Another question daveh75

[SpiceWeasel]

Can you get the HD box without paying the £10 a month for the hd pack?

I would like the HDMI connection from the HD box but I am not sure if I want to pay the extra £10 a month for the HD pack. There was a big improvement in PQ when I switched from rgb scart to HDMI on my PS3, which is why I want HDMI on the sky box.

There's a demo in my local tesco's which shows the difference between standard def and HD (SKY) at the same time, with a moving bar scroling left to right switching between SD and HD so you can see the difference. Yes there is a slight difference but you really have to look hard to notice it. Ok the tv showing the demo was only a 32" so you may notice more of an improvement on say my 42" plasma, but that extra £10 a month is a bit of a rip off.

 

[daveh75]

SpiceWeasel:
Can you get the HD box without paying the £10 a month for the hd pack?You can yes,but you wont be eligible for a box @ £49 that's for sure, not sure what Sky would want to charge you if you're not going to take out an HD sub, but bare in mind the full rrp of SkyHD boxes is around £200 so could be a costly exercise.You would need to speak to Sky really.

If you're going to go this route it will be far cheaper to source a box from Ebay or free ads etc,have seen some go for as little as £50 but depend's on model,condition etc.If you go for a S/H box the only thing i'd say is stay clear of thomson boxes you'll be buying a whole load of hassle for yourself.

 

[Sorreltiger]

There really is a BIG difference. I would guess that the biggest fans of Sky HD watch Sky Sports, however. Rugby, Premiership Soccer, Cricket all look (and sound) amazing.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I second that you should have been able to see a big difference. I'd suggest that they haven't set it up properly at all.

 

[daveh75]

Having re-read your post thoroughly, i do agree with sorreltiger and voodoodoctor though.You definitely should be able to see a big difference between SD and HD, and it is probably down to tesco's "set-up" more than anything else that you're not seeing the differences.

 

[Anonymous]

I own my box as I bought it from Tesco on a "No Contract Deal" late last year that they no longer do. In the past I have had a lot of hassle cancelling any packages I have taken out over a short term as the Sky peeps claim not to be aware of customers on HD without a contract.

I currently pay Sky £10 per month as if I didn't I would loose the Sky+ functions and I don't have any other method of recording programes.

 

[daveh75]

Ming the Merciless:
I own my box as I bought it from Tesco on a "No Contract Deal" late last year that they no longer do. In the past I have had a lot of hassle cancelling any packages I have taken out over a short term as the Sky peeps claim not to be aware of customers on HD without a contract.

I currently pay Sky £10 per month as if I didn't I would loose the Sky+ functions and I don't have any other method of recording programes.
That is one of the problem's with Sky,When you want something that differ's from the usual/standard packages it leaves the CS agent's somewhat flumoxed.You either have to hope you get an agent who "know their stuff" (rare in my experience) or get them to escalate it to a CS manager to get the service you require.

 

[Alec]

Ming the Merciless:

I own my box as I bought it from Tesco on a "No Contract Deal" late last year that they no longer do. In the past I have had a lot of hassle cancelling any packages I have taken out over a short term as the Sky peeps claim not to be aware of customers on HD without a contract.

I currently pay Sky £10 per month as if I didn't I would loose the Sky+ functions and I don't have any other method of recording programes.

I'm confused. Did'nt they drop the £10 for sky+?

 

[daveh75]

al7478:Ming the Merciless:

I own my box as I bought it from Tesco on a "No Contract Deal" late last year that they no longer do. In the past I have had a lot of hassle cancelling any packages I have taken out over a short term as the Sky peeps claim not to be aware of customers on HD without a contract.

I currently pay Sky £10 per month as if I didn't I would loose the Sky+ functions and I don't have any other method of recording programes.

I'm confused. Did'nt they drop the £10 for sky+?
They did yeah, but if you stop subscribing to Sky then you lose the + function's, but you can opt to pay a £10 sub to keep only the + functions if that makes sense...

 

[Alec]

daveh75:al7478:Ming the Merciless:

I own my box as I bought it from Tesco on a "No Contract Deal" late last year that they no longer do. In the past I have had a lot of hassle cancelling any packages I have taken out over a short term as the Sky peeps claim not to be aware of customers on HD without a contract.

I currently pay Sky £10 per month as if I didn't I would loose the Sky+ functions and I don't have any other method of recording programes.

I'm confused. Did'nt they drop the £10 for sky+?

They did yeah, but if you stop subscribing to Sky then you lose the + function's, but you can opt to pay a £10 sub to keep only the + functions if that makes sense...

Ah yes, perfect sense. Sorry, somewhat hard of thinking just now, obviously.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Well I rang up SKY today to cancel by subscription, got through almost imediately which was a bit of a suprise. Told the guy I wanted to cancel and explained that I would get a better deal by canceling and getting my brother to order a new subscription. I was asked to hold the line while he checked what sort of deal they could do instead of canceling. So sat there for a good few minutes waiting and then the line went dead

Rang them back and thought I had the same operator again, being a bit stressed out last few weeks I kindly said to the guy that I was just speaking to you and was then put on hold for almost 5 mins only for you to hang up on me, thanks for that. Well it wasn't the same operator and he apoligised for me being disconnected, have to say he was a nice bloke and really helpfull.

Explained that I was after a new HD box with multi room using our current sky+ box, had to be put on hold again while he checked what deal he could do. Anyway he said they could offer me a free install to move to the new house and just had to pay the £49 for the new box +£9.75 extra a month for HD. Same deal as a new customer, good work SKY.

After your comments I decided to go for the HD box, just hope I don't get a duffer.

EDIT: Getting installed on Tuesday as well, Daveh if I get a choice which is the best box to get ? Are the Samsung boxes the most reliable at the moment ?

 

[daveh75]

SpiceWeasel:.
EDIT: Getting installed on Tuesday as well, Daveh if I get a choice which is the best box to get ? Are the Samsung boxes the most reliable at the moment ? The Samsung's seem to be about the most reliable ATM.

But it's kind of moot really,as Sky are only supplying Samsung's and Amstrad's for NEW install's ATM, and almost exclusively Samsung's in my area for month's now.

 

[Anonymous]

daveh75:That is one of the problem's with Sky,When you want something that differ's from the usual/standard packages it leaves the CS agent's somewhat flumoxed.You either have to hope you get an agent who "know their stuff" (rare in my experience) or get them to escalate it to a CS manager to get the service you require.

Yeah it took 1 1/2 hours and 8 transfers to cancel and take up the £10 option - customer service isn't the best!!!

 

[Anonymous]

SpiceWeasel: After your comments I decided to go for the HD box, just hope I don't get a duffer.

EDIT: Getting installed on Tuesday as well, Daveh if I get a choice which is the best box to get ? Are the Samsung boxes the most reliable at the moment ?

They put in a request for a preference for the Samsung box for me when they replaced my PACE as part of the recall. The engineer said he hadn't had a Samsung box for several months now. All he has had are Amstrad ones, he said it seems to go in cycles as before it was all Samsung and before that all Thompson.

Guess it depends on your engineer, your area and whether you get a new box or a refurb.......?

 

[Anonymous]

I have just got sky hd for free when ordering with multyroom with just £30 install.But this is a reginal s wales offer because of switchover
But i have been told that all sky+ customers were to get a free upgrade to a HD box just so thay can get the £10 off them.