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Sky Digibox design overhaul

Set for 2006 release (December 2005)

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RT
rts Founding member
http://images.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/sky-box-2006.jpg

Digitial Spy

Sky is planning a major design overhaul of its basic entry-level digibox, sources have revealed to Digital Spy.

The new design for 2006 sports a silver wrap-around cover. Control buttons have been moved to the top of the box, with the four status LEDs remaining on the front. The main new design feature is a blue Sky logo in the middle of the front panel; when the box is on, this will illuminate in a soft blue colour. When a button is pressed on the remote, the logo will brighten for a couple of seconds before returning to the lower illumination level.

The new boxes, despite the radically updated design, will not have any functionality changes compared to Sky's existing digiboxes.

Amstrad, Pace and Thomson will manufacture the new boxes. Sources indicate that the first boxes to be introduced into Sky's distribution chain will be from Amstrad, with boxes from the other two manufacturers to follow later in 2006. The first boxes should start hitting Sky's mainstream distribution chain beginning in early 2006.

Sources have also emphasised to DS that customers will not be able to pick the new design box; it will simply be the luck of the draw.



Personally I don't think I'm a fan. I quite like the more square design as it fits snuggly with all the other pieces of equipment, DVD player.
NH
Nick Harvey Founding member
Mmmmmmmm!

A bit inconvenient for the likes of me, who like to stack their boxes up, one on top of another, and still get to use the buttons occasionally.

Three out of ten; more thought required.
BL
Blob
well it looks very futuristic, but with the buttons on the top and the curvy shape its a bit hopeless if you stack your equipment or put it under your tv.
AJ
AJ
judging by the size and design of it - I think this is intended more as a set top box rather than a box that you can park your DVD recorder on top of.

I quite like it, but I'd rather the buttons on the front.
SP
Spencer
Blob posted:
well it looks very futuristic, but with the buttons on the top and the curvy shape its a bit hopeless if you stack your equipment or put it under your tv.


Perhaps they're trying to encouage people not to stack equipment on top of their digiboxes, after all it can cause them to overheat.

I think it looks rather funky - although I'd still not touch anything made by Amstrad with a pooey stick.
NH
Nick Harvey Founding member
Spencer For Hire posted:
Perhaps they're trying to encouage people not to stack equipment on top of their digiboxes, after all it can cause them to overheat.

I think that's always been the case.

I always use old cotton reels as spacers in my stack, so the air can waft in between the boxes.
JO
Joe
The picture makes it look a little like a book. Not so keen, wouldn't go with rest of the equipment.
SP
Spencer
Apparently Sky have already started installing the new boxes. Someone on DS has posted photos of one in his home. It doesn't look quite so swish without the professional lighting on the official promotional photo. There's also a new design of remote too - white with blue buttons.
RT
rts Founding member
Indeedy, here are two pictures from salman79uk from the Digital Spy forums.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/salman79uk/DSCF0511.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/salman79uk/DSCF0512.jpg
AD
Adam
Where's the Viewing Card slot gone?
NI
Nini
Where it says "interactive card" on the far right I'd say.
SP
Spencer
Adam posted:
Where's the Viewing Card slot gone?


Apparently it's behind a flap - looks like it's just below the Interactive Card.

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