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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: nemo on 03 June 2015, 17:59:44

Title: Sky tv
Post by: nemo on 03 June 2015, 17:59:44
Hi, guys. I have sky+ currently and my brother has just cancelled his sky HD and his HD box is now sitting on my table. The question is can I just swap boxes or is it more complicated than that?
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: chrisgixer on 03 June 2015, 18:01:32
It's more complicated than that. Needs paring to the card.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: nemo on 03 June 2015, 18:09:19
Ok thanks. Is it difficult to do or do I have to involve Sky?
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 18:11:51
You can put your viewing card into the sky+ HD box. You won't get sky HD channels, as that is subscription dependent, but you will get the freely available HD channels. These are, of course, free with freeview HD anyway.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 18:12:42
Ok thanks. Is it difficult to do or do I have to involve Sky?
Well....yes....you have to pay for HD  ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: nemo on 03 June 2015, 18:40:44
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: TheBoy on 03 June 2015, 18:56:06
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 03 June 2015, 18:57:13
I have the Sky+ HD box. I don't subscribe to HD, so only get free HD channels. However, when I go to tin tent, I take the card, and put it in the old white Sky+ box, and all the same channels work as at home,,,,with the exception that you can't pause or tape on some channels :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 19:15:16
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 03 June 2015, 19:19:56
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.

I have never had a phone line connection from the word go ::)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 19:21:01
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.

I have never had a phone line connection from the word go ::)
Yes...but you're a very naughty boy  :-*
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: TheBoy on 03 June 2015, 19:22:16
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.
Hmmm, probably one for tunnie - thinking aloud, I may have had to due to multiroom (not mine, I hasten to add).
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 03 June 2015, 19:26:22
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.

I have never had a phone line connection from the word go ::)
Yes...but you're a very naughty boy  :-*
No, I is not a naughty boy. When applying (online chat) I told them I did not want a phone connection. They said no problem, the engineer would verify the card on his phone :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 19:29:01
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.

I have never had a phone line connection from the word go ::)
Yes...but you're a very naughty boy  :-*
No, I is not a naughty boy. When applying (online chat) I told them I did not want a phone connection. They said no problem, the engineer would verify the card on his phone :y
Ok. I believe you. :)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 03 June 2015, 19:38:22
My lad is the same...he has got sky multiroom, and he refused to have a phone connection...not a problem, they said.

Do you think its a marketing ploy to eventually get you on all their products, broadband and phone calls, upgrades, etc ;)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 19:55:07
My lad is the same...he has got sky multiroom, and he refused to have a phone connection...not a problem, they said.

Do you think its a marketing ploy to eventually get you on all their products, broadband and phone calls, upgrades, etc ;)
Don't get me started, Terbs. I had this very discussion with lumps and bumps last night.
She was telling me how wonderful her friends iwatch was for running apps. 'Yes dear' says I 'but it doesn't get a gps signal like your garmin watch'.
That's ok, says she, it connects to your phone and gets it from there.
No, says I, it connects to your iPhone and gets a signal. Not any other phone, just an iPhone. Don't you see? Buy one apple device, and that's you bleedin lot. Next time you upgrade your phone, it will have to be an iPhone...........blah...blah....
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 June 2015, 19:59:44
That's apps for running, not running apps......you know. Apps for doing silly things in pink lycra.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 03 June 2015, 20:08:05
That's apps for running, not running apps......you know. Apps for doing silly things in pink lycra.

Yes ...I follow you.

( just laughed to swmbo you called Mrs STMO, lumps and bumps......I got a viscious glare, followed by 'Don't you even think of it') ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 June 2015, 22:33:43
Don't particularly want HD channels just want to improve signal into TV as John Lewis reckon the sky+ box is the reason I get some dodgy pictures.
You need to call sky to re-pair card to new box.

Sky SD (esp where they have equivalent HD channel) is shockingly bad.  However, I think John Lewis are talking 'dangle berries'
Are you sure you have to involve sky, cause I'm not. It's your box, not sky's, and if it goes tits up, they expect you to buy a new one. The only way sky knows what you're doing is if have a phone line connected, and you don't have to after twelve months.
Hmmm, probably one for tunnie - thinking aloud, I may have had to due to multiroom (not mine, I hasten to add).
No, you're correct, I believe. I had to get my box paired with the card before all the encrypted content was usable. No quibble, just a quick phone call, and it didn't cost anything.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: tunnie on 05 June 2015, 12:07:40
Sorry late to the thread.

1.Cards are paired to the box. You need to call Sky to link a card to a new box.

2. Phone lines are no more, for some time now Sky manafacured boxes have no phone line socket.

3. Sky own the box during the initial subscription period, then it becomes yours.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: tunnie on 05 June 2015, 12:11:29
Oh. Should also add the lowest spec box is 500Gb WiFi HD box.

The SD boxes are no more  :)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 13:35:00
Don't understand this pairing to a box thing!!!!!
I have one HD box, two Sky plus (White) boxes, and my card works in all three ???
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 13:51:25
Don't understand this pairing to a box thing!!!!!
I have one HD box, two Sky plus (White) boxes, and my card works in all three ???
Mine works in any box I put it in. One sky HD+ and either multiroom box.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: tunnie on 05 June 2015, 14:13:01
Should only get free view channels doing that, I acquired a box from work. Swapping over card got free view channels but not Sky ones.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:13:36
Should only get free view channels doing that, I acquired a box from work. Swapping over card got free view channels but not Sky ones.
Should......but don't......


Right....gonna try it now.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: tunnie on 05 June 2015, 14:14:51
Have to ask around on that, as pairing is the rule of thumb.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:21:15
Just been upstairs and got sky sports on a multi room box that should only be freesat as I don't pay a subscription on it anymore.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:24:35
Well....my card works every time. Take it to the tin tent and install into a white box, everything works, as I said earlier, with the exception of pause and record on certain channels, like Discovery, Comedy Central, etc. Been doing this for a couple of years now ever since we had the HD box (black and silver). May take the HD box down this time as I want to record some stuff that the white box won't record. :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:27:36
Well....my card works every time. Take it to the tin tent and install into a white box, everything works, as I said earlier, with the exception of pause and record on certain channels, like Discovery, Comedy Central, etc. Been doing this for a couple of years now ever since we had the HD box (black and silver). May take the HD box down this time as I want to record some stuff that the white box won't record. :y
You won't be doing anything now, cause Tunnie is gonna get you cut off!  ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:29:18
I don't subscribe to Sky Sports, or HD or any other package like movies. I just have the basic entertainment package. Whether that makes a difference or not, I don't know. Come to think of it...before I had a Sky subscription, I just had free to air at the tin tent and at home, but I can remember daughter coming down to tin tent and bringing her card, and that worked all channels too :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:29:41
He has got to find us first ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

To be honest, if that happened, I would cancel sky, get a different box and tune into another satellite :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:31:00
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this. You pays your money....... :-\
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:34:21
I don't seem why you shouldn't be able to do this. You pays your money....... :-\
Exactly, Steve.....I can't watch TV in two places at once, despite 'my tracking being out' (as my grandson says) due to an eye accident when I was young.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:39:00
Tell you what, Terbs....wouldn't it be funny if we were right and that techie and the sky employee were wrong?
It might not be good for our future postcount, of course.... ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:41:37
I want to make it quite clear....you said that not me!!!!!
The High Wycombe meets depend on my post count ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

(It would be good, though, wouldn't it) ;D ;D ;D ;D

We are right, because we have proof ( not that I am going to invite anyone to check ) :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:47:26
 In fact, when I go to the caravan on Monday, I am taking another dish and Sky+ box with me to set up for my friend. He is (hopefully) bringing his card, so we will see what happens with his.
If it works, look for a future post in large, bold text :y ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 05 June 2015, 14:50:40
In fact, when I go to the caravan on Monday, I am taking another dish and Sky+ box with me to set up for my friend. He is (hopefully) bringing his card, so we will see what happens with his.
If it works, look for a future post in large, bold text :y ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Wow. Never had you down as arrogant and spiteful, Terbs.  ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 14:58:45
Well, there you are then...inside this fat slobby exterior, lies a rod of steel :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 15:02:49
Right...I am going awol for a bit, ....and this is no joke, I am making up some Sky cables to take with me on monday :y :y :y
Just fitted a quad LNB to the dish :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: minifreek on 05 June 2015, 16:17:15
You can pair the card to any Sky+ box online :y I dunnit meself :)

The sky card WILL work in ANY box for a couple of weeks as long as it is put back into the paired to it box each time its removed from the unpaired box.... AFAIK :)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 05 June 2015, 17:55:06
My dear minifreek.....I go away for a month at a time, and have no problems with my card. Obviously, when we get back here, it goes back into the HD box. But I have never 'paired' my card to any box. :y It travels round with me like a credit card ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: EMD on 05 June 2015, 18:24:23
Well....my card works every time. Take it to the tin tent and install into a white box, everything works, as I said earlier, with the exception of pause and record on certain channels, like Discovery, Comedy Central, etc. Been doing this for a couple of years now ever since we had the HD box (black and silver). May take the HD box down this time as I want to record some stuff that the white box won't record. :y
You won't be doing anything now, cause Tunnie is gonna get you cut off! ;D

 :D :D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: minifreek on 05 June 2015, 18:42:44
Please dont Terbert.... My Dear MINIFREEK indeed :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: ted_one on 05 June 2015, 19:44:51
We dumped Sky about 18months ago....worst thing you can do is let them have access to your bank account as they have one or two billing practices that are a bit dubious. It's a long story and there's no point in going back over it in to much detail,but they actually accused us of doing what Tony does with his card..absolutely not true for us..we had two cards/boxes as we have a granny flat attached to the house with my 88 year old mother in law living there, and they accused us of 1.Lending the cards to other people, 2.Taking it to an imaginary caravan or holiday home,  FFS what a bunch of robotic Nobheads. This apparently came about because periodically they send a signal down the line to check that the boxes are in situ and ours didn't register.....ermm the whole system was installed by Sky and I can confirm those boxes were never disconnected from their original position or any of the above which also never happened.So they then imposed some sort of penalty charge on our monthly account which we never picked up until it was in excess of a £1000.00. and when we challenged them they were the most arrogant and obnoxious bunch of pricks who were probably bullied at school and seem to be devoid of any discretionary abilities that you would want to have to deal with... and because is so obvious that they work from a crib sheet    they just drone on saying the same things over and over.We then considered taking recovery proceedings against them,but in the end we voted with our feet and now just have a Freeview boxes, and so please... a timely warning about Sky,you do need to watch them when they take money from your bank account because they have their own system of scamming you. Bunch of thieving TW**TS :-X ::)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: ted_one on 05 June 2015, 19:56:17
And of course if they feel aggrieved that I should judge them SO harshly...then sue me...if you think you're hard 'enuff!! :P :-X
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: ted_one on 05 June 2015, 19:59:40
Oh! and don't forget to bring at least one viable brain cell and of course a crib sheet....me bitter? Nooo!! :)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: minifreek on 06 June 2015, 11:15:02
SKY attached a '£100 penalty charge' to my bill also about 3 years ago because 1 of my boxes wasn't connected to a phone line as they presumed I had been watching paid for movies etc... I then told them to dial into my box that had been used to get the movies etc... they did that and removed the penalty charge the very next minute...

They told me that the box had to be connected to a phone line for updates, I told them they was talking 'dangle berries' as the updates come through the dish - I know this as I used to install them for a living...

The old white boxes used to dial SKY and let them know what you had been watching and what had been unlocked by the cards, this was done on a premium rate phone number starting with 9 or 199.... I challenged them to pay for my phone bill, they declined - so the box got unplugged from the phoneline....

IMHO SKY is the superior system for watching TV, I wont go to Freeview or FreeSat as the programs on there don't entertain me nor my kids for any real length of time... I suppose its because Iv been spoiled by watching SKY TV for the best part of 20 years....
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: Terbs on 06 June 2015, 11:22:12
Out of interest...as an alternative to Sky....and using a different box, like, say, those that come with satellite kits at Maplins, and using one of the other satellites, EarlyBird or Hotbird, or other Astra....what is available free of charge to view.
I know a few people on site who have round dishes, and the kit came from Maplins, etc. I have never asked what they watch, may have to ask the question.
Not freesat or freeview
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: chrisgixer on 06 June 2015, 14:06:34
Brilliant service on Sky. Love my 2 TB box. Especially as it was free :y
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: TheBoy on 06 June 2015, 15:04:01
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this. You pays your money....... :-\
I think the restrictions are in place to stop card sharing (I don't mean the card sharers used for Sky hacking, more the lending your card to your mate so he can watch the game).


I know there is a grace period where the card remains working, but the encryption is based on the card, the box, and the shite embedded in the signal that Sky send across the satelites.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 06 June 2015, 15:33:00
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this. You pays your money....... :-\
I think the restrictions are in place to stop card sharing (I don't mean the card sharers used for Sky hacking, more the lending your card to your mate so he can watch the game).


I know there is a grace period where the card remains working, but the encryption is based on the card, the box, and the shite embedded in the signal that Sky send across the satelites.
I understand that they don't want you lending your card out, but the card can only be used for one game at one time, and you've paid for that. I guess they'd frown on you inviting fifteen of your mates round to watch the footie, but they couldn't stop you.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: TheBoy on 06 June 2015, 15:47:44
I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this. You pays your money....... :-\
I think the restrictions are in place to stop card sharing (I don't mean the card sharers used for Sky hacking, more the lending your card to your mate so he can watch the game).


I know there is a grace period where the card remains working, but the encryption is based on the card, the box, and the shite embedded in the signal that Sky send across the satelites.
I understand that they don't want you lending your card out, but the card can only be used for one game at one time, and you've paid for that. I guess they'd frown on you inviting fifteen of your mates round to watch the footie, but they couldn't stop you.
The T&Cs state you cannot lend the card. They also state you cannot take to another location (even for your own use).

I guess the pairing thing is their way of enforcing that.

Obviously, I'm ignoring the rights and wrongs of such T&Cs, but that is what their customers sign up to.


I suspect their business model is based on a certain proportion of households having a subscription.  In our road, I suspect half the Close could share a Sky card - the chick next door would probably like those evening romantic chick flicks, I'd like some of the Saturday afternoon motorsport, bloke down the road want to see F1, and next door would want the rugby.  These don't overlap much timewise, so rather than 4 subscriptions, that would only be 1 ;)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 06 June 2015, 16:30:17
I guess about 90% (or even more) sky subscribers just stick the card in their own box and that's it.
But....I can definitely use mine in more than one box and so can Tony. So, if they are using a pairing system, it's not working very well. As the phone line is no longer mandatory, I don't see how they could know. There is no way of feeding back, unless you know something I don't.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 06 June 2015, 17:01:43
Cancel that, I am a plonker, it's connected to the router.
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: TheBoy on 06 June 2015, 20:03:37
Cancel that, I am a plonker, it's connected to the router.
Also, they have a one way communication system. That, along with encryption of card and the box itself, card pairing is most definitely possible technically :)
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 08 June 2015, 13:30:31
Someone from Sky must have read my posts. Got a letter this morning saying I can have multi room back for £2.50 a month instead of £11.50.
Creeps  :D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: tunnie on 08 June 2015, 18:32:24
Take it. Someone has to pay for my Tuesday morning breakfast  ;D
Title: Re: Sky tv
Post by: The Sheriff on 08 June 2015, 19:27:59
I'm holding out for £1.75.  ;D