SKY Callback Feature

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goldx18

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Topic # 56862 26-Jan-2010 21:08

I have heard from stories over in the UK that customers that sign up for the Multi-Room (SKY HD Decoder + Normal Decoder) must periodically do a 'callback' to the Sky Servers to confirm they are at the same address.

Have talked to my grandfather who has been with Sky TV since they first launched in NZ and said he has never heard of this - the customer service reps decline to answer or say they dont know.

So my techie friends - whats the answer? Because i dont have a home phone line to do the callback sky are going to disadvantage me? thats unfair, totally unfair.

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 293212 26-Jan-2010 21:39

The decoders are hooked up to a phoneline and do phone home.

'If you don't use PPV just unplug it if you're paranoid.

nate

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Reply # 293213 26-Jan-2010 21:42

goldx18: So my techie friends - whats the answer? Because i dont have a home phone line to do the callback sky are going to disadvantage me? thats unfair, totally unfair.

I doubt it. I have Sky and mine's not plugged into a phone line, and it never has been.

goldx18

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Reply # 293214 26-Jan-2010 21:47

Ok thanks for the reply - just seen on other sites that if they dont phone home after a while they charge extra on your bill - stupid for those that want sky but dont have a homeline

grant_k

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Reply # 293250 27-Jan-2010 00:09

goldx18: Ok thanks for the reply - just seen on other sites that if they dont phone home after a while they charge extra on your bill - stupid for those that want sky but dont have a homeline

No, that's not right.

I've had my decoder unplugged from a phone line for months at a time, and Sky never charged me any extra.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 293262 27-Jan-2010 07:00

goldx18: Ok thanks for the reply - just seen on other sites that if they dont phone home after a while they charge extra on your bill - stupid for those that want sky but dont have a homeline

This is incorrect.

There are many people who don't have Sky plugged into their phoneline and despite claims my installers that they have to install a jackpoint and connect it they do not (Sky just likes it).

Anybody who doesn't have a phoneline and uses VoIP only can't connect their Sky box as modems don't work over VoIP. This includes people who are in FTTH (fibre to the home) areas.

Bung

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Reply # 293266 27-Jan-2010 07:41

sbiddle:
goldx18: Ok thanks for the reply - just seen on other sites that if they dont phone home after a while they charge extra on your bill - stupid for those that want sky but dont have a homeline

This is incorrect.

There are many people who don't have Sky plugged into their phoneline and despite claims my installers that they have to install a jackpoint and connect it they do not (Sky just likes it).

Don't the installers get an extra payment for jackpoint install? That's why they push it.

grant_k

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Reply # 293349 27-Jan-2010 11:30

sbiddle: Anybody who doesn't have a phoneline and uses VoIP only can't connect their Sky box as modems don't work over VoIP.

That's not true in my case Steve...

I have MySky and WxC VFX. They play happily together and I can order PPV movies etc. Also, I've noticed from the call logs that MySky phones home every month or so in the wee small hours, and it works without a hitch.

hairy1

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Reply # 293363 27-Jan-2010 11:45

I used to have VFX and that worked fine with mysky. Switched to 2talk and it no longer works. Unplugged now. Quite ironic really that the most technologically advanced (in theory with VOIP and fibre) cannot access the "advanced" features of the box. The "i" in HDi is supposed to stand for internet... Anyone have any idea on whether we will ever be able to connect our HDi's to the internet?

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

nate

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Reply # 293412 27-Jan-2010 13:07

hairy1: I used to have VFX and that worked fine with mysky. Switched to 2talk and it no longer works. Unplugged now. Quite ironic really that the most technologically advanced (in theory with VOIP and fibre) cannot access the "advanced" features of the box. The "i" in HDi is supposed to stand for internet... Anyone have any idea on whether we will ever be able to connect our HDi's to the internet?

Sending DTMF tones from proprietary equipment over VoIP is always alittle hit and miss, it would be better if Sky came up with an IP adapter for their set top boxes.

hairy1

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Reply # 293423 27-Jan-2010 13:30

They do. There is an ethernet port in the back!

Edit: Sorry, I forgot about all the other standard boxes out there!

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

paradoxsm

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Reply # 293471 27-Jan-2010 14:49

I had to change smartcards after unplugging my decoder from the phone line (silver pace) as it apparently phones-home and sends usage statistics to sky each evening. They canceled my card and gave me a test one I think though I have heard of no one else having this problem.

I promptly installed CCCam and PliIolite on a d dream box and was in awe at the speed and picture quality (and bonus pvr functionality over Ethernet) and used it until recently until it finally died. (and then I killed-off sky)

hazza87

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Reply # 293635 27-Jan-2010 21:19

Well i have been using my sky in one house and leaving the old sky decoder at the bach for over a year now and no extra charges. Neither plugged into a phone line. PS don't tell sky.

goldx18

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Reply # 293665 27-Jan-2010 22:11

Yeah LOL DONT TELL SKY,

Well so far so good here is what I have learnt

Q: Do Sky Decoders Call home?
A. Yes - for checking your perodic viewing statistics or to update pay per view data. Also a one off first time activation upon installation.

Q: Do sky know you have it at more than one address?
A. Dont tell them lol - dont plug the decoders into phone line your sweet.

And this extra charge seems to be unheard of...

Kyanar

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Reply # 293680 27-Jan-2010 22:33

Uh, the one time activation works the opposite way - Sky sends an activation signal over the satellite to your card to activate it. None of my activations were done over the phone, all of them required the installer to call Sky's system, punch in login details and the card number, and the system activated it over the air. Much like PIN resets.

None of mine are currently connected to a phone line.

Oh, and every time a Sky tech visits, they'll plug all your decoders into the phone lines. Even if you have ADSL. And without a filter. Chorus techs often refer to Sky techs as "cowboys" due to stuff like that.

I finally have fibre! Had to leave the country to get it though.

Bung

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Reply # 293683 27-Jan-2010 22:36

Kyanar: Oh, and every time a Sky tech visits, they'll plug all your decoders into the phone lines. Even if you have ADSL. And without a filter. Chorus techs often refer to Sky techs as "cowboys" due to stuff like that.

Mine have never been connected to the phone line.

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