Sky Plus

[ShellyHall]

Not sure where to post this ...

We have recently had Sky Plus installed.  We have had no end of problems with it.  Have any other ABers had similar problems.  Before I ring Sky to blast them yet again, I would like to know if others have had any problems.

Problems include ...

-   no sound

-   break up in sound

-   "jumpy" play back

-   failed recording

-   missing minutes of play back

-   freezing during play back

-   the machine switching itself off, then won't come back on again

I could go on and on.

Any comments before I chuck the machine in the bin!!!

[Loosehead]

I have Sky+ and out of your list I have had failed recordings occasionally usually when either there is a power cut or when trying to record too many programs at once. Looks too me like you have a weak/intermittent reception that would cause the sound, missing minutes, jumpy playback, freezing. This can also cause the machine to switch off. When it does press the power button manually and hold. But really I'd get the sky people to test your reception strength, in fact there is a signal strength you can check yourself see the manual. Good luck.

[nigidivitch]

Sounds like it's not been installed properly - that and/or you having a dodgy box (pardon the expression!)  I really would get onto Sky and give them a rollicking!!  I wouldn't bin the machine though - knowing Sky they'd probably charge you for it again, or sue you or something - they're bad enough if I unplug the telephone line for a few mins!!!

Good luck!

[ShellyHall]

Thanks guys - I wasn't really gonna bin the box, it's just so frustrating as it usually goes wonky during the important part of a programme.  Will get onto Sky and tell them what I think!

[lozzzz]

We occassionally have problems with our because of the trees opposite,maybe you dish needs to be mounted higher,that stopped our problems.

[Mattk]

sounds like the hard drive in your current box is knackered - its more than likely a refurbished model(i have heard that sky rather naughtily do this!)

[ShellyHall]

The first time we had the Sky engineer to it they wanted to replace the box.  They offered us a "refurbished" box as a replacement, but we said no.  We'd paid for a new box and didn't want a second hand one.

[woofgang]

We had the same problems as you. They guys turned out and said that the hard drive was knacked and replaced our original (apparently brand new) box with another (apparently brand new) one. They also re ran some of the wiring and made some tut tut comments about the original installer. It took some time to get them out though

[steveyk]

Well, it could just be down to poor signal, but really you need a proper meter to check it. Do you get the same problems with the sound and 'jumpy' pictures when you are watching the live channels or is it just on stuff you've recorded? If its just happening to stuff you've recorded, heres a quick test. Try swapping the two leads from the dish round on the back of the box and see if the live channels start to do the same. Missing sound/jumping/blocking. If they do and your recordings are fine, it suggests the lead from the dish needs replacing and/or the LNB (the bit on your dish which does all the magic!). If this is the case, the installer probably used your existing cable (if you had standard sky before)which is possibly damaged,and ran one new extra one instead of replacing them both. If the recordings are still bad, then it probably is due to a faulty hard drive. Unfortunately, Sky's policy is to use refurbished boxes, and not brand new to replace faulty boxes. Even if they are only a day old!! You could also try a software download....... switch off box at mains for a few seconds, then switch mains back on while holding in the backup button on the front of the box at the same time until all the lights on the front light up and screen says "updating system software".

Phew!