Digital TV Guides

Sky+HD box

Updated: Tuesday 3 April, 2012

By Editorial

Sky’s award-winning HD box allows you to pause and rewind “live” TV, and record programmes and series at the touch of a button. But is it the best high-definition set-top box for you?

Whether you’ve already got Sky TV and are looking to upgrade or you’re completely new to the world of digital TV, the Sky+HD set-top box may be just what you’re looking for. You’ll get access to over 58 HD channels, and you can even record your favourite shows at the touch of a button.

Check out the different HD set-top boxes on offer in the table below, to help you decide whether Sky+HD is right for you:

FREE Sky+HD box* + FREE set-up from £12.50 a month + 1/2 price HD for 6 months	FREE V HD box (£49.95 set-up) £26.50 a month** + FREE HD TV	FREE V HD box (£49.95 set-up) £7.00 a month** + FREE HD TV	from £99.99**** (aerial required) no monthly subscription
Over 60 HD channels	Over 30 HD channels	5 HD channels	4 HD channels
Pause and rewind "live" TV	Pause and rewind "live" TV
Record 2 programmes at once	Record 2 programmes at once + watch a 3rd
Record series automatically	Record series automatically
£25 Marks and Spencer voucher (Online only)	FREE catch-up TV with the BBC iPlayer and more	FREE catch-up TV with the BBC iPlayer and more
Visit sky.com or call 08442 410582	Visit virginmedia.com	Visit virginmedia.com	Buy at johnlewis.com

* For new and existing customers taking their first Sky+HD package. Get up to 60 HD channels with addtional Sky HD packs. ** + a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month. *** + a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month. **** Prices sourced from freeview.co.uk. HD box capabilities vary across manufacturers. Higher prices may apply for recorder and catch-up capabilities.

Sky+HD box review

Sky (www.sky.co.uk) is the UK’s largest satellite TV provider and a frontrunner when it comes to high-definition programming. It offers the largest selection of HD channels, including both ITV1 HD and BBC HD, alongside other premium HD sports channels and a large range of film and documentary high-definition channels.

The Sky+HD box is available when you join online at www.sky.co.uk, and has all the same features of the Sky+ set-top box, but with added HD capabilities:

• Pause and rewind up to 185 hours of standard definition “live” TV
• Record 2 shows at the same time, or watch one while recording another
• Record a whole series automatically at the touch of a button with the "series link" feature

Sky HD channels

Channels on Sky are grouped into two viewing packs - Sky Entertainment features entertainment, style and culture channels and Sky Extra includes these channels plus everything else, from kid's and documentaries to music channels. It costs £20 for Sky Entertainment and £25 for the Sky Extra. You can then add Sky’s premium sports and movie packs for extra.

If you want to be able to watch Sky HD channels though, you must also get the HD pack, which costs an extra £10.25 a month.

Please see the packages below for more details about what Sky has to offer, and click through to Sky’s website (www.sky.com) for current pricing:

Sky TV Only

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	Sky Entertainment TV	Sky Entertainment Pack with channels like Sky 1 and Sky Atlantic
	Sky Entertainment TV + Sky Sports + ESPN	Live cricket and football coverage
	Sky Entertainment TV + Sky Movies + Sky Sports	100s of films from comedies to thrillers