Page 1 of Sky + Problems

I had sky plus installed about six months ago and had to have the box replaced within a month (box switching itself to standby/freezing up).

Its been working fine since then but over the past week it has frozen during playback, lost parts of recordings and is now awaiting an engineers visit (recording function not working due to loss of input 2).

I accept that it will occasionally need rebooting but I do wonder how reliable this product is when I seem to have had two major failures in six months.

Has anyone else had similar problems or had to get a box replaced?

Hi there,

Just found your post from a google search. I`m suffering the same problem, but I`m now outside of the warranty period. After a full 15 months of problem free viewing the system has now developed the same issues as you are getting; Intermittent freezes during playback. I have even found that if you press back-up to go back to the menu and choose to start the program from about a minute before it failed you can sometimes play straight through the place where it failed before. This is very strange and annoying.

I`d like to ask if your Sky engineer visit fixed the problem as I wouldn`t like to pay for one to come out only to find that they can`t find any issue.

Craig

The Sky + boxes are known for their problems - basically it`s because they are made by PACE and they aren`t a quality organisation.

We`ve sent the box back about 10 times - had new ones, fixed ones - you name it. Their hard drives just aren`t up to scratch. It`s a shame TIVO aren`t around still.

Remember make sure that you give tham a hard time - don`t accept any fixed or refurbished goods - and make sure you get their insurance after warrenty (bloody rip-off) - because ultimately they will fail and you`re stuck with having to buy a new box.

Sooner or later there will be some alternatives on the market - roll-on that day.

Quote:
basically it`s because they are made by PACE and they aren`t a quality organisation.

Careful,Globalvillageidiot (resident self-appointed libel warning officer ) will be after you.

If it`s a disk issue, I`m more than happy to replace the disk myself, I`m a computer engineer and I understand that the disk in there is just a regular ata 3-1/2" 40gig drive.

So,you boys would recommend taking out SKY`s insurance for SKY+ then ?
Historically I`ve always treated that in the same way as I treat `extended guarantees` from high street retailers.
I.E.,cock off - I`ll take my chances. :p

I would point the finger at either HD failure or overheating, both of which should be easily fixable yourself.

I suspect they use a cheap sleeve bearing fan inside, which often last about 8 months of constant use before they cark it. Replace with a ballbearing one which should last years.

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Robert - so what you`re saying is that they are not a quality built machine - HMMmmmmm!

Libel me up!

My box failed because of the loss of the second input. As soon as the engineer saw it he just replaced the whole thing. He said it was a common fault!

IMHO it`s not worth buying the insurance. The box is covered for a year anyway, after that a lot of the failures can be cured by changing the hard drive - as said it`s a standard PC one. You can even put in a bigger drive to get longer recording time.

Even if it isn`t a drive failure, you can walk into Argos etc... and buy a new Sky Plus box off the shelf. You`re supposed to then ring Sky and get it all installed as a new customer, but you just plug it in where your old one was then all you do is phone customer services to get your new box paired with your existing card. This is all an engineer does when he swaps out the box.

Hello
Thankfully I havn`t had any problems with my 3rd box and now the warranty has expired I have now installed a 160 Gb hard drive (which Sky are now selling as Sky+160).

I was previously directed to an excellent site for advice swapping the hard drive which was a fairly easy. everything Sky+

best of luck.. ;)