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Sky Digiboxes Available

With all the changes made recently by Sky, we have been asked a few times what make/models of Sky digibox still existing, so we thought we’d list them for you.

Don’t forget that Sky treat all digiboxes the same, so if you are signing up and upgrading, there is little point asking Sky for a particular brand, though you can mention it to your installer in case they have choice on their van:

Standard Sky Digibox

Amstrad DRX550

Sky+ Digibox

Now Discontinued

Sky+HD Digibox

Amstrad DRX780 (300GB, 160GB personal storage) *now discontinued by still a few in circulation
Amstrad DRX890 (500GB, 250GB personal storage)
Samsung 500 (500GB, 250GB personal storage)
Amstrad DRX895 (1.5TB, 1TB personal storage)

Sky+HD the only choice

Go to deal

Sky made a significant change to their line-up the other day; they have decided to make the Sky+HD Digibox their priority and offer it as the only option for new and existing customers, with the standard box only available to Sky Multiroom and the Sky+ box discontinued.

This clearly shows the future direction that Sky is taking with more high-definition output and focus on their new 3D and VOD services due later this year.

For now, as a new customer, you can obtain a Sky+HD Digibox plus subscription for FREE, with FREE installation providing you add the HD pack too at £10/month. If you don’t want additional HD channels then the price jumps to a reasonable £49 plus £30 installation.

Existing customer deals are a little complexed, with the price being up to £199 plus £60 installation depending on your circumstance and whether you have benefited from a deal previously.

For the latest deals, click on the link above to the Sky purchase page and have a play around with the options to see what deal they can offer you.

Sky set to launch 500GB HD Digibox

It has been confirmed that over the next month or two Sky will replace the current 300GB model with the new 500GB version. Initially the makes will be Amstrad (DRX890) and Samsung (Samsung 500). The units will not only give increased personal storage space of 250GB but also will be smaller than the correct model, as well as include the new ‘off’ mode feature.

The ‘off’ mode feature allows you to effectively switch the digibox off completely without turning off at the mains power; this is to comply with a new EU directive which requests that all electrical equipment must omit a maximum of 1watt power when switched off. What this means though is that when off, the digibox will not be able to carry out recordings etc, so Sky have implemented a sleep mode too which is the same as the current standby mode most are familiar with.

There is also rumours that Sky are to launch a even larger capacity digibox with either a 1TB or 1.5TB hard drive though no information on price and availability has been released yet.

Sky to launch new Sky+HD Digibox

We have it from a very reliable source that Sky will launch a new Sky+HD Digibox early in 2010. The unit seen in action is manufactured by Amstrad, which of course is now part of the BSkyB franchise.

In terms of looks the design is exactly the same, though the overall size is much smaller than the current bulky model; but the key change is the internals, with a number of undisclosed modified parts and a larger 500GB hard drive.

It is believed that the hard drive will be split down the middle; half retained by Sky, and the other half for personal storage space, which should mean that 250GB equates to approx. 125 hours of standard definition, or 65 hours of high definition. The large volume of retained HDD capacity by Sky would suggest they are planning to launch a number of additional features and services.

Whilst we don’t have any confirmation yet on other manufacturers, we do believe that both Pace and Samsung are in long-term contracts with Sky so it is likely they will also be offering the same specification, though neither were able to comment at this time.

£50 Tesco Gift Card Offer Now On

Sky have increased their Tesco offer to include a £50 Tesco gift card for new subscribers until the end of this month.

All you must do is sign up as a new subscription customer taking either Sky Sports, Sky Movies or Sky+HD. The Tesco gift card will be sent to you within 30 days of activation for use against any Tesco purchase, whether that be electronics, health care or just your weekly shop.

Visit the deal for more information and to sign up by clicking the banner below:

Deal expires 30th September 2009

£25 Tesco Gift Card Offer Now On

Sky have today launched a new offer following the success of the M&S voucher deal. Buy any Sky TV package online and Sky will give you a £25 Tesco gift card; for use against any Tesco purchase, whether that be electronics, health care or just your weekly shop.

Click on the banner below for full details:

Deal expires 30th April 2009

New EPG first release underway

Sky’s new HD EPG got under way in the early hours of this morning with release to 38,000 Sky HD Digiboxes, manufactured by Thomson.

The initial new EPG has been rolled-out to version 4E300E boxes, which is said to be the smaller volume of version numbers (the last from Thomson) allowing Sky the opportunity to monitor the success of roll-out before proceeding to other versions.

It is expected that availability of the new EPG will take a number of months to complete, but early indications are suggesting a much improved, much more stable service, including a better TV guide, improved recording functionality and a usable search facility. Hopefully if the initial release goes well, other versions of box will follow soon.

The new Sky EPG will be updated via the satellite dish, not the telephone line. You should receive instructions prior to the update with useful information on how the new services work.

Please leave a comment letting us know your thoughts as and when you receive it.

New Sky+HD EPG website launched

Sky have today launched a micro-site filled with information on the upcoming new Sky+HD EPG. The site includes a few demo’s, user guides and FAQ’s to help smooth the process of transfer.

According to Sky’s release notes, the roll-out will begin within the next couple of weeks and continue for a number of months. Thomson SkyHD digiboxes owners will be the first to benefit, with Amstrad, Samsung and Pace following in a few months time.

The EPG certainly looks impressive, although the limitation on number of channels you can view within the same TV guide screen is only 6, which might annoy some. Let’s just hope it’s a successful transfer to the new and it’s without many bugs and glitches, as Sky rely heavily on the EPG and especially the record functionality for almost 600,000 Thomson Sky HD Digibox customers.

Visit the new Sky EPG micro-site here.

Pace fault discovered

Although no official word has come from a tight lipped Sky/Pace, it seems from new Pace boxes coming onto the market that the revision is a couple of cable ties holding some cables in place.

It would seem, although only a assumption by the Sky community, that the potential risk resulting in a mass Pace recall is the possibility of the power cable linking from the PSU to motherboard could get trapped by releasing from it’s housing and getting stuck between the metal lip and top casing. Should this happen and the cable cut, there’s a chance the box could become live.

Again, this is only speculation and the chances of this happening are very very slight, but Pace’s solution with the cable ties is to hold the cables in their housing seems a sensible one to get more units onto the market.

Did you really expect Sky/Pace to announce this sort of information?

Having said all that, Pace still remains the digibox of choice for Sky+HD, due to their long history of manufacturing quality products for the Sky range.

For anyone considering a Pace, either new or as replacement for a recalled box, just make sure that it’s had the required changes carried out. This can be done easily by shining a torch in the back of the unit near the warranty ‘void’ sticker and looking for the cable ties, alternatively, the manufacturers packaging should state it was built in the EUR 2009.

Don’t forget, if you are looking to sign up to Sky+HD, either as a new or existing customer, Sky are currently offering a fantastic deal of just £49 including installation, exclusively available online.

M&S offer returns

Sky have today announced the return of the previously successful M&S voucher offer.

Simply sign up to Sky TV as a new customer before 26th March 2009 and you’ll be sent £30 in M&S vouchers.

Visit Sky for more information and to sign up

In addition, Sky are now offering their standard Sky Digibox deal for FREE, with only £15 installation, so combine that with the M&S deal above and you’ll be £15 better off!

See all the latest Sky, Sky+ and Sky+HD deals here