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.
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Shane
March 14th, 2009
I have just had Sky+HD installed, mine is the Amstrad box though. When can i see the updates?
admin
March 14th, 2009
No indication of when the Amstrad’s will receive the new EPG yet, just that it will happen over the coming months subject to successful roll-out.
Andy Swietochowski
March 25th, 2009
I have just had a Samsung HD box installed. This was organised by sky as I was informed that there is an error with my pace box, however the engineer said that they are changing the boxes to allow a new epg but I haven’t got the new EPG. Was there a safety issue with my previous box?
admin
March 25th, 2009
Never believe an installer, the only fault with your previous box was that Pace didn’t secure the mains power and SATA cable in place, and Sky deeded this a risk of getting caught and cut. The risk was very minor and possibly blown out of proportion.
The Samsung will receive the new EPG just like the Pace will…when Sky get to it, they are currently rolling out over the Thomson units, followed by the rest, so you may have to wait a couple of months before you have the new EPG.
mark burnett
April 5th, 2009
I hav a samsung HD box. Is there any news of when they are getting the new EPG
Patrick
April 19th, 2009
I find scrolling to the bottom of my recorded programs much slower/annoying. Previously you just went up past the top & it went to the bottom. Now to have to scroll down. Even using the channel + it’s still a lot more key presses.
My Thompson box has many problems in terms of responding to the remote. This update seemed to help initially. But now has gone back to it’s old ways. Particularly coming out of FF (have to press STOP not PLAY & scrolling around EPG is slow/unresponsive!
I like the record series bit. Improved. Record once or record series.
Used to be able to come out of watching a recording (pressing STOP or SKY) then easily go back in pressing PLAY. Now have to press PLAY many times particularly if part of a series.
Pressing SELECT in a program used to bring up time through recording. Time remaining is ok. Could we have both?
2nd LNB cane back with no signal. Rebooted box – all ok, so seemed a problem with new software?
BLUE favourites used to start from the channel you are on. Now it always seems to start from beginning. Prefer old way.
PIP is ok if someone wants to watch the program while someone else is trying to record something. However could you make it show the beginning of the recorded show if you hover over it, a bit like Anytime TV?
Anytime TV – can it be cleaver? Only record shows you have a subscription to watch? Only record shows that you might like to watch. i.e. learn your viewing habits?
thanks
Patrick
DannyB
April 26th, 2009
Have a thompson 007…and am just wondering when will we get the new EPG. Also what time does it normally download?
chis s
May 3rd, 2009
Mmm.. new update causes loss of signal errors on some channels plus very poor pixelation again for some channels. didn’t happen before update does after. other none updated box (multiroom) works as normal. Sky support reset box can work for a day. Sky insists the EPG does not have any driver or system updates – untrue.
Signal is 80% so is quality. Live in the UK so good footprint.
Check out web for more details.. This is a beta release from Sky.
GaryG
May 16th, 2009
New EPG seems a definite improvement, BUT – programs don’t record every time, box crashes, poor picture quality, dropouts in the middle of recordings etc etc Now unplug regularly to get the box to start up. None of this happened before the EPG upgrade.
Gary S
May 19th, 2009
Got the new EPG and wish I hadn’t. Many of the problems described here plus a totaslly trashed Active Servicem nothing on the RED button is reliable anymore, it will work for a day or so after a totaly power off reset and then fails again, shame since I used to wake up and go to sleep with Sky News Active, BBC active and any others all have same problems. Sky as ever talked me through turning the box off etc despite me having already done it many times.
simeon
May 26th, 2009
I am now on my third Sky+HD box!!!
Frst was a Samsung, last 2 been amstrad.
Box locks up showing blue screen only – reboot turns it back on, but anything that was set to record while locked shows “Power Cut”
Last guy (one of their experts) said I should disconnect the magic eye – did that – still started doing it!!!
I am sick of these crappy boxes or so called experts that don’t know anything!!
Any ideas?
Tony G
June 20th, 2009
I have just had Sky+HD installed, mine is the Amstrad box though. When can i see the updates? with the new EPG AND WILL IT HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET A NEW CARD IN POST FIRST
and my tv is a full hd 1080p does my setting in 1080i sky settings change or will it ?
Peter W
June 30th, 2009
FYI
I had one of the PACE HD boxes that required replacement….although I’d never had any issue with the box. The replacement was a Thompson and the upside was that it got updated with the new EPG. Unfortunately with the arrival of the Thompson box I started to get HDCP errors on my Samsung LCD. The HDCP errors became more regular with the change of viewing cards.
The Thompson box has now been swapped with a Samsung box and since the I’ve had no more HDCP errors.
I can’t decide in my mind which issue has caused the HDCP errors (the change to the Thompson box or the update of the EPG) but I will say that the Thompson box got extremely hot unlike the PACE or Samsung boxes.
As far as the new EPG is concerned, I did feel that there was a bit of lag when scrolling down or navigating the menu however the benefits of the new EPG out-weigh any negatives and I do hope that the EPG rollout for Samsung boxes will happen soon as once you’ve used the new EPG the old one seems so rubbish.
So thanks SKY for the new EPG….I just hope I can have it back soon…..assuming it’s not the EPG that causes HDCP errors.
Ian Dudley
July 2nd, 2009
Do you have any idea when the Samsung (highly reliable that it is) will receive the new EPG
It’s been months now with NO news
Help!!
Tony G
July 9th, 2009
HAS ANY ONE HAD A REPLY FROM SKY BECAUSE I HAVE NOT ?????
Paul Martin
July 18th, 2009
HI, The new EPG is buggy !, slows up over time even after a planner rebuild look at the comments in other forums Sky you need to sort this out. The planner becomes all most unusable to rectify you have to turn the power off and on then reboot this it appears flushes the hard drive then works fine for a few days then back to a hard reboot!! I have two Thomson HD boxes both have the same problem since the EPG upgrade, have upgraded the power supply in one and hard drive still the same please bring back the old EPG or at least let us have the option it appears that Samsung boxes are not effected .
JAMES
July 23rd, 2009
Any news on Amstrad boxes getting the new EPG.
I can’t beleive the new EPG to be as bad as everyone thinks.
For example I remember reading bad Vodafone Mobile broadband is and that is very slow. For me its actually quite fast. So the new EPG cant be as bad as people say it is. Please let me know if there is any news.
admin
July 24th, 2009
Sky have told us the EPG will be rolled out to the Amstrad boxes in August, but it won’t resolve the contrast issue (this is what we had enquired about!)
Anthony
August 1st, 2009
We need news on when the Sky HD Samsung boxes will be updated? I hope its not much longer, im getting sick of the old guide, Its just not up to scratch.
Andrew
August 6th, 2009
I’ve had the new software for some weeks now. For those keen to get their hands on it, don’t bother. It’s so slow in operation. I don’t think it is as intuitive, takes more button presses to do anything and, my box CPU doesn’t seem to have the speed to keep up with my button presses, so you have to be patient. I’d like to see the old software back.
Julian
August 20th, 2009
Any news on when the samsung HD boxes will be updated? im still on the old and very dated guide.
Alex
September 2nd, 2009
Hi I was reading one of your replies to one of your valued customers and you said the Amstrad boxes will recieve the update in august at 01:46 on the 2nd of Septemeber I used the hard update (hold the backup button on the box) and still no sign of this EPG, I want it because it comes bundles with ITV HD which will allow me to watch football in HD, we want it now, dont forget about the Amstrads.
Peter
September 6th, 2009
Hi guys
I have a Thompson and an Ammstrad HD box. My Thompson box updated to the new EPG a couple of days after the demo was avaiable in Anytime. My Amstrad box Just (Sept 4th) just got the demo in Anytime so it looks like the new EPG will be available to Amstrad boxes in thw coming days. It is so worth the wait I love the new EPG
Andrew
September 7th, 2009
I’ve got an amstrad HD box and a thomson sky+ box, I’ve heard you can force the update to the new epg. If this is true how do I do it
Alex Owen
September 10th, 2009
@Andrew, the force update is the on the failure signal, if your box encounters an EPG error where it doesnt work you can re-download your current EPG therefore you cannot get the NEW HD EPG on the force update but for future reference:
•Unplug Box
•Wait for HDD to spin down
•Hold Back button on the box
•Plug in box and wait for the 4 lights
•EPG update will happen
EPG Waiter
September 13th, 2009
Any news on when the EPG will by updated on Amstrad HD boxes ??
Alex Owen
September 14th, 2009
@ EPG Waiter. According to Sky everyone should have the new EPG by the end of October but earlier it was stated that the Amstrad should have received the EPG by the end of August/First week of September and then before that it was announced that all boxes would get the EPG in spring, which never happened. Don’t hold your breath we may be pushed back to 2010 if Sky keep up this fantastic track record.Itoo have the Amstrad box and to be honest I would rather have a box that is working than a box full of software bugs, the only reason I want the new EPG is because it comes with ITV HD which will allow me to watch premiership football matches in HD due to the lack of the sports HD package which I am not subscribed to.
Rhemell
September 16th, 2009
Has there been any news on the amstrad boxes
Harl
October 4th, 2009
I to have an amstrad box and have still have no word on when we getting new epg? anyone heard anything?
Andrew
October 5th, 2009
I have a Thompson box and since the new EPG was downloaded on Sunday I get a no signal error and can’t watch anything, if I plug my old Pace box in hey presto signal fine old EPG and all channels viewable, swap back to Thompson box same problem no signal. I have tried a reboot a software reboot and cleared the HD still no signal. Sky what are you doing?
admin
October 5th, 2009
Andrew, are you using just a single cable from the dish to digibox? If so, you need to change a setting to single cable mode:
http://www1.sky.com/HDGuide/pdf/812_20952_HD_EPG_DM_INS_UK.pdf
Andrew
October 5th, 2009
Thank you Admin this fixed the issue, shame more people do not know about this issue as a lot of forums have this listed as a fault but are not offering the correct fix, this came too late as I wiped my entire HD recordings in trying to solve the problem.
Rhemell
October 16th, 2009
When will amstrad get the new epg
Luke
October 18th, 2009
I hate the new sky look with the mini screen in the right hand corner it is un responsive and irritating does anyone know how to change it back to normal??
Jamie
October 22nd, 2009
Hi there – Didnt know when to expect the Samsung EPG rolling out anytime soon in the Uk?
Paul
October 28th, 2009
When will the new EPG be rolled out to Amstrad boxes? I’ve been hearing about this new EPG for months and can’t believe it’s taking so long to roll out…
AlexM
November 8th, 2009
Last year I bought a Sky HD box. It was a Thomson. When it got the new EPG in May it started getting no signal errors and would constantly need rebooting. When I contacted Sky they sent an engineer out who swapped it for a Thomson that was two years OLDER, and made horrible noises. When we complained we got another replacement, a Samsung this time, which worked flawlessly – until now. The new EPG has been rolled out again and once again the box needs rebooting nearly every day. I am not happy about this and will complaining to Sky in the strongest terms, however I DO NOT want the box replaced. I don’t believe the box is at fault and really would like to know why so many of their boxes can’t cope with new operating software.
PaulS
November 16th, 2009
We have two HD boxes both purchased a few months apart. The most recent once has just taken the new EPG, but the older one has the old menus. The boxes look identical so am a bit suprised that they didnt both upgrade. Any thoughts?
Tom S
November 28th, 2009
Will amstrad be forced to have the new EPG? It sounds so buggy and I don’t want it screwing up my box, anyone on different boxes given the choice to opt out? Cheers for the info
Rhemell
November 30th, 2009
i finally got the new epg. It works fine
Tom S
December 2nd, 2009
what box?
sam
December 5th, 2009
hi just had HD installed u sed earlier that the amstrad boxes will be updating to the new epg in augaust bt my hd box hasnt got the new epg any new on when my amstrad box will recive the update
thx
Rhemell
December 7th, 2009
it is an amstrad tom
New Sky user Carl
December 9th, 2009
Hi all
I had Sky installed on Sunday 6th Dec. We have an Amstrad Sky+ HD box and it still has the old EPG.
Should it have been updated to the new EPG by now? Do I need to leave it on overnight? (as in not on standby)
Thanks for your help
Carl
Louise
December 9th, 2009
Hi all,
Just had the new EPG updated and i really, really hate it. Any ideas as to how to get back to the plain and simple version? Would never have gone for the HD upgrade had i known…you never realise how much you love something until it’s gone!
Tony L
December 12th, 2009
Had the new EPG for almost a week now.
It seems to have really degraded the picture quality.
I’m really gutted as the PQ was crystal clear before and now is all grainy.
I really hope Sky sort this out as I’ll be cancelling my sub if they dont.
Pat
December 13th, 2009
I hate the new EPG, its slow and annoying, also no option for turning sky volume up and now its sooooo quiet got to turn my volume up to well over half way. Can i change it back or is this rubbish here to stay?
Sam B
December 30th, 2009
I have the SKY+ Amstrad box. When will this be updated because my mate has the update on a different box and looks really good. Do ou have to force update this. We should have it by now- so c’mon sky and update our boxes
admin
December 30th, 2009
The new EPG is only available to Sky+HD digiboxes, not Sky+.
sel thomas
April 3rd, 2010
i have a samsung +hd box still no new epg here