SKY HD Box - Physical unit questions

Starbucks78

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Hi,

I will today be signing up with sky for the first time ever as it seems like there are really good deals at the moment.
These may be some basic questions so sorry if they've been asked before:

I presume the HD Box has a HDMI output?

Is the sky HD box about 400mm wide? quite important as I have limited space and 400mm max would be great.

Is the PSU for the box actually inside it or is it an external unit? If its external is it a plug in type with plug connectors on the PSU itself, or an inline type? Finally, any chance of the size of the PSU? (Strange question I know but again I have limited space in a converted fireplace)

You answers are much appreciated.

Steve
 
Hi,

I will today be signing up with sky for the first time ever as it seems like there are really good deals at the moment.
These may be some basic questions so sorry if they've been asked before:

I presume the HD Box has a HDMI output?

Is the sky HD box about 400mm wide? quite important as I have limited space and 400mm max would be great.

Is the PSU for the box actually inside it or is it an external unit? If its external is it a plug in type with plug connectors on the PSU itself, or an inline type? Finally, any chance of the size of the PSU? (Strange question I know but again I have limited space in a converted fireplace)

You answers are much appreciated.

Steve
My current Thomson box is actually 410mm wide. Others may vary

It has an HDMI output and the psu is contained within the box
 
Hi,

I will today be signing up with sky for the first time ever as it seems like there are really good deals at the moment.
These may be some basic questions so sorry if they've been asked before:

I presume the HD Box has a HDMI output?

Is the sky HD box about 400mm wide? quite important as I have limited space and 400mm max would be great.

Is the PSU for the box actually inside it or is it an external unit? If its external is it a plug in type with plug connectors on the PSU itself, or an inline type? Finally, any chance of the size of the PSU? (Strange question I know but again I have limited space in a converted fireplace)

You answers are much appreciated.

Steve
It has an HDMI output

It's about the size of your average DVD player, perhaps not quite so tall.

PSU is internal
 
Such quick replies, thanks. All good news really. 410mm would be ok just so it's a thumbs up.
Roll on lunch time so I can order.
 
...... quite important as I have limited space....

Don't cook the digibox, Starbuck. Otherwise you'll be back here with problems. These boxes have fans for a purpose.:nono:
 
Ventillation is no problem at all.
However I have just come across a problem - sky do not offer free broadband where I live, therefore not such a great deal now as they want an extra £17 pm:(
As I will be taking our Sky talk with their line rental, can I use any other broadband provider?
Any ideas on a cheap way round this problem?

Steve
 
Ventillation is no problem at all.
However I have just come across a problem - sky do not offer free broadband where I live, therefore not such a great deal now as they want an extra £17 pm:(
As I will be taking our Sky talk with their line rental, can I use any other broadband provider?
Any ideas on a cheap way round this problem?

Steve

The sky talk is good value if you use the phone a lot during the day as £5 per month gives free calls to UK, Europe and many other countries

Avoid 087 and 0845 nos and all your calls will be free. (Use SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers )

If you don't use the phone much daytime, get the free skytalk

Use another broadband provider, no problem, you can get lot cheaper than £17
 
Yeah, my other half phones her sister who now lives in Germany alot. BT's last bill with 'Anytime Plan' still came to £30 pm, so its a no brainer.

Also had it confirmed from BT that you can use their broadband over ANY line rental provider, so you were a 100% correct. Initially the chap in India said it would not be possible, however I mentioned that I would then have to move all my services to Sky, he quickly checked with a so called 'Broadband Specialist' who confirmed there would be no problem at all!

As a result SKY HD is coming to our house a week Thursday.

Is there 1 or 2 Sat coax cables that come out of the back of the Box?
 
.......Is there 1 or 2 Sat coax cables that come out of the back of the Box?

There are two inputs from the dish. This will enable full use of the Sky+ function on the box ( eg record one and simultaneously view another channel, or view a recording and simultaneously record two others ).
 
Is there 1 or 2 Sat coax cables that come out of the back of the Box?

Two cables from dish to box. That is why it allows you to record two channels simultaneously, or record one channel whilst watching another.
 
I see. Although the tech using 2 cables seems a bit dated...my Humux PVR has one coax input and you can record 2 channels while watching a previous recording at the same time. In fact thats wrong, you can record 2 channels at once and even watch a 3rd providing it is from the same MUX as one of the others.

Oh well, I will now have a huge recording capability throught the 2 systems.:D
 
I see. Although the tech using 2 cables seems a bit dated...my Humux PVR has one coax input and you can record 2 channels while watching a previous recording at the same time.

That's because all terrestrial channels are available by your TV aerial pointing in one direction. Satellite channels are split over four separate polarities/bands - which means that separate feeds are needed for separate channels. The LNB adjusts its polarity/band depending upon the channel you choose to watch. In effect, you tell the Sky box what channel you want to watch/record, the Sky box deciphers this to determine what polarity and band it needs to point at, and sends this info to the LNB. The LNB adjusts itself, if necessary, and a block of channels, including the one you want to watch, is then available.

If you only ever watched/recorded a block of channels that broadcast on the same polarity/band, you could get away with a single connection from box to dish. But you'd find it very prohibitive.
 
Great explanation! Thanks & that makes sense. It's always nice to receive input from those who really do know what they're talking about and understand the technology.
 
Another question: I am going to need one of those right angled HDMI connectors and was wonder which way the HDMI socket faces. Does the smaller edge face upwards or downwards if that makes sense?
 
I think you'll find that convention is that the widest part of the plug is at the top. Do a google search for images of the HD box back.

Per
 

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