Amstrad DRX280 160 GB Digibox Satellite Receiver

We bought this box so that we can get the freeview channels, but also upgrade to a fuller sky subscription at some point. And also so that we can record programmes.

It can receive the basic channels (BBC1-4, ITV1-3, Ch4, Ch5, etc) with no issue, but a freeview card that is paired with the box is needed to receive the other freeview channels (Dave, etc). And of course you can upgrade to a full Sky subscription and receive all the Sky channels.

It has the full Sky TV guide on it, though that doesn't indicate which channels you have access to (subscribed to) and which you don't. So you can only find out by selecting a channel and then seeing whether or not you get a message saying you need to upgrade your subscription or not. I guess you learn which ones you can access fairly quickly..

Downsides are:
- Our box is very noisy at times (can hear the hard disk distinctly) - sometimes we can hear the hard disk start up even when it's on standby (we have the box in our bedroom)
- To be able to record a programme at the same time as you're watching another channel, you need to have two satellite connection leads attached (we hadn't realised this, but I guess it's obvious)
- As it's a UK Sky Digibox, it can effectively only use the UK Astra 2 satellite (at position 28.2). If the box is connected to a different satellite, it is possible to tune in to other channels if you know the frequency/etc, but it's a pain to use in practice)
- Also because it's a UK sky digibox, if your satellite dish is setup with a DiSeQc switch to be able to receive signals from two different satellite, it's not possible with this box to switch between the different satellites. That's because unlike all other satellite receivers, the UK Sky digiboxes don't support DiSeQc. The only way around it is if the 28.2 satellite is the default satellite in the dish configuration, or if you connect a suitably configured "DiSeQc generator" between this Sky box and the satellite/LNB. This can be a pain if you live in an apartment complex where several apartments share the same satellite dish setup - and in particular if you live outside the UK/IE.

This box is great I would recommend it to any one as it is just everything you need from a sky+ box.

It allows you watch and record at the same time and you can use it to change programmes and volume on you tv as well.


I like this second Amstrad DRX280 (160 GB) Satellite Receiver that I have purchased.

''AMSTRAD&am​p;apos;' ARE ONE OF THE BEST BOXES AROUND
-UNLIKE THE TERRIBLE THOMPSON BOXES STILL BEING SOLD UNDER A CLOUD OF ''IM SORRY I DONT KNOW THE MAKE!!!-LOL ''YES YOU DO-YOU JUST WANT PEOPLE TO THINK ITS NOT A THOMPSON BY PERHAPS COVERING THE CARD SLOT WITH A REMOTE-
SO REMEMBER -ASK THE MODEL NUMBER/MAKE IF THEY DONT TELL YOU OR AVOIDE THE QUESTION -DONT BUY

good receiver this Amstrad DRX280 (160 GB) Satellite Receiver
chunky remote control. great picture.

Due to my lack of knowledge, and the lack of given knowledge, I bought a couple of sky-plus boxes in the mistaken belief that I could record the free sky channels.
I wasn't even close. First off, Sky want you to BUY a FTA (free to air) card £20.
The free part is available if you know how, without buying a card. BUT the record part is NOT available unless you cough up £10 every month for a period of 24 months under contract.
I may as well have just rang sky and got them to put the whole thing on the side of the house for nothing, and paid £18 a month, and got H.D. too!!
Since buying the box (the hard drive is active all the time, even though I can't use it)it has been pretty good as a means of swapping channels...Hey! I can do that for free on my OWN TV!
I could have saved a BOX-FULL of money by buying the old standard sky box, as the end result is the same.
Add to the sky boxes the price of a satellite, twin cable, quad LNB, hours of work, plus 'er indoors wanted a flatscreen too. I am out of pocket to the tune of around £500.
There are now around 90 channels she watches all day, and I'm on sarnies!!
Any one want to buy a new cooker......