Sky+

Sky Customers, read on!

Sky+ is the latest service from Sky, soon to be launched!

For those of you who have Sky, look on page 11 of the August issue of the Sky Customer Magazine . There, you'll find FAQ's about it.

You'll get a jazzy-looking new set-top box, along with jazzy-looking Sky+ remote control (which I think looks much more cooler than the original Sky Digital remote control!).

If you have heard anything about Sky+, put your views here!

Hey, I bet Sky News wishes he'd brought us this exclusive BREAKING NEWS first!

'Another monumental step by this groundbreaking organsiation' etc etc.



PS: I'm sure its fabulous. Naturally.

I've kinda done a bit of free advertising for Sky, havn't I? :

yeh u have! but if u think about it us members of the TV home forum must have done loads of advertising talking about tv etc etc

Here's the Press release from BSkyB:


Revolutionary New Product On The Shelves From September £300 Price Tag For The UK's First Fully Integrated Personal Television Receiver/Recorder And Service

British Sky Broadcasting today unveiled Sky+, its new fully-integrated Personal Television Recorder and Service [iPTR], and announced that the product would go on sale to the general public from early September.

A truly revolutionary product, Sky+ combines all the benefits of Sky digital with advanced PTR functions and delivers a whole new level of control to television viewing, including the ability to record one digital satellite programme while watching another, pause live TV and record episodes of favourite series - all without the need for videotapes.

The Sky+ set top box will cost £300 and the Sky+ subscription will cost £10 per month. Sky's existing digital subscribers will pay £50 for standard installation of the equipment, and non-Sky customers will pay £100. Sky will also be offering the hardware via a monthly payment plan option.

Early indications show strong demand for the product. Sky has been taking pre-registrations via a direct phone number (08705 800 800) since the end of June. So far more than 60,000 calls have been received.

From early September customers will be able to purchase Sky+ directly from Sky via the same phone number; select electrical retail partners are expected to start selling the product later the same month.

Sky+ pushes the boundaries of personal TV with its power and simplicity. The power derives from the combination of advanced PTR functionality - including the much requested capability to record one satellite programme while watching another - with those benefits already available to all Sky digital customers - including the widest channel choice, interactive and enhanced TV services such as email, banking, games, local information and home shopping.

Sky+ uses a hard disk to record from the original broadcast stream, meaning all recordings will be the same digital quality as live viewing, and will offer an average of 20 hours worth of recording space.

The simplicity comes from the incredible ease of use of these features, primarily through full integration of the PTR functionality within Sky Guide, the on-screen electronic programme guide ( EPG).

With Sky+ viewers need never miss their favourite programmes again. Key features include:

• Record one digital satellite programme while watching another (you can also record a digital satellite programme while watching a previous recording)
  
• Single button recording
  
• Automatically record episodes of your favourite series
  
• Records without video tapes (on average 20hrs worth of recordings)
  
• Records the original digital broadcast signal (recording will be the same quality as live viewing)
  
• Records and plays back subtitles
  
• Pause live TV (records the remainder of the programme, no matter how long)
  
• Full VCR-type control on all recordings
  
• Set Bookmarks in recordings for quick navigation
  
• Uses an extended version of the acclaimed Sky Guide, making navigation easy
  
• Accommodates time changes in programme schedules
  
• Parental Control on Recordings
  
• Dolby Digital Compatible
  
• Full access to all existing Enhanced and Interactive Sky digital features
  

Richard Freudenstein, Sky's Chief Operating Officer, commented:

'Sky+ will transform television. It offers the ultimate in choice and control, giving viewers more power than ever before to choose what they want to watch, when and how they want to watch it.

'Sky+ also puts Sky at the very heart of the 21st century home. This is, after all, a company which has innovation at its core. We were first to launch digital television in the UK; the first to introduce interactive TV services; the first to let viewers shape how they watch programmes with enhanced channels such as Sky Sports Extra and services such as Sky News Active. Yet again we're leading the way and clearly positioning Sky digital as the leading multichannel platform in the UK.”

Mr Freudenstein also confirmed that Sky+ would complement Sky's existing offer of the free digibox and minidish. Sky is investigating options for existing digital satellite viewers to purchase Sky+ but also retain their existing free receiving equipment.

(Edited by liam at 5:33 pm on July 31, 2001)

It is a lot like the Tivo technology. (see below. copied from tivo FAQ website)
http://www.uk.tivo.com/images/uni_tivo_logo.gif?

What is TiVo?
What is the TiVo Service?
What is a personal television recorder?
What do I get with my TiVo Service?
What can TiVo do that my VCR cannot?
Is TiVo compatible with all television platforms?
How much does the TiVo Service cost?
Where can I buy it?
How do I get TiVo installed?
How do I get TiVo installed professionally?
How much will the installation cost?
Where will the TiVo Service be available?
Does the TiVo Service include a programme guide?
How many days of programme listings does the TiVo Service provide?
How many hours of recording time does TiVo have?
What happens when the hard drive is full?
Can I watch one programme while recording another?
Do I have to subscribe to the TiVo Service to buy the TiVo recorder?
Do I need to buy the subscription separately?
What methods of payment are available?
Is there a warranty on the Tivo recorder?
Is there a warranty for the TiVo Service?
What is BSkyB's involvement with TiVo?
Do you have to subscribe to Sky digital to receive TiVo?


What is TiVo?
TiVo is the creator of and leader in personal television services. We've built our company on a simple, unyielding premise: To create and continually enhance a new, easy – and much better – way to watch television.

At TiVo, we believe in choice – and giving viewers the power to watch what they want, when they want, using proven technology that works. We also recognise that everyone has unique interests and individual needs when it comes to entertainment, and we've worked with the best in the industry to develop products and services that satisfy every personal preference.


TiVo has pioneered an exciting new category that will forever change the way we watch TV.

What is the TiVo Service?
TiVo is the most advanced and easy-to-use Personal TV™ Service available. It is a unique combination of media and technology that brings you, the television viewer, unprecedented choice, control, and convenience.

Together with a personal video recorder, the TiVo Service allows you to:

Pause, rewind, slow-motion, and even instant replay live TV, on command
Record programmes digitally with one touch of a button, without setting a timer
Watch any programme you want, when you want
Quickly and easily search scheduled programmes up to two weeks in advance
Set up a TiVo Season Pass™ to record your favourite programmes every week, automatically – even if it changes timeslots
Configure programme listings to display only the channels and networks you prefer
Transfer recorded programmes to a VCR
Teach TiVo your programming preferences, so that it records shows you like, automatically
Create your own personal television network … And much, much more!


What is a personal television recorder?
It is a set-top box, about the size of a VCR, which uses a hard disk drive instead of videotape to record programmes.

What do I get with my TiVo Service?
The TiVo Service enables the recorder to bet a range of exclusive capabilities you won't find on any other Personal TV™ service. All of which profoundly improve your TV enjoyment.


TiVo Season Pass™ Automatically records every episode of your favourite shows. Even if the show changes timeslots.
Now Playing™ An on-screen listing of shows you recorded. Each show is instantly available with the touch of a button on the TiVo remote.
TiVo's Suggestions Teach TiVo the programmes you enjoy by pressing the unique Thumbs Up™ and Thumbs Down ™ buttons on the TiVo remote. TiVo will suggest shows that match your interests.
Channel Highlights™ Daily updates of the best shows the TV networks have to offer.
Inside TiVo™ A daily on-screen guide produced by TiVo's editorial team to keep you current on noteworthy specials, movies and television events.
TrickPlay™ Pause live TV (for up to 30 minutes); rewind or fast forward (at 3,18, or 60x normal speed). Try the TiVo slo-mo (frame by frame); and even instant replay.

What can TiVo do that my VCR cannot?


Pause Live TV
Provide instant replays
Record without videotapes
Automatically record every episode of a series
Learn your viewing preferences and suggest or even record programmes you may like
Is TiVo compatible with all television platforms?
At launch, TiVo will work with analogue and digital terrestrial services, analogue cable and digital satellite. It is not compatible with analogue satellite and is planned to be compatible with digital cable in 2001.


How much does the TiVo Service cost?
TiVo gives you a choice of service payment options: no monthly fees or pay as you go. You decide. The TiVo subscription can be paid as a one-off Lifetime Subscription for £199 or for a Monthly Subscription of £10. Lifetime Subscription applies to the lifetime of the TiVo recorder.

The TiVo recorder costs £399 direct from Sky. Please check other distributors for current prices.

Where can I buy it?
The TiVo recorder will initially be available from all Dixons, Currys, and selected independent retailers or direct from Sky on 08702 41 84 86.


How do I install TiVo myself?
Buy your TiVo recorder then follow the easy step-by-step instructions in the Start Up & Viewer Guides.

How do I get TiVo installed professionally?
Buy your TiVo recorder and arrange for an installer to install it for you. If you're buying your recorder direct from Sky, Sky can arrange this for you. If you're buying it from a retailer, call TiVo on 08702 41 84 86 to arrange it.

How much will the installation cost?
£50.


Where will the TiVo Service be available?
The TiVo Service will be available to all UK residents. Service is not available in the Republic of Ireland at present.


Does the TiVo Service include a programme guide?
Yes. TiVo has an on-screen programme guide which enables you to search for programmes by name, channel, genre or time.

How many days of programme listings does the TiVo Service provide?
The TiVo Service provides up to 13 days of advance programme listings which are updated daily.


How many hours of recording time does TiVo have?
TiVo can record up to 40 hours of programming.

What happens when the hard drive is full?
TiVo will warn you and give you the option to delete programmes and make space for further recordings.



Can I watch one programme while recording another?
You can watch a previously recorded programme while recording another and you can begin watching a programme while it is still recording.

You cannot, however, watch one programme through your TiVo recorder and record another simultaneously.


Do I have to subscribe to the TiVo Service to buy the TiVo recorder?
There is no legal requirement to subscribe to the TiVo Service. However, the TiVo recorder offers limited functionality without the subscription.

Do I need to buy the subscription separately?
Yes. When you buy your TiVo recorder, you will also be given details of the TiVo Service subscription and a number to call to subscribe.

What methods of payment are available?


In store, the TiVo recorder can be purchased by the store's advertised methods of payment.
Direct from Sky, the TiVo recorder can be paid for with a credit or debit card.
Monthly Subscription to the TiVo Service can only be paid for by a credit card or through direct debit.
Lifetime Subscription can be paid by credit card or debit card.
Is there a warranty on the Tivo recorder?
Yes. There is a 12 months manufacturer's warranty. If your TiVo recorder develops a fault during this time, it will be repaired or replaced.

Is there a warranty for the TiVo Service?
If during the first 30 days of subscribing to the TiVo Service you are dissatisfied, TiVo will offer you a refund on your subscription.

What is BSkyB's involvement with TiVo?
Sky is TiVo's agent in the UK Sky will provide customer service, billing and marketing on behalf of TiVo.

Do you have to subscribe to Sky digital to receive TiVo?
No. Sky digital and TiVo are independent services.


© 2001 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved.
Legal Notices | Privacy Promises

Cripes, you should've just put a URL link instead of copying and pasting it.

i forgot

Sky+ sounds really tempting. I have read all about it in the Sky magazine. But I am going to wait to see if the new digi-boxes are lowered in price like the Sky Digital ones. You see I was one of those 'gullable' people who forked out £200 for a Sky Digibox in December 1998. Then a month later they were free.

The digiboxes only became free because of competition from ONdigital. People who did buy their boxes for £200 though are winning in the long run because their monthly packages cost less - about £3 or £4 per month less.

in the very very long run.... 50 or so months?

Well it depends how long you intend to keep Sky Digital, but if you're going to continue your subscription for say 10 years it'd cost £1920 for the basic family package if you did not buy your box and £1400 if you did buy your box. I wouldn't mind an extra £500 for a £200 early fork-out