can i use the sky + feature of recording without a sky contract?

No. You have to pay Sky ten pounds pcm.

Later this year there will be a Freesat PVR that will work just like Sky+ but will be FREE to use. The box will plug in to your existing Sky dish just like a Sky+ box. (BTW DO NOT believe some shops who say that it won't work with a Sky dish - it WILL!.

Look here www.freesat.co.uk/index.php

t
June 2008