Sub questions
 

Some questions re subscribing to the most basic Sky Value Pack
(£12.50) for one year if I may:

If I subscribe, will the dish, receiver, LNB, etc be provided free of
charge for me to keep as long as I like, irrespective of renewing the
sub? Or do I need to subscribe to a more expensive pack for that?

Is it essential to have a phone line if going for the most basic
£12.50 value pack?

If I terminate the sub after one year, am I able to keep the equipment
at no extra charge?

If I terminate the subscription after one year (I'll then use a FTV
card), do I still need to have the box connected to the phone line?


thanks

Some questions re subscribing to the most basic Sky Value Pack
(£12.50) for one year if I may:

If I subscribe, will the dish, receiver, LNB, etc be provided free of
charge for me to keep as long as I like, irrespective of renewing the
sub?

yes

Or do I need to subscribe to a more expensive pack for that?

nope, although if you want free installation maybe (depending on current
offers etc)

Is it essential to have a phone line if going for the most basic
£12.50 value pack?

its part of the contract at getting a subsidised box, so yes

If I terminate the sub after one year, am I able to keep the equipment
at no extra charge?

yes

If I terminate the subscription after one year (I'll then use a FTV
card), do I still need to have the box connected to the phone line?

after 1 year you can unplug it from the phone, subscribing or not



thanks

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 18:39:41 GMT, "ChrisM" wrote:

snip

Thanks for the answers.

If I go for the £1 online offer, will I get a 'basic' digibox (ie
limited in its' expandibility re feeding other TV sets?). Just
curious.

Also, is it still possible to downgrade to the £12.50 'Value Pack'
after 1 month? Are there any signs of Sky discontinuing this? I don't
want to be lumbered with a £38 per month sub! :)

How much notice do they need for this? surely Sky are wise to this
'ruse'?

All this seems a little too good to be true - there MUST be a catch,
surely?

I mean, £38 + £1 then downgrade to £12.50 per month for a further 11
months = £176.50

and after I cancel the sub, get to keep the digibox and dish for FREE
and buy myself a FTV card.

Correct?



thanks

"mad" wrote in message ...
On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 18:39:41 GMT, "ChrisM" wrote:

snip

Thanks for the answers.

If I go for the £1 online offer, will I get a 'basic' digibox (ie
limited in its' expandibility re feeding other TV sets?). Just
curious.


You will get a standard Digibox, it has the RF2 output for using
with a TVlink device for sending the output to another room and
has a return path for using the remote control.
It also has a RGB scart and a composite scart, twin phonos and
a normal RF output.


Also, is it still possible to downgrade to the £12.50 'Value Pack'
after 1 month? Are there any signs of Sky discontinuing this? I don't
want to be lumbered with a £38 per month sub! :)



Yes it is still possible to downgrade after 1 month.
I expect that option will remain in force until SKY stop giving away
free standard digiboxes.


How much notice do they need for this? surely Sky are wise to this
'ruse'?


They are aware of it and confirmed via email and over the phone
that it is acceptable. After the initial month you can just downgrade and
the package price is adjusted with your account credited for the balance.


All this seems a little too good to be true - there MUST be a catch,
surely?


No catch unless you count the fact that 9 out of 10 new subscribers are not
aware of that option thanks to the wording of the deal and probably continue to
pay £38 even if they are not satisfied with the movies and/or sports.


I mean, £38 + £1 then downgrade to £12.50 per month for a further 11
months = £176.50


That figure is probably pretty close to the cost of supplying and fitting
the hardware, SKY have tended to make good decisions finance wise.

and after I cancel the sub, get to keep the digibox and dish for FREE
and buy myself a FTV card.

Correct?


After you complete the minimum 12 months you can cancel with no penalty
and either use the hardware for viewing or sell it.
You will not need to get a FTV card since SKY will let you keep the
current card and that will allow you to watch the FTV channels.
They hope you will subscribe again and it saves them issuing a new card.


Mike C

mad wrote:

and after I cancel the sub, get to keep the digibox and dish for FREE
and buy myself a FTV card.

Your old sub card will continue to decode the FTV channels.

Most of your questions are FAQs. Read it.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/guiv
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 00:23:27 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


You will get a standard Digibox, it has the RF2 output for using
with a TVlink device for sending the output to another room and
has a return path for using the remote control.
It also has a RGB scart and a composite scart, twin phonos and
a normal RF output.

Do you happen to know which make/model this will be, or is it pot
luck?

If there is only one RGB SCART and one composite SCART, then I assume
the RF output will feed my VCR, allowing me to record programmes. The
RGB SCART will then plug into the back of my TV set. Is that right?

I ask I'd like to still keep the existing aerial plugged into the TV
set to receive terrestrial in case of poor satellite reception (maybe
due to heavy rain, snow, etc).

All this seems a little too good to be true - there MUST be a catch,
surely?


No catch unless you count the fact that 9 out of 10 new subscribers are not
aware of that option thanks to the wording of the deal and probably continue to
pay £38 even if they are not satisfied with the movies and/or sports.

So how much notice do they need to downgrade the sub? I mean, if I get
the kit installed, can I phone them after say 2 weeks then ask them to
downgrade it forthwith, therefore only having paid £38 for the first
month?

Is it a relatively painless process, or do they give you the full
'Spanish Inquisition', asking why you're downgrading, why you perhaps
don't like the programmes on offer, etc?


some snips)

Thanks very much for your concise and polite replies Mike. I really
appreciate it. :-)


regards

"mad" wrote in message ...
On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 00:23:27 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:




Do you happen to know which make/model this will be, or is it pot
luck?


Pot luck.
Basically you can request a specific model and they might make a note
of that on the order sheet but they have no obligation to supply it, you'll
get whatever stocl is plentiful in the warehouse and then given to the installers.
You could order SKY from an authorised dealer who should be able to
give you the same install deals (Except the £1 one) and they would stock
only one or two models so you choose which one you would want.


If there is only one RGB SCART and one composite SCART, then I assume
the RF output will feed my VCR, allowing me to record programmes. The
RGB SCART will then plug into the back of my TV set. Is that right?
I ask I'd like to still keep the existing aerial plugged into the TV
set to receive terrestrial in case of poor satellite reception (maybe
due to heavy rain, snow, etc).


The composite scart can be used to feed a VCR with the aerial
cable bypassing the digibox and going straight into the VCR as it
I assume it does now. So the VCR can record in good quality via it's
AV input (Better than RF) and record analogue terrestrial via the RF
while the aerial is still passed through to the TV.



So how much notice do they need to downgrade the sub? I mean, if I get
the kit installed, can I phone them after say 2 weeks then ask them to
downgrade it forthwith, therefore only having paid £38 for the first
month?

Is it a relatively painless process, or do they give you the full
'Spanish Inquisition', asking why you're downgrading, why you perhaps
don't like the programmes on offer, etc?



SKY won't accept downgrade requests while you are still within a minimum
term, wait until the last day of the first month and then call. If you have the
£38 pack for 1 month and 1 day and then downgrade it'll only cost you an extra
pound or so as the balance will be credited back to your account.
You may get some hassles, SKY CS staff at times are very uninformed
over some of the quirks of the billing process etc and yes they probably will
want answers why you are downgrading and spew out the usual script
the have.
Stick to your ground and be polite but firm, write down the figures they give you
for credit etc and then check them against your bank account.

Mike C

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 10:21:14 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


Pot luck.

Thought as much. :)

Basically you can request a specific model and they might make a note
of that on the order sheet but they have no obligation to supply it, you'll
get whatever stocl is plentiful in the warehouse and then given to the installers.
You could order SKY from an authorised dealer who should be able to
give you the same install deals (Except the £1 one) and they would stock
only one or two models so you choose which one you would want.

Which model would you *personally* recommend, given a choice of what
they normally supply?

The composite scart can be used to feed a VCR with the aerial
cable bypassing the digibox and going straight into the VCR as it
I assume it does now.

That's right. However, if I feed the VCR via the composite SCART,
won't that record at a slightly inferior quality as opposed to feeding
the VCR via RGB SCART (which of course will go to the TV)?

Or won't the difference be noticeable, given the quality of your
average video tape?

So the VCR can record in good quality via it's
AV input (Better than RF) and record analogue terrestrial via the RF
while the aerial is still passed through to the TV.

I see, thanks.

[downgrading the sub]

SKY won't accept downgrade requests while you are still within a minimum
term, wait until the last day of the first month and then call. If you have the
£38 pack for 1 month and 1 day and then downgrade it'll only cost you an extra
pound or so as the balance will be credited back to your account.

Sounds good.

You may get some hassles, SKY CS staff at times are very uninformed
over some of the quirks of the billing process etc and yes they probably will
want answers why you are downgrading and spew out the usual script
the have.

Par for the course these days!

Stick to your ground and be polite but firm, write down the figures they give you
for credit etc and then check them against your bank account.

Will do - am used to this kind of hassle with BT! They're pretty awful
too when it comes to billing, changing packages, etc.


Cheers

"mad" wrote in message ...
On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 10:21:14 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


Pot luck.

Thought as much. :)

Basically you can request a specific model and they might make a note
of that on the order sheet but they have no obligation to supply it, you'll
get whatever stocl is plentiful in the warehouse and then given to the installers.
You could order SKY from an authorised dealer who should be able to
give you the same install deals (Except the £1 one) and they would stock
only one or two models so you choose which one you would want.

Which model would you *personally* recommend, given a choice of what
they normally supply?


I am not in a a position to say:)
I am still using the first generation PACE 2200 which was issued back
in 1998 when SKY digital launched. My SKY+ is also the first generation
PACE unit that came out in 2001.
I can say that I have had no significant problems with PACE hardware and
software bugs etc are down to SKY and not the hardware manufacturer.
Panasonics have a good reputation and recent Amstrads are no longer
considered to be cheap & tacky, Thomson are newcomers to the fold after
buying out Grundig, don't know much about their digibox.

Should be starting a new thread asking for other peoples opinions.



The composite scart can be used to feed a VCR with the aerial
cable bypassing the digibox and going straight into the VCR as it
I assume it does now.

That's right. However, if I feed the VCR via the composite SCART,
won't that record at a slightly inferior quality as opposed to feeding
the VCR via RGB SCART (which of course will go to the TV)?

Or won't the difference be noticeable, given the quality of your
average video tape?



Yes composite scart is inferior to RGB but a standard VHS can not record
RGB signals so there is no point using that quality connection.
A hard drive or DVD recorder would benefit from the RGB output of a digibox.
So use RGB to feed the TV and composite to feed the VCR with the RF
from the rooftop aerial loopd through the VCR into the TV.



Mike C

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 12:21:08 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


Which model would you *personally* recommend, given a choice of what
they normally supply?


I am not in a a position to say:)

Why's that? Do you work for Sky or one of the Digibox manufacturers?
:)

snip

Thanks.

Should be starting a new thread asking for other peoples opinions.

Will do.


Yes composite scart is inferior to RGB but a standard VHS can not record
RGB signals so there is no point using that quality connection.

Good point.

A hard drive or DVD recorder would benefit from the RGB output of a digibox.
So use RGB to feed the TV and composite to feed the VCR with the RF
from the rooftop aerial loopd through the VCR into the TV.

Okay.

Have just noticed that my TV only has one RGB capable SCART input
which is currently used by my DVD player, so I'll need to use a
suitable SCART switcher to select between the player and the Digibox.
That shouldn't cause any problems for the Digibox should it? (I can't
imagine it, but you never know).


thanks

"mad" wrote in message ...
On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 12:21:08 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


Which model would you *personally* recommend, given a choice of what
they normally supply?


I am not in a a position to say:)

Why's that? Do you work for Sky or one of the Digibox manufacturers?
:)


I could only comment on other digiboxes if I have been using them in
my home for normal viewing. I've only used those two boxes I mentioned so
I wouldn't pretend to know in any significant detail how other boxes perform
or their build quality etc.



Have just noticed that my TV only has one RGB capable SCART input
which is currently used by my DVD player, so I'll need to use a
suitable SCART switcher to select between the player and the Digibox.
That shouldn't cause any problems for the Digibox should it? (I can't
imagine it, but you never know).


No problems with using a switch box that I am aware of.
Has your DVD player got a second scart socket which supports RGB
pass through? If so feed the RGB scart from SKY into the DVD and then
onto the TV.

Mike C

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 14:48:26 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


I could only comment on other digiboxes if I have been using them in
my home for normal viewing. I've only used those two boxes I mentioned so
I wouldn't pretend to know in any significant detail how other boxes perform
or their build quality etc.

Fair enough, understandable.

No problems with using a switch box that I am aware of.

Good. :)

Has your DVD player got a second scart socket which supports RGB
pass through? If so feed the RGB scart from SKY into the DVD and then
onto the TV.

It has a 2nd SCART for pass through, but it doesn't support RGB. :(

mad wrote:
On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 14:48:26 +0100, "Mike_C"
wrote:


I could only comment on other digiboxes if I have been using them in
my home for normal viewing. I've only used those two boxes I
mentioned so I wouldn't pretend to know in any significant detail
how other boxes perform or their build quality etc.

Fair enough, understandable.

No problems with using a switch box that I am aware of.

Good. :)

Has your DVD player got a second scart socket which supports RGB
pass through? If so feed the RGB scart from SKY into the DVD and then
onto the TV.

It has a 2nd SCART for pass through, but it doesn't support RGB. :(

Are you sure about that? I've never seen a DVD player with two SCART sockets
that doesn't support RGB passthrough, even if the manual doesn't say so try
connecting the digibox when you get it, making sure the output is set to
RGB.
--
Adrian
54º 10' 59" N 0º 19' 35" W

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 17:33:03 +0100, "Adrian" wrote:


It has a 2nd SCART for pass through, but it doesn't support RGB. :(

Are you sure about that? I've never seen a DVD player with two SCART sockets
that doesn't support RGB passthrough, even if the manual doesn't say so try
connecting the digibox when you get it, making sure the output is set to
RGB.

Okay, I'll give it a go. As you indicated, the manual doesn't imply
that RGB is supported on anything other than one SCART socket. The
player is a Sony 725.

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 23:20:27 +0100, Mike Henry
wrote:


Good news for you - I have that DVD player and it does support RGB
passthrough. You're right, the manual doesn't mention the passthrough.
(It also commits the crime of only mentioning RGB in passing rather than
strongly recommending it). But the 2nd scart socket on the player does
accept RGB (in only - not out), and it passes through to the output
scart fine along with widescreen switching signals.

That's great news, thanks very much. :-))

(mad) writes:

All this seems a little too good to be true - there MUST be a catch,
surely?

I mean, £38 + £1 then downgrade to £12.50 per month for a further 11
months = £176.50

Remember that as soon as you change package, you are then subject to
any price increases on your new package (normally you are protected
from increases for the first 12 months). So if the Value Pack goes up
from £12.50 to £13.50 you will pay that straight away in January 2004.

--
Geoff Rimmer www.sillyfish.com
www.sillyfish.com - Make savings on your BT and Telewest phone calls.

(mad) writes:

If there is only one RGB SCART and one composite SCART, then I
assume the RF output will feed my VCR, allowing me to record
programmes. The RGB SCART will then plug into the back of my TV
set. Is that right?

The RGB scart connects to the TV and the composite scart connects to
the VCR. Try to avoid using the RF completely if possible.

Is it a relatively painless process, or do they give you the full
'Spanish Inquisition', asking why you're downgrading, why you
perhaps don't like the programmes on offer, etc?

Even if they do, just keep repeating "I am downgrading because it is
way too expensive".

--
Geoff Rimmer www.sillyfish.com
www.sillyfish.com - Make savings on your BT and Telewest phone calls.