Sky HD - Questions!

Kev_ps3

Ok, ive got a Sky+ box downstairs and a standard Sky box upstairs. We have all the regular channels with the sports channels - sky sports (dont have sky movies). I am thinking about getting a Sky HD box for xmas and ive got a few questions.

Firstly, I see the box itself costs 449 euro. I will be getting rid of the standard sky box so will it be cheaper? I read on another post that they are going to be cheaper for this xmas, is this true?
How many HD channels do you get? I am really only interested in the sports channels but any extra would be great.
Finally, ive got a 32" Samsung 1080i lcd tv, is there much of a difference from normal sky?

Cheers.

Kev_ps3

Useless the lot of ye. Not even one post. Dont think i'll be posting here again.

atheist

Perhaps with extra dish or additional equipment

spongerobinson

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Useless the lot of ye. Not even one post. Dont think i'll be posting here again.

your not gonna get much help around here with posts like that!

hottstuff

At the moment there are about 13 HD channels and IMO it's well worth it , especially the footie.
I've upgraded mine with a 1TB HDD and can record a lot of HD.

Mossy Monk

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Useless the lot of ye. Not even one post. Dont think i'll be posting here again.

I don't think you will be missed.

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

At the moment there are about 13 HD channels and IMO it's well worth it , especially the footie.
I've upgraded mine with a 1TB HDD and can record a lot of HD.

How did that work out for you? I was reading on another board about it. It easy to do?

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

How did that work out for you? I was reading on another board about it. It easy to do?

Well if your used to doing pc upgrades , it's piss easy.
Only problems most people run into is using the copy+ software to copy over your recordings from one HDD.
Need PC with two free SATA drive channels or two external USB SATA drive caddies.
And the fact you can only choose 999GB as it doesnt like commas , ie.1,000GB.

I have a step by step guide up on my own forums.

byte

hottstuff wrote: »

At the moment there are about 13 HD channels and IMO it's well worth it , especially the footie.
I've upgraded mine with a 1TB HDD and can record a lot of HD.

Sounds nice. I wouldn't mind doing that myself, if ever I upgrade to SkyHD.

hottstuff

byte wrote: »

Sounds nice. I wouldn't mind doing that myself, if ever I upgrade to SkyHD.

Yes , after a year of only being able to have about 8 HD movies on your 320Gb maxtor inside (only 160GB allocated to recordings) , the 1 TB gives you a lovely 840GB allocated to recordings.
Result.;)

Tony

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Useless the lot of ye. Not even one post. Dont think i'll be posting here again.

Fine dont post here again, we can do without that attitude

Homer

Hi Hottstuff,

Any chance of a link to your step-by-step please?

(If thats ok with the mods)

Cheers!

hottstuff

Here is the thread:

http://www.av-hd.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=67

Be very carefull with the SkyHD box , its basically an eggshell when it comes to protecting the HDD.

Also worth noting , you will be voiding your warranty by taking the HDD out of its fan enclosure , not that this will really make a difference if your box dies as mine was replaced on site without inspection.
ENjoy

Homer

Excellent. Thats my saturday sorted so!

Thanks hotstuff!

hottstuff

Welcome mate.
If you have any issues using Copy+ , as it can be fiddley , contact me.
I have done this 4 times now without issues.

BTW it should also be noted if you are using a 500GB or less HDD , you can just install it and let the box format the drive.

keith_d99

It's still 449 - and you have to take up the 15 a month sub to get that price?!?

That's still way too dear - for me anyway! It has been this price from day 1 - when are they going to bring this down?

Does anybody know if the HD box "upscales" SD channels?

hottstuff

keith_d99 wrote: »

It's still 449 - and you have to take up the 15 a month sub to get that price?!?

That's still way too dear - for me anyway! It has been this price from day 1 - when are they going to bring this down?

Does anybody know if the HD box "upscales" SD channels?

Yes it will, however the scaler in your TV will probably be better at doing this job than the sky box and 4:3 programs are stretched to 16:9 and there's no option to change it.

Kev_ps3

Im going to order it today when I get home, how long does it take until they come out with it? Do you think I'll have it before xmas? I was talking to someone about it and they said it takes a few weeks!

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Im going to order it today when I get home, how long does it take until they come out with it? Do you think I'll have it before xmas? I was talking to someone about it and they said it takes a few weeks!

Well i was one of the first installs when it was launched in June 2006. , so not sure.
It may well take 2 weeks or so.
Phone up and stress your anticipation.;)

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Well i was one of the first installs when it was launched in June 2006. , so not sure.
It may well take 2 weeks or so.
Phone up and stress your anticipation.;)

Will do! Any good excuses I could use?!

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Will do! Any good excuses I could use?!

Of course , you have 2 friends who are also interested , but they are waiting to see yours first , and it's nearly Christmas of course.;)

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Of course , you have 2 friends who are also interested , but they are waiting to see yours first , and it's nearly Christmas of course.;)

I try that, cheers;)

atheist

So you don't mind giving up multiroom?

Kev_ps3

Anyone have Sky Movies HD? Is the PQ good? It good as upscaled or closer to bluray?

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Anyone have Sky Movies HD? Is the PQ good? It good as upscaled or closer to bluray?

Upscaled is not HD mate.
Sky Movies is HD 1080i@50hz , albeit the bitrate is variable and never as high as blu-ray etc , it is still HD and yes does look good, depending on the display.

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Upscaled is not HD mate.
Sky Movies is HD 1080i@50hz , albeit the bitrate is variable and never as high as blu-ray etc , it is still HD and yes does look good, depending on the display.

Is there 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound? I somehow doubt there is uncompressed PCM!

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Is there 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound? I somehow doubt there is uncompressed PCM!

Yes even some of the HD TV series have 5.1 DD.
No you wont see the HD sound formats on TV mate.

Kev_ps3

Getting it on saturday, gonna watch the big soccer matches on sunday in HD! Cant wait!

Kev_ps3

Regarding the hard drive. I believe it is 160 gb. Would you fit much on it? Do HD programs take up much space?
I might upgrade my hard drive to 1TB if I need more.

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Regarding the hard drive. I believe it is 160 gb. Would you fit much on it? Do HD programs take up much space?
I might upgrade my hard drive to 1TB if I need more.

It's actually a 320gb HDD , but 160gb is reserved for sky use.anytime etc.
If you start recording HD , you will notice the space dissapearing quick!!

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

It's actually a 320gb HDD , but 160gb is reserved for sky use.anytime etc.
If you start recording HD , you will notice the space dissapearing quick!!

What exactly is Sky Anytime? And why does it need so much space?

Homer

Sky anytime appears in your planner and is a selection of HD programmes that you can watch on demand. Just select the programme you want to watch and it starts and you can start/stop at any time and come back to it later.
They achieve this by reserving 160Gb of your hard drive.
Have used it a couple of times but it's not that great imo?

Kev_ps3

alrite thanks. what kind of programmes can you watch on demand?

hottstuff

industria wrote: »

Have used it a couple of times but it's not that great imo?

I agree , infact it's a total waste of 160GB IMO.

It downloads shows based on your viewing habits!!
I like Road Wars and it records Judge Judy!!!!lol not that i don't like that oul bat either.
I want to choose what i want to record thanks as series link will keep the whole series for me.
Also it goes online during the night to download these programmes so if the box is in a bedroom it will click all night long

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

I agree , infact it's a total waste of 160GB IMO.

It downloads shows based on your viewing habits!!
I like Road Wars and it records Judge Judy!!!!lol not that i don't like that oul bat either.
I want to choose what i want to record thanks as series link will keep the whole series for me.
Also it goes online during the night to download these programmes so if the box is in a bedroom it will click all night long

can you turn it off?? Its going in my bedroom! Is it loud?! What times does it click??

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

can you turn it off?? Its going in my bedroom! Is it loud?! What times does it click??

Yes you can & yes it is.
In a quiet bedroom at night it can wake a light sleeper.
Mini pc whirring into action and then maxtor hdd clicking.

Kev_ps3

thank god, so if I turn anytime off, the hd box will be silent when in standby?

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

thank god, so if I turn anytime off, the hd box will be silent when in standby?

Yes.
But remember if you shedule recordings during the night , it will sound the same.:)

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Yes.
But remember if you shedule recordings during the night , it will sound the same.:)

Thats good to hear.
Is the fan loud during normal working? I read a few topics on another board about some boxes being very loud.

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Thats good to hear.
Is the fan loud during normal working? I read a few topics on another board about some boxes being very loud.

It depends on the enclosure/stand & acoustics of the room.
I have a 360 Elite , PS3 , Dell XPS so it never bothers me at all.
But if your not used to things like that under your telly it can be a little distracting.
Its well worth it for me , the footie is just amazing in HD.:cool:

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

It depends on the enclosure/stand & acoustics of the room.
I have a 360 Elite , PS3 , Dell XPS so it never bothers me at all.
But if your not used to things like that under your telly it can be a little distracting.
Its well worth it for me , the footie is just amazing in HD.:cool:

Good stuff! Cant wait to see the football myself!
Ive got a ps3, amp and surround sound setup so im used to fans!

Kev_ps3

Just to put this to bed. You can watch BBC HD but only if you tune it in and watch it from the 'other channels'. But Channel4 HD is not available.

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Good stuff! Cant wait to see the football myself!
Ive got a ps3, amp and surround sound setup so im used to fans!

Grand!!!
Get ready to become a regular armchair supporter!!!!
BTW sky sports have 3 HD channels they show footie on and
its all in 5.1 DD :cool:

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Grand!!!
Get ready to become a regular armchair supporter!!!!
BTW sky sports have 3 HD channels they show footie on and
its all in 5.1 DD :cool:

3? I taught it was 2? 5.1 sounds good!

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

3? I taught it was 2? 5.1 sounds good!

Sky sports 1 & 2 HD and SkyOne HD shows some CL games in HD.

hottstuff

BTW tip: If you press the i button (info) it will tell you if it is proper HD or upscaled.
HD,DD/DS will beside the name if it is true HD.

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

BTW tip: If you press the i button (info) it will tell you if it is proper HD or upscaled.
HD,DD/DS will beside the name if it is true HD.

Cheers, what does DD and DS stand for?

Also, Just to put this to bed. You can watch BBC HD but only if you tune it in and watch it from the 'other channels'. But Channel4 HD is not available.

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Cheers, what does DD and DS stand for?

Dolby Digital 5.1 & Dolby Surround (2.0)

Also, Just to put this to bed. You can watch BBC HD but only if you tune it in and watch it from the 'other channels'. But Channel4 HD is not available.

Yes and because you add the channel it means you cannot record or schedule recordings , or even check the EPG.
No Channel 4 HD won't be available on our EPG and you cannot add it.

Kev_ps3

hottstuff wrote: »

Dolby Digital 5.1 & Dolby Surround (2.0)



Yes and because you add the channel it means you cannot record or schedule recordings , or even check the EPG.
No Channel 4 HD won't be available on our EPG and you cannot add it.

Thats good to hear that I can add BBC hd. I read that it was the best channel for hd picture quality on another fourm.

hottstuff

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Thats good to hear that I can add BBC hd. I read that it was the best channel for hd picture quality on another fourm.

Yes it has the highest bitrate of any of the HD channels , even though when the channel launched a year ago it did have an even higher bitrate , but they reduced this for bandwidth reasons.

JackieChan

Kev,
How much is Sky HD going for these days? Is the promotional price still going for existing customers?