Sky+ HD 1 Terabyte monster machine. This has just been released and is for sale starting at around 250 quid. The machine features a 1TB hard disk and increased anytime viewing for 100 hours content. This machine will also be able to handle the 3d TV services being launched this year. With 37 HD channels available on Sky and a push to get that to 50 this year there is no better reason to upgrade to Sky HD. Full details are available here www.sky.com/1TB
Sky+ HD 1 terabyte 1TB Monster Machine!
May 2nd, 20103D Television from Sky
April 2nd, 2010
Earlier this year Sky Television started broadcasting a UK first. 3D television! As of April 3rd 2010 Sky 3d will be available in the comfort of your living room! All that will be needed is a Sky HD receiver and a compatible TV set. The 3D experience will have to be seen to ful
ly appreciate it. In the meantime check out Sky’s website for more information.
Having not seen 3D TV yet, it is hard to speculate whether it will be a success or not. Seeing how so many of us put off getting that big flat screen High definition TV set I’m sure that 3D will become a hit with the die hard television fanatics only.
As for the rest of us I think it will be a slower move to buying a new TV 
set and actually wearing those new 3d glasses. However I know that in early 2011 Philips are planning to release a 3D TV set that will not require glasses to be worn. I do not know at this stage whether the system will be fully compatible with the current 3D spec, but we imagine it to be.
see http://www.philips.com for more information regarding the new 3D television set. As for information regarding SKY 3D see http://www.sky.com/shop/3d/home/
L.E.D. the newest range of T.V.
September 26th, 2009
Ultra Thin TV. (Aka LED TV)
So what is this new type of LED TV? LED (Light Emmiting Diode) is the technology that lights the TV. In the LCD TV’s the back lighting is done with flourescent tubes. The LED’s are much smaller and much more energy efficiant. If you use L.E.D.’s the image brightness and black levels ahievable are truely amazing. Unfortunately some manafacturers are calling the TV’s LED TV’s this statement is not entirely correct as they are using LCD screens but the back lighting is LED. In any case it is great to be able to watch pin sharp pictures on big screens with the TV’s width being about 1 cm thick! What will they come up with next!
images belong to Samsung.
Sky + or Sky +HD digibox stuck on standby with red light?
September 5th, 2009
Sky + or +HD Problems
Sky + and HD digiboxes can crash just like the ordinary Sky digiboxes. If your Sky + or HD digibox stops responding or shows no satellite signal is being received messages, try to reset the digibox. (Un plug the power lead for 1 minute, then plug back in. Wait a further 5 minutes then try to turn the digibox back on using the TV guide button on the remote control.)
If your recorded programs are not playing back or have loss of picture or sound, you can try a planner rebuild. To do this press services, 4, 0 1 select, now press 7 and select. As a last resort if you are having any other problems with your digibox you can try the full system reset. The full system reset will erase all saved programs so be sure to copy them or watch them first. To do the full system reset press services, 4, 0 1 select then press 8 and select.
If your Sky plus or HD digibox is stuck on standby or the above did not work, you can do a hardware full system reset described in the next paragraph.
(If you are using the new Sky +HD software the 4,0 1 select, will change to 0, 0, 1 select, then you have to press the right arrow button until the planner rebuild or full system reset is highlighted then press select to continue.)
Hardware full system reset.
Again All your Recorded data will be Erased.
Un plug the digibox from the mains.
Press and hold the ‘left’ and ‘right’ navigation buttons on the front of the digibox, plug the mains back in.
Continue holding the buttons in for about 20 seconds, when the green circle on the front lights up and spins, press the Select button.
(on the front of the digibox between the left and right buttons you were holding).
The sky plus recording logo lights will spin backwards and the full system reset starts. It takes about 5 minutes to complete.
If you are still having problems please contact Matrix Solutions or call us 627 955 648 / 627 955 728, we can arrange for a technician to visit in order to revolve your problem.
Sky Card Change.
June 17th, 2009Sky have started to change their Sky cards from the current blue ones to the new white ones.
New Sky Viewing card
This change over will take a few months to complete.
Things that you will need to know.
1) If you have your own Sky contract card with your own UK address, you will be sent a replacement card to this address. Once you have the card wait until you get the message on your screen to replace the card and follow the instructions on screen.
2) If you have a card from a dealer you should be able to get them replaced without any hassle. Some companies will charge for this service. Any cards that Matrix Solutions have organised will be replaced free of charge.
3) One of the biggest suppliers of Sky cards in Europe filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Any cards through this main dealer will not be replaced. These cards will need to be cancelled before Sky send the replacements. If not then there will be long delays in getting you viewing as the cards are pre activated to the current boxes.
4) If you are unsure of your card details or cannot contact your current dealer, feel free to contact us BEFORE your card is turned off and we will do our utmost to find out any information and get you viewing as quickly as possible.
Follow the link below to contact Matrix Solutions.
Freesat HD+ The FTA version of Sky +
April 11th, 2009
Freesat HD+ is finally with us. We have had the pleasure of testing the new Humax Foxsat-HDR. First impressions are very good. For people who have used Sky + before this is very similar. Click here for the guide on Freesat+.
The specs include a low power consumption of less than 1w and a massive 320 GB hard disk. Same as Sky HD but without the anytime reserved quota! so effectively giving you an additional 80 GB compared to Sky. You can do all your favourites like pause and rewind TV. You can watch one channel and record a different one and the electronic guide is simple and intuitive to use. The electronic programme guide updates automatically so you do not need to worry about adding channels or anything.
Freesat HD+ is perfect for people who do not want to pay a subscription. Personally I will be keeping my Sky HD but that is due to the subscription content that is available. As Freesat adds more free content im sure it will become very popular.
As for pricing it is around 250 pounds in the UK, as for Spain we are awaiting the prices and will keep you updated. Not too bad considering you have no monthly subscription fees to pay.
Sky HD new Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
March 29th, 2009Sky HD new Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
Sky have just launched their new EPG for Sky HD subscribers. Providing that no problems arise they will be rolling out the new EPG to all the Sky HD boxes. At the moment only a small number of Sky HD boxes have been given the new EPG.
It has greatly improved on the previous version allowing you to watch your current channel in a small preview window located in the top right of the screen.
As for functionality it has been improved upon without over complicating the user interface. For instance everything is accessible from one screen using the navigation buttons. Also you can now search for TV programmes. All you need to do is go to the search bar and enter the name of the programme using the number buttons – just like texting on a mobile phone.
Another great feature is that when you go to record a programme you can select just the episode or the whole series. Also all true HD content will have a yellow symbol present to help you easily decide what to watch.
Want to have ITV HD on Sky HD?
With this new EPG you can add the ITV HD service. GO to Add Channels menu and enter the following details. Frequency 11.427 Polarisation H Symbol Rate 27500 FEC 2/3 Save channel 10510 which is the ITV HD service.
Sky Digiboxes that work in Spain?
March 29th, 2009Question.
What Sky boxes work in Spain?
Answer.
In Spain the Sky Digital signal is much weaker than in the UK, after all you are not supposed to be watching Sky outside of the UK anyway! The manufacturers of the Sky boxes have all made boxes with excellent tuners for weak reception areas like southern Spain. However, all have made boxes with tuners that will simply not work well in weak reception areas.
Here are some boxes that work well in weak reception areas.
- Pace 2600 or 430
- Thompson 4214
- Thompson HD boxes
- Pace Sky + boxes V2 / V3
If you want to bring your Sky box from the UK and are unsure whether it will work or not we would suggest you bring it and try. We can always offer guidance & support if needed. We have Sky boxes in stock so you can even purchase direct from us.
Why am I getting “no satellite signal is being received” (16)
March 29th, 2009Question.
Why am I getting no satellite signal is being received?
Answer.
This message is displayed because there is no signal being received from the satellite dish.
Troubleshooting.
- Turn off your Sky receiver (normal + or +HD) by un plugging it from the mains supply. Then wait for 1 minute. Then plug it back in and wait for 5 minutes before turning it on using the TV Guide button on the remote control. Go to All Channels and you should be able to operate as normal.
- Contact Us We will probably need to re-align your satellite dish.
Hello & Welcome to our Blog!
February 10th, 2009Welcome to the Matrix Solutions blog!
This is where we will answer all the questions that our clients and our clients to be have. If you have any questions that we have not answered then you can contact us here. Please feel free to add comments especially if you found this resource useful.
Happy reading!
Matrix Team.
