Odering a new Sky+HD Box

[Toymaker215]

Hello, I am Enquiring as to the following, 1 i do not want to turn from sky+Hd to Sky Q, i know Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, so is the only way if i need a new Sky+Hd box is to buy off Ebay uk, 2 would my current sky viewing card work on any new box bought, 3 if i ever needed a new viewing card, how would i get one as Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, 4 also do i have to buy one that has the same Model number or version number,  in system details, it has Model number, and Version Number,  would i buy one that has a similar version number, a wired mac address and wireless Mac address. Is the Version Number the thing to look for on Ebay i have seen Sky+Hd that look similar but unsure, how do i know to get the same type, what do i look for on mine or even on the back of the machine if not in system details,  If not the same version would the Viewing card work. 5 Is it true SkyQ has signal blocking for recording to dvd, Please advise on all 5 hope not a bother, thanks.

[Daniel0210]

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@Toymaker215 wrote:

Hello, I am Enquiring as to the following, 1 i do not want to turn from sky+Hd to Sky Q, i know Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, so is the only way if i need a new Sky+Hd box is to buy off Ebay uk,

Don't waste your money. It won't work. 

2 would my current sky viewing card work on any new box bought,

Definitely not. 

3 if i ever needed a new viewing card, how would i get one as Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore,

4 also do i have to buy one that has the same Model number or version number,  in system details, it has Model number, and Version Number,  would i buy one that has a similar version number, a wired mac address and wireless Mac address. Is the Version Number the thing to look for on Ebay i have seen Sky+Hd that look similar but unsure, how do i know to get the same type, what do i look for on mine or even on the back of the machine if not in system details,  If not the same version would the Viewing card work.

See previous answer

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[Mark39]

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@Toymaker215 wrote:

 5 Is it true SkyQ has signal blocking for recording to dvd, Please advise on all 5 hope not a bother, thanks.

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Yes, in the sense that standard HDCP implementation on the high definition outputs of all HDMI equipped equipment, including Sky Q prevents you connecting it to a DVD recorder for copying. Unlike Sky+, Sky Q boxes don't have any analogue outputs, though I think Sky Q Mini boxes may have.

Edited to correct 'Mini' not Mono

[GD1]

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@Mark39 wrote:

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@Toymaker215 wrote:

 5 Is it true SkyQ has signal blocking for recording to dvd, Please advise on all 5 hope not a bother, thanks.

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Yes, in the sense that standard HDCP implementation on the high definition outputs of all HDMI equipped equipment, including Sky Q prevents you connecting it to a DVD recorder for copying. Unlike Sky+, Sky Q boxes don't have any analogue outputs, though I think Sky Q Mono boxes may have.

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Sky Q mini boxes have an analogue video/audio jacks on them as far as I recall so it's possible to record to DVD in real time only.

[nigea99]

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@GD1 wrote:

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@Mark39 wrote:

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@Toymaker215 wrote:

 5 Is it true SkyQ has signal blocking for recording to dvd, Please advise on all 5 hope not a bother, thanks.

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Yes, in the sense that standard HDCP implementation on the high definition outputs of all HDMI equipped equipment, including Sky Q prevents you connecting it to a DVD recorder for copying. Unlike Sky+, Sky Q boxes don't have any analogue outputs, though I think Sky Q Mono boxes may have.

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Sky Q mini boxes have an analogue video/audio jacks on them as far as I recall so it's possible to record to DVD in real time only.

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SKY Q mini boxes do use copy protection similar to (if not actually) macrovison - although I can't remember / probably didn't explore what it is active on 

[FastEddie1]

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@Toymaker215 wrote:

Hello, I am Enquiring as to the following, 1 i do not want to turn from sky+Hd to Sky Q, i know Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, so is the only way if i need a new Sky+Hd box is to buy off Ebay uk, 2 would my current sky viewing card work on any new box bought, 3 if i ever needed a new viewing card, how would i get one as Sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, 4 also do i have to buy one that has the same Model number or version number,  in system details, it has Model number, and Version Number,  would i buy one that has a similar version number, a wired mac address and wireless Mac address. Is the Version Number the thing to look for on Ebay i have seen Sky+Hd that look similar but unsure, how do i know to get the same type, what do i look for on mine or even on the back of the machine if not in system details,  If not the same version would the Viewing card work. 5 Is it true SkyQ has signal blocking for recording to dvd, Please advise on all 5 hope not a bother, thanks.

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You cant use a newly bought box because your  old viewing card cant be paired with it any more.

There are ads online for repairs to your Sky+HD box which state they can replace the hard drive and your existing viewing card will still work.

[Toymaker215]

Hello, 1  is it true a sky+Hd box can be repaired and can use the same card, 2 to get Updates is it true if i switch off at the mains, switch on again- then hold down on back up for 30 seconds or until on all 4  lights go on updates happen, i have not done any updates, would i harm it if i do, 3 as sky does not support Sky+Hd anymore, if or when i move, when wanting sky installed in new address can i still have sky+Hd, installed by Sky and a dish etc, or would they try for sky Q as i do not want to do so, 4 on skyQ, or skyQ Mini what is the difference, is it true on SkyQmini you can Record on to a DVD Recorder. 5 Is it trure you can record onto a dvd recorder if you have a subscription as i thought there was signal blocking,  6 as i like recording to a dvd recorder what are my options, if i do not want skyq and signal blocking, please help on all 6 if you can, thanks.🙂

[Mark39]

@Toymaker215 

1. Yes, I believe so.

2. Yes, but there has been no update for more than a year. If you already have the latest software, your Sky box won't update.

3. I doubt Sky will install Sky+. But you could get a local installer to set up a dish/cables for you to connect to.

4. Sky Q is the main box. a Sky Q Mini box connects to the main box for access to recordings etc A Mini box can only work with a Sky Q Main box, not on its own. A Sky Q Mini box has a recordable analogue output, but you need a particular connector to plug into the box,

5 As with Sky+, some content is protected and can't be saved to a DVDR. 

6. Not sure what you're asking.

[tvcgm]

When my Sky box failed in 2016 I bought a reconditioned DRX890 500Gb. It wasn't very expensive. It was in perfect condition and we have used it ever since.

I asked Sky and they said it would be OK. Just put your viewing card in an it takes "a couple of hours" to pair. At that time my Sky box was connected to the phone line and by ethernet for catch up.

We didn't have a Sports or Movies package just 2 things from the variety pack or whatever it was called then. Unless things have changed since then I see no problem in getting a reconditioned Sky+HD box from a trusted reseller.

[Mark39]

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@tvcgm wrote:

I asked Sky and they said it would be OK. Just put your viewing card in an it takes "a couple of hours" to pair. .

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Yes, things have changed. You can no longer pair a Viewing Card with any box other than the one in use at the end of October last year.

[TimmyBGood]

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@tvcgm wrote:

 Unless things have changed since then I see no problem in getting a reconditioned Sky+HD box from a trusted reseller.

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As @Mark39 indicates, things have very much changed.

Unfortunately trusted resellers may not be aware of this.

Using 'pairing' as a search term in this forum will return multiple relevant results.

[tvcgm]

My mother in law had her Sky+HD box replaced under D&G warranty in 2022. What would they do now? D&G are still selling warranties to gullible people so would they force the person to upgrade to Sky Q if a replacement Sky+HD box cannot pair the old viewing card to it? Sounds very restrictive to me.