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Digital TV Guides
Sky+HD box
By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk
Updated: Thursday 7 April, 2011
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:
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FREE Sky+HD box*
+ FREE set-up
from £20 a month
+ HD for £10.25 a month |
FREE V+HD box
(£49.95 set-up)
£24.50 a month**
+ FREE HD TV |
FREE V HD box
(£49.95 set-up)
£6.50 a month**
+ FREE HD TV |
from £99.99****
(aerial required)
no monthly
subscription |
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| Over 50 HD channels | Over 30 HD channels | 5 HD channels | 4 HD channels |
| Pause and rewind "live" TV | Pause and rewind "live" TV |
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| Record 2 programmes at once | Record 2 programmes at once + watch a 3rd |
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| Record series automatically | Record series automatically |
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| £50 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 |
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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 50 HD channels with addtional Sky HD packs. ** + a Virgin Phone line for £12.99 a month. *** + a Virgin Phone line for £12.99 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 |
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