Pace SKY+160GB : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Ease of Use	Very Easy
Ease of Installation	Very Easy
Range of Features	Excellent
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Excellent quality, reliable and plenty of memory
Disadvantages:	Some software flaws and I would have prefered a darker silver colour to match my TV and DVD player

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I bought this Sky+ box and subscribed to Sky+ a year or so ago and was incredibly impressed. Unlike some digital boxes it is very responsive to the controls and is well designed and easy to use. I never worked out how to set a video, but with Sky+ I can record whatever I want at the touch of a button.

I like the series link feature that will record every episode of a series. This cleverly only records the episodes you want, whereas some other PVR's will record the same thing multiple times, and things you don't want (such as the Simpsons - if I set this box to record the new episode of the Simpsons that is on at 6.30pm on a Sunday then it will do just that, whereas some other people's boxes I know will automatically record every episode of the Simpsons that is ever on at any time, which is not what you want at all and soon wastes all the space!).

Although the series link feature works perfectly, there are some flaws with the Sky+ software. For example, it can be used to record two programmes at once but it doesn't always notify you in advance of a possible clash and you have to try to work these out yourself. Also, the electronic TV guide only works a week in advance which is not much use if you go on holiday for longer than that.

You can record things you've recorded on your Sky+ box onto DVD or video but unfortunately this is only possible in real-time so takes ages, meaning that you can't watching anything while it is copying.

I decided to invest in the 160GB box rather than the basic one and was very glad I did because this is exactly the right amount of memory for my needs.

This Sky+ box has completely transformed the way I watch TV as I no longer have to watch whatever rubbish is on, and can instead set it to record the things I really want to watch. I never have to watch adverts as everything I watch has been pre-recorded. Like the adverts say, it really is "creating your own TV channel"!