Ask our Expert

What is Sky+?

Dear Jon, I have a normal Sky box at the moment, but my son keeps saying I should buy a “plus” box. What is a Sky+ box and do I need one? More importantly, how much will it cost and where would I get one?

Mandy Faulkner, via email, on 15 October, 2009

Our digital TV expert says...

Dear Mandy, when it comes to choosing digital TV hardware, it can be pretty daunting as there’s a lot available these days.

Satellite TV provider Sky (www.sky.com) offers a range of digiboxes, including its award-winning Sky+ box, the standard Sky box and the Sky+HD box. The latter gives you up to five times more picture detail, sharper images and vibrant colours.

Getting a Sky+ box will change the way you watch digital TV, as you’ll have the ability to record a programme(s) while watching another - meaning you’ll never have to miss your favourite shows again. Indeed, a survey last year carried out by NDS, the company responsible for the technology inside the Sky+ and Virgin+ boxes, found that seven out of 10 people in the UK couldn’t live without their personal video recorder (PVR).

Below is more information on the Sky+ box, how much it costs and where to get one…

What is a Sky+ box?

The Sky+ box is a personal video recorder (PVR) that combines a satellite receiver with a hard-disk recorder. It lets you record around 40 hours of programmes and movies without tape or DVD.

Features of the Sky+ box:

Watch one channel while recording another
Record two different channels at the same time, while watching a recorded show
Browse through a week’s worth of TV with the on-screen electronic programme guide, (EPG), selecting which shows to record
Select recordings from your Sky Planner, and copy them off to your video or DVD recorder
“Series link” can be used to record episodes of your favourite series automatically, keeping track of schedule changes, and avoiding repeats
Pause and rewind live TV, and fast-forward recorded TV, so you can skip the ad breaks.

The Sky+ even allows you to set-up recordings using a mobile phone application or via the web at www.sky.com.

How much does a Sky+ cost?

Sky connections costs are as follows:

Standard Sky box - The normal Sky box is free, with a £60 set-up fee for new and existing customers
Sky+ box - The Sky+ box is £49, with a £30 standard set-up fee for new customers or £60 for existing customers
Sky+HD box - The Sky+HD box is £49, with free standard set-up for new customers (this is a special offer, and set-up normally costs £30) or £60 for existing customers.

Sky regularly has special offers with free installation and reduced hardware prices, so be sure to shop around before signing up to anything.

Get a Sky+ box

The Sky+ service is available direct from www.sky.com.

Read our provider guide to find out more information about Sky and visit www.sky.com to sign-up for a new service.

Other digital TV providers, such as Virgin Media and BT Vision offer alternatives to the Sky+ box, however costs and installation charges vary. Similarly, the number of channels and the services available also vary, so it’s important you do your homework before signing up to a package that may not suit you or your family’s viewing habits.

I hope this answers your questions Mandy, and hope you have fun with the new service - you’ll never miss your favourite programmes again!