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[Banjax]

I have two Thomson HD boxes (component output).  The first since the HD service was made available the second since last year.

The first box began to fail two years ago; I replaced the PSU (straightforward job) and fitted a larger disc.  It has worked without problem since.

The second box I bought as a faulty unit from eBay last year.  After replacing the PSU it has worked faultlessly since.

Although these failures affected Thomson boxes in particular, and were well documented, I'm not surprised that the present generation of boxes are beginning to show faults.

Most boxes are located in inhospitable locations - under the TV, on top of other equipment or in a display unit where the ventilation is inadequate.  I site my boxes away from other equipment where I can be sure that they get as much ventilation as possible.

Although there can be other causes for the box to fail, the PSU problem seems to be (by far) the most common.

I'm being stupid here, but why would you pay someone on ebay for a box you get free? 

As an existing subscriber (at the time) I wasn't eligible for the free box upgrade.  Had I wanted to replace the SD Sky+ box in question to HD I would have had to have paid the full price. (Can't remember what it was)

Besides I wanted a box with component outputs so I could run the HD Signal into another room.  The new boxes Sky were/are offering no longer have this hence the brisk trading for them on eBay. 

aaah i see - thanks Zulu and Jimbob,  - ta 

[TheBoy]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

[feeutfo]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

I am badly out of practice, thank god, but with a curry is fine, although our waiter was starting to look attractive..... :-/. 

Those bottles are more than a pint, 500cl are they?

Maybe I should drive, our drinks bill isn't usually that big.... .  Still payback at your place 

[Martin_1962]

I personally like the Humax HDR Freesat HD PVR

[TheBoy]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

I am badly out of practice, thank god, but with a curry is fine, although our waiter was starting to look attractive..... :-/. 

Those bottles are more than a pint, 500cl are they?

Maybe I should drive, our drinks bill isn't usually that big.... .  Still payback at your place 

Probably 66cl?

Wasn't that bad - £25 for 3 people?  Remember, girly soft drinks are often same price as manly drinks

[TheBoy]

Still payback at your place 

Tonight?

May be a Window of opportunity this weekend, if you're free. Possibly.

[TheBoy]

I personally like the Humax HDR Freesat HD PVR

But doesn't offer Sky channels. Hence I didn't mention the far superior MCE...

[aaronjb]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

I am badly out of practice, thank god, but with a curry is fine, although our waiter was starting to look attractive..... :-/. 

Those bottles are more than a pint, 500cl are they?

Maybe I should drive, our drinks bill isn't usually that big.... .  Still payback at your place 

Holy cow you must know how to drink if you're drinking 5L bottles at a time

[Martin_1962]

I personally like the Humax HDR Freesat HD PVR

But doesn't offer Sky channels. Hence I didn't mention the far superior MCE...

Dragon CAM and genuine Sky card are supposed to work, I was considering a FTV card to get a few missing channels but would have to run in non Freesat mode and lose timers.

However may be worth a try with MCE

[TheBoy]

I personally like the Humax HDR Freesat HD PVR

But doesn't offer Sky channels. Hence I didn't mention the far superior MCE...

Dragon CAM and genuine Sky card are supposed to work, I was considering a FTV card to get a few missing channels but would have to run in non Freesat mode and lose timers.

However may be worth a try with MCE

According to Sky T&Cs, you can only use their cards in their boxes...

[feeutfo]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

I am badly out of practice, thank god, but with a curry is fine, although our waiter was starting to look attractive..... :-/. 

Those bottles are more than a pint, 500cl are they?

Maybe I should drive, our drinks bill isn't usually that big.... .  Still payback at your place 

Holy cow you must know how to drink if you're drinking 5L bottles at a time

must do, its buggered my conversion table by the sound of it   

[feeutfo]

Still payback at your place 

Tonight?

May be a Window of opportunity this weekend, if you're free. Possibly.

Tonight? dont be mean, you know i'm working...

Beer goggles at the ready otherwise, although i better check with “she who has a memory that works” first in case i double book again....

[TheBoy]

Still payback at your place 

Tonight?

May be a Window of opportunity this weekend, if you're free. Possibly.

Tonight? dont be mean, you know i'm working...

Beer goggles at the ready otherwise, although i better check with “she who has a memory that works” first in case i double book again....

I really couldn't do another ruby tonight - a tasty Bhuna on Sat, and a nasty little madras last night, I need time for the processing machine to recover 

But come Saturday ....

[aaronjb]

Really easy solution. Dump Sky.

Then you will have:

More time - as you go through Freeview/Freesat in 2mins realising there is nothing but trash TV on, instead of 30mins with Sky.

£600 a year in your pocket, not Sky's

A perfect excuse to go down the pub to see the footie

...and spend a sight more in the pub and loose an entire weekend into the bargain... 

Hmmm, I seem to recall that 4 large bottles of Cobra had you're eyes rolling

I am badly out of practice, thank god, but with a curry is fine, although our waiter was starting to look attractive..... :-/. 

Those bottles are more than a pint, 500cl are they?

Maybe I should drive, our drinks bill isn't usually that big.... .  Still payback at your place 

Holy cow you must know how to drink if you're drinking 5L bottles at a time

must do, its buggered my conversion table by the sound of it   

*makes mental note never to offer to buy a round in Chris's presence*

[Martin_1962]

I personally like the Humax HDR Freesat HD PVR

But doesn't offer Sky channels. Hence I didn't mention the far superior MCE...

Dragon CAM and genuine Sky card are supposed to work, I was considering a FTV card to get a few missing channels but would have to run in non Freesat mode and lose timers.

However may be worth a try with MCE

According to Sky T&Cs, you can only use their cards in their boxes...

Ah but does it matter?

And do these T&Cs matter?