Which is better rf2link or Skyeye

salva · 07-16-2005, 02:10 AM

Well, after using the IR leads for abt two years now, the errors on changing channels now are unbearable.

I'm looking after a RF2 channel lead to tivo, the rf2link and the skyeye have poped out from the search, they are silmilarly priced.

- What is the best option ?

I read that some ppl has had problems with the rf2link, but seems to be only a few.

Salva

xxxx · 07-16-2005, 01:49 PM

I've been using a Sky-Eye for ages. Works perfectly. Cheap (cheaper than the competition when I last looked). Sold by a nice helpful chap.
What more can you ask for?

iankb · 07-16-2005, 02:13 PM

Using the SkyEye RF2T with no problems.

Captain Scarlet · 07-16-2005, 02:50 PM

Am using my Tivo with both a Panasonic TUDSB20 Sky box and a BT IPlayer+ DTT box and not getting any issues with channel changing problems using the IR wands.

I used to get some issues with my Philips OnDigital DTT box from time to time.

From what I have heard these RF2 link leads are not 100% reliable either so I wonder if its really worthwhile using one.

Are you using the codes for the Grundig box with whatever make of Sky box you are using. All Sky boxes use the same codes as they have the same remote and for some reason the Grundig Sky box codes are much more reliable than any of the other Sky box codes and also work with all Sky boxes.

salva · 07-16-2005, 03:26 PM

I'm using 10016 under Sky brand (tryed all speeds), 1 in ten channel changes fail. Digibox is Pace 2600, this has started to happen since last software update.

Salva

Captain Scarlet · 07-16-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salva

I'm using 10016 under Sky brand (tryed all speeds), 1 in ten channel changes fail. Digibox is Pace 2600, this has started to happen since last software update.

Change to the Grundig codes and your problems will disappear

xxxx · 07-17-2005, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Scarlet

From what I have heard these RF2 link leads are not 100% reliable either so I wonder if its really worthwhile using one.

Rather than rely on hearsay:

I've got one. Had it for ages. It works perfectly (the Tivo wand and blaster certainly don't for me). It is cheap. It also removes the red dot.

Please note that mine is a SkyEye model and not the Pacelink product.

ozsat · 07-17-2005, 08:23 AM

The only time why RF2link has failed - is when the Sky box has picked up other IR signals. This was fixed by putting some insulating tape over the Digibox IR sensor.

Captain Scarlet · 07-17-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxx

Rather than rely on hearsay:
It is cheap. It also removes the red dot.

Sky have now modified the software for all current and past Sky Digiboxes so that there is an option to have the Red Dot automatically remove itself 30 seconds after a program starts. Its an option you have to turn on in one of the menus.

With my Freeview and Tivo box setup I don't think I could use one of these RF2 links, unless there is any way to split the output from the Tivo IR socket. Anyhow there seems no need to do this as with the Grunding codes my Panasonic TUDSB20 changes channels 99.5-99.7% reliably.

xxxx · 07-17-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Scarlet

Sky have now modified the software for all current and past Sky Digiboxes so that there is an option to have the Red Dot automatically remove itself 30 seconds after a program starts. Its an option you have to turn on in one of the menus.

I know. However this doesn't include the Sky+ (yet).
Also I've been without the red dot (sob!) for nearly three years.

Quote:

With my Freeview and Tivo box setup I don't think I could use one of these RF2 links, unless there is any way to split the output from the Tivo IR socket.

Probably not.

For those with a regular Tivo/Sky combination the SkyEye is great investment and I recommend it.

salva · 07-17-2005, 03:21 PM

Rigth, my problem is funny. If I put the IR blaster rigth in front of the IR receiver of the Pace 2600 I get lots of channel change errors, If I put the IR blaster one inch away I got 90% reliable channel changes.

I guess that I will go for the sky eye.

Salva

Captain Scarlet · 07-17-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salva

If I put the IR blaster rigth in front of the IR receiver of the Pace 2600 I get lots of channel change errors

If you read the Tivo instructions you will find that they state you should put the IR wands at least an inch from the IR window on your cable, Sky or dtt box.

One of the main reasons for that is because the IR receiver in the font of the digital box to be controlled may not actually be at quite the place in the plastic perspex window that you may assume it to be.

Mark Bennett · 07-18-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Scarlet

Sky have now modified the software for all current and past Sky Digiboxes so that there is an option to have the Red Dot automatically remove itself 30 seconds after a program starts. Its an option you have to turn on in one of the menus.

THANK YOU!

I had heard this was "coming" and was awaiting the download... I thought I had not got it yet - I didn't realise that I would have to turn "on" this feature.

Enabled (disabled?) it last night. It worked! I didn't even need to stand in a pentagram and sacrifice a medium-size animal or anything

My other half was somewhat suprised to find me dancing around the room singing "Ding-dong the red-dot's dead, the wicked wicked red-dot's dead"

Captain Scarlet · 07-18-2005, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bennett

Enabled (disabled?) it last night. It worked! I didn't even need to stand in a pentagram and sacrifice a medium-size animal or anything

You mean unlike insalling TivoWeb or using its DailyMail add on interface which appears to require the use of all of the black arts described above.

mesaka · 07-18-2005, 08:54 AM

I use RF2link and it works perfectly for me. My only criticism is that the lead is very short. If you have a lot of distance (mine is one shelf above the other which is the upward limit for the lead) between your digibox and TiVo that might be an issue.

Rob Nespor Bellis · 07-18-2005, 09:53 AM

I have used both.

The rf2link does exactly what it says on the tin, it was first to market and works.

But, the SkyEye is exceptional, it does more of what I want ( remember if you turn on a Digibox via RF2 there is no RGB and no widescreen switching ) so a dual head where you can send the channel change via RF2 and Sky key via IR are simply great. The manufacturer is very helpful. Worth every penny. FYI I use a SkeEye Acme ( here )

Rgds,

R.

steveroe · 07-18-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesaka

I use RF2link and it works perfectly for me. My only criticism is that the lead is very short. If you have a lot of distance (mine is one shelf above the other which is the upward limit for the lead) between your digibox and TiVo that might be an issue.

A standard "headphone" extension cable or the like can be used the extend the lead

kitschcamp · 07-18-2005, 05:03 PM

I use a skyeye and have done for several years. Easily the most reliable method I've used of changing channels via the tivo.

salva · 08-05-2005, 04:55 AM

Received the Skyeye and first impressions are good, very good.

Having had the tivo for the best of two years and knowing the behaivor of the IR wands, The SkyEye works much better that I expected, I tried the unit to fail a channel change by sending ir commands with other remotes and the tivo simply waits a little and sends the channel change.

So very recommended, tks for your help.

Salva

asantaga · 01-11-2006, 08:38 AM

Hi all,

Im having problems with my IR setup with my tivo and Im considering the SkyEye approach (or rf2link)..

Looking at SkyEye, its much much cheaper, but how do you use it??

From looking at the web (ebay), skyeye has a connector for the RF and a IR receiver.. .. How do I wire this into the Tivo to get around the IR???

(Sorry if this is a stupid question...)

kitschcamp · 01-11-2006, 08:41 AM

At the TiVo end it plugs into the socket where IR wands go. On the Sky end it plugs into RF2 and sends the signal via that rather than IR. It works vanishingly close to perfectly.

asantaga · 01-11-2006, 08:45 AM

but it has a IR Receiver??

i.e. if you look at these ebay items

MOD EDIT: Ebay links not allowed!

Im assuming there are multiple versions?

Where did you get your sky eye from?

kitschcamp · 01-11-2006, 08:47 AM

That's certainly not the one I got! The one I got was from http://www.skyeye.force9.co.uk/skyeyel.htm

asantaga · 01-11-2006, 08:49 AM

Ah thanks! I'll check this out.. much more expensive though.. but hey..

kitschcamp · 01-11-2006, 08:51 AM

It's worth every single penny; I've had mine for several years, and I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a failed channel change, it is that reliable.

I've gone and cursed myself, now, haven't I? I'll get back from Sweden and find a week of recordings from BBC New 24 or something, won't I?

Captain Scarlet · 01-11-2006, 09:11 AM

I find my channel changes pretty near 100% reliable on my Panasonic TU-DSB 20 in the 6+ months I have been using it alongside a Freeview box (the latter is now only used for a handful of channels like UK History and E4 as I don't pay a sub to Sky) and I am only using the IR wands with the Grundig Tivo codes as recommended by sanderton and others here.

If there had been an RF2 direct connection option for Freeview boxes I would cheerfully have bought it as Freeview box channel changes were always fairly dodgy but I don't get this problem on Sky. Of course it may help that my Sky and Freeview boxes now get powered off on a timer at 5am every morning for 5 minutes following by a short daily repeated manual recording on a channel on each box. Any set-top box left on 24/7 for a long period will tend to crash sooner or later.

Are your Sky box changes really unreliable enough to justify shelling out for the RF link?

frogster · 01-11-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asantaga

but it has a IR Receiver??

i.e. if you look at these ebay items
MOD EDIT: Ebay links not allowed!

Im assuming there are multiple versions?

This Ebay item has nothing whatsoever to do with Tivo. It is a Global TVLink. Do not buy it to replace your Tivo wand and blaster, cos it won't and you will be out of pocket.

I have a SkyEye and very nice it is too.

Fred Smith · 01-11-2006, 02:07 PM

SkyEye iTV here, well recommended.

Captain Scarlet · 01-11-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Smith

SkyEye iTV here, well recommended.

This device is less necessary though now that Sky Digiboxes have an option for the Red Dot to disappear after 30 seconds. Amittedly you have to enable this as a user and by default they leave the remove red dot function turned off.

Fred Smith · 01-11-2006, 05:43 PM

Actually it's not as the iTV version allows you to use 963 and 964 for your own choice of channels if you use 'Other Channels', a I do, i.e. I have UTV on 964.

Some of the other versions might be "less necessary" nowadays but the fact that the channel change is more reliable actually makes all variants a useful necessity in my view.