Sky+ hd

**occasions** · 7th July 2013, 12:40 PM

Sky have emailed me to say they need to change my SKY+ HD box for security and software updates. My current box is fairly new and works without any problems but they are saying I will lose reception and not be able to use my current box. It's difficult to change via my UK address as I don't know what will happen when I try and activate here in Spain.

Has anybody else been contacted and if so what have you done?

**satandpcguy** · 7th July 2013, 01:22 PM

Sky are replacing Sky+HD boxes made by Thomson - and are contacting ALL customers who they have on record as using these boxes - I don't think other boxes are being replaced.

Although you say it is not old, I don't think Thomson have made Sky HD boxes for about 2 years now, and Sky make their own boxes.

The Thomson Sky HD boxes have a poor performance record, and is one reason why Sky are no longer supporting these boxes with new software updates.
Without these updates some aspects of the SkyHD service may be unavailable, and may be affected by the recent security changes they have made, which will effectively stop cards from working in these boxes for Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky HD channels.

I do not think they will "switch off" these boxes, i would expect them to still be able to receive the "free channels", but they may stop Sky cards working on these boxes, forcing people to upgrade to the newer boxes if thy want to continue watching Sky TV pay channels.

As I understand it, you simply get the new box from Sky, put your card into the box, and it should work - if not then you have to contact Sky (making sure you do not tell them you are in Spain or use communications methods that can say you are in Spain) and get your card paired to the new box.

**occasions** · 7th July 2013, 04:44 PM

Thank you but my box is manufactured by Amstrad (on lid). Hope this means it won't be affected. I see it's not on your list so I don't know what the quality is but as yet we've had no problems with HD or normal.

**satandpcguy** · 7th July 2013, 10:03 PM

It is certainly strange they want to replace an Amstrad / Sky HD box with another Amstrad / Sky HD box - and I know of no-one else that has had an email asking for a Amstrad box to be replaced.

The Amstrad / Sky HD models currently available are: Amstrad DRX595, Amstrad DRX890, Amstrad DRX895 (1TB) & Amstrad DRX895 (2TB) and Amstrad DRX780 - all of which are being supported and have recently had the lastest software updates.

As far as I know, they are only replacing Thomson Sky HD boxes as part of their "better box" service - http://www.sky.com/shop/offers/better-box

**occasions** · 9th July 2013, 11:24 AM

I wasn't clear. They probably don't know I have an Amstrad box as it didn't come directly from them. So from what you have said it should be alright but if I have a problem in the future I presume I can replace it with one from you and it will work here in Spain? The only loss would probably be the regional programmes I guess?

Thanks.

**satandpcguy** · 9th July 2013, 04:52 PM

In which case they are acting on information they have on their database - which according to them you still have a Thomson box, and it needs to be replaced...
But you have gone and got yourself a new box anyway....
But you need to contact them to get your sky subscription card paired form the old box to the new box, especially if you have Sky Sports, Sky Movies, or want to record on the Sky+Hd box.
And that is how they will know you now have a new box.

If you don't have a sky subscription, then there is no point in getting a Sky+HD box, as the recording functions only work with a Sky subscription.

No idea what you mean by "The only loss would probably be the regional programmes I guess?" - all BBC regions are on the Sky guide already - from channel 950 upwards.