Page 1 of Sky HD is it really worth the money?

Im currently in the process of moving house, and im thinking of upgrading to either Sky + or Sky HD. At the moment im looking out for a new LCD TV and will most prob be getting a HD TV. Now im really not sure if i want to pay 300 quid for a sky HD box when all it will give me is same as a Sky+ box, and a few HD channels for an extra 10 quid.

Im only on the basic 21 quid package and do not want the sports or movies so i will have to pay the 10 quid for Sky+ and an extra 10 quid if i want the few HD channels.

Does anyone know if they have more HD channels in the pipe line? Will normal sky look pixelie on a 32" LCD?

I think the reason im thinking of getting the HD box is there is no point paying 100 quid for Sky+ when im going to want to upgrade to HD a few months later.

Also if im moving house do you think its worth me canceling with SKy, and then signing up in my wifes name to get the Sky new customer deals, as they never offer any deals to their existing customers, which really annoys me!

Anyway any help/advise would be greatly appreciated



"I don`t want to achieve immortality through my work... I want to achieve it through not dying."
Woody Allen

Can`t answer all your questions, but we had HD fitted just before the world cup footie started and have been impressed by the picture quality.

The one thing i would say is do not pay the extra £10 for sky+ functionality, it`s dead money, but upgrade your subscription by the minimum you have to to get the sky+ functions for no extra charge. That way at least you will be getting something for your extra money instead of nowt. We watch a lot of movies and nature type stuff, there are a few good HD channels from Sky and National Geographic, but overall i take your point that there is not much right now. Rest assured though we keep being told, there will be an increasing amount of HD content coming on stream all the time. .......

If you can get a better deal by changing names when u move house, then YES, YES, YES, do it. I have been a supporter of Sky for ages, but since visiting this site now and then i have become quite pessimistic about them.

Finally, if you have never had sky+ then once you get it you will wonder how you ever survived without it. Shame `tivo` died on it`s ass really, a bit of choice in these matters would have been nice, yes ok u could get a HDD PVR that does the same job essentially, but it will not integrate with sky`s TV planner like sky+ does and neither will it offer the series link function (i don`t think) either which is really useful.

Sky+ does have it`s fair share of `gremlins` though. I`m sure you could read about them via this forum, but get prepared for (a) FAILED RECORDINGS = how annoying ! (b) START MISSED = what ? (c) CLASHED = bugger ! (d) The last or beginning few minutes of a programme missing = this can be adjusted by adding a certain amount of minutes before and after each recording, but then this can have knock-on effects on subsequent recording(s) if following straight-on time-wise. (e) POWER FAILURE = not sky`s fault i suppose but still annoying all the same.

But with all the above in mind it`s still the best thing you can get since the humble video recorder. Link it up with a dvd recorder for storing stuff to keep and recordings for friends and relatives. It`s great. It`s the future.

Have a think about HD, it`s just something you will have to `weigh-up`, no it`s not really worth the extra at the moment, but as u say u could put the money towards HD and take the plunge, saving you money in the long-run, that`s what i thought anyway. Also depends what type of stuff u watch. If you never watch films, sports or nature stuff, then don`t bother, but deffo get sky+.

Over to you...

Oh and one more NEW feature for sky+ (just came in post today) ;

Now you can set your sky+ when you`re not at home !!! It`s called `Remote Record`

You can set sky+ to record using the full sky tv guide via your mobile phone or via the internet. It`s free (apart from normal text message cost from your service provider) - all you have to do is register.

Thanks alot for your advice.

Im currently thinking i may just go for Sky+ as im shelling out a load of cash for a HD tv, and dont think ill have enough pennies left for the £300 HD box, but we shall wait and see as the HD image is awesome.

I do believe Sky should offer there regular customers more offers, but i guess they have the monopoly in most areas of the UK, and dont need to waste any money on trying to keep you. You would think they would offer Sky + or HD boxes slighlty cheaper to existing customers to try and get them to upgrade. Well hey ho!

Cheers again.



"I don`t want to achieve immortality through my work... I want to achieve it through not dying."
Woody Allen

I have Sky HD and am really enjoying it so far. I think the price is steep though.

I agree, the price is harsh, especially for the limited programming but i dont mind paying it as i`m looking forward to the new premiership season in HD, I hope Sky add more channels soon, i read about another sky sports HD channel this month so its a start i suppose.

I`ve got it, and it will seem like a bargain when the football season starts :D :D (hopefully)