Which SKY Digibox to go for ?

[JD20]

Thought I'd stick this in here as it didnt really fit in any of the other forums :p

Anyway, I'm going to be having Sky Digital installed at the weekend, and when booking was informed that when the engineer calls to confirm on the morning of the installation, you can specify which digibox you'd like to have fitted.

So, heres the question, which is the best one to go for, pros and cons, I know theres a Sony box, a Grundig box, and an Amstrad box, are there any others, and which is the best of the bunch ?

Cheers

[craig@rewind]

Sky said that to me but it depends on what they have on the van. I asked for a Panasonic and got an Amstrad. Anyway, in order of preference:

Panasonic
Pace
Sony (newer models that can have the Personal Planner software!)
Grundig
Amstrad

or Sky+ for £299.99.

[ggrant]

Mum and Dad have the Panasonic box and i gotta say..its better than any other box that any of my friends/family have. :)

[craig@rewind]

Agreed, very fast box.

[JD20]

Ah, I see, thanks. So theres an element of pot luck :)
Panasonic I'll try to get then.

Cheers

[ChrisH]

I've got a panasonic box after my Amstrad gave up the ghost, and i can confirm it is certainly a lot faster.

So if i was you i'd go for a panasonic :nuts: :D

[richardp]

The new amstrad dx200 is actually an excellent box, the dx100 was a good box as well that was very badly let down by its tuner. Hence the dx200 uses a panasonic tuner and is without doubt at least the equal of the panasonic.

[JonnyO]

The Amstrad DRX200 has now been superceeded by the DRX300 which again uses the Panasonic tuner by all accounts. No reports of its speed yet though. It appears that the DRX200 has been well liked by installers too as it was nowhere near as unreliable as the DRX100. No-one yet knows if the DRX300 will be the same...
The Panasonic is tried and trusted and I can confirm that is appreciably faster than the others due to it using a different central processor.

[Sputnik]

Its about home entertainment hardware, so it belongs in the DVD and Home Cinema Hardware Forum http://members.tripod.co.uk/nickhorton/GreenSmilies/**********

[Evade]

Any good/bad views on the Sony box?

[JonnyO]

Originally posted by Evade
Any good/bad views on the Sony box?

Good looking, optical out for connection AV amp, slimline so may fit where others don't, reliability seems so so. There have been a few tales of them going into standby and not coming back again.

[craig@rewind]

The Optical Out on the Sony box is disabled through the software. All Sky boxes have to be the same so as the Sony box is the only one with an optical output, Sky will not enable it. If you want Dolby Digital 5.1 you will have to get Sky+ which will enable this next month.

[JonnyO]

Originally posted by craig@rewind
The Optical Out on the Sony box is disabled through the software. All Sky boxes have to be the same so as the Sony box is the only one with an optical output, Sky will not enable it. If you want Dolby Digital 5.1 you will have to get Sky+ which will enable this next month.

Incorrect!
The Sony optical out is enabled in the more recent software. I know this for a fact, I have used one.
However, it will NOT do Dolby Digital as the software is not in place for it. Whether or not it will be in the future is a matter of conjecture. I personally believe it will not be.
Sky+ already has Dolby Digital enabled. Sky are just not broadcasting and Dolby Digital streams yet.

[Radiohead]

Useful tip though - the £40 installation fee is with whoever does it. I got my Panny digibox from a local dealer, rather than direct through Sky, and they allow you to choose the box you wanted.

BTW - the installer said the Panny is by far the best box. They'd had a fair few Sony's back.....

[craig@rewind]

If nothing is being broadcast in digital on the normal Sky boxes, what is the point of connecting it via the optical output?! :confused:

And I know it is enabled on Sky+ but if there are no programmes being broadcast in it, you can hardly call it enabled can you?!

[JonnyO]

Originally posted by craig@rewind
If nothing is being broadcast in digital on the normal Sky boxes, what is the point of connecting it via the optical output?! :confused:

Thoe optival out does ouput a digital audio signal. Its just not Dolby Digital surround sound! It is a 48KHz PCM stereo signal.
You could use it for clearer audio fidelity than via analogue audio cables or maybe digital recording to minidisc or other such recording device. (I've made some nice clear recordings from MTV to minidisc before now).

And I know it is enabled on Sky+ but if there are no programmes being broadcast in it, you can hardly call it enabled can you?!

Now who is being picky with who? :rolleyes:

It IS 'enabled'. What do you want me to say, that it isn't?!
Sometimes Craig, passing on poorly understood or half-correct information can be very misleading to those who need to know.

BTW, DD signals are supposed to commence on December 2nd with a showing of Gladiator on Sky Premiere Widescreen as per: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/displayarticle.php?id=4156

[craig@rewind]

Okay it is enabled but is currently not being used.

I am aware of the movies coming soon. Also:

Sky Box Office Widescreen
Sky Sports
BBC programmes and films

[megabyte]

Just to add to this-the lack of DD on Sky to date, coupled with the constant repeats and High Cost of their Movie world package-convinced me to cancel it and buy a DVD player.
I am now in what I call delay syndrome-in that I have rejoined my local video rental place and discovered how far behind Sky's movie channels are.
The result of this is absolute Bliss, as now I can Choose quality films for a respectable price:clap:
Conn

[point blank]

Can we go off on a tangent for a bit while I ask this question?
Is it possible to use a genuine $ky subscribers card in one of the multi satelite digital receivers that are presently available? I am thinking of the Humax or force etc. i know $ky cards are married to $ky boxes but I'm not sure it still applies in this instance. :confused:

[JonnyO]

Not possible. You would need a Videoguard (or is it Videocrypt?) CAM for the receiver and you just can't get them yet. Hopefully we'll be able to one-day but don't hold your breath...

[Flash69]

Sorry to cross post but what's the story with the Sony digibox?
the optical output is enabled but it doesn't work with dolby digital?

[craig@rewind]

I was trying not to confuse people but apparently I did according to JonnyO! :rolleyes:

The optical output isn't enabled for Dolby Digital 5.1 (and never will be) but you can use it to connect to an amp. Sky+ is the only way to get DD5.1.

[rwoolst]

Originally posted by JD20
when the engineer calls to confirm on the morning of the installation, you can specify which digibox you'd like to have fitted.

I expected exactly the same thing last weekend when my installation was booked. YOU DO NOT GET A CHOICE. I was offered the Amstrad, take it or leave it so I cancelled the installation.

If you want to choose your box, you will need to have it installed through a local independant retailer, who may charge extra. That's the route I have now taken.

Of course you may get lucky on the day and get the box you want.....best of luck

[john316]

Another vote for the silver Panasonic, so much faster than any other boxes.

I have had both the Silver Grundig and a black Panny (which broke within 30 mins!). They both are poor comapred to the silver Panny. The engineer who brought the silver Panny for us said that the Sony boxes have a higher failure rate than the Amstrads!

[not sure]

I've got the Sony, and so far it`s been back twice due to a "modem fault" it kept trying to call an unknown number, I think that's sorted now, but when they brought it back they didn't return the phone lead.

So for the past 5 month it`s not been connected to the phone line, I've been able to watch PPV events and films, and not been charged for them yet :)
But the money IS in the bank for them, just incase the realise oneday (thought they were booked trough the phone line?)

So i`m pleased with it.

one comment made me think, would the BBC really pay extra money to broadcast film/programs in DD when only a small minority could receive it? after all only the Sky+ users would get it, not the main bulk of Sky & ITVDigital.

[JonnyO]

Originally posted by not sure
I've got the Sony, and so far it`s been back twice due to a "modem fault" it kept trying to call an unknown number, I think that's sorted now, but when they brought it back they didn't return the phone lead.

So for the past 5 month it`s not been connected to the phone line, I've been able to watch PPV events and films, and not been charged for them yet :)
But the money IS in the bank for them, just incase the realise oneday (thought they were booked trough the phone line?)

So i`m pleased with it.

one comment made me think, would the BBC really pay extra money to broadcast film/programs in DD when only a small minority could receive it? after all only the Sky+ users would get it, not the main bulk of Sky & ITVDigital.

You will be able to order as many PPV views as your credit limit will allow. When you reach that limit, you will not be able to orcer any more. As soon as your box is reconnected to the phone line you will be billed for them.
Are you still within your first your of your interactive discount contract? If so, and you haven't got your box on the phone line, you are breaking that contract and liable for about £180. I don't know of anyone who has ever been billed for that but you never know...
The BBC has already stated its commitment to broadcast in DD so it IS going to happen.

[not sure]

Well after my post a while ago, a very nice man came to my house today from the tv shop, and said "oh we found this in the back today it`s yours, sorry we didn`t bring it back sooner, i`ll plug it in now for you" (the phone lead)

So he pluged it in, and the sony box did it`s little light display for 5 min, "oh" said the man "it shouldn`t keep doing that!" so the next time it lit up i pressed the speaker phone button "sorry the number you are calling is not recognised" so anyway a quick call to sky and he was told "looks like the modem isn`t working, send it back to sony who`ll repair it" EH!? it`s calling out!

So anyway he wanted to take it away, but couldn`t bring a "loan" model as he was on his way home from work, and the boss has locked up now, he could take it but i wouldn`t get to watch sky till TUESDAY night (as i`m working 8-6 monday).

So as you can guess i told him NO, so my box is now connected to the phone line, it`s still making it`s little call to the BT woman 2-3 times an hour but at least now i`m not breaking the contract.

And all it would take is for Sky to call my box and re enter the phone number, but thats to easy!