Digital recording from SKy

[markbirks]

Hi,

As a basic package subscriber I simply want to be able to record Sky programs to HDD for later playback. I'm not too keen on paying £250 for Sky+ and THEN pay £10 p.m. and I have no interest in the sports or movies channels which would forfeit the subscription - unless there are some unmissable deals of course.

I've recently tried one of those Phantom PVR jobbies - to no avail I might add - and simply want to use the Autoview output of the SKy Digital box to trigger a digital recording for later playback.

Is this possible or do I have to buy a freeview PVR and hook the SKy box into a SCART box ??

 

[Starburst]

Freeview HD based boxes are only for DTT, they can not be connected to an external source.

The most practical option would be to find yourself a TIVO although you probably wouldn't fancy paying the subscription (monthly or one off) however it'll do the job.
There are other pieces of hardware out there but most are HD/DVD combined units and are still quite expensive which judging from your post you wouldn't consider good value either

Prices for both SKY+ and HD/DVD units will continue to drop but in the mean time perhaps a VCR with sat control (they may be some models with that excellent feature), of course thats a tape based analogue system.

 

[blindlemon]

Originally posted by Starburst
The most practical option would be to find yourself a TIVO although you probably wouldn't fancy paying the subscription (monthly or one off) however it'll do the job.

Not only will it "do the job" - it will change the way you watch TV!!

Seriously, for recording Sky a TiVo is unbeatable! Sky+ is a pathetic attempt at emulating TiVo functionality which has only sold as many as it has because of the incessant advertising on Sky and other media.

In addition to simply recording programmes, a TiVo will:-

- Record a whole series (Season Pass)

- Record everything with a certain Actor, Director, Keyword etc. (Wishlists)

- Give you a 20 day searchable EPG for Sky programmes.

- Let you watch one programme while recording another.

- Suggest or automatically record programmes for you based on your viewing preferences.

- Deal intelligently with clashes (ie. will try to schedule recording of a repeat if the first showing clashes with something you have marked as higher priority).

- Work with Sky AND Freeview at the same time.

- Allow you to upgrade the hard drive easily to 240gb without running into any problems (unlike Sky+).

- Allow you to fit a network card (wired or wireless) and control your TiVo via the internet if you have a broadband connection.

There is the slight issue of the subscription cost (£10 per month or £199 for a lifetime sub), but once you get that out of the way (I would always recommend going for a lifetime sub), you're laughing

It is currently possible to pick up a TiVo on eBay for around £330-360 with a lifetime sub. This is the cheapest option as unsubbed machines typically go for around £165-220, but you still have to pay for the sub (£199). If going for one with a lifetime sub, make sure you get either the TiVo Service Number or the TiVo Account number AND Surname of the seller, and check the status of the sub with TiVo Customer Service on 08702 41 84 86 before you bid.

Of course, you could go for an unsubbed machine to start with and pay monthly until you were sure it was worth buying the lifetime sub. I'd guess that would be around day 3

And remember, the value of your TiVo will most likely stay the same or go up

You can't say that about any other DVR

 

[Starburst]

Originally posted by blindlemon


Seriously, for recording Sky a TiVo is unbeatable! Sky+ is a pathetic attempt at emulating TiVo functionality which has only sold as many as it has because of the incessant advertising on Sky and other media.

Ouch

A bitter TIVO owner who can't accept SKY+ is too many people the better option
Sorry could't resist, been a couple of years since I've read such an amusing anti SKY+ post from a TIVO owner

 

[Venom1969]

blindlemon, you've given a very very strong argument in favour of TIVO. Only problem is thou, the hard drive is bound to fill up. Then you have to start deleting things. (Never been a fan of deleting stuff). Is there a way to get the material out of the Tivo hard drive?

 

[Starburst]

Originally posted by Venom1969
blindlemon, you've given a very very strong argument in favour of TIVO. Only problem is thou, the hard drive is bound to fill up. Then you have to start deleting things. (Never been a fan of deleting stuff). Is there a way to get the material out of the Tivo hard drive?

I'll answer the question as blindleman hasn't come back to the forum yet

Upgrading the TIVO hard drive(s) is probably on the to do list of every user, those that don't already run 240Gb plus already
While it isn't as straight forward as a certain other HD based unit you can find retailers selling pre configured hard drives and as always the TIVO forums will tell you everything you need to know.
As for achieving recordings then yes you can connect a VCR or DVD recorder to TIVO and make copies of the stored programming.

TIVO Community has a dedicated UK section.

 

[blindlemon]

It's not that I haven't come back - just that I've been rather busy doing disk upgrades for TiVo owners and posting on the TiVo Forums!

I'm not bitter either - in fact I'm very happy as I have 2 TiVos - one with 240gb and the other with 120gb.

And neither have suffered any ill-effects from being upgraded either - unlike what happens when you upgrade a Sky+ (according to digitalspy!).

As Starburst says, archiving off a TiVo is simplicity itself via the VCR or TV SCART outputs - but when you've got 240gb who needs to archive?

Also, if you're into a bit of hacking, it is possible (allegedly) to extract the recordings directly to your PC via a network card.....

Now, remind me, how do you fit a network card into a Sky+....... ?

 

[Dr Downey]

Remind me how you record 2 Sky channels at the same time with TIVO?

Doc

 

[blindlemon]

2 TiVos

 

[Dr Downey]

& 2 sky boxes!!!!!!!!!!!



Doc

 

[MarkE19]

No, you stick to the better PQ that you get from a Freeview box with BBC/ITV!

Mark.

 

[blindlemon]

Oops!

(I feel a bout of TiVo vs Sky+ PQ comparisons coming on... )

 

[Dr Downey]

LMAO!

 

[MAW]

Mr Lemon, do you sell tivo for a living? You ought to give it a try! It needed you when it 1st came out, and then it might not have come to the current sorry state of affairs.

 

[datsunman]

Originally posted by blindlemon
....Also, if you're into a bit of hacking, it is possible (allegedly) to extract the recordings directly to your PC via a network card.....

Now, remind me, how do you fit a network card into a Sky+....... ?

Any subtle (or unsubtle) hints on how to do this? I was looking at getting a Tivo for exactly that purpose but could only see Telnet, FTP and a web interface that was supported over the network.

 

[blindlemon]

Originally posted by datsunman
Any subtle (or unsubtle) hints on how to do this? I was looking at getting a Tivo for exactly that purpose but could only see Telnet, FTP and a web interface that was supported over the network.

Have a look at deal database forum

 

[blindlemon]

Originally posted by MAW
Mr Lemon, do you sell tivo for a living?

Ahhh! Now wouldn't that be fun

Unfortunately, as you hinted, nobody does.... any more So I have to work for a living - although I do do the occasional TiVo upgrade on the side

 

[MAW]

I'll bear you in mind!