While some criticise the Sky Anytime+ service as lacking in content, it certainly carries an appeal for some people. It will appeal particular to those with a Sky TV subscription who don't have a device capable of accessing services like Sky Go already attached to their TV. The service until now has been restricted to Sky customers who also have Sky broadband, this restriction has now been lifted.
Sky Anytime+ allows any Sky+ HD home to access a wide range of Sky content, and download it to their Sky settop box over their broadband connection. The fact that material is downloaded, rather than streamed live means people with slower broadband connections can enjoy the service. Those with faster connections will experience a much more on-demand service.
The service is free, and simply requires activation via your user profile on www.sky.com/anytimeplus and the Sky+ HD box to be connected to a broadband connection. The boxes support an Ethernet connection, which if difficult to reach with a cable can be easily solved by the use of HomePlug devices, or a wireless ethernet bridge. Alternatively Sky sell a wireless connector for the Sky+ HD box at £60, or it can be set-up as part of a standard box install, or a seperate visit costing £40.
Any films downloaded will count against your download or usage allowance with your broadband service, so do remember to keep an eye on the usage, as it can be easy to quickly use up allowance.
Once you've activated it, how do you actually access it on your box?