Sky+ Links

Throughout the years, the feature of having 'network linked' shared planners on the Sky+HD platform was a hot topic, and was a feature rumoured that Sky were working on for a number of years, since the introduction of the 'R-Series' Darwin firmware. 

Of course, we ended up getting this feature back in 2016, with the launch of Sky Q. However, the fact that Sky were working on this feature for a number of years was thought to have been simply a rumour. However, in January 2024, Old Digibox received what may be the only surviving example of an unreleased piece of Sky hardware, named Sky+ Links. Given the nature of, and relative completness of the hardware (including fully complete documentation), we're under the impression that the product was pulled close to it being finalised. Examination of the documentation and EPG screenshots within the manual indicate that this artefact dates from late-2012. 

Not much is known about the product, with Internet searches for the model code and 'Sky+ Links' returning little to no content. Analysis of the menus and 'back end' interfaces of the products suggest that it is highly likely the hardware was manufactured by AirTies. This is not surprising, as at the time, Sky maintained a close relationship with the firm, with hardware such as the initial version of the Sky On Demand connector, and potentially, the mesh wireless system adopted by Project Ethan (Sky Q) being developed by themselves. 

The packaging for the Sky+ Links follows closely with other Sky packaging for the time, such as the Sky Hub, On Demand connector, and the Sky+HD boxes themselves. Inside the box, we have three links, three short Ethernet cables, three power supplies, and some documentation. 

The physical design of the Sky+ Link is interesting, with the 'boxes' intending to stand vertically beside a Sky+HD box. The boxes are also moulded to resemble the Sky Hub wireless router in use at the time. 

It was found, that when connected in a production environment, consisting of an Amstrad DRX890 (running R006 software) and an Amstrad DRX595 (running R011 software) that the Sky+ Link hardware served little to no purpose, with no additional planners becoming visible on the DRX595. It's highly likely that the functionality to actually stream the recordings was integrated into the set top box firmware itself, with the Sky+ Link simply acting as a connection between the boxes. However, we can look at a picture within the manual to identify what the functioning setup might have looked like. +