Feb 16, 2010 12:55 PM
4132 Views
This is a review on TATA SKY+ premium digital TV with PVR, not the regular Tata Sky.
Picture Quality:
I want to particularly mention the picture quality and personal video recorder (PVR) which are outstanding. I have 2 connections, one is the regular Tata Sky and there is no comparison between the two. There is so much of difference in depth, colour, sharpness and sound that its become boring to watch the ordinary one. The time required to initialize and display program info is also quite fast in the PVR. To understand why I don't have 2 plus connections, read further.
Features:
1) True digital signal - each program is identified internally by a code, I think, because it knows when to start recording, even if a program is late.
2) Pause live program
3) Rewind live program
4) Record, record one channel while watching another
5) Auto record all episodes (series link)
6) Automatically go back to last viewed point when playing a recording (no need to rewind, fwd to search)
7) No loss of recording planin case of power cut
8) Good user interface
9) There is an optical sound port, tel line port which may get activated in future.
10) Has an internal 160GB hard drive and cooling fan.
Reliability:
Never ever had any signal degradation or loss in 5 months even on the ordinary STB.
Installation:
The Tata Sky+ dish easily stands out on rooftops. It is black and perforated like a mesh. Very sleek. It requires two cables to be connected to the dish and to the PVR. The second one enables recording while watching. Make sure the duct in your home has enough space for both. Ensure that proper amount of oil is used during installation to avoid snagging inside the duct pipe. There is no space in the internal ducts of my house for 2 TV cables, so I had to go for a regular STB. I opted for extended warranty for both boxes.
Usefulness:
Recording and live pause is very useful. No need to rush during ad breaks. I have set it up to record 'Highway on My Plate' every day at 8.30 p.m and I watch them when during the weekends. I also set up recording based on online movie schedules.
Customer Service:
Recharging can be done online, packages can be easily added. To drop a package, however, you need to call them. Cust. service is good and they call back and process requests as committed.
Value for Money:
I bought the box during Diwali discount for Rs. 4999/- which is a good price. It included lifetime waiver of Rs.50/- monthly charges for the PVR. Packages are fairly priced. Comes to about Rs.300/- p.m which is ok for me. I couldn't find any downside with Tata Sky+ (till date)
If it had an option to control the PVR the recording schedules from the mytata sky web site, it would be awesome!!
