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80% => Computer & Technology => Topic started by: THE FLASH on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 20:11:54



Title: SKY
Post by: THE FLASH on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 20:11:54
Getting pissed off with SKY. Too much money and I have Netflix and Amazon blah blah.

What do you good people recommend?

I have a sky dish only at the minute. Can that be used to get a signal etc?

Advice and abuse welcome!


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 20:22:56
Yeah just get a recordable freesat box for the best of free satellite tv.
If you want free tv that is. Will work fine off your current dish. Just wire it up with your current feeds and away you go.

Could keep your current sky box for basic freesat too if you don't want to spend anything. If you currently record programmes you'll lose that though with that choice.

Nothing beats sky in my opinion mind.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Jamiesfuturewife on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:02:35
Interested to read this as I too am getting annoyed with the costs! Am gonna call them and try and blag some new offered first but I never seem to get offered the things other people do? I'm sure I read on here so,done got it free for a year?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:19:53
Get yourself an amazon fire stick for £35 and install Kodi on it


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:27:12
Interested to read this as I too am getting annoyed with the costs! Am gonna call them and try and blag some new offered first but I never seem to get offered the things other people do? I'm sure I read on here so,done got it free for a year?

Not heard of free before, maybe.

I've had 50% off last year and again this year. Can't guarantee it'll work but its worth a try.

- Make sure "mysky" has the marketing preferences on (https://secure.sky.com/mydetails "opted in to sky marketing")
- Ring up, don't fanny around, go straight to "I wish to leave sky"
- Explain that you love the service but can no longer afford it, you can mention you may go freesat/virgin.
 
At this point they may suggest downgrading or even offer 20-30% off

-stick to your guns and say its not cheap enough for you. Go ahead and cancel. You have to give 1 months notice so nothing will happen today
- After hanging up call, leave it 10 minutes and log into mysky. You may well have a "stay with sky, 50% off for 12 months" offer right on there. You can use livechat to take up the offer, takes about 15 minutes

If no mysky offer:
- Wait a week or two, you may get a call instead

If no call a few days before sky goes off you can either
- ring up and say you'll change your mind (if they can still give you discount if you were offered one in original call)

OR

- Actually let sky go off and wait a month or so for a postal offer. Note: No Sky+ recording/playback functionality while its off...

Its unlikely, but you may not get an offer even in the post...That's the gamble. Though I'd ring up and see if they could do anything on price even then..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:28:21
Get yourself an amazon fire stick for £35 and install Kodi on it

Do you bother with a VPN if using Kodi (assuming its for less than kosher streaming) ? If so how/which one?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Iffy's Onion Bhaji on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:34:54
Virgin is just the same. I only have the basic freeview channels with them but they are still putting the price up from Feb. Probably just going to keep internet with them and get an android box with Kodi on it.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 21:44:18
Do you bother with a VPN if using Kodi (assuming its for less than kosher streaming) ? If so how/which one?

To be honest I don't bother with one , I used to use AirVPN . i don't watch Sky sports streams even though they are available but  I do tend to watch 3pm KO and the latest movies etc.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 22:12:18
To be honest I don't bother with one , I used to use AirVPN . i don't watch Sky sports streams even though they are available but  I do tend to watch 3pm KO and the latest movies etc.

ta. Will probably end up putting it on my firestick at some point if only because I can!

On the firestick - impressed. Even worked at travelodge the other day, detected it needed a sign in and away we go..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: RedRag on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 22:36:29
If you are a non-techie, like me, try googling: Humax Freesat HDR-1100S for a one box solution

It's like a sky+ box without sky channels (except sky news) but instead the freesat channels

It has iplayer for 5 channels or so plus youtube (which enabled me to watch a tv program no longer on iplayer the other night), Netflix and Curzon films, easy and capacious recording facilities as well as all the pause live tv stuff

I do miss sky sports and tend to rely on Now TV or streaming on my computer for one off events


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: JoeMezz on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 23:36:57
Companies like this putting their prices up and then paying ridiculous costs for Champions League/Premier League rights. Again the paying customer is ripped off and the rich get richer


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Sunday, January 3, 2016, 23:37:02
Look up Sat Tv page on Facebook. You can buy a ZGemma S2 satellite box for £140, which will give you every single channel for free. You will need a broad band connection still to download updates for it. They also do a Virgin Cable box for £145.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: THE FLASH on Monday, January 4, 2016, 00:16:46
Excellent...


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: THE FLASH on Monday, January 4, 2016, 00:17:34
Look up Sat Tv page on Facebook. You can buy a ZGemma S2 satellite box for £140, which will give you every single channel for free. You will need a broad band connection still to download updates for it. They also do a Virgin Cable box for £145.

Do I use satellite for signal?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Monday, January 4, 2016, 07:44:08
Yes, connect the box to your exsisting Sky dish


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Nomoreheroes on Monday, January 4, 2016, 08:28:14
Could you just put kodi onto a raspberry pi or does it need to be a Firestick? I have a pi kicking around so if it is possible I can someone give me a link.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Monday, January 4, 2016, 08:44:17
Could you just put kodi onto a raspberry pi or does it need to be a Firestick? I have a pi kicking around so if it is possible I can someone give me a link.

http://kodi.tv/download/


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Nomoreheroes on Monday, January 4, 2016, 08:59:07
Thanks. Is there anything else required?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Monday, January 4, 2016, 09:15:53
Thanks. Is there anything else required?

You will need to install a video add in once Kodi is up and running, I recommend TvTurks to get you started just google TvTurks setup on Kodi


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: dave_bambers_right_sock on Monday, January 4, 2016, 12:28:47
There's always this to fall back on  http://www.thedaretube.com/tv/ (http://www.thedaretube.com/tv/)
I use it with firefox using ad block plus just  to stop annoying pop ups works fine and loads of tv series and movies on there  :)


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DRS on Monday, January 4, 2016, 12:33:55
Right

I got Sky Multiroom. Paying too much obviously but where I am thick as fuck when it comes to technology I just get put off with these new boxes and stuff and frankly don't have a clue where to start as the multiroom is bloody handy.

Any suggestions and a step by step guide on what I need would be great


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Monday, January 4, 2016, 13:45:33
Ditch the multiroom and use the feeds for freesat if you can do without sky channels and want to save money.
I'd take Batch's advice and try to get your bill down first if you like the service though.

Kodi and the dodgy satellite boxes some have mentioned are often difficult to set up and frequently have issues with them. Great when they work mind.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 08:03:49
Thanks. Is there anything else required?

I've got a Pi2 with Kodi on. If you get an SD card with the Pi in a media pack it will have NOOBS preloaded which you can install kodi from. Then just google best 10 kodi addons and take your pick from whatever you fancy. It's a piece of piss to use.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00U6V0D5A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
The only other accessory I have for it is a mini wireless keyboard/mouse I use for a remote control.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Nomoreheroes on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 10:29:52
Thanks guys. Have an old Pi that is now working as a media server.  :wink:


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 12:34:05
Thanks guys. Have an old Pi that is now working as a media server.  :wink:

If you find it sluggish set the menu resolution to 720p, the video will still play at full 1020 but the menus will be slicker


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 13:10:40
If you have a tablet or smartphone then you can download the official Kodi remote and use that if you don't want extra peripherals cluttering your house.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 20:08:43
Ok....I got one of those Amazon sticks with Kodi installed.

Had a fumble but cannot get it to work.

Any tips on what adding I should use etc???

I want to watch movies and live football....that's about it.

Hopefully some of you clued up youngins can help?



Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 20:49:40
Ok....I got one of those Amazon sticks with Kodi installed.

Had a fumble but cannot get it to work.

Any tips on what adding I should use etc???

I want to watch movies and live football....that's about it.

Hopefully some of you clued up youngins can help?



Install this, it pretty much covers everything.

https://seo-michael.co.uk/tutorial-how-to-install-the-wookie-wizard-for-kodi/

Then watch 3pm kick offs etc through opertaion robocop, movies watch in genesis


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Nomoreheroes on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 21:06:56
Should this not be in the Lounge?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 21:23:47
No officer


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 22:21:21
Ok....I got one of those Amazon sticks with Kodi installed.

Had a fumble but cannot get it to work.

Any tips on what adding I should use etc???

I want to watch movies and live football....that's about it.

Hopefully some of you clued up youngins can help?



Google how to install TvTurks for Kodi and also get Phoenix for movies


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 23:34:58
Stream All The Sources is the one I favour for films and tv. Genesis won't be around for much longer.

I got a Real-Debrid account the other day and I'm yet to not find anything in non-HD and I've had zero buffering either.

As for sports.....good luck.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: flammableBen on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 01:18:04
Kodi is just the continuation of the old XBMC media player everybody had on old hacked original XBoxes. And everything else which could run anything.

Does killing sky kill your sky+ box? I'm well past the end of my original year. And in a situation similar to everybody above (fuck it). Can I still use it to pick up satalite freeview, or do they go kaput?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 07:20:48
They still work, uou just cant record anythjng

Si, what is this real debrid younspeak of?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 07:24:36

Does killing sky kill your sky+ box?

The box still works, but your Sky+ subscription ends, so you can no longer record and no longer watch recordings *

* Not sure if you can still watch free to view/free to air channel recordings - I don't think so, but definitely not any that you no longer have a subscription to. You can pay Sky £10 a month to keep the recording facility - but that defeats the point of leaving.

Quote
Can I still use it to pick up satalite freeview,

You can still pick up FTA and FTV - the viewing card is still needed for FTV. If Sky change viewing cards and invalidate the old ones you may need a new view card from freesat from sky (£25 just the card, not the £175 box)

http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/
-----------------
If it were me I'd invest the saved subs into a freesat box with recording capability, though be aware this only gives the FTA and not the FTV channels (not sure there are many/any FTV chans I'd miss though - Motors TV, Sony TV & Sony Movies).

Its a bit more complex than it should be really.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DRS on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 12:01:26
Are these Amazon sticks any good for watching normal TV ? if kids want the cartoons or missus wants Eastenders is it worth getting?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 13:20:05
Via Kodi, or legitimately?

Short answer : Amazon provided content : good quality (need prime account). Kodi : Variable but you can probably watch anything you want if you know how (illegally) iplayer: Not used but would expect it to be good.

Long answer:
I find Kodi variable in pic quality, if I used it, which obviously I don't because that would be wrong. However I'm a novice so results may vary.

If you mean using amazon -  then first of all its fairly limited without prime membership. Then I'm not sure how much kids stuff there is on there.

Obviously iplayer is on there - don't know if you need  anything more than an amazon account to get that (assume not).

Quality Is very good on normal amazon provided content. I've only watched through my aging laptop up to getting a stick and that sometimes stuttered/dropped frames. The stick is very difficult to distinguish from broadcast TV quality. I've got 40mbps fiber mind. Not sure how good ADSL is, you'd think anything over 5 mbps would be OK.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DRS on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 13:31:26
Cheers Batch. Its all hurting my head to be honest I just basically want to be able to watch what I can on Sky with the additional films and sports but obviously not having to pay the stupid monthly amount


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Bewster on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 13:35:13
Can you record using Freesat from Sky ?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: timmyg on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 14:16:41
I cancelled my Sky TV subscription last week with the intention of going to Virgin Media (they have special deals running for if you switch to them from Sky), but then I logged into the MySky account and saw a 50% off offer, went on the Live Chat and they gave me the full everything in HD for £40 / month.  The offer applied to any TV bundle, though, not just the full movies and sports etc.

Worth trying, I didn't even pick up the phone, just used live chat to see what VM would offer me if I was to switch, then see if Sky could better it (they couldn't so I cancelled), then again to re-sign up with Sky on the better deal.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 15:23:43
Quote from: Bewster
Can you record using Freesat from Sky ?
nope, you need to pay sky £10 month, or have a subscription


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 15:24:37
timmyg - post #5 man, post #5


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 15:50:02
They still work, uou just cant record anythjng

Si, what is this real debrid younspeak of?

http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=56314.0


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Jamiesfuturewife on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 21:02:54
I called Sky and got a big chunk off my bill for threatening to leave.
Found out I'd been a customer of there's for over 10 years, ridiculous really!


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, January 21, 2016, 13:47:28
I called Sky and got a big chunk off my bill for threatening to leave.
Found out I'd been a customer of there's for over 10 years, ridiculous really!

My job tonight see how much of the £70 I pay Sky I can save  - did they ask how much VM would charge you or give the discount without comment


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Thursday, January 21, 2016, 14:12:01
just follow the guide in post 5...


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Thursday, January 21, 2016, 14:12:24
Not heard of free before, maybe.

I've had 50% off last year and again this year. Can't guarantee it'll work but its worth a try.

- Make sure "mysky" has the marketing preferences on (https://secure.sky.com/mydetails "opted in to sky marketing")
- Ring up, don't fanny around, go straight to "I wish to leave sky"
- Explain that you love the service but can no longer afford it, you can mention you may go freesat/virgin.
 
At this point they may suggest downgrading or even offer 20-30% off

-stick to your guns and say its not cheap enough for you. Go ahead and cancel. You have to give 1 months notice so nothing will happen today
- After hanging up call, leave it 10 minutes and log into mysky. You may well have a "stay with sky, 50% off for 12 months" offer right on there. You can use livechat to take up the offer, takes about 15 minutes

If no mysky offer:
- Wait a week or two, you may get a call instead

If no call a few days before sky goes off you can either
- ring up and say you'll change your mind (if they can still give you discount if you were offered one in original call)

OR

- Actually let sky go off and wait a month or so for a postal offer. Note: No Sky+ recording/playback functionality while its off...

Its unlikely, but you may not get an offer even in the post...That's the gamble. Though I'd ring up and see if they could do anything on price even then..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 14:17:20
Do some internet research. If you already have Sky and are out of contract then you can buy a Gemma box that will give you all the channels for £165. A similar box for Virgin customers is £175. You will require a broadband connection for it to update.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 14:30:24
guess it depends if you want a legal service or not


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 14:35:41
There is a case of that to answer to I agree. However I never understood why the British public continually moan about the cost of things then just roll over and pay it anyway. Sky are launching a new box called Q and yes it does a few extra things but paying £99 a month for the same channels someone's having a laugh!


Title: SKY
Post by: Batch on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 14:55:10
Agreed sky q is very overpriced for what is admittedly a neat but not a groundbreaking product.

The pricing of sky q is infuriatingly unclear. You can pay £42 a month for just the box+base pack, no movies, no sport. But you have to pay £50 install. And a £99/299 'services fee', and its an 18 month contract. And that does not include the Sky Mini . So you are paying nearly as much as £20 a month more there.. worst case.

I've got no problem with people streaming BTW. They know the risk.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 15:14:05
I sleep at night. I've been a Sky or Virgin customer ever since their services launched and have probably paid thousands into their coffers just so they can continuely increase their prices just to keep the cash machine called The Premier League going. There are so many ways to stream or receive the service that the risk is minute imo.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 15:54:35
agreed. I may have a friend who knows someone who streams stuff too ;)


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Monday, February 15, 2016, 08:58:55
I've just got a zgemma box. It's quality but I'm under no illusion the service could get cut off any time.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DarloSTFC84 on Monday, February 15, 2016, 09:34:19
I've just got a zgemma box. It's quality but I'm under no illusion the service could get cut off any time.

What's that?..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Monday, February 15, 2016, 15:14:36
Look up Sat Tech UK on Facebook


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, February 15, 2016, 16:31:54
http://www.zgemma.co.uk/zgemma-h.2s


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DarloSTFC84 on Monday, February 15, 2016, 17:32:33
I'm not very 'techy' so I don't really know what it does..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Monday, February 15, 2016, 18:02:51
I'm not very 'techy' so I don't really know what it does..

It's a satellite and cable decoder. You can watch freeview channels using it legitimately.

I've heard that some people pay other people to get their decryption info, which can be added to such boxes and therefore watch scrambled channels illegitimately.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: The Grim Reaper on Monday, February 15, 2016, 18:19:26
It's a satellite and cable decoder. You can watch freeview channels using it legitimately.

I've heard that some people pay other people to get their decryption info, which can be added to such boxes and therefore watch scrambled channels illegitimately.


Worked flawlessly for me since 2009 albeit on my second box now.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 08:46:22
Freebie alert, freebie alert - for those with younger kids (honest guv)

Kung Fu panda - the original one - currently costs £0.00 in Sky Store buy and keep

https://www.playpennies.com/uk-freebies/free-kung-fu-panda-dvd-sky-store


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 10:36:58
Finally got the fire stick. Why did I wait so long


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 10:59:20
Youve got the hang of it then


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 14:12:36
Finally got the fire stick. Why did I wait so long
Got your internet back now or still on tethered mobile?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 14:48:06
Yeah all sorted. Pissed me right off that did, had the sky cancelled for a certain date with new provider due out on same day. They rang up that fucking morning and said they had booked in the wrong date.. Bellends

Yeah piece of piss tans isn’t it. Im sure theres a few apps I can download for it to watch on better sites etc but not really got my head round that bit yet


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 15:11:30
You watching the premier league on it yet?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 15:44:22
Yeah and Eastenders


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 18:40:55
You watching the premier league on it yet?
No porn though


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 22:31:35
Did the mobile tethering work ok in the end?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Friday, March 4, 2016, 09:42:32
Yeah worked spot on Si


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 13:53:25
Not heard of free before, maybe.

I've had 50% off last year and again this year. Can't guarantee it'll work but its worth a try.

- Make sure "mysky" has the marketing preferences on (https://secure.sky.com/mydetails "opted in to sky marketing")
- Ring up, don't fanny around, go straight to "I wish to leave sky"
- Explain that you love the service but can no longer afford it, you can mention you may go freesat/virgin.
 
At this point they may suggest downgrading or even offer 20-30% off

-stick to your guns and say its not cheap enough for you. Go ahead and cancel. You have to give 1 months notice so nothing will happen today
- After hanging up call, leave it 10 minutes and log into mysky. You may well have a "stay with sky, 50% off for 12 months" offer right on there. You can use livechat to take up the offer, takes about 15 minutes

If no mysky offer:
- Wait a week or two, you may get a call instead

If no call a few days before sky goes off you can either
- ring up and say you'll change your mind (if they can still give you discount if you were offered one in original call)

OR

- Actually let sky go off and wait a month or so for a postal offer. Note: No Sky+ recording/playback functionality while its off...

Its unlikely, but you may not get an offer even in the post...That's the gamble. Though I'd ring up and see if they could do anything on price even then..

bumpity bump.....
So, I phoned sky and they would only give me 10% off my bill so i've cancelled. Got a date and everything. They didn't put up much of a fight to keep me i must admit.
I hope they contact me like you mention and make me a better offer or i'm gonna have to look at Virgin.
I currently pay for BT sports so ill save on that i suppose if go with them. No idea if they are any good though compared to Sky. Gonna have to do some research.
I now face the wrath of the mrs as she loves sky+ and all that stuff. Boxsets etc


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Don Rogers Sock on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 14:08:34
bumpity bump.....
So, I phoned sky and they would only give me 10% off my bill so i've cancelled. Got a date and everything. They didn't put up much of a fight to keep me i must admit.
I hope they contact me like you mention and make me a better offer or i'm gonna have to look at Virgin.
I currently pay for BT sports so ill save on that i suppose if go with them. No idea if they are any good though compared to Sky. Gonna have to do some research.
I now face the wrath of the mrs as she loves sky+ and all that stuff. Boxsets etc

I recently got that Firestick. Fuck ever going back with Sky or Virgin


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 14:16:22
I love kodi. Its definitely my back up way of watching things though. 


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Barry Scott on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 14:51:21
Sky seem to want to keep me as a customer despite not really watching it and don't pay anyway.

Arriba - About a month after my Sky went dead from cancelling, they phoned me and gave me it free for 8 months, £10 for 2 months and then £20 for the final 2 months on a non-contract basis.

I wasn't using it so a few weeks ago phoned to cancel again - I also knew my 8 months free was coming up.

A week or so later someone phoned and they did the same offer again from the end of the previous free months, so in essence I get 16 months free and then 2 months at £10 and 2 months at £20. I did only have the basic package on an old Sky+ box though. And I guess they can see how little action the box gets their end so probably know I genuinely don't care about Sky and try to butter me up.

Whereas avid watchers on HD boxes have far more interaction with Sky, so I'm sure they can see if you love them or not and can tell if you're just trying to get a discount by pretending to cancel.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: @mwooly63 on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 14:55:24
bumpity bump.....
So, I phoned sky and they would only give me 10% off my bill so i've cancelled. Got a date and everything. They didn't put up much of a fight to keep me i must admit.
I hope they contact me like you mention and make me a better offer or i'm gonna have to look at Virgin.
I currently pay for BT sports so ill save on that i suppose if go with them. No idea if they are any good though compared to Sky. Gonna have to do some research.
I now face the wrath of the mrs as she loves sky+ and all that stuff. Boxsets etc


You can get the boxsets on now TV anyway as its part of sky

I don't miss Sky ( esp the bill ). Netflix and nowtv have everything I need though will invest in a fire TV box ( wireless too sketchy for the stick )


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 15:26:59
You can get the boxsets on now TV anyway as its part of sky

I don't miss Sky ( esp the bill ). Netflix and nowtv have everything I need though will invest in a fire TV box ( wireless too sketchy for the stick )
Sky seem to want to keep me as a customer despite not really watching it and don't pay anyway.

Arriba - About a month after my Sky went dead from cancelling, they phoned me and gave me it free for 8 months, £10 for 2 months and then £20 for the final 2 months on a non-contract basis.

I wasn't using it so a few weeks ago phoned to cancel again - I also knew my 8 months free was coming up.

A week or so later someone phoned and they did the same offer again from the end of the previous free months, so in essence I get 16 months free and then 2 months at £10 and 2 months at £20. I did only have the basic package on an old Sky+ box though. And I guess they can see how little action the box gets their end so probably know I genuinely don't care about Sky and try to butter me up.

Whereas avid watchers on HD boxes have far more interaction with Sky, so I'm sure they can see if you love them or not and can tell if you're just trying to get a discount by pretending to cancel.

Noted gents. Thanks.
I'll do some research.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Bewster on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 16:02:34
You can get the boxsets on now TV anyway as its part of sky


Don't you have to pay for Now TV ?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: bevanoli on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 16:11:44
I've just cancelled my sky and signed up as a new client for £30 a month which gets me absolutely everything for 12 months.

Got a mate whos a sky engineer. let me know if anyone needs a code

Mark


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Berniman on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 16:26:51
Don't you have to pay for Now TV ?

£4.99 for the entertainment package which gets you most of the channels and boxsets.  Movies and sports is extra


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Berniman on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 16:27:28
I've just cancelled my sky and signed up as a new client for £30 a month which gets me absolutely everything for 12 months.

Got a mate whos a sky engineer. let me know if anyone needs a code

Mark

How did you manage that, or have you recently moved addresses?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: bevanoli on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 21:36:29
Signed up under the wife's name. They don't credit check you


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Friday, March 18, 2016, 09:11:04
Unless sky come back to me it's looking like a humax freesat recording box and a firestick - now tv box for me. The Mrs didn't react as I thought she would(I think she thinks no more sky sports, snigger....)
Virgin looks expensive after the 6 month discount period and a few people I've spoken to have slated them. Decisions, decisions.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Friday, March 18, 2016, 12:07:23
Have you looked at quidco as you can get some good cash back? Depends if you want phone and broadband but it's not much more to add TV on to that, even basic freeview channels.

Failing that I can refer you and we both get 50 quid off.

Or pm Grim Reaper about the zgemma box or I can give you details of where I got mine from if you pm me


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Friday, March 18, 2016, 12:27:14
You have mail si.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Jimmy Glass is an Alien on Saturday, March 19, 2016, 07:17:05
If you're out of contract and still want Sky, give notice and within 2 or 3 days visit Sky.com/offer25.

I was given 50% off everything, free broadband and £100 bill credit.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Monday, March 28, 2016, 21:51:43
Ordered a now tv box with 3 month entertainment pass for £15(offfer ends at midnight)
Definitely blowing sky out regardless of whatever they may offer me ( currently only thing I've had from them was e-mail saying bill will soon be increased)
Once my bt sport contract is up in August(my sky box will still be able to show this until then) I'll be buying another box of some sort of which I'm yet undecided.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 11:28:53
If anyone is interested sky did eventually call me with an improved offer. They left it until less than a week before it was going off and I stuck to my guns and still cancelled.
I told them they don't do enough for their long term customers and the guy pretty much agreed with me.
If you want to keep your sky and get your bill cut then you could do what I did but obviously accept when they try to keep your custom.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 12:14:37
If you want to keep your sky and get your bill cut then you could do what I did but obviously accept when they try to keep your custom.

How much did they offer off. If < 50% you'll probably start getting the "come back to sky" letters/emails soon. I reckon 60% within 2 months..


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 12:30:28
Yeah 50%.
Got now tv instead and get sports via kodi so ain't fussed. Ain't in enough to watch live football much anyway nowdays. My sky subscription money will be going on a golf club membership instead.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 14:27:16
Yeah 50%.
Got now tv instead and get sports via kodi so ain't fussed. Ain't in enough to watch live football much anyway nowdays. My sky subscription money will be going on a golf club membership instead.

Which kodi addon are you using for sports?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 14:43:56
Load off addons are offline at the moment due to a protest by developers against one that keeps stealing code and passing it off as their own


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 15:02:12
Which kodi addon are you using for sports?

Halow mostly and the direct links from the beast sky sports links.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 15:11:04
I use sportsmania. it's paid for (I paid £26 for 6 months) but links are always solid and HD when I've used it. Hardly use it now mind.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 19:24:26
Which kodi addon are you using for sports?
Sportsdevil always seems to have solid streams, had the Joshua fight in HD the other weekend


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 13:41:46
Bump. I'm being bombarded with phone calls and letters from sky trying to get me to sign back up. They offer it half price for a year if anyone's with them and is interested in staying and saving money.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 14:19:52
I am interested in Sky Q but the price for what you get is massive.

I think I will wait a while longer yet for one of their deals hopefully.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 14:38:34
Quote from: Peter Venkman
I am interested in Sky Q but the price for what you get is massive.

I think I will wait a while longer yet for one of their deals hopefully.

if you get on a deal the discount now carries over to sky q. it didn't before. they've reduced installation costs and I think it's now 12 month not 18.


on the downside they change the lnb post of the dish (the sticky out bit). unless you get the 'hybrid' version you can't (threaten to) go back easily when the discount runs out. no idea how you get it unless you already have freesat boxes.

oh and you don't get to keep the sky q box if you unsubscribe.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Samdy Gray on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 14:51:45
I am interested in Sky Q but the price for what you get is massive.

I was curious, so just had a look. Those prices make my eyes water!

Ok, it might take a bit of technical ability, but surely you can achieve a lot of what Sky Q does at much lower cost?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 15:59:15
but surely you can achieve a lot of what Sky Q does at much lower cost?

Definitely.

Other than
  - mini Q boxes - these are actually pretty neat as you can what a different program on them to the main box. This is the only feature I'm interested in really. Good if the footy clashes with the Mrs crap - we don't have a TV aerial
  - UHD (I don't have a UHD TV)


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: lambourn red on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 16:36:21
I bought a 55" oled 4k TV and upgraded to Sky Q the UHD is very good on movies and football with some of the box sets coming now as well. I managed to get movies free for 6 months as part of the deal.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 17:17:58
I was curious, so just had a look. Those prices make my eyes water!

Ok, it might take a bit of technical ability, but surely you can achieve a lot of what Sky Q does at much lower cost?
TBH I haven't looked into the details deeply yet but I love the idea of UHD when it arrives properly as I have UHD monitor and TV so look forward to it but whether or not thats available freesat UHD or freeview I am not sure but we have no DAB or TV signal in this area so if its not freesat I don't want it.

The playing in other rooms of things recorded on the main box interests me too as that saves on multiroom but the cost far outweighs the benefits at the moment for me.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Samdy Gray on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 17:45:25
I've got a 4K/UHD TV and I'm quite happy with the content from Netflix and Amazon.

It'd be nice to watch the occasional bit of sport in UHD, but I can't justify the monthly subscription.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Berniman on Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 10:08:52
Called Sky yesterday, threatened to cancel, I am on the full Monty package.  Reduced my cost down by £50 a month for 10 months, and then when it goes back to normal price it is still £20 cheaper than I was currently paying.

That will do for now.  Planning on buying a new TV in January so might take a look at Sky Q next year when hopefully the price has dropped a bit.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: paul backskin on Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 13:01:43

It'd be nice to watch the occasional bit of sport in UHD, but I can't justify the monthly subscription.
[/quote]

Just upgraded to Q for £2 per month!


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Samdy Gray on Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 13:43:07
£2 on top of what you were already paying them.

I don't have a Sky subscription.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Friday, September 16, 2016, 10:36:31
Another letter today offering 60% off and £75 credit. Too late I'm afraid


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: digby on Sunday, January 15, 2017, 16:43:06
I use sportsmania. it's paid for (I paid £26 for 6 months) but links are always solid and HD when I've used it. Hardly use it now mind.
I tried to join Sportsmania today but the site says its no longer taking new subscriptions. I'm fed up with watching crap quality live match streaming with poor picture quality and lots of buffering - now that Sportsmania is off - any ideas plz chaps


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: tans on Sunday, January 15, 2017, 17:03:26
I tried to join Sportsmania today but the site says its no longer taking new subscriptions. I'm fed up with watching crap quality live match streaming with poor picture quality and lots of buffering - now that Sportsmania is off - any ideas plz chaps

Here you go : http://www.sportsnationhd.tv/view.php?pg=login

All new sportsmania subs are done through here, its the sister site


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: DarloSTFC84 on Sunday, January 15, 2017, 18:07:45
had SportsMania for about 3 weeks now, been seamless so far.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Monday, January 16, 2017, 15:15:06
had SportsMania for about 3 weeks now, been seamless so far.

It had a couple of issues recently but they've rebuilt the server and stopped new members - as per Tans's post all new subs now via Sportsnation which is exactly the same service on a different server.

No issues since this has happened. The people who run it actually do try to keep it running as smoothly as possible and definitely not in the business of taking your cash and not maintaining it.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Bewster on Monday, January 16, 2017, 16:30:09
I've just cancelled mine as I switched to BT. I'll wait and see what happens.............


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 16, 2017, 17:37:46
Quote from: Bewster
I've just cancelled mine as I switched to BT. I'll wait and see what happens.............

it'll turn off non ftv/FTA channels in a month ;)

what do you want to happen?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Power to people on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 12:45:44
I'm looking at sometime soon getting a TV for my son in his bedroom, ideally I'd like Sky connected but not having to pay anymore as we already pay for multiroom having sky upstairs and down (not sure you can have more than 2 connections anyway) is there a way of getting his new TV connected somehow maybe to another box or the dish so he can watch Sky ?

Also other than taking the controls away is there a way I can restrict how long the TV stays on for - so he cant turn it in early hours or when he is supposed to be in bed


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Bewster on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 12:53:48
it'll turn off non ftv/FTA channels in a month ;)

what do you want to happen?

Well everyone else seems to be getting "come back to us" offers


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 12:57:38
Well, if you want to go down the dodgy route someone else can answer.
-----------
If you mean legally :

Define "watching sky"?
  - having the sky channels you subscribe to now
  - having the free channels but not the pay for ones
  - something else?

Given you don't want to pay more then that rules out
  - another multiroom (don't think sky do new subs on this now)
  - Sky Q

If free TV:
  another sat box (freesat, old sky with freesatfromsky) and cable to existing dish - you may need to change LNB to an octo if there are no spare outputs - that'll cost unless you DY
  terrestrial freeview?!

If Sky subscriptions
  - video sender from one of the other boxes (most have remote extenders too). Quality can be variable/prone ti interference
  - coax cable from one of the other boxes + magic eye
  - Sky GO - use PC or similar. Can you connect PC to TV and it still work?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 15:33:24


Also other than taking the controls away is there a way I can restrict how long the TV stays on for - so he cant turn it in early hours or when he is supposed to be in bed

Get a timer socket for the wall and plug the tv into it or change the tv settings to power off at a particular time.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, January 19, 2017, 12:59:45
Well, if you want to go down the dodgy route someone else can answer.
-----------
If you mean legally :

Define "watching sky"?
  - having the sky channels you subscribe to now
  - having the free channels but not the pay for ones
  - something else?

Given you don't want to pay more then that rules out
  - another multiroom (don't think sky do new subs on this now)
  - Sky Q

If free TV:
  another sat box (freesat, old sky with freesatfromsky) and cable to existing dish - you may need to change LNB to an octo if there are no spare outputs - that'll cost unless you DY
  terrestrial freeview?!

If Sky subscriptions
  - video sender from one of the other boxes (most have remote extenders too). Quality can be variable/prone ti interference
  - coax cable from one of the other boxes + magic eye
  - Sky GO - use PC or similar. Can you connect PC to TV and it still work?


Hmm yea 'Magic eye' may be the way to go, not gonna pay any extra just for kids to watch TV

Get a timer socket for the wall and plug the tv into it or change the tv settings to power off at a particular time.

Good point, why didn't I think of that - simple


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Simon Pieman on Thursday, January 19, 2017, 13:01:42

Good point, why didn't I think of that - simple

Works fine until the kids work out how to change the settings!


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Power to people on Friday, September 22, 2017, 12:17:19
Told Sky I want to leave, allowed me to give notice, so far they have offered 30% off the TV package only, rejected that so now they are offering 40% but they have said that the TV & Broadband are 2  separate packages rather than a bundle and offered to upgrade me to fibre for £20 a month I told them I need to discuss with Mrs and to call me back.

I've no interest in fibre as we don't download enough so next time they call I will see what price they want to reduce my non fibre broadband to and as long as it is a decent price then I expect I will stay, not sure they will budge from 40% but they wont reduce cost of my 2nd box they said.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 17:49:28
Gonna bin off sky, but there seems to be a bizarre amount of choice in the general freeview world... so figured asking the learned ladies and gents on here for advice.

I want a box I can record to, would like access to Netflix and Prime which I'll pay for on am ad hoc basis.  Also want Now tv for Sky Sports (can I get BT sport on it?). 

There's Freeview Plus, Youview, Freesat... they all seem about the same.  My area is fine re aerial reception.

So anyone have any experience or help to offer.

Cheers in advance.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: normy on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 18:32:22
I've been very happy with the BT YouView box including BT Sport, and fast fibre broadband and landline. It's not cheap, but we needed programme recording facility for football and speedway as well as Netflix and Prime.  I binned Sky a few years ago, and glad that I did so.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 18:36:02
Cheers.  I'm looking for a one off payment to buy a box and no monthly contracts.  The wife works from home and has virgin internet. It's never let her down, so she's sticking with that!


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: AldbourneRed on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 08:07:32
Youview and Freeview are basically the same thing if you don't subscribe to one of BT's packages.

Given you've already got a dish, out of those options I'd go for a decent Freesat box - more channels than Freeview and all of the DVR and streaming functionality you're after.

However do consider whether you really need to record from air - most channels have decent on-demand catch up services now that have replaced the need to record.
If you only need catch up, Prime, Netflix, NowTV etc then something like an Amazon Fire TV or a Google Chromecast would be a decent and cheap option.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 09:51:33
Youview and Freeview are basically the same thing if you don't subscribe to one of BT's packages.

Given you've already got a dish, out of those options I'd go for a decent Freesat box - more channels than Freeview and all of the DVR and streaming functionality you're after.

However do consider whether you really need to record from air - most channels have decent on-demand catch up services now that have replaced the need to record.
If you only need catch up, Prime, Netflix, NowTV etc then something like an Amazon Fire TV or a Google Chromecast would be a decent and cheap option.

Cool cheers.  I think neither the wife nor I are ready to give up the recording aspect. Does Freesat have Now tv, Netflix and Prime, do you know?


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: @mwooly63 on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 10:10:25
Cool cheers.  I think neither the wife nor I are ready to give up the recording aspect. Does Freesat have Now tv, Netflix and Prime, do you know?

Unsure on a box. My TV has a freesat connection on the back, just wired the sky dish straight up to it.
Have a fire stick for everything else


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: Arriba on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 10:37:18
Get a Humax Freesat recordable box. Just attach your sky dish feeds into it, connect it to the internet and away you go. All for the cost of the new box only.  it's very good and easy to use/set up. Can set to record just like a sky box or can access the on-demand content too. I have this one
  https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product/hdr-1100s/

Get a separate now TV box/stick for that if you want on demand sky stuff/sports. Doesn't work with bt sport's but there are plenty of ways to get this cheap along with other sports channels if you want to go the IPTV route. I ditched now TV and get my sports that way.


Title: SKY
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 11:24:03
caution if you had skyQ - I think the lnb may need changing back unless they installed a hybrid when they installed

the lnb is the bit the cables go into on the dish


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 15:07:35
caution if you had skyQ - I think the lnb may need changing back unless they installed a hybrid when they installed

the lnb is the bit the cables go into on the dish

No Sky Q, but thanks for the warning.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 15:08:00
Unsure on a box. My TV has a freesat connection on the back, just wired the sky dish straight up to it.
Have a fire stick for everything else

Great, thanks.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: donkey on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 15:08:20
Get a Humax Freesat recordable box. Just attach your sky dish feeds into it, connect it to the internet and away you go. All for the cost of the new box only.  it's very good and easy to use/set up. Can set to record just like a sky box or can access the on-demand content too. I have this one
  https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product/hdr-1100s/

Get a separate now TV box/stick for that if you want on demand sky stuff/sports. Doesn't work with bt sport's but there are plenty of ways to get this cheap along with other sports channels if you want to go the IPTV route. I ditched now TV and get my sports that way.

Cheers, I'll check it out.


Title: Re: SKY
Post by: stfcjack on Monday, July 20, 2020, 10:31:48
Tried to stream the footy on my firestick this weekend but it was pretty shit tbh. Couldn't really get it to play for very long. Anyone use any decent APK's/Good IPTV services for it?