MySky HD

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#139128 19-Jun-2008 10:06

The new MySky2s don't have RF out which is what you use to get the signal downstairs but you can achieve the same thing by connecting an RF modulator to the composite outputs on MySky2 to provide the RF signal. Alternatively if the cable run isn't too long you may be able to use your VCR as the modulator. ie MySky2--composite--VCR--RFout--TV.

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stuzzo

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#139136 19-Jun-2008 11:02

kiwipearls: Yes but the orginal Mysky does not have the features we want.

We liked the 3 tuners in MySky2 and the bigger Hard-drive - that is what attracted us to it in the first place (as we sometimes need to record 3 channels at the same time and have to get a friend to do it) - as we want to record a lot of our tv programmes and watch them when we want. The Hi-Def stuff would just be a bonus untill we get the HDMI TV.

Only two tuners will be enabled in the Mysky HDi at the start. The third tuner is to be enabled with a firmware upgrade but who knows how long that may take.

And in regards to installation, I guess the most logical decision is pay the $599 up front. I'm not an idiot and not paying more than the $599 after 40 months is up.

I worked out that allowing for net interest cost at about 6 % it would take four years of paying the $15 a month to get up to the $ 599 initial payment option. I have a Mysky but given the choice and given likelihood of new content options by then I would have certainly gone with the monthly charge.

bazzer

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#139138 19-Jun-2008 11:14

kiwipearls: And in regards to installation, I guess the most logical decision is pay the $599 up front. I'm not an idiot and not paying more than the $599 after 40 months is up.

It really depends, you should also take into account the time value of money. If you have a mortgage, for example, you might discount future cashflow at ~10% p.a. compounded monthly (i.e. floating rate). That means paying $15 per month would actually take 49 months to cost $600 in today's money. Where will you be in over 4 years time? You might have moved (Sky would presumably charge you to move and you might decide against having Sky at your new house). Sky might change their pricing (not sure how long MySky has been around, its pricing hasn't changed but regular digital installs are free now).

Anyway, I also wonder what Sky's policy is. If I start paying the $15 and decide actually I don't want to pay extra per month how can I switch to the one-off fee? Do I need to send the MySky HD back and then pay the $600 extra? Will the take off the payments I've made so far?

Edit: D'oh! Took a break writing my response and got beaten. /\ /\ What he said! (Although @ 6% I get 45 months :oþ)

kiwipearls

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#139140 19-Jun-2008 11:22

grant_k:The 2 tuners in MySky have always been enough for us, and my wife is quite an avid TV watcher who records all manner of stuff. We have never yet managed to fill up the Hard Drive either, although it has come close a couple of times, usually when we go on a trip and leave all the Series Linked programmes stacking up.

If you really do need 3 simultaneous recordings to be made, well MySky HD it will have to be I suppose.

60 Hours of recording - I know it is more hours of the total amount of tapes we use - but lately because we only have 2 vcrs which are both dying - we've had to sacrifice a lot of programs. Also we've just found out Most Haunted is back, plus we watch Time Team - and I know there is a lot of other programs that we want to record - that we wouldn't normally. I watch almost every genre...lol From Desperate Housewives, CSI and I love giving new series ago.

Also want happesn when the drive get's full - does it record over the oldest program recorded, or not record at all. I always wondered about that - i'd rather it not record at all - as it would give me time to download the missed programs while we catch up.

Stuzzo: Only two tuners will be enabled in the Mysky HDi at the start. The third tuner is to be enabled with a firmware upgrade but who knows how long that may take.

Well that sucks. How can they release a product which they've been stating allows you to record 3 channels - and then not let you do it.

So now the only good thing about it is the hard-drive space and in the future the Hi-Df stuffies.

Be good if they put a bigger hard drive in the MySky 1 - but I heard they weren't changing that service because of the whole Mysky2 (which is why they have not been promoting Mysky1).

Now I have to make a decsion. MySky1 and also purchase a DVD Recorder with Hard-drive and use them in conjunction (ie use the Mysky for sky channels only and use the DVD recorder to record normal tv - like I do now with the vcr.

That way I still have the feed to my bedroom.

Or 2 - get Mysky 2 - get multiroom and pay and extra $25 a month. Still only record 2 channels at same time - but have more storage space. Decide wehter to pay on top of that $15 a month instead of upfront install cost. I would only do that if it stopped after 40 months and was not indefinate.

And both are the same install price.

I heard that Sky wants every one to ideally be on the Mysky2.

Think my head is going to explode now. Will have to talk about it with hubby when he gets home, but then his head would explode too..lol

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grant_k

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#139141 19-Jun-2008 11:29

kiwipearls: Also want happesn when the drive get's full - does it record over the oldest program recorded, or not record at all. I always wondered about that - i'd rather it not record at all - as it would give me time to download the missed programs while we catch up.

You can choose which of those options you prefer via Setup.

As for the remaining issues, like many things in life, it's a compromise. Given that you will only have 2 tuners for some indefinite period, I would save yourself the $15 per month and stick with MySky1 for some time at least.

rugrat

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#139151 19-Jun-2008 12:26

Can't remember where read it but think mysky 2 will only ever be able to record two programs at once. When new firm ware is downloaded to enable third tuner it will be so you can view a third channel live, while two others are recording - at moment if two are recording have to watch one of the channels that are recording if wish to view live TV, otherwise interupt one of recordings.

Fourth turner for movie on demand downloads and anything else sky wish's to send through it.

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KellyP

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#139169 19-Jun-2008 13:39

Just for the record, MySky HDi has 4 tuners. The 4th is for On Demand movies.

allstarnz

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#139199 19-Jun-2008 15:43

James Bond: Just for the record, MySky HDi has 4 tuners. The 4th is for On Demand movies.

is that confirmed by Sky, or just an assumption based on what Foxtel are doing?

I am so underwhelmed by the publicity from Sky. That is in complete contrast to the effort that Foxtel have gone to. They don't even have anything obvious on their website yet.

jasonbrice

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#139203 19-Jun-2008 15:52

Perhaps they are waiting to work through their teething troubles with us early adopters.

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#139210 19-Jun-2008 16:04

allstarnz:
James Bond: Just for the record, MySky HDi has 4 tuners. The 4th is for On Demand movies.

is that confirmed by Sky, or just an assumption based on what Foxtel are doing?

I am so underwhelmed by the publicity from Sky. That is in complete contrast to the effort that Foxtel have gone to. They don't even have anything obvious on their website yet.

Corfirmation by Pace Micron Technology - these are the folks who make the box for Foxtel and Sky.

The hardware is there and so is the service. Seems silly not to enable it at some stage. Will Sky do it? that I don't know.

ArranH

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#139717 22-Jun-2008 14:21

Apologies if this has been asked already, but I couldn't see any mention.

I have MySky1 (I so miss the Tivo I had in the UK, such superior software) and looking to go multiroom and chucking the old box in a nother room. At present I don't have the box wired to a phone line, but with teh amount of wires in my lounge I could handle one more, but where the old box will go doesn't have a phone jack nearby.

I read that the UK Sky require multiroom boxes to be connected to a phoneline so they can confirm they're in the same house. Is that the same in NZ? I don't really want to wire up another phonejack or have a wire running along the carpet 24/7.

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JonathanBarrett

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#139719 22-Jun-2008 14:22

The options re MySky are very confusing. Here is my understanding based on a call to their sales team:- If you want to get MySky you can pay a one-off fee of $599 and you then just pay your normal monthly subscription as before. MySky will be installed within 2 weeks. Easy. Alternatively, you can go for the new hi-definition option. This will not be installed until August or September. However, with this option you can pay a monthly rental of $15 for the box rather than the $599 up-front fee. You will also have to pay $10 per month for the hi-def channels but you do not have to take these. Therefore, comparing the two, you would say that after about 3.3 years of paying the $15 pm rental, you would have been better off paying the $599 as there are no further payments to make. However!! Supposing you will eventually upgrade to hi-definition but you decide to pay the $599 now to get MySky installed quicker. When you go to hi-def you will be paying $15pm rental which you could have just paid from day 1, thus avoiding the $599 fee! So really the only benefits of the $599 option are:- 1) Installation now rather than in Aug/Sept2) No rental fees, **assuming** you never want to upgrade to hi-def Comments, anyone?

sawyersbay

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#139721 22-Jun-2008 14:29

I've been wondering whether I will be able to access MySky HD's 5.1 surround sound. I don't have HDMI switching on my Marantz SR5200 receiver, so will take the video via HDMI straight to my plasma. Will I be able to use a separate digital cable to get MySky audio to my receiver eg, using an optical connection?

amphibem

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#139724 22-Jun-2008 14:42

JonathanBarrett: The options re MySky are very confusing. Here is my understanding based on a call to their sales team:- If you want to get MySky you can pay a one-off fee of $599 and you then just pay your normal monthly subscription as before. MySky will be installed within 2 weeks. Easy. Alternatively, you can go for the new hi-definition option. This will not be installed until August or September. However, with this option you can pay a monthly rental of $15 for the box rather than the $599 up-front fee. You will also have to pay $10 per month for the hi-def channels but you do not have to take these. Therefore, comparing the two, you would say that after about 3.3 years of paying the $15 pm rental, you would have been better off paying the $599 as there are no further payments to make. However!! Supposing you will eventually upgrade to hi-definition but you decide to pay the $599 now to get MySky installed quicker. When you go to hi-def you will be paying $15pm rental which you could have just paid from day 1, thus avoiding the $599 fee! So really the only benefits of the $599 option are:- 1) Installation now rather than in Aug/Sept2) No rental fees, **assuming** you never want to upgrade to hi-def Comments, anyone?

Are you aware that Sky has two different MySky boxes: the original MySky box, which has an 160GB drive, 2 tuners and only does SD and the new MySky HD box, which has 4 tuners, 320GB and does HD over an HDMI output.

So if you pay $599 and get an install now, that would be the old SD box (if I understand you correctly, this must still be being offered). The later install date is for the MySky HD box, only current MySky users have been given the early upgrades to this (see other comments in this thread). However with the HD box there are more options; with either an upfront payment or $15/month, and also wether to pay $10 to get the HD content.

So if you pay $599 now and get a MySky1 installed you can't just start paying the $10/month for HD in the future, you will also need to upgrade to the MySky HD (which currently costs $49).

I hope that clarifies things, I am sure someone will correct me in any details I have wrong (this is my understanding from the rest of this thread)

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grant_k

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#139726 22-Jun-2008 14:45

ArranH: I read that the UK Sky require multiroom boxes to be connected to a phoneline so they can confirm they're in the same house. Is that the same in NZ? I don't really want to wire up another phonejack or have a wire running along the carpet 24/7.

For several months we have been using MySky without a phone line connected and it works just fine. The only time you need it is for ordering PPV movies via the remote. However, you can also do this via Sky's 0800 number, so it doesn't matter.

I have observed from the phone logs that MySky phones home every so often, usually in the wee small hours of the morning. I don't know what purpose this serves, but I can tell you that MySky still works perfectly well without any phone line connected

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