SkyHD pricing finally announced

eric23 · 03-24-2006, 03:00 AM

Well, all of the rumours were right. £299 for the box. £10 monthly HD sub. Sky+ functionality is £10, or free if you spend £36 or more on a channel package.

All in all, £46 per month for SkyHD+.

But following on from the "Ready To Jump" thread, how many of you will be taking the plunge - either staying with TiVo AND getting SkyHD+ or leaving TiVo altogether now that the new technology is here?

I only wish I had purchased a lifetime sub for my TiVo. I could have then kept it on a FreeSat service. I might still spend the £200 for a lifetime! Decisions, decisions...

GarySargent · 03-24-2006, 03:30 AM

Well I've just pre-ordered. Planning on keeping TiVo though.

Sneals2000 · 03-24-2006, 03:59 AM

£299 purchase, £10/month HD sub and no installation charge. Sounds very sensible level of pricing. Now that the Sky+ fee has been waved for premium subscribers, the £10/month for HD probably doesn't seem as bad. The £299 to buy the box doesn't compare too badly to the initial prices of the Sky+ SD box or the original Tivo to be honest.

I don't currently have an HD Ready display at home as I don't think I could live with a Plasma or LCD for SD viewing (I've looked at loads of them), just as I couldn't live with a 100Hz CRT set.

I know that Philips and Samsung both have HD-Ready CRTs in the pipeline - but whether their HD performance (Geometry has been an issue with previous HD Samsung CRTs) and their SD performance (presumably they will be 576/100i 100Hz or 576/50p progressive rather than 576/50i, so that they can run at a similar line rate to HD 1080i) is acceptable isn't clear...

There still doesn't seem to be a perfect display solution...

philredman · 03-24-2006, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarySargent

Well I've just pre-ordered. Planning on keeping TiVo though.

I like the look of this but don't know if I can get it past the Boss. Gary, if I get a SkyHD+ box, will I still be able to hook it up to TiVo to record non HD programs or HD programs I want to view on TiVo through the digisender upstairs?

Thanks

Phil

GarySargent · 03-24-2006, 04:51 AM

We haven't seen the box yet but assuming it is like Sky+ we should be able to use it with TiVo - though obviously you won't be able to record in High Def, only standard or downscaled high def.

The remote codes may be different to the existing Sky or Sky+ ones, but support for any new IR codes would only take a few days to get sorted.

eric23 · 03-24-2006, 04:54 AM

What I'm planning on doing is converting my current Sky card to FreeSat service, and use my existing Sky STB for FreeSat with TiVo.

My partner will then sign up for a completely new SkyHD+ service, which will allow us to take advantage of the "first 3 months half price" offer on the channel package.

Phil, I think you'll run into problems with TiVo trying to change the channel (if Sky+ is trying to record something). You might be able to hard set Sky+ to only record one of the available streams (??) and then dedicate the SCART output and second receiver to TiVo. But I really have no experience of this, not being a Sky+ customer. There are plenty here that should be able to advise though.

JeFurry · 03-24-2006, 05:38 AM

It all sounds good. But don't forget that using a TiVo with Sky+ or Sky+HD sounds like a bit of a pain... as I understand it, the Sky+ can record a programme in the background without a problem, but when the TiVo wants to record you have to make sure it can switch the Sky+ to the right channel. Over SCART this isn't a problem, since the TiVo overlays its "OK to change channel?" message on the screen. But if you're watching Sky+HD through HDMI or Component inputs to your TV, then you won't see TiVo's message and it'll either switch the output channel with (apparently) no warning, or fail to switch. In which case you either have to stop watching your Sky+HD recording or programme until TiVo is done, or you end up with a recording of what you were watching on the Sky+HD and not what you wanted.

Or am I wrong about this? Can you force Sky+/Sky+HD to output recordings being watched through one interface and live TV through another (in this case, the SCART for the TiVo) ?

randap · 03-24-2006, 06:34 AM

2 questions....

1) Can I get just the box without HD subscription, but get BBC HD services FOC (e.g. the World Cup)?

2) If you have the HD subscription, could I cancel my movies subscription, but still get movies HD? Or will you have to double subscribe in order to get movies HD? (likewise for sports).

Either way, I think a subscription is a bit unfair, bearing in mind HD will become the norm. I don't mind paying for the box, but a subscription for little extra benefit is a bit rich.

sanderton · 03-24-2006, 07:08 AM

1) Probably, but why not just buy a FTA HD box if that's all you want?
2) No, you only het the HD versions of things you have subscribed to in SD.

If you think it's only a little extra benfit, then don't get it!

I have pre-ordered, and, sob, will be dumping TiVo.

frogster · 03-24-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric23

£299 for the box. £10 monthly HD sub. Sky+ functionality is £10, or free if you spend £36 or more on a channel package.

I don't mind the £299 but I won't pay any monthly fee to watch TV or to record it.
So if I get anything it will be a non-Sky HD sat receiver with hard drive and two tuners. Hopefully someone will make one for the use of all those millions of people who don't want to give money to Sky for nothing.

cyril · 03-24-2006, 07:43 AM

What's especially annoying is the fact you have to take out a seperate sub for each Sky HD box in each room.
I now have 7 different rooms with TiVos in each, so it would cost me £6000+ to get Sky HD in each room for one year!

That money is going to a 65" 1080p plasma instead

sanderton · 03-24-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogster

I don't mind the £299 but I won't pay any monthly fee to watch TV or to record it.
So if I get anything it will be a non-Sky HD sat receiver with hard drive and two tuners. Hopefully someone will make one for the use of all those millions of people who don't want to give money to Sky for nothing.

Such a box will cost considerably more than the £299 SkyHD box. Single tuner no hard disk HD sat boxes cost £250-odd.

I'm sure there's a PhD thesis in why some people find a one-off payment acceptable but a per-month one is vioilently reacted against,.

leemcg · 03-24-2006, 08:07 AM

I've already signed up too.

But SkyHD is only any good in my living room where my new plasma is, so I'm planning on keeping Tivo and the old sky box as well on multiroom.

That will give me the ability to watch two different things at the same time.

I just can't see myself giving up on all of my season passes (and I've never found a problem with recording only one thing at a time on Tivo with all the repeats and +1s). So to start with, I expect I'll still record everything on my Tivo and then duplicate recordings where I know the content is in HD. Oh, and then there's the world cup.

But of course, if I find that it's not too much worse using SkyHD, once it's installed, who knows?

LeeMcG

ericd121 · 03-24-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderton

I have pre-ordered, and, sob, will be dumping TiVo.

Afore ye go...
Have you bought your HD TV yet?

And what make is it?

Yeah, I know, I'm nosy.

randap · 03-24-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderton

If you think it's only a little extra benfit, then don't get it!

All I'm saying is that currently the SkyHD offering will only give us channels and programmes we can already receive, but rather then Sky actually doing work to downscale them, we will receive them as recorded. Consequently, paying a subscription seems a bit rich.

However, if the SkyHD offering included completely new channels with completely new HD-only content, then a subscription could be justified IMHO.

As for FTA HD receivers, can you get them, and if so from where?

LJ · 03-24-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderton

I have pre-ordered, and, sob, will be dumping TiVo.

Yipes!

So to receive Sky One HD, Artsworld HD, National Geographic HD, Discovery HD and Sky Box Office HD I pay my current £18 a month plus an extra £299 for the box then £10 a month plus another £10 a month if I want Sky+ to work..? And once the installation offer ends it would be another £60 up front. Hmmm... anything interesting on Sky Box Office?

Bob The Skutter · 03-24-2006, 08:40 AM

^I think I heard Humax are doing one aimed at the UK market but I haven't seen it on any sites I visit. http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/28.ghtml here's some HDTV receivers from Europe.
I've signed up for Sky HD, I'd far rather have a Tivo than a Sky Plus box but seen as that doesn't seem very likely and I've been having some troubles with the Tivo lately I think it's time. I think I may let my mam and dad have the Tivo, or I may put it in the bedroom but I'm not sure which yet.

iankb · 03-24-2006, 08:43 AM

I split my viewing over a perfectly good Sony 32" flatscreen CRT, and two 14" TV's in my study and bedroom linked to my TiVo with video senders. I would either need to spend a small fortune to watch HD, or be tied to my lounge. Can't see me upgrading yet, especially since it's only films at the moment that keep my TiVo topped up, and I've no idea yet what the HD content will be, and whether it will interest me that much.

I suppose once I replace my main TV with an LCD model, I will reconsider. I hate the idea of being tied to my lounge though, especially since I spend more time working in my study.

Now where did I put those plans for HD video streaming over a general-purpose gigabit network?

thechachman · 03-24-2006, 08:45 AM

Having thought about it long and hard ... we will not be taking Uncle Murdoch up on his offer to part with £300 for the box and another "quid per channel per month" extra for HD ...

cyril · 03-24-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderton

I have pre-ordered, and, sob, will be dumping TiVo.

I assume you will just watch Sky HD in one room as you need one full Sky HD sub PER BOX!

I am hoping I can get Sky to drop this requirement if I buy a second or third box.
Maybe "buy 2 Sky HD subs get one free"

If not which method are you going to use to stream HD?

thechachman · 03-24-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyril

I am hoping I can get Sky to drop this requirement if I buy a second or third box.

Coworker attempted to order three and was told woudl cost £900 for three boxes and another £30 a month on top of his current £50 per month

thechachman · 03-24-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderton

I have pre-ordered, and, sob, will be dumping TiVo.

Nine channels of non-exclusive content exceeds the value of your Tivo to you?

You do know the beeb plans for a max of 3-4 hrs a day total HD programming for the first year right?

iankb · 03-24-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ

... it would be another £60 up front.

Plus, presumably, whatever you have to pay for Sky Box Office showings, if there's nothing you want to watch on the other channels.

eric23 · 03-24-2006, 10:22 AM

But more and more channels will be going live on HD over the coming months. You're just focussing on what will be there on launch. Already BBC have come onboard since the previous Sky announcement about launch channels. I just need C4/More4/E4 and Living to come on board, and then pretty much all of my regular viewing will be on HD channels. Since so much of both of these broadcasters' programming is already originally HD (as it comes from the States!), I can't see it being long...

Just think, Six Feet Under and Desperate Housewives -type quality American shows, which already look stunning, soon in proper HD. <drool>

Bob The Skutter · 03-24-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randap

2 questions....

1) Can I get just the box without HD subscription, but get BBC HD services FOC (e.g. the World Cup)?

.

I just noticed this in the story on digital spy

Quote:

BBC has said that its HD coverage of the World Cup will be available to all customers with a Sky HD box as a non-subscription channel."
Related

Automan · 03-24-2006, 10:49 AM

Did not really look at the cost....

No option however to order two

The sub 200Gb of free hard drive space seems a bit limited but I'm sure it will be upgradable.....

Automan.

cwaring · 03-24-2006, 11:11 AM

I'm trying to put together comparison of the TVD and Sk+HD.

As I wanted to do it properly, I found the details of Sky's Media deptartment as I wanted a proper picture and full specs; if released yet.

However, there was only a standard mailing address and phone number. No email

So I called the number and the very bored-sounding receptionist told me that there wasn't an email address and all the info was available on their site.

I was so put off that I didn't bother going any further with the conversation.

Not exactly the most forthcoming of companies, Sky

Don't suppose there's anyone here would know where else I could get this info? I have checked Sky's HD site out and not only is it all in bloody Flash but there's no decent pic or spec. (Not that I could use either as that would be stealing!)

eric23 · 03-24-2006, 11:33 AM

What do you want to know, Carl? I have the infamous Sky Installers powerpoint still on my PC, which contains most of the technical spec.

Features:
Supports MPEG2 and MPEG4
Supports Dolby 5.1
2x ISO7816 compatible Smartcard slots
300GB drive (160GB for Sky+ recording, 140GB reserved for future use)

Connectivity:
Two satellite inputs
RF In
2x RF Out
2x SCART (one VCR, one TV - both RGB capable)
Component Video Out (Y Pb Pr - RCA phonos)
S-Video Out
HDMI port
Stereo Audio Out (RCA phonos)
Digital Optical Audio Out
RJ11 port (telephone line)
RS232 port
2x USB port (one on front, one on rear)
RJ45 port
S-ATA port

cwaring · 03-24-2006, 11:38 AM

PM sent.

thechachman · 03-24-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric23

But more and more channels will be going live on HD over the coming months. You're just focussing on what will be there on launch. Already BBC have come onboard since the previous Sky announcement about launch channels. I just need C4/More4/E4 and Living to come on board, and then pretty much all of my regular viewing will be on HD channels. Since so much of both of these broadcasters' programming is already originally HD (as it comes from the States!), I can't see it being long...

Just think, Six Feet Under and Desperate Housewives -type quality American shows, which already look stunning, soon in proper HD. <drool>

Sorry Eric, but I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect the likes of Living and such to be in HD anytime in the near future.

One, how many UK channels do you honestly think can afford to HD ?

Two, I would be VERY surprised if Sky and all UK channels were to be granted access to every all current running US shows in high-definition format, especially shows owned by HBO, Showtime and other non ABC/NBC/CBS entities when the UK boxes will have non-HDCP innate functionality from day one. AFAIK in the states the units in use must support it although atm it is disabled.

Three, given the added bandwidth involved in HD, while I used to be more up-to-date with other satellites and such when I had a motorised system, I do not recall any huge buildup in transponder/bandwidth capacity on the satellite slots out past the 40w positioning which bounce shows from the US to Europe either ....