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networkn
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  #1249988 3-Mar-2015 08:28
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lxsw20: Probably because current mysky boxes have an esata port. My guess JimmyH is there is about 0% chance of getting those features. 


I'd suggest that estimate is on the very high side.



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  #1251297 4-Mar-2015 19:53
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lxsw20: Probably because current mysky boxes have an esata port. My guess JimmyH is there is about 0% chance of getting those features. 


Exactly. I would also be happy with using a USB port.

Regarding the other stuff:

1.  60 second skip functionality

They could easily add this. My recollection is that the Pace boxes they use already have this function, and they have just chosen to disable it. Enabling it would be bad for TVNZ and TV3, which rely on people watching ads, but not so much for Sky which doesn't really rely on ad revenue. Enabling it would be an essentially costless way to make their product more attractive.

2.  An app to control the box

Very simple and cheap to add with a one-off cost, once the rest of the upgrade means that there is a reason to network the boxes - which I understand is the case. Adds to usability and attractiveness of the package, no reason they wouldn't do it.

3.  Expandable storage using eSATA/USB port

They may not want to do this, as it would reduce the premium that people would be willing to pay for the version of the device with more storage. However, if they need to up the attractiveness of their offering, it could still be worth it to them.

4.  DLNA Server

This seems the least likely. Assuming the box hardware can handle it (which I'm not certain of), the big issue for Sky is that it would undermine the attractiveness of multiroom. However, they havr to make the call whether this is a better option than not upping their value proposition and bleeding subscribers as a consequence.

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  #1251314 4-Mar-2015 20:22
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SkyTV use Pace decoders.. if you look at pace website.. they have much superior decoders available.. I am sure a lot of these things would be available



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  #1251416 4-Mar-2015 22:50
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External storage will never be available as they don't want anyone to get access to the recorded video files.

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  #1251417 4-Mar-2015 22:53
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I would be happy if I could remove channels from the EPG to which I don't subscribe. Why do I have to scroll past movies if I'm not a movies subscriber.

Cheers,
Joseph

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  #1251466 5-Mar-2015 07:40
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geez a whole lot of extra button pushes, first world problems much

 
 
 
 

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  #1251480 5-Mar-2015 08:10
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josephhinvest: I would be happy if I could remove channels from the EPG to which I don't subscribe. Why do I have to scroll past movies if I'm not a movies subscriber.

Cheers,
Joseph


To remind you what you're missing out on. 

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  #1251490 5-Mar-2015 08:32
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lxsw20:
josephhinvest: I would be happy if I could remove channels from the EPG to which I don't subscribe. Why do I have to scroll past movies if I'm not a movies subscriber.

Cheers,
Joseph


To remind you what you're missing out on. 


It's called 'The Upsell'.




 

 

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As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."


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  #1251897 5-Mar-2015 18:59
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rlevis: External storage will never be available as they don't want anyone to get access to the recorded video files.


Not an issue, plenty of other recorders deal with this. Just require the drive to be formatted for use by the decoder, and encrypt the recordings so that they are tied to the decoder and only it can play them back.

If I really wanted access to the video in HD, I would just record it over the HDMI output. Have never tried it, but the parts to do so cost around $250 and plenty of people on videohelp.com have been discussing how easy it is.

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  #1251955 5-Mar-2015 21:35
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JimmyH: Whatever they roll out will need to be pretty spectacular to keep their offering competitive.

At a minimum, if they want to keep me, I would like to see:
- adding a DLNA server app to the box
- adding 60-second skip functionality tied to a button to the remote - especially if they won't dial back on the constant promos
- providing an option to easily expand storage using an eSATA port
- an app, so that I can simply and easily control the box, EPG and recoding scheduling etc using my tablet on the home network

All of those features (and more) I've been enjoying for the past 4 years courtesy of a Vu+ Duo box which has a Smartcard reader compatible with the Sky cards.  We have a MySky but it has been sitting in the cupboard for those 4 years.  Configuring a Vu+ Duo is not child's play, but it's certainly doable for many of the users on this forum.

Having said all that, I'm watching less and less content via satellite in favour of downloading with BBC iPlayer and even playing stuff from YouTube in HD on my smart TV.  The video quality is just so much better than all the highly compressed SD channels we're stuck with on satellite, and there are no ads at all.  Bliss!





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  #1251965 5-Mar-2015 22:21
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  We have a MySky but it has been sitting in the cupboard for those 4 years. 


Snap.. but with Ultraplus 9200.. I was considering a VU + Duo.. are they even selling anymore... also I like to try before I buy.. or at least view what it may look like.. Any chance you could put a video on youtube of your screen/guide etc?

 
 
 
 

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  #1251967 5-Mar-2015 22:32
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JimmyH:

Not an issue, plenty of other recorders deal with this. Just require the drive to be formatted for use by the decoder, and encrypt the recordings so that they are tied to the decoder and only it can play them back.

If I really wanted access to the video in HD, I would just record it over the HDMI output. Have never tried it, but the parts to do so cost around $250 and plenty of people on videohelp.com have been discussing how easy it is.


Way less than that.

And they just have to record the transport stream and decrypt on playback. which I think they already do.




Richard rich.ms

grant_k
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  #1251970 5-Mar-2015 22:41
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attewell:
  We have a MySky but it has been sitting in the cupboard for those 4 years. 


Snap.. but with Ultraplus 9200.. I was considering a VU + Duo.. are they even selling anymore... also I like to try before I buy.. or at least view what it may look like.. Any chance you could put a video on youtube of your screen/guide etc?

If you have a look at the 'World of Satellite' forum, it will give you a good idea of how much support there is available for the Vu+ family, and where to buy the hardware.  There are several different software images available for the Vu+ family, with Black Hole and VIX being the two most popular.  I use VIX, and if you look at this page, it will give you an idea of what the various screens look like:

http://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?42955-Magic-HD-Night-skin-preview-by-DeLaGroov

Pay special attention to EPG.jpg (second to last in the list) as you will see that quite often.  No doubt there are many other screen shots on that forum, but I don't have time to search for them.

N.B. You will need to register in order to view the images, but it's well worth it to have access to all the resources available.





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