Sky digital reveals its new-look Sky+ PVR at Smart Show

Sky digital reveals its new-look
Sky+ PVR at Smart ShowDistributed by
Sky

Posted: April 5th, 2003.

The new Sky+ digibox is approximately a third smaller in size:

Dimensions – 380mm x 72mm x 243mm
Weight – 4.5Kg (Packed)

Brian Sullivan, Director, New Product Development and Sales at Sky said“Sky and it’s manufacturing partners continually update set top box designsto stay abreast of consumer electronic trends, and improve internal structuresto maximise performance and operational efficiencies. Sky+ was introduced backAugust 2001 it we felt it was time to give it a bit of a face lift.”

Sky+ is periodically updated via software downloads that add new features andimprove the service. The new Sky+ design maintains the exact same functionality,connectivity and storage capacity, and thus will have no discernible differencein performance to the end user when compared to the original.

Visit Sky at the SMART Show at the Birmingham NEC, 6-8th April Studio 3.

Background information:

Launched in August 2001, Sky+ was the UK’s first fully integrated Digital VideoRecorder (DVR) and digital TV service, and is one of the most accurate domesticTV recording devices currently available. Sky+ revolutionises the way youwatch TV by enabling you to watch what you want, when you want:

• Record at the touch of a button – With Sky+ all you need do is highlight the programme you want and press “R” — that’s it! No timers, no tapes. And as the Sky Guide lists and entire weeks programmes you never miss a thing.
• Automatically record all new episodes of your favourite series – Over 3600 programmes have a series link attached and over 80 digital satellite channels provide the service including all BBC channels, ITV, C4, and MTV networks.
• Record one channel while watching another – And later this year, Sky+ will be upgraded to enable you to record two channels simultaneously (even while watching a third previously recorded programme)
• Record without video tapes – The Sky+ 40GB hard drive can store an average of over 20 hours of digital TV or up to 400 hours of digital radio at any one time
• Record in digital quality- Sky+ records the original digital broadcast signal and is the only DVR on the market in the UK that can record Dolby Digital 5.1
• Pause and rewind live TV – Sky+ is the only UK DVR that allows viewers to pause, rewind and even play back live TV in slow motion whilst continuing to record the remainder of the programme
• Archive to VHS or DVD – For viewers who wish to keep a hard copy of their recording, programmes can be transferred to VHS or recordable DVD at the press of a button

In addition, Sky+ subscribers will continue to receive periodic software upgradesvia the satellite. For example, coming soon viewers will be able to employ Sky+’stwo tuners to record two programmes at the same time on different channelswhilst watching a previous recording. As of 31 December 2002, Sky+ is in65,000 homes in the UK.Sky+ now costs just £249 plus a £10 monthly subscription.Standard installation costs £50 for existing or new Sky digital subscribers and£100 for non-Sky subscribers.

Viewers who already have a Sky digibox can take advantage of the ‘extra box andsubscription’ offer. This allows subscribers to move their existing Skydigibox to another room in the house, and for just £15 a month customers canaccess the same channels as their current standard Sky digital package – allowingviewers to watch different digital satellite channels in different rooms.

Sky+ is available from all major electrical retailers, or direct via 08705 800 800.

News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2003.

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