Getting MySky next week... let the flame war and mud-slinging begin...

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Getting MySky next week... let the flame war and mud-slinging begin...

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#89050 2-Oct-2007 10:06

Well from my testing (not that I had the correct software installed on my dreabox last night when I was at my neighbours house who does have sky... <dammit>)..

But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

The boss wasn't too happy with me being out late last night, but in a few days I hope to visit my neighbour again and see how this works, but from all accounts you can take either the Freeview FTA or the Sky Encrypted streams (as long as your card is authorised for those channels) and then record them directly to your harddisk.

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#89079 2-Oct-2007 12:44

Regs:
old3eyes:
I consider the cost pf $600 a rip off. Just shows what a monopoly can charge in this country compared to what providers in a competitive market like Ozz or the US charge. If you thingk that $600 is a minor amount then I suspect that you have gotten too much dispoable income. Some of us have to justify things like this.

there is isnt much chance that you can create a DVB-S based PVR for less than $600 (e.g. hauppauge cards cost $180 each for example)

a quick look at dse.co.nz displays a range of HDD recorders (remember, no integrated guide and only single channel recording) from about $470 and up

the cheapest PVR at freeviewshop.co.nz is $399 and that doesnt even include the hard disk drive. the integrated models start at $850. I'm not sure if any of these can do an integrated guide for SKY recording and if they could they would be limited to recording a single channel

while you don't necessarily own the MySKY device at $600, if you keep it for two or more years you will probably get good value out of it. Throw depreciation into the mix and any of the units above will be virtually worthless after two years thus meaning that the MySKY box was cheaper (obviously excluding the subscription cost that you would have had to pay for the SKY channels anyway).

SKY Website:
As with the SKY decoder, “MY SKY” will remain the property of SKY. This means the “MY SKY” warranty will never run out and that SKY will service the box if there are any faults. SKY also has the ability to continually upgrade “MY SKY” ensuring subscribers have access to the latest technology, functionality and features which SKY will continue to introduce

If they do indeed upgrade the box, e.g. when they launch their HD services, then surely that would make it a very good price. (i would be surprised if an HD upgrade is fee-free though.....)

I agree with this sentiment. MySky doesnt suit everyone, but if its feature list covers everything you need/want, then its pretty compelling.

Simply stating "its a ripoff" is a pretty empty argument to someone who has owned a pre-built media center and built their own as well. I have seen both sides of the coin, and I know what a good media centre pc can do...

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#89081 2-Oct-2007 12:46

BarTender: But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

I have trawled a LOT of forums, and never seen any report of someone actually getting NZ Sky Digital working on a PVR with a Sky box in the mix.

openmedia

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#89093 2-Oct-2007 14:34

tonyhughes:
BarTender: But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

I have trawled a LOT of forums, and never seen any report of someone actually getting NZ Sky Digital working on a PVR with a Sky box in the mix.

We have a lot of customers with a mix of Sky + Analogue + freeview via myPVR.

Analogue capture via a Hauppauge PVR 150 or PVR 500 card

freeview direct digital capture via a Skystar2 DVB-S card

Sky capture over SVideo or Composite into the Hauppauge card, with an IRBlaster controlling the Sky box.

Steve

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Regs

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#89244 3-Oct-2007 13:01

BarTender:
But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

I'm gonna say "good luck" to you here.... from what i'm told the NDS encryption is customised to each country and stuff that works in the UK won't work here. Before you start selling these boxes based on the 'in theory' proposition i suggest that you get yourself some kit and try it out. I suspect you are going to be disappointed.

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#89251 3-Oct-2007 14:22

openmedia:
tonyhughes:I have trawled a LOT of forums, and never seen any report of someone actually getting NZ Sky Digital working on a PVR with a Sky box in the mix.

We have a lot of customers with a mix of Sky + Analogue + freeview via myPVR.

Analogue capture via a Hauppauge PVR 150 or PVR 500 card

freeview direct digital capture via a Skystar2 DVB-S card

Sky capture over SVideo or Composite into the Hauppauge card, with an IRBlaster controlling the Sky box.

Steve

Sure, but that still involves a Sky box...

openmedia

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#89254 3-Oct-2007 14:32

tonyhughes:
openmedia:
tonyhughes:I have trawled a LOT of forums, and never seen any report of someone actually getting NZ Sky Digital working on a PVR with a Sky box in the mix.

We have a lot of customers with a mix of Sky + Analogue + freeview via myPVR.

Analogue capture via a Hauppauge PVR 150 or PVR 500 card

freeview direct digital capture via a Skystar2 DVB-S card

Sky capture over SVideo or Composite into the Hauppauge card, with an IRBlaster controlling the Sky box.

Steve

Sure, but that still involves a Sky box...

Wasn't that your original question "with a Sky box in the mix"?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#89255 3-Oct-2007 14:32

Regs:
BarTender:
But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

I'm gonna say "good luck" to you here.... from what i'm told the NDS encryption is customised to each country and stuff that works in the UK won't work here. Before you start selling these boxes based on the 'in theory' proposition i suggest that you get yourself some kit and try it out. I suspect you are going to be disappointed.

I think getting Sky Digital on to a decent PVR without having to use a Sky box is the 'holy grail' for PVR/M.C. users who want Sky. I also suspect that many have tried and failed already (but try anyway....)

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#89268 3-Oct-2007 15:31

openmedia:
tonyhughes:
openmedia:
tonyhughes:I have trawled a LOT of forums, and never seen any report of someone actually getting NZ Sky Digital working on a PVR with a Sky box in the mix.

We have a lot of customers with a mix of Sky + Analogue + freeview via myPVR.

Analogue capture via a Hauppauge PVR 150 or PVR 500 card

freeview direct digital capture via a Skystar2 DVB-S card

Sky capture over SVideo or Composite into the Hauppauge card, with an IRBlaster controlling the Sky box.

Steve

Sure, but that still involves a Sky box...

Wasn't that your original question "with a Sky box in the mix"?

Oops... that was a bad type, I meant "without a Sky box in the mix".

All the major PVR systems can cope with an external STB, but then the signal is coming in through RCA/S-Video whatever...

openmedia

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#89271 3-Oct-2007 15:35

tonyhughes:
Regs:
BarTender:
But in theory with the correct software loaded in the dream and your sky card plugged into the front of the box you should be able to take the direct unencrypted stream for all the channels you are subscribed to with sky and record them to your harddisk over the ethernet, plus you are able to stream and watch over the network (using VLC or similar) the TV as well (done that and it works a treat)...

The extra plugin (CAM) that accesses your Sky card is (from my understanding) fully against the Sky T&C's, and quite possibly illegal but from what I have read online but it does work, as it is used in Aus/Europe/NA with the same encryption scheme that is used in NZ.

I'm gonna say "good luck" to you here.... from what i'm told the NDS encryption is customised to each country and stuff that works in the UK won't work here. Before you start selling these boxes based on the 'in theory' proposition i suggest that you get yourself some kit and try it out. I suspect you are going to be disappointed.

I think getting Sky Digital on to a decent PVR without having to use a Sky box is the 'holy grail' for PVR/M.C. users who want Sky. I also suspect that many have tried and failed already (but try anyway....)

Actually I think you will find the "holy grail" is getting Sky on a decent PVR without paying for Sky.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

lchiu7

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#89285 3-Oct-2007 16:01

Thinking about more legal ways of getting a PVR to work, sub's gbpvr solution where he doesn't use the TCL STB but inserts the smart card into a CAM(?) and captures the MPEG2 stream directly to the local HD is a good solution. The main issue why I am not going that path is I don't want to watch TV through gbpvr - prefer to watch the TV from the STB so I would need two smart cards which means an additional $29.95/month for the second card.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#89302 3-Oct-2007 16:55

openmedia: Actually I think you will find the "holy grail" is getting Sky on a decent PVR without paying for Sky.

For who? I would rather pay for it than steal it...

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#89316 3-Oct-2007 17:35

Why not, Mysky does it's job as advertised and does it well, No whirring PC, no poor image quality, no expensive and fiddly homemade boxes. my only complaint is the inability for it to playback during "rain fade"

I'm getting to the stage when i'm sick of fiddling with piles of stuff and just want something that plugs in and just "works" and I'm happy to pay extra for reliability after spending far too much on dud stuff. (my VoIP accounts are todays victime of the chop)

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#89317 3-Oct-2007 17:42

paradoxsm: Why not, Mysky does it's job as advertised and does it well, No whirring PC, no poor image quality, no expensive and fiddly homemade boxes. my only complaint is the inability for it to playback during "rain fade"

I'm getting to the stage when i'm sick of fiddling with piles of stuff and just want something that plugs in and just "works" and I'm happy to pay extra for reliability after spending far too much on dud stuff. (my VoIP accounts are todays victime of the chop)

Thats where I am at too, I dont wish to tinker anymore, just want it to work, and nevermind paying 'extra' its cheaper than any other dual tuner pvr solution that involves sky...

FoNiXeR

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#89397 4-Oct-2007 08:30

I say go for it,

After the countless hours I have spent on my MCE Rig,

Then countless hours getting Reven to work,

I think $600 is a wise Move, if I have spent a few of those hours freelancing I would be away laughing Now

The only thing holding me back is getting a HD Top box( don’t know if sky will let you trade in the my sky, haven’t done my research)

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