using SkyHD
Welcome to the world of SkyHD This is your essential guide to using your SkyHD box What do you want to do? Learn about HD page 6 Get started page 10 See what’s on page 16 Use your Planner page 24 Order Box Office programmes page 25 Have more control over kids’ viewing page 28 Choose your favourite channels page 32 Troubleshooting page 49 Contact us page 58 1
Full contents 2 Back to basics 4 Your SkyHD remote control Your SkyHD box About your SkyHD box What is Sky HD? What is Sky 3D? What you need to enjoy SkyHD Keeping you up-to-date All the features of Sky and more Your viewing card Your SkyHD remote control and your TV 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 Getting started 10 Turning your SkyHD box on and off Changing the volume Changing channels You’re in control with Sky Guide Showing your Sky Guide pages in full-screen mode Quick glance at what’s on with Now, Next &
More options 36 Using digital text Using teletext Adding channels that aren’t listed in Sky Guide Watching your added channels Changing the picture settings 36 36 37 37 38 Remote control setup 39 Resetting your remote control Replacing the batteries 39 41 Your SkyHD box connections 42 Switching on Dolby® Digital audio Adjusting sound synchronisation Connecting to the telephone line 43 43 44 Green stuff 45 Saving energy with standby Saving energy with Auto Standby Recycling packaging Recycling
Back to basics The Sky installer should have shown you the basics of how to use your Sky equipment. Here’s a reminder of what you need to enjoy the channels and features on offer.
Your SkyHD box * BACK TO BASICS Control Keys i turns your SkyHD box on, to standby or off back up jumps back to last page or to previous level in Sky Guide screen + / - arrows changes channels i lights green when you’re online (using the phone line) lights yellow when there’s a network error i * Your SkyHD box has been designed to stand on either end if you so choose.
About your SkyHD box With your SkyHD box, a compatible HD ready TV and the relevant subscriptions you can enjoy fantastic Sky entertainment in glorious High Definition — and that’s not all. With a 3D ready TV and the relevant subscriptions you can also enjoy the very best from Sky in amazing 3D. BACK TO BASICS Your SkyHD box gets HD information from the satellite through the minidish. It then decodes the information and sends it to your TV.
What you need to enjoy SkyHD To enjoy all the benefits of SkyHD you need a compatible HD ready TV, a SkyHD box and subscriptions to Sky TV with the HD Pack. Your SkyHD box is designed to work with TVs that carry the HD ready logo. You can use a TV without the HD ready logo as long as it has these technical features: The screen must have a minimum native resolution of 720 lines in wide aspect ratio.
Ensure you have all the benefits of the SkyHD box To subscribe to Sky HD or Sky 3D, call the relevant number listed under the telephone numbers in your Sky Guide (see page 58). BACK TO BASICS Your viewing card Your viewing card needs to stay in your SkyHD box at all times so you can view all the Sky TV channels you’re entitled to. The viewing card slot is under the flap on the front of your SkyHD box. There’s no need to remove the viewing card unless it’s faulty or has expired.
Your SkyHD remote control and your TV Your SkyHD remote control can work with both your SkyHD box and your TV. Press tv on the remote control to switch control from the SkyHD box to the TV. Press Sky to go back to controlling the SkyHD box. BACK TO BASICS If you leave your remote control without batteries for longer than 10 minutes, or if you have a new TV, you need to reset the remote control to work with your TV. See Resetting your remote control (page 39) for details or visit sky.
Getting started Turning your SkyHD box on, to standby, and off Press the Sky button on your SkyHD remote control to turn the box on, and wait for a few moments for it to start up. Sky turns the box on GETTING STARTED To turn your SkyHD box to standby, press the standby button on your remote control. To turn your SkyHD box to off, press and hold the standby button for five seconds on your remote control.
Changing the volume Use the remote control’s vol +/- button to change the volume of your TV. use the vol + / - button or mute for volume control You can turn the volume off altogether by pressing the mute button. Changing channels GETTING STARTED To go through the channels one at a time, press the channel +/- button on your remote control and wait for the channel to change. If you know a channel’s number you can enter it on the remote to jump straight to that channel.
About the Now, Next & Later banner GETTING STARTED The Now, Next & Later banner is your ultimate on-screen helper — it lets you see what’s on now and later, change channels, set reminders, all without interrupting what you’re watching. • Press an arrow button or select to show the Now, Next & Later banner. • Press back up to remove the banner. use the arrows or select to show the banner There are tips on using the banner throughout this guide, most importantly: • Seeing what’s on (page 16).
You’re in control with Sky Guide You control what you watch on your SkyHD box by browsing the on-screen Sky Guide using your remote control.
Overview of Sky Guide options The top menu allows you to pick an option from any Sky Guide screen by scrolling left/right to highlight your choice, and then pressing select.
Showing your Sky Guide pages in full-screen mode Turning the mini TV off gives you a full screen of listings and plays the audio of what you are watching. To see your Sky Guide screens in full-screen mode: Press services (for Options), press down then select the Customise tab. 2 Under Mini TV Mode, press left/right to choose OFF. The mini TV and the programme information area disappear. 3 Press the green button to confirm (Save Settings).
Seeing what’s on Quick glance at what’s on with Now, Next & Later With Sky you don’t have to change channels to see what else is on. TAKING WHAT’S CONTROL SEEING ON When you’re watching a programme, press select or the up/down arrow. The on-screen Now, Next & Later banner appears. 16 • To see what’s on the same channel at different times today, use the left/right arrow. • To see what’s on a different channel, use the up/down arrow then left/right to check different times.
Complete overview of what’s on with TV Guide To see the entire list of channels and programmes for the next seven days, use the TV Guide pages: 1. Press tv guide Information area SEEING WHAT’S ON 4. Use left/right to highlight 2. Sort the channel list by selecting a category tab.
Finding a specific channel in TV Guide TAKING WHAT’S CONTROL SEEING ON TV Guide lists channels by channel number. • If you know the number of the channel, you can enter it using the number buttons. • Go down a page at a time by pressing ch-. • To see what’s on later on that channel, keep pressing right. • To see what’s on up to seven days in advance on that channel, use the yellow (+24 Hours) and blue (-24 Hours) buttons. Radio channel numbers start with a zero (for example, 0101).
Seeing what’s on the HD channels To see listings for HD channels only, go to TV Guide and select the HD & 3D tab. SEEING WHAT’S ON Identifying HD programmes In Now, Next & Later and general listings, you can spot HD channels easily as they have the letters HD after the channel name; for example, Sky1 HD. A programme broadcast in High Definition will have the letters HD in its programme information bar: • While watching the programme, press i on your remote control.
Finding a specific programme You can search for a specific programme, or type of programme, showing in the next seven days using the Search option. To start, press tv guide then the blue button (Search). TAKING WHAT’S CONTROL SEEING ON Searching by title To search for a programme using the first word in the title, use the remote number keys (as though you were typing a text message). For example, to search for all programmes beginning with EAST, press 3 twice, 2 once, 7 four times, and 8 once.
Going back to the channel you last viewed When you’re watching TV and decide to go back to the channel you were watching before, just press the blue button. The banner appears, showing the last channel you viewed. Press select to tune to that channel. The blue button can also be used to view your favourite channels. See page 32 to choose your favourite channels.
TAKING WHAT’S CONTROL SEEING ON Codes used in the programme information banner Rating codes Content codes U s Sex or nudity. l Strong language. PG Parental guidance is recommended. Some discretion may need to be applied as to the suitability of the film for younger or impressionable children. v Violent scenes. m Material which is intended for a mature audience. 12 Letter codes Universal, suitable for all audiences including young children. Suitable for viewers aged 12 years or over.
Finding and listening to radio channels You can tune to radio channels in the same way as TV channels: Use the up/down arrow to browse through the channels shown in the Now, Next & Later banner. Radio channels appear with a speaker symbol next to them. 2 Press select when you see the radio channel you want to listen to. SEEING WHAT’S ON 1 You can see the entire list of radio channels as follows: 1 Press box office, scroll right to Radio in the top menu and press select.
Using your Planner Your Planner gives a clear overview of your chosen reminders Setting reminders for programmes SETTING REMINDERS If you don’t want to miss a TV programme, Sky Guide can remind you when it’s about to start. When you see a future listed TV programme you want to watch, simply highlight it and press select. It gives you the choice of setting the reminder once only or for the entire remainder of the series. Highlight Remind Once or Remind Series and press select.
Enjoying Sky Box Office entertainment The Sky Box Office option is home to the newest and most exciting pay-per-view movies, sport and other events, such as concerts and boxing matches. Sky Box Office is available to all Sky customers and you’re only charged for the programme or event when you start watching it. There are now special early releases on Sky Box Office. You can watch certain movies the same day as DVD release and also sometimes at the same time as they are in the cinema.
Choosing a start time that suits you In the Sky Box Office pages you’ll see the Series Stack symbol This means the programme is being shown at different times. Highlight the programme and press select to see the Showings page. From here you can choose your preferred time slot. ENJOYING BOX OFFICE About watching Sky Box Office programmes When you purchase from Sky Box Office, the programme is added to your Planner for a fixed amount of time before it’s deleted.
Paying for Sky Box Office programmes Charges for Sky Box Office programmes booked via your remote control appear on your account at the next available payment date. If you don’t watch any part of the programme, you won’t be charged for it and it will be deleted. ENJOYING BOX OFFICE Ordering over the phone If for some reason you can’t order Sky Box Office programmes with your remote control, a message appears on-screen. You can order programmes over the phone by calling the number shown.
Having more control over kids’ viewing Because of the range of channels on offer, there may be a few you’d rather your kids didn’t watch. With a PIN and the right settings, you can avoid many unsuitable channels being shown without your permission. CONTROL KIDS’ VIEWING For more control over who watches what, start by pressing services, scroll left to Parental Control and press select. You now need to enter your four-digit PIN (see below).
Hiding adult channels You can hide all channels classed as ‘adult’ from all channel listings; Go to Parental Control > Adult Channels. 2 Highlight Remove Adult Channels and use the right arrow to choose ON. 3 Press green (Save Settings) when you’re done. CONTROL KIDS’ VIEWING 1 If you want to be able to see the adult channels again, just choose OFF in the Adult Channel screen. Adult programmes are removed from all listings apart from your Planner.
Restricting specific channels CONTROL KIDS’ VIEWING If there is just one or a few specific channels you would prefer members of the family not to watch, you can lock them one-by-one, as follows: 1 Go to Parental Control > Channel. This page lists all the channels by channel number. 2 To find the channel, key in the channel number if you know it, or use ch- or ch+ to go one page up or down.
Entering a PIN for pre-watershed viewing You need to enter your PIN to watch a rated programme before its normal watershed time. The times are shown here. CONTROL KIDS’ VIEWING programme rating when PIN is needed 18 before 9pm 15 before 8pm 12 before 8pm PG if a PIN has been set up for this rating U if a PIN has been set up for this rating Turning off PIN-controlled restrictions There is a quick way to turn your PIN restrictions off and on without having to go into each screen.
Choosing your favourite channels Once you get to know what channels you watch most often, you can set them up as your favourites so you can find them more easily. YOUR FAVOURITES To store your favourites: 1 Press services (for Options), press down then select the Favourites tab. A list of available channels appears. 2 Highlight a channel you want as one of your favourites and press yellow (Favourite). A tick appears next to the channel.
Watching TV with subtitles or audio description To show subtitles or play an audio description over the current channel: Press help on your Sky remote control when you’re watching TV. 2 If the Subtitles or Audio Description option is available, use the left/right arrow to choose ON then press select. This setting lasts until you change channels.
Finding subtitled or audio-described programmes SUBTITLES / AUDIO DESCRIPTION Sky Guide can bring your attention to programmes that have subtitles or an audio description. To set this up, follow these steps: 34 1 Press services (for Options), press down then select the Subtitles tab. 2 Highlight Highlighted Programmes and use the left/right arrow to choose Audio Description or Subtitles.
Going interactive Get more from your SkyHD box with interactive services. press interactive for the interactive menu GOING INTERACTIVE Using Sky Active, for instance, you can upgrade your viewing, add Sky Broadband and Sky Talk, choose Sky Multiroom, upgrade your Sky box, manage your Sky Account and more. To access Sky Active and other interactive services, press the interactive button on your remote control, then press select.
More options Using digital text To use digital text services, press text on your remote control while you’re watching a channel. MORE OPTIONS If the channel you’re watching doesn’t have digital text, you see a message telling you how to use teletext instead. From the digital text service, press Sky at any point to go back to what you were watching.
Adding channels that aren’t listed in Sky Guide Some channels can be received by your SkyHD box but don’t appear in Sky Guide listings. MORE OPTIONS Your SkyHD box is designed to receive digital television signals transmitted at 28.2 or 28.5 degrees east, either unencrypted or encrypted using BSkyB’s encryption system. It may be possible to receive other digital satellite signals but it’s not guaranteed.
Changing the picture settings Sky’s HD service uses two HD picture formats. The first, 1080i, brings the number of rows in the frame up to 1080 — that’s over 500 more than a standard PAL image. The other, 720p, shows 720 rows in each frame and refreshes the screen at twice the rate of 1080i. TAKING MORE CONTROL OPTIONS In rare cases, your TV may be able to display only one of these formats. Check your TV’s settings if you find the picture isn’t as sharp as it should be.
Remote control setup Resetting your remote control If you leave flat batteries in your remote control for too long, you may need to reset it to work with your TV. 1 Look up your TV’s brand and code in the list on the right. If you can’t find it here, see Alternative Setup (on next page). 2 Turn your TV and SkyHD box on and press tv on your remote control. 3 Hold down select and the red button together until the red light on your remote control blinks twice (this is after about two seconds).
If the setup didn’t work TAKING REMOTECONTROL CONTROL If you followed the setup carefully but can’t see TV Guide at the end of it, follow these simple steps: 1 Check and make a note of which TV channel you use for watching Sky digital TV. 2 Press tv on your remote control. 3 Hold down select and the green button together until the red light on your remote control blinks twice (this is after about two seconds).
Replacing the batteries Your remote control runs on AA batteries (MN1500, LR6 or UM-3). When it’s time to replace them, Sky Guide gives you a warning message and a low battery symbol appears in the banner. REMOTE CONTROL Take the empty batteries out straight away and replace both batteries at the same time. Please don’t put old batteries in the everyday household rubbish. They should be taken to a special environmentally friendly collection point.
Your SkyHD box connections The following diagram shows an overview of the essential connections of your SkyHD box. Does your compatible HD ready TV have an Then all you need is the supplied lead. port? YOUR SKYHD BOX Basic setup lead WARNING! You must disconnect your SkyHD box from the mains supply before you connect your SkyHD box to (or disconnect it from) any other equipment. Use only the supplied mains lead to connect your SkyHD box to the mains supply.
Switching on Dolby® Digital audio With the digital-audio outputs you can connect your SkyHD box to a compatible home cinema system and listen to programmes broadcast in Dolby® Digital audio. For this you need an optical cable (not supplied) or HDMI cable and you need to change the default settings on your SkyHD box: Press services, scroll right to Settings and press select. 2 Highlight Digital Audio Output — Optical or Digital Audio Output — HDMI and use left/right to choose Dolby D.
Connecting to the telephone line TAKING CONTROL YOUR SKYHD BOX The telephone lead is intended for connection to standard analogue UK telephone lines. This lead and your SkyHD box have been specifically designed for this purpose. Do not attempt to connect the telephone lead to anything other than a standard UK telephone line.
Green stuff At Sky we believe the world’s a great place, so we’re doing what we can to keep it that way. Saving energy… with standby Alternatively, you can switch your SkyHD box off by pressing and holding the standby button for five seconds (so the light on the box turns red). …and Auto Standby ENVIRONMENTAL INFO Switching your SkyHD box to standby when it’s not in use can save up to 50% of the energy it uses (so the light on the box turns amber).
Recycling packaging TAKING CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL INFO Remember to recycle your packaging instead of throwing it out with your rubbish. At the end of its useful life, cardboard packaging can be recovered and recycled. Recycling responsibly will reduce the requirement for new raw materials and the amount of material that would otherwise end up in landfill.
For your safety Using equipment safely Your SkyHD box has been manufactured to meet international safety standards, but you must take care if you want it to perform properly and safely. It is important that you read this booklet completely, especially the ‘Warnings and Cautions’ instructions. If you have any doubts about the operation or safety of your SkyHD box, please contact Sky or your dealer.. • Remember that contact with 230V AC mains can be lethal or can cause a severe electric shock.
Electrical information Mains plug and its fuse TAKING CONTROL FOR YOUR SAFETY The supplied mains plug may be a non-rewireable type or a rewireable type. Both types contain an approved 3A fuse. If you need to replace the fuse, use an ASTA- or BSI-approved BS 1362 fuse, rated at 3A and marked with either of these symbols. Non-rewireable plugs have the fuse beneath a fuse cover on the plug face. Use a screwdriver to lever off the fuse cover, replace the fuse with a new one and refit its cover.
Troubleshooting You can get help on using Sky digital from various places. Use this booklet as your full guide to using your SkyHD box and getting the most out of its exclusive features. The troubleshooting tips in the next pages may come in handy if you have any problems. If you have any problems with your SkyHD box that aren’t covered in this guide or the other references, call Sky or your broadcaster.
What’s wrong? Possible reason What to do now Nothing is happening on-screen / my screen is blank. Your SkyHD box may not be plugged into the mains. 1 Make sure the mains lead is properly plugged in and your SkyHD box is switched on. TROUBLESHOOTING 2 Check that your SkyHD box is not in standby mode. The light on the front panel of your SkyHD box should be green. 3 Press Sky on your remote to control your SkyHD box.
Possible reason What to do now My remote control isn’t working. Your SkyHD box may be off or not plugged into the mains. The batteries in your remote control may be flat or an obstacle may be between your remote control and your box. Make sure you point your remote control directly at your SkyHD box, and that nothing is between the two. The remote command light on your SkyHD box and on your remote control should flash each time you press a remote control key.
What’s wrong? My phone line is not connected (continued opposite…) Possible reason What to do now 4 Highlight Dialling Prefix and press the number sequence 1, 4, 7, 0. TAKING CONTROL TROUBLESHOOTING 5 Select Save Settings. Warning: please make sure you follow steps 1-6 precisely and do not make any other changes while in the Installer Setup menu as these may have an adverse effect on your service. 6 Make sure your phone line is free then press select.
Possible reason What to do now My phone line is not connected (continued opposite…) D) You have an ADSL/Broadband service at home. D) Make sure you have an ADSL/Broadband filter connected to the phone socket, plug the telephone line from the box into the filter, then follow the ‘callback’ procedure below. E) You have disconnected your phone line (e.g. to carry out decorative works in your home). E) Reconnect the phone line, then follow the ‘callback’ procedure below.
TAKING CONTROL TROUBLESHOOTING 54 What’s wrong? Possible reason What to do now I can’t get a picture on my HD channels. You may not have the right subscriptions or equipment. The resolution output setting may be incompatible with your TV set. You may not have the right subscriptions or equipment. To upgrade to SkyHD, call us. If you’re sure you have the right equipment and subscriptions to receive HD channels, try following the steps under Changing the picture settings (page 38).
Display messages Read these tips if you see a message on-screen and you don’t know what to do next. What does it mean? What to do now Insert your Sky viewing card There’s no viewing card in the viewing card slot of your SkyHD box. Insert or reinsert your viewing card in the direction of the arrow. The card holds all the information your SkyHD box needs to know about your subscription. There is a problem with your Sky viewing card Your SkyHD box cannot recognise your viewing card.
TAKING CONTROL TROUBLESHOOTING 56 Message What does it mean? What to do now There is insufficient credit left on your viewing card There’s not enough credit / space left on your viewing card account to buy this programme / store the information for this programme. First check that the telephone lead between your SkyHD box and the socket is properly plugged in. If you still see the message, call the number shown on your screen so you can order this programme.
What does it mean? What to do now No signal found Your SkyHD box couldn’t find a signal after you asked it to find new channels. Check the settings you entered were right. This programme is no longer available You selected a programme that is no longer available in your Planner. Select another programme. System fault There was an unexpected error with your SkyHD box during system setup. Call Sky Customer Service (see your Terms & Conditions). Housekeeping.
Telephone numbers You can find Sky and other broadcasters’ phone numbers in your Sky Guide; Press services (for Options), press down then select the Contact Us tab. This list includes specific numbers for SkyHD. When you call, please have your system information available as we will need this to deal with your problem. To find this information, press services, scroll right and select Settings then select the Details tab. TAKING CONTROL CONTACT US Remember for online help, go to sky.
SkyHD Specifications The following specification is for the SkyHD box made by BSkyB. Specifications may change without notice. SPECIFICATIONS General Input voltage: 230V ~; 50Hz Input power: 25W (max.) LNB output: +13/+18V DC 250mA max. Weight: 2.0kg (packed) Dimensions: 273mm x 204mm x 52mm ( inc. rubber feet ) Operating temp. range: +5°C to +45°C Storage temp.
HD jargon-buster DVI Digital Video Interface. Provides high-bandwidth digital connection between a video source and a TV. Audio is carried separately. HD JARGON-BUSTER A High Definition Multimedia Interface is like a High Definition scart cable, a high-bandwidth digital connection for both video and audio. ensures the best video signal is sent from the source (HD signal) to the display (LCD, Plasma, DLP).
© Copyright British Sky Broadcasting Limited 2011. Sky, SkyHD, Sky±, Sky Box Office, Sky Guide, Anytime, Sky Anytime, Anytime±, Sky Anytime±, Believe in Better and Series Link are trade marks owned by the British Sky Broadcasting group of companies. Used under licence. Sky±HD remote control: UK, Irish and Community registered design numbers GB3022129, IE20855, IE20856, CD294475-0004 to CD294475-0007. Sky±HD 1TB box: European patent nos.
Notes 62 USING SkyHD
Notes 63
Believe in better BSkyB, Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5QD sky.