD boxes only or is it all Pace boxes across the range? Also, what are the symptoms?

 

[davidjpowell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7894000/7894752.stm?lss

should help.