Got it hooked up today. Dissapointed.
Any comments anyone.
Any comments anyone.
Sky HDTV
- Thread starter ukbob
- Start date
what resoloution is your tv?
1080p and 10,000 to1
As far as I know, most of what they broadcast is 720p only, this is the problem. Also, as far as I know they never broadcast in 1080p only 1080i, but for TV/Video/Film they never need to if the 1080i image is 60 frames per second (30 real frames, even lines first frame, odd lines second, etc.) - the TV would convert that to a regular 30 frames per second 1080p image. If they broadcast 1080i at 30 frames per second then it's bad form.
The other problem could be that they use really shitty encoding of the video/audio. I don't know as I have never seen Sky HD. They simply might not have the bandwidth on their satellites.
Well, I watched channel four both in HD and regular and could not notice a lot of difference. Could see a marginal difference on SKY Sports 1 and 2 but not the clarity they are boasting. Just wondering if anyone else sees the same.
What's the BBC HD channel like Bob, if they have one of course? I ask this as the BBC are free to air and rent their own transponders on the sat, so Sky do not have anything to do with the signal.
I have to say pretty good. Don't know if they are going with full programming of their regular shows like Eastenders etc.
I cant see them rolling out full HD channels until they can get it on Freeview for reasons of how they are funded. I don't think that they are allowed to offer full service unless it can potentially hit a particular % figure. I suppose this could happen when the normal analogue signal is switched off and they can use the space freed up to stick a HD channel on Freeview.
I have had SKY HD for about a year now and im delighted with it. Remember that although a program is on a HD channel, it doest mean that its actually broadcast in HD. Only really live sport is shown in HD on Sky Sports HD1 & 2. Same goes for C4 HD and Sky One HD. Press the info button and it will tell you if the program your watching is in HD.
Discovery shows loads of HD programs.
Just have a look at Lost in HD when it comes back in Feb, then compare it to lost in SD. It looks absolutely stunning in HD. As does Heroes, Prison Break and Planet Earth on BBC HD.
Even if you don't subscribe to the HD Channels, then I still think its worth having a Sky HD box as it upscales SD to 1080i or 720p.
My old Sky Box with the scart cable looked turd on my 40" Bravia 1080p. The difference between that at SD content on a HD box is huge.
I cant understand it when people buy huge HD TVs and just use it to watch TV via Scart. Its like running a Ferrari on diesel.
Discovery shows loads of HD programs.
Just have a look at Lost in HD when it comes back in Feb, then compare it to lost in SD. It looks absolutely stunning in HD. As does Heroes, Prison Break and Planet Earth on BBC HD.
Even if you don't subscribe to the HD Channels, then I still think its worth having a Sky HD box as it upscales SD to 1080i or 720p.
My old Sky Box with the scart cable looked turd on my 40" Bravia 1080p. The difference between that at SD content on a HD box is huge.
I cant understand it when people buy huge HD TVs and just use it to watch TV via Scart. Its like running a Ferrari on diesel.
Thanks. I watched a bit of Lost rerun this morning and it was good. I have HDMI connection so my "Ferrari" will run well. I will remember to press the info button, that will clear up a lot of the questions I have.
Maybe true...
But having to fork out over €400 plus an extra €15 euro a month just for a few channels in HD is not worth it at the moment.
Is that what they are doing? Makes sense then, even if a bit shitty. Obviously they can't do much with old programmes, but surely all new ones are recorded in HD?
I got mine from ebay for £150. Upto you, but if i wanted to have HD content on my HD TV. I spent £1300+ on the TV so why not spend a bit more to get the most out of it?
What's the point of buying it then
There must be something wrong your end Bob, there is a massive difference in quality.
PS: Sky Sports 1 & 2 are never broadcast in HD - HD broadcasts are only available for Premiership matches on Sky 408.
Do you have a dedicated HD lead plugged in and not just a scart lead?
Well i got my tv for only €600....and to be honest there seems to be very little HD channels for my liking to justify paying that much.
Its sufficient for me at the moment having my ps3 on HD
Yes, he said he is using a HDMI cable in post #11.
For 720p broadcasts? There is no need to broadcast in 1080p for prerecorded stuff as film/video is only recorded between 24 and 30 frames per second. A 1080i image is perfectly acceptable in this scenario as long as it was recorded correctly.
Apologies
OK, update. Thanks to Gaffs have been checking what is HD and not. My conclusion is that it is a bit of a con. Have not watched a footie game in HD yet that will happen this weekend. Most of the "HD" channels do not show them in HD all the time. Those programmes that are in HD are great but as someone said is it worth the money? TBH NO. I just have to hope that more channels will be added as time goes on. Mind you the bluray DVD's are incredible.
Wait till you see football in HD.
Just a shame its City v West Ham in sunday.
HD is go good, you can see every empty seat at Eastlands.
Live broadcasts are still only 720p is that correct?
720p or 1080i i think. I dont think they can transmit 1080p. They only do 720p/1080i in the States too.
I know that pre-recorded stuff is broadcast in 1080i (Planet Earth etc.), and as I said, there is no need for 1080p for video applications (due to the frame rate), but live events like football are 720p, is that correct?
Well, I have to say the football in HD was pretty amazing stuff. Hopefully SKY will show a United game ar some time or other or will Setanta broadcast in HD soon, anyone know?
Prem Plus used to have a HD Channel. I doubt Setanta will.
SkyHD content is all 1080i. Even if the original\ source is 720p it all get converted by sky as far as I am aware, to 1080i. The 1080i is the only broadcast standard that was rattified when in the beginning, 1080p came along latter and most decent screens can handle the interlaced content well enough for it not to cause a problem.
SD content always looks a bit iffy but things like upscalers etc can improve it a bit, most top end screens have some kind of image processor onboard to do this, or you can buy and external box, but improvement is marginal in my opinion
SD content always looks a bit iffy but things like upscalers etc can improve it a bit, most top end screens have some kind of image processor onboard to do this, or you can buy and external box, but improvement is marginal in my opinion