Would I still be able to receive the BBC HD channel and CH4 HD if I don't have a HD subscription?
Sky HD without the HD subscription
- Thread starter Hems
- Start date
No. You have to have the Sky HD box in order to decode the HD signal and send it to your tv via HDMI. Getting the HD means a compulsory subscription to the HD service and the cost that entails. If you want free HD channels, you'll have to wait for Freesat or for the launch of HD Freeview channels in your area.
[quote user="Eddiewood"]If you had a Sky HD box, wouldn't you get BBC HD and C4 HD without a subscription?[/quote]
Done a quick bit of research and Eddie is half right. Apparently BBC HD can be received without a subscription as the BBC HD service operates independent of Sky. However, it seems C4 HD does need a subscription - something to do with it being encrypted in a way that requires the Sky card. There might be a way around it. Could be worth a Google search or checking out another forum.
Done a quick bit of research and Eddie is half right. Apparently BBC HD can be received without a subscription as the BBC HD service operates independent of Sky. However, it seems C4 HD does need a subscription - something to do with it being encrypted in a way that requires the Sky card. There might be a way around it. Could be worth a Google search or checking out another forum.
If you have a Sky HD box and a Sky card without subscription, which is what I took the OP to mean, then you'd get C4 HD as well wouldn't you?
I don't have Sky HD, so don't know for sure, but you can certainly get C4 SD without a Sky sub. C4 is encrypted as you say, but it isn't to prevent non-Sky users getting it for "free" on Sky, it is to prevent other countries from receiving it via their satellite receivers. I guess C4 HD is the same and you can actually get it "free" using your Sky HD box/Sky card without subscription.
I don't have Sky HD, so don't know for sure, but you can certainly get C4 SD without a Sky sub. C4 is encrypted as you say, but it isn't to prevent non-Sky users getting it for "free" on Sky, it is to prevent other countries from receiving it via their satellite receivers. I guess C4 HD is the same and you can actually get it "free" using your Sky HD box/Sky card without subscription.
[quote user="Eddiewood"]If you had a Sky HD box, wouldn't you get BBC HD and C4 HD without a subscription?[/quote]
Sorry that's what I meant.
Sorry that's what I meant.
I'm more than happy to be wrong and, with that being the case, might look into the possibility of getting one myself. Freesat seem to be dragging their heels and we won't get HD on Freeview in London until 2012. I already pay too much money to Sky IMO.
If you were to get a Sky HD box buy another means than Sky, say EBAY and you have Sky+ allready then its simply a case of swapping the box's over, but unless you phone Sky and say "Hello there little Sky person, I have just got a Sky HD box and managed to dodge your rip off £60 instalation fee, but I would actually like to see some HD TV, so please take yet another tenner via direct debit thank you very much." Then you will not be watching any HD.
I got my HD box via EBAY and swapped my Sky+ box but after inital set-up process all you get when you select any HD channel, all you will get is the on-screen message telling you to Upgrade you viewing package.Now I know Sky aint cheap but IMHO if you have a HD TV then the extra tenner a month is money well spent.
I got my HD box via EBAY and swapped my Sky+ box but after inital set-up process all you get when you select any HD channel, all you will get is the on-screen message telling you to Upgrade you viewing package.Now I know Sky aint cheap but IMHO if you have a HD TV then the extra tenner a month is money well spent.
[quote user="D.J.KRIME"]
If you were to get a Sky HD box buy another means than Sky, say EBAY and you have Sky+ allready then its simply a case of swapping the box's over, but unless you phone Sky and say "Hello there little Sky person, I have just got a Sky HD box and managed to dodge your rip off £60 instalation fee, but I would actually like to see some HD TV, so please take yet another tenner via direct debit thank you very much." Then you will not be watching any HD.
I got my HD box via EBAY and swapped my Sky+ box but after inital set-up process all you get when you select any HD channel, all you will get is the on-screen message telling you to Upgrade you viewing package.Now I know Sky aint cheap but IMHO if you have a HD TV then the extra tenner a month is money well spent.
[/quote]
How much did you pick up the Sky HD box for?
If you were to get a Sky HD box buy another means than Sky, say EBAY and you have Sky+ allready then its simply a case of swapping the box's over, but unless you phone Sky and say "Hello there little Sky person, I have just got a Sky HD box and managed to dodge your rip off £60 instalation fee, but I would actually like to see some HD TV, so please take yet another tenner via direct debit thank you very much." Then you will not be watching any HD.
I got my HD box via EBAY and swapped my Sky+ box but after inital set-up process all you get when you select any HD channel, all you will get is the on-screen message telling you to Upgrade you viewing package.Now I know Sky aint cheap but IMHO if you have a HD TV then the extra tenner a month is money well spent.
[/quote]
How much did you pick up the Sky HD box for?
Just under £200 BNIB, the beauty of doing it this way is also that you do not have to enter into a new 12 month contract with Sky so if you are not happy with the service you can simply cancel the HD channels.
My HD sub is up nxt month, is it worth a tenner, nope. I will be cancelling my HD sub and as far as I'm aware I will still receive BBC HD. If that is not the case then I don't think I will be a sky customer for much longer.
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