Updating question on Sky+HD, please help

cloudancing

Hi,
Nice to be here. This is my 1st post, so hi everyone.

I just got a new 40" Sony LCD TV at the weekend,installer told me it's not crystal clear as I only have a standard Sky+ box, that picture quality is of 620p or something.

So I am looking at the HD box now. If I got a SKY+ HD box, will the picture be clearer? Do you have to buy their HD pack? I notice USA shows like Prison Break have a better picture than most. Confused & new to all this HD and HDMI talk,so go easy please.lol!

newbie2

to get the best out of your new 40" HD tv, you'll need to give it a HD signal. getting sky HD would be a revelation for you. You'll have to pay a little more but I believe it's worth it. You'll never watch a football match in standard definition again.
TV shows such as Prison Break, Heroes, Lost etc are alll broadcast in HD now via Sky HD. Makes them look much better.

steveon

SkyHd would certainly be of advantage to you on the HD mix..which you have to take in order to get the HD box at its current price of €49 plus €50 for the install.

Your subscription will go up by €14.75 a month if you decide to upgrade.

cloudancing

I am about 8FT away from TV (it's in bedroom), would that matter with HD? Thank you.

steveon

Shouldnt make too much difference....however you should check the settings on your sky box to make sure you are getting the best out of your current setup

Press Services on the top of your remote
Press no 4
no press no 1

Make sure the screen size is set rite...probably should be 16:9 for you

Check the picture is it in Pal mode or RGB mode....try flicking between the two it mite look better in RGB mode...would be my preffered setting...

click save whatever looks best to you..

Laphroaig52

You don't say whether you have a Sky Sports or Movies pack. If so and you watch a lot of sport, the upgrade to Sky HD is probably worth it.

If you don't have Sports or Movies, you will find that you get very little HD programming for your €14.75. I'm not sure if the Sky+ box will allow you to browse the HD channels but if you check it out, you will find very little there beyond the premium channels. Don't expect the RTEs or BBCs etc.

You could go and buy a HD box and install it yourself without the HD subscription. That will give you the benefit of the HD upscaling on SD channels.

That is what I have but in my opinion while the improvement is discernible, it is marginal.

cloudancing

I mainly watch USA shows and football. I have the sports pack. In the HD pack do you get FXHD, and any other station that have HD beside them in your current pack like the entertainment one?
Also can you not get BBC HD on the Other Channels as free view?

newbie2

Yes. You get about 15/20 HD channels. incl.
Sky HD
Nat Geo HD
Nat Geo Wild HD
Discovery HD
History HD
Crime HD
FX HD
Sci Fi HD
ITV HD and BBC HD - through other channels

Full list here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky%2B_HD#Current_HD_channels