Sky+ HD
The basics
The Sky HD Box offers a unique television experience, providing clearer and sharper pictures that make the vicarious experience of each entertainment programme unforgettable. With its Thomson DSI8215 high definition (SkyHD) box, and Dolby digital 5.1 sound quality - this box will radically change your entertainment experience. The Sky HD Box is a product of Sky Digital, UK's very first, and currently leading, provider in digital television entertainment.
The good
The original HD vendor has many admirers – 'tough' guy Ross Kemp records Eastenders on his, rugby-star distracter Kelly Brook swears by it, Parky keeps his false teeth on his - but is it any good? Hell yeah! You get hundreds of standard-definition channels and more HD ones are appearing as we type (currently there are 19). The picture quality also reaches breath-taking heights of clarity, especially for sports. Its 160GB hard drive is also a major improvement over the original's 40GB, and did we mention it has twin tuners, and the legendary easy-to-use Sky user-interface? Well it does.
The bad
It's not cheap. The price has dropped from £300 to £150, but that's still pricey. Especially when you add the monthly subscriptions. Sky's on-demand service, Sky Anytime, could also be better. At the minute Sky picks the 'crop' of the week's programmes to download.
The bottom line
The 'stars' choice and our choice as well, Sky+ HD has a great range of HD channels on offer. Quite simply, when it comes to HD PVRs there are none better than this.
User comments (9)
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JBL193214 November 2009
I have had this item for about 3 years and it must be the most unreliable piece of equipment I have ever had - by a very large margin. I am currently on my TWELFTH unit - all replaced f.o.c. by Sky.
Report as inappropriateMadCol0302 February 2010
It seems like an AGE before the movies make it from the big screen to Sky HD. We had a LoveFilm subscription and made the move over to Sky HD; that is looking like it was a big mistake!
Report as inappropriateLeighton Pickering07 May 2010
I have had my tomson sky-hd box for 3 yrs, After the gaurantee ran out it often goes "No signal" Even though my Freesat pvr-connected in its place always has full signal all the time ! This clearly shows that the Panasonic pvr with dvd recorder much more reliable.
Report as inappropriatejimbo31 August 2010
Be aware that you cannot get surround sound through the HDMI cable, you have to connect the optical cable to most surround sound systems to get the quality,apparentlySky HD is using old sound HDMI protocol! a bit of a let down considering the price etc....
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daniel mitchell06 November 2010
yes i know but isnt that annul crackz with HDMI and HD compenent
Report as inappropriatechris11 December 2010
its brilliant fast reliable but expensive with packs its £10.50 just to receive HD ridiculous but it is the best and has the most HD content If freeview HD ever get there act together i would consider change but at there speed its a least 20 yrs away
Report as inappropriateadymyers201120 December 2011
Nice of them to put a totally useless USB port on there. It's handy for charging my USB goodies if nothing else. The HD is mint. I have never had a problem with it and I make the effort to watch everything I can in HD. I am convinced that they are 'downgrading' the standard signal on channels where you have the choice just to make you watch HD. Love the system, hate the price!
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