Sky HD

[mc999]

im gettin an hd tv and at the moment have a sky + but i wont be able to see the channels in high defination if the sky box doesnt have a hdmi output?
If this is true then will i need to get the sky HD box?

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by mc999

im gettin an hd tv and at the moment have a sky + but i wont be able to see the channels in high defination if the sky box doesnt have a hdmi output?
If this is true then will i need to get the sky HD box?

Yes, you will have to get a Sky HD box to view HD programmes but you will still be able to connect your standard Sky+ box via SCART to your TV to view programmes in SD.

Ben

[Matt D]

Originally Posted by mc999

im gettin an hd tv and at the moment have a sky + but i wont be able to see the channels in high defination if the sky box doesnt have a hdmi output?
If this is true then will i need to get the sky HD box?

It's not just that the Sky+ box has no HDMI output, it's also due to the simple fact that it is not HD at all anyway, & cannot actually view any of the HD channels.


Simply having an HD TV does not mean you can see the HD channels. To view HD digital satellite TV channels, you also need a compatible HD set-top box, e.g. Sky HD or Freesat HD.

[mc999]

Originally Posted by ben_b

Yes, you will have to get a Sky HD box to view HD programmes but you will still be able to connect your standard Sky+ box via SCART to your TV to view programmes in SD.

Ben

i have heard that doing that the images are not clear on a HD tv. Is that true?

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by mc999

i have heard that doing that the images are not clear on a HD tv. Is that true?

Yes to some extent it is because the box upscales SD content to near HD quality on a Sky HD box.

Ben

[Matt D]

Originally Posted by mc999

i have heard that doing that the images are not clear on a HD tv. Is that true?

SD can look more crap on an HD TV, especially using SCART etc.



The Sky HD box can upscale the SD channels, over HDMI. Looks *much* better IMO than viewing the same SD channels connected via SCART & not upscaled (well, not upscaled by the box - the TV would do the upscaling if you connect an SD source in that way).

[multiskilled]

Don't forget the £10 extra subscription per month to to get the sky hd channels

[mc999]

so i should get the sky hd box then but the only problem with that is it is £300 plus another fee for viewing the hd channels every month on top of your monthly package?

[multiskilled]

Only you can decide whether the outlay is worth it. If your getting the hd tv anyway why not see if your happy with the picture quality with your existing set up before splashing out on sky a hd box.

[Matt D]

Sky are rumoured to be slashing the Sky HD STB cost in July... £150 for new & existing customers (not including installation).

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-n...ge-sky-hd.html


But yeah, there is still the Sky HD subscription (to become the "Sky HD Mix" in July) at £10 per month, if you want the various Sky HD channels.

Although BBC HD & C4 HD are totally free - no need for a Sky HD subscription for those. But... if you get a Sky HD box from Sky and do not take out a Sky HD subscription, Sky charge you the full whack for the box (£400 IIRC).[so for that route, it's much cheaper to get one off eBay or somewhere & self-install, or wait for the Freesat HD PVR if you want Sky+ type features but also want free HD channels)]

[mc999]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Sky are rumoured to be slashing the Sky HD STB cost in July... £150 for new & existing customers (not including installation).

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-n...ge-sky-hd.html


But yeah, there is still the Sky HD subscription (to become the "Sky HD Mix" in July) at £10 per month, if you want the various Sky HD channels.

Although BBC HD & C4 HD are totally free - no need for a Sky HD subscription for those. But... if you get a Sky HD box from Sky and do not take out a Sky HD subscription, Sky charge you the full whack for the box (£400 IIRC).[so for that route, it's much cheaper to get one off eBay or somewhere & self-install, or wait for the Freesat HD PVR if you want Sky+ type features but also want free HD channels)]

the freesat HD PVR will only have the free channels you would normally get rite?
any suggestions for a LCD tv i should get which are good?

[Matt D]

The only HD channels currently available on Freesat are BBC HD & ITV HD (with ITV HD actually an "interactive red button service" rather than a linear channel). I'd assume Freesat will also eventually get C4 HD.


Recommendations for an LCD TV... Personally, I'd say get a Samsung. have a look around the forum, there's been quite a few threads about TV recommendations.

[mc999]

Originally Posted by Matt D

The only HD channels currently available on Freesat are BBC HD & ITV HD (with ITV HD actually an "interactive red button service" rather than a linear channel). I'd assume Freesat will also eventually get C4 HD.


Recommendations for an LCD TV... Personally, I'd say get a Samsung. have a look around the forum, there's been quite a few threads about TV recommendations.

So with the sky hd box i can view all the channels in hd but hve to pay extra for the hd sky sports channel rite?

[multiskilled]

No you will only get the free to air channels, bbc hd & chan 4 hd, there may be some others, I suggest you check the sky site to see what's available.

Sky 1 hd and discovery hd etc, you will have to pay the £10 subscription to view.

ITV hd is not available on sky at the moment.

Any other channels will be sd but upscaled to by the sky box.

[mc999]

so basically the sky hd box will upscale the channels in near hd format which you get in sky+ box?