Sky+ Questions ...

[PaulBoy]

Sorry if I'm being thick but I have been reading about the recent move by Sky to broadcast films in 5.1 which of course you need a Sky+ to decode (and then presumably connect this to your amp to listen in 5.1)
My 1st question ... If you record such a 5.1 film on your Sky+ do you record the 5.1 signal and can you then watch it when you like in glorious Dolby Digital ?
My 2nd (& 3rd) questions ... How much space on the Sky+ does 1 film take up & how much disk space is there on a Sky+ ?
TIA - Paul :confused:

[kcxdev]

here a SKY+ FAQ (http://www.toreadmore.com/sky+/) I found. Not sure if the answers you are looking for is there but worth a look before invesing in it.

[Keiron99]

also lots of good stuff at http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=35

[Digital]

Someone wouldn't by chance have the article about Sky+ that was supposedly in What Satellite Magazine?

[PaulBoy]

Thanks - Those forums are helpful ...
I would still appreciate hearing from someone on this forum who has Sky+ and can answer my 5.1 queries ...
Cheers ... Paul

[craig@rewind]

I haven't got Sky+ but will try and answer them for you on the information I know:

(and then presumably connect this to your amp to listen in 5.1)

Yes. Just like a DVD player, connect your Sky+ box to your amp via the Optical Digital Output using the relevant lead.

My 1st question ... If you record such a 5.1 film on your Sky+ do you record the 5.1 signal and can you then watch it when you like in glorious Dolby Digital ?

Yes, the recording will be exactly the same as it was broadcast live.

My 2nd (& 3rd) questions ... How much space on the Sky+ does 1 film take up & how much disk space is there on a Sky+ ?

I think Sky+ has 20 hours of storage.

[AndyWilson]

I've got Sky+ and craig's right...

Just add that DD5.1 is only broadcast on Premier Widescreen, and I believe the PPV movie channels. the rest are 2channnel PCM, which means no amp friendly prologic flag..

I've had Sky+ about 4 weeks and you'd have to fight me to get it off me now!

[JonnyO]

Agreed. I've had it about 4 weeks or so too and I love it! It's just so incredibly convenient.

[yj80]

I couldn't agree more - I've hardly seen live TV since I got it, and my Sky subscription is finally starting to become value for money.

Yj

[Anthony.S]

There is a site here (http://www.hummer.co.uk/disc-change.htm) that explains how to upgrade the disk. The largest at the moment is 80Gb which gives 50+ hours of recording.
Apart from the odd bug, I agree its is fantastic. Even the wife can use it.

[megabyte]

Isn't it the case aswell with Sky plus,that if you set it to record a box office movie and you do not watch the recording,you are not charged for it?
The recording of a box office movie will erase itself after one week?
Conn
p.s which is more expensive/value for money, Sky plus or Tivo?

Sky plus is not available in ROI untill next year and as someone who likes his toys-I'd love to get it.
presumably if you're paying £300 for it-you own the box and can sell it at any time??

[JonnyO]

Originally posted by megabyte
Isn't it the case aswell with Sky plus,that if you set it to record a box office movie and you do not watch the recording,you are not charged for it?
The recording of a box office movie will erase itself after one week?

That is all correct.

Conn
p.s which is more expensive/value for money, Sky plus or Tivo?

Even as a sky+ user I think Tivo is better value for money. You can get the box for less (around £250 max) and you can pay your subscription as a one off fee which has to be better. Tivo is also more mature and has more features. However, I think sky+ has a better future in front of it and the ability to recored one sky channel while watching another was the deciding factor for me...

Sky plus is not available in ROI untill next year and as someone who likes his toys-I'd love to get it.
presumably if you're paying £300 for it-you own the box and can sell it at any time??

Yep, the box is yours. However, once you subscribe to the sky+ service you are 'tied-in' for 12 months. You could still sell the box on but you will still have to pay £10/month for the remainder of the contract.

[Cable Monkey]

At present the Sky+ has the VFM edge because of its DD capability and because it doubles as a Sat receiver. With TIVO you have stereo/prologic only and you still need a digibox to get anything to record! I fully expect them to come up with further reductions in pricing if they are being allowed to compete freely with Sky. However, so many of these type of issues are influenced by 'verbal agreements' over a game of golf... And of course, as with any Sky box, the box is yours to do with as you like.

[Ooh, a difference of opinion! JohnyO is a customer however, I am still making up my mind!]

[JonnyO]

There just isn't enough DD5.1 material on sky yet to use this as a deciding factor at present. Hopefully if Channel4 and the BBc start to utilisie it in the future then it will be a different story.
Also, the normal sky box is still pretty much free so you would just get one of those to go with your Tivo.
So...
I stand by my opinion :p