Review: Sky+ Remote Record utility

Remote Record from Sky looks set to end the nightmare of forgetting to set your Sky+ box to record your favourite show.

The basic service works by text message (you send a request, Sky will then send back confirmation), but by using the Sky by Mobile version, which requires a 3G/GPRS handset, you can browse the seven-day EPG (electronic programme guide) and perform programme searches.

Once a record request is received, Sky will beam a message to your Sky+ box. There's no need to worry about someone being on the phone when this message is sent since it's all done via satellite and not through the Sky+ box's phone link.

In order to use the service you'll need to access the Sky Active service from your Sky+ box and enter a few details, including your mobile phone number.

To use the more advanced Sky by Mobile service you'll need to also register at Sky.com.

We tried out Remote Record with a Nokia N70 3G phone. After registering for Sky by Mobile a link for the application download was sent direct to our phone.

At first, the application hung at the Authenticating User stage, but when we tried about 30 minutes later we managed to log on without a problem.

You can browse the EPG just as you would on your Sky+ box and, despite the relatively small screen on our Nokia N70, we were able to see the next hour's schedule for seven channels per page.

Since you need to wait for the page to reload whenever you move around the guide, scheduling recordings using this method can be frustratingly slow.

If you know what you want to record, you're far better off using the Search feature. This lets you search by name, channel, time or date, or a combination of all four.

Upon scheduling a recording, a notice appears stating that it could be up to half an hour before the message is sent to your Sky+ box; something that could pose a problem if you want to record a program that's just started.

That said, when we tried it, most record requests were received almost immediately.

Sky doesn't charge for the Sky by Mobile service, but you will have to pay data charges as determined by your mobile network.

To help you keep track of costs, a screen pops up telling you how much data has been transferred; a single request should only clock up around 15KB of data.

If you don't like the idea of paying for SMS text messages or GPRS/3G data charges, you'll be pleased to hear Sky is planning to offer the Remote Record service on its website in the near future.

Remote Record is a well-designed and easy-to-use service that is bound to be well received by Sky's subscribers.

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