Sky advantages
 

I currently have NTL digi TV with Sky Sports & 600k BB. Its costing me £67 a month. I do not use ther phone as every time it has been installed or fixed it goes dead after a week, so I've had it disconnected now, but obviously still pay for the line in my TV pack. To have the same line up of channels on Sky looks to be about £7 cheaper a month can anyone tell me if changing to a dish has other advantages / disadvantages besides the monthly saving?

A few things I've heard but am not sure if there true are...

The cable picture is better

Sky charge to come and fix / replace the STB

I have to have the Sky STB connected to my phone line

Thanks for any advice re. cable & sky

Re: Sky advantages
 

ive had sky for 6-7 years and never had a problem, so not had to contact them regarding the box. But I do know that if an engineer has to be called out it will involve a fee when out of warrenty. Also after the first 12 mths, you dont have to have connection to the phone line. Mines not been connected for years. But it you were wanting to have pay per view movies then you would have to connect to the phone socket.

cant comment on picture quality as i have never had cable.

Re: Sky advantages
 

If you aren't able to get / use the ntl freebie bundled phone line, so, no doubt are using BT, then the sky packages do look more financially worthwhile.

Picture quality on ntl cable I've always found to be good, apart from the periodic freeze frames. I'd expect Sky can get those too. My Mum uses Sky satelite, and I've never noticed the pricture being especially bad.

I suspect it'll come down to choice and cost. Personnaly I think Sky have the edge on choice of channels, better interactive (provided you can bear the phone costs), and with ideas like sky+. can beat the pants of ntl. Ntl though if you want a complete phone /TV / broadband package might financially still edge it.

I doubt theres a lot in it.

Re: Sky advantages
 

you could always say to ntl

"im thinking of going to sky"

and they will entice you with half price broadband and a free family pack.

Re: Sky advantages
 

Probably won't. When I finished with NTL I told them this and they weren't particularly bothered.

Re: Sky advantages
 

Wasn't in my case.

Not in the 1st year they don't.


No you don't-mine isn't, & I don't know anyone that is.

Thanks for any advice re. cable & sky[/QUOTE]

No worries. :)

Re: Sky advantages
 

My parents have had sky for YEARS, starting from the first system that had the 2 boxes, 1 for the channels and 1 just to decode the signle from the dish. Never got a problem with it, now we have Sky+, record shows to watch them again etc. Picture quality is superb, it's like watching a DVD. You can also get Dolby Digital 5.1 on most programs and movies if you get Sky+ :D

Re: Sky advantages
 

It was mentioned AFTER the warranty ran out

How does your interactive work then?

Re: Sky advantages
 

I'm not really sure what you are referring to there, sorry Gary. :confused:

By pressing the red button-the only things I can't do are things that cost money (like vote on Sky News for example)

The rest of the interactive works perfectly without being connected to a phone line as it uses the satellite feeds to send/receive the data.

Re: Sky advantages
 

I thought I read somewhere that Sky checks its connected by sending a signal down the line for the card to verify ? Is this a myth ?

Re: Sky advantages
 

It would appear to be, as I don't know anyone that has their phone line connected to their Sky box. :shrug:

Re: Sky advantages
 

I think I only had my phone line connected to the box for about a month.

Re: Sky advantages
 

Mine was for as long as the Sky installer was in the house! :D

Re: Sky advantages
 

I only unplugged mine 'cos it was dialling out at odd hours.:(

Still - They've never asked me or anything like that :)

Re: Sky advantages
 

It's part of the contract you sign to get reduced/free install that you have to have the box connected to a working line for the first 12 months.

Over on digitalspy there have been some forum posts about Sky sending letters demanding payment for installation if the line is not connected up.