Sky HD

[lee_sufc]

Has anyone here got a Sky HD box (if they're even out yet). I recently got a HD TV and phoned Sky to ask about the boxes - only to find out they cost £299 PLUS £10 a month on top of the usual subscription fee!!!!!

I am now tempted to convert back to Telewest as their boxes are free (i think).

If anyone here has one installed already, are they worth the extra £299

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Think Sky might have dropped a b*%$ck on their pricing for HD.
You would have thought Sky+ would have taught them a lesson 2 wouldn't you?

I was well interested until I saw the exhorbitant pricing.

 

[Guest]

My mate's got one, looks good but not really worth the upgrade price IMO.

Trouble is, we haven't got a cable option as no-one bothered to cable our area...

 

[canada shrimper]

can't believe the price sky quoted you.our digital High Def package over here costs approx 30 pounds a month that is for about 200 channels + about 30 music channels.imo sports in hd is amazing,. I couldn't believe the difference when watching hockey and nfl.

 

[Kenny]

I'm sure Sky will soon backtrack on that price like they did with Sky+.

 

[SARF]

They are just cashing in on the pre World Cup frenzy..
If they had priced it 'to go' then everyone would be up in arms at the lack of supply.. Im sure their marketing dept has done its supply and demand calculations.. Gradually it will get cheapers as the competition hots up on cable..Then they will price it to achieve critical mass...
Is it true that the current H.D. tvs being sold are not 'H.D. enough' to show this new facility in all its glory yet..?

 

[canveyshrimper]

IIRC when Sky+ came out it was priced around the 300 quid mark, no doubt a few who must have the latest gadget will go for HD. I will wait patiently for the price to drop as was the case with Sky+, besides i think i cough up enough to Sky already. and have no wish to line the pockets of Murdoch further.

 

[FLAVIA]

Telewest box is free if you keep your old box - for another TV . Then it is 10 pound month extra, for HD and 5 pounds month for the old box! So 15 pounds month extra.
If you dont keep the old box it is 10 pounds a month for HD plus - I think - 75 pounds installation charge. Either way cheaper than Sky

 

[The Fitter]

Just how near a tv do you have to sit to reap the benefits of a HD signal?
My screen is 43" and at a nice viewing distance I'm not sure you would really notice much.
I could well be wrong but I think I shall wait a while and see how others get on first.

 

[gilbo]

Quote[/b] (SARF @ June 09 2006,08:29)]Is it true that the current H.D. tvs being sold are not 'H.D. enough' to show this new facility in all its glory yet..?

Most HD TVs on sale at the moment output a resolution of 1080i, which is what the Xbox 360 goes up to. However Sony has just released at the cost of £3295 a TV that outputs at 1080p which is as good as it will get. You can only connect via HDMI to get this resolution.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Quote[/b] (The Fitter @ June 10 2006,17:02)]Just how near a tv do you have to sit to reap the benefits of a HD signal?
My screen is 43" and at a nice viewing distance I'm not sure you would really notice much.
I could well be wrong but I think I shall wait a while and see how others get on first.

You could not be more wrong. HD Tv gives you such unbelievable clarity to your picture just not colour but depth and detail as well, in fact a lot of people have commented that it even seems like 3D.

For instance on BBC's Pride you can make out the individual hairs on the Lions.

Also for new Telewest clients you get the install for free. Current Telewest users you will have to keep your old box to get a free install or you will pay £50. Keeping the extra box will cost £5 per month so basically you might as well do that for 10months as it will cost you the same.

I have my TV Drive and it is great the record 2 channels and watch another channel is a great feature. Also Telewest it the only provider giving you the whole World Cup in HD.

 

[andrew_sthnd]

i have a HD tv at home but have never used the feature and am i correct that the bbc are broadcasting the world cup in HD and if so how would i get the channel/ program my tv etc??

 

[The Fitter]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ June 10 2006,21:45)]

Quote[/b] (The Fitter @ June 10 2006,17:02)]Just how near a tv do you have to sit to reap the benefits of a HD signal?
My screen is 43" and at a nice viewing distance I'm not sure you would really notice much.
I could well be wrong but I think I shall wait a while and see how others get on first.

You could not be more wrong. HD Tv gives you such unbelievable clarity to your picture just not colour but depth and detail as well, in fact a lot of people have commented that it even seems like 3D.

For instance on BBC's Pride you can make out the individual hairs on the Lions.

Also for new Telewest clients you get the install for free. Current Telewest users you will have to keep your old box to get a free install or you will pay £50. Keeping the extra box will cost £5 per month so basically you might as well do that for 10months as it will cost you the same.

I have my TV Drive and it is great the record 2 channels and watch another channel is a great feature. Also Telewest it the only provider giving you the whole World Cup in HD.

Well that's a tick in the pro box but not really an answer to my question.

I have watched a HD demo on my lcd computer monitor and the clarity is vey good but I still would like to know if at 12 feet or so are your eyes good enough to notice where you money has gone?

Christ over the last few years i have blown a fair bit of cash on home cinema type stuff. My equipment is getting a litlle old now (chortle chortle), well except the tele, but is still pretty good. Mission 5 series speakers, Denon 7.1 amp, Pioneer dvd player and plasma screen, so maybe I should'nt stall now but I will only switch to HD if it gives you that extra wow factor. First time you saw a dvd for example you got that. Lots of people are buying lcd and plasma screens that are not HD ready saving a lot of cash that others are spending for a HD ready sticker. If I put an HD signal on my screen would the wife notice without me telling her and without sticking her nose on the screen. That is the test.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Sorry for not making it clear, but the hairs statement was from a normal viewing distance of a big screen.

I have somewhere a calculator that will show you optimum distance is needed for different screen sizes.

It is really helpful to ensuring that you get the right screen for your living room/home cinema room (That is for MtS rather than us poor peasants

).

Let me find it

 

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Kenny @ June 09 2006,06:57)]I'm sure Sky will soon backtrack on that price like they did with Sky+.

It will be nothing to do with "backtracking" more to do with supply and demand and good marketing.

There will always be people prepared to pay a premium to have the latest technology and that's who Sky are targetting at the moment. Once they've satisfied that demand they'll reduce the price.

In any case, if they'd priced the HD boxes at, say, £99 with no additional monthly subscription from day one there's no way they'd have met demand - they haven't been able to keep up with demand at the current price so they have, arguably, under priced.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Or they have had issues with getting the boxes manufactured to a standard where there are not having to be replaced due to bad build quality.

I guess this would cut into the numbers available for new subscribers.

 

[The Fitter]

So Bob C, you are a vote for yes.
Can I ask what equipment you are using. Screen, lead, and do you have a progressive out dvd player. If so any recommends.

 

[Hazey SUFC]

Quote[/b] (The Fitter @ June 11 2006,09:40)]I have watched a HD demo on my lcd computer monitor and the clarity is vey good

Where did you see this demo?

 

[The Fitter]

Quote[/b] (Hazey SUFC @ June 11 2006,15:09)]

Quote[/b] (The Fitter @ June 11 2006,09:40)]I have watched a HD demo on my lcd computer monitor and the clarity is vey good

Where did you see this demo?

Google is your friend.  

 

[Grayson]

Have a Telewest TVDrive, it is awesome, comes highly recommended from me

Keeping the other box is great too, especially with the World Cup, means everyone is happy.