Jump to content

Digi Box - Power required


Recommended Posts

I have just had a dish fitted with a Pace Digibox and all works fine. However in the instructions which came with it I noted that they ask that the power be left on all the time which from my point of view is not really practical; mine is a holiday home unoccupied for long periods and I always turn off all power, disconnecting plugs and the aerial when I leave. This is because we are in an area prone to lightning strikes and frequent power cuts. I have a surge protector fitted which might (or might not) give protection against lightning strikes (on the TV socket only) but that does not guarantee that the power will stay on as the mains cut off circuit breaker is often tripped as power is restored.

I spoke to the installers as this was the first I had heard of having to leave the power on, and I was told that the reason for this is so that Sky can download upgraded software at any time. They seemed to know what they are talking about, but this is new territory for me.

They also suggest that if I do turn the power off it would be possible for me to find the whole shebang not working on my next visit because of the absence of the upgrade. They are to let me know how a 'manual upgrade' can take place (with luck).

Does anyone have any experience of this?

My system is not connected to a phone and only gives me the basic UK channels as I have no need for the multiplicity of other channels.

Thanks

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like your installers may have sold you a system that is not quite suitable for your specific needs. Were they one of the English (Sky specialist) installer's by any chance? [;-)]

As we didn't want multichannel TV either, we bought a cheap French decoder and a dish, which gives us the free to air channels.  We can turn our's off whenever we want without any upgrading issues.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like your installer is just priming you for the cost of his next visit.

This, I think, is what you need to do to "force" a download of software.

Switch on the TV set

Unplug the digibox from the mains

Press and hold in the "back-up" button on the digibox (not the one on the remote control)

Whilst holding the button in, plug in the digibox to the mains

Wait until you get a message on the TV screen saying it is downloading the latest software

You can now release the back-up button

It can take an hour or more to complete the download. DON'T try to interrupt it.

Benjamin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many thanks for this info Benjamin - I will make good use of the info!

To be fair to English TV and Radio they did offer to give instructions over the phone if a problem arose but I always prefer an unbiased opinion - hence my query.

This is what makes the Forum so useful

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Andy.....Mine is a Grundig taken out from the UK and as far as loading up SKY goes I think they all act the same .....mine has been on and off a few times the first time it took ages to load up. as it was finding all the channels  after that is seemed to grab them quite fast when switched back on ...you should not find switching off much of a hassle at all.... Frederick
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since Sky's recent revamp of the EPG and the subsequent load of 'fixes' were sent out to all the various makes of receiver, we may well be in for a period of calm and contemplation, so - with any luck - you might well find your set happily picks up where it left off when next you switch it on.

p

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why do people think immediatly that  you are being ripped off.The installer is perfectly correct that Sky digiboxes should be left on all the time to receive upgrades such as new channels being added etc However if you do have to switch it off for a considerable period you may have either to wait ,sometimes up to a day for all the channels to reapear or as someone else has said do a forced download
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't believe that the installers were deliberately misleading me. They just failed to tell me in advance of the potential problem re switching off even though they were aware that it is a holiday home. Maybe they assumed I would know. Had I known of the potential problem I would have checked it out before I embarked on this.

With the help provided by this forum I really do not think I will hit a major problem so thanks to all those who have expressed helpful views.

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...