UPC HD cable box

ciaran75

hi guys,

i've just noticed HD is now available in my area, what type of decoder box do they use? Are they similar to the Thomson Digital+ boxes, which i think are excellent. Personally think a much better picture than the grey non+ boxes.

I've checked the UPC site for a manual but they don't seem to have one
Is there a link anywhere?

Are they black?
Any comments on the picture quality of the non HD channels?

Bit concerned may have a worse picture as currently have Digital+ going throuh DVD player to upscale which won't be possible as will be using a HDMI cable.

Cheers,

NothingMan

Well firstly if you have a scart from the UPC box going to an upscaler DVD player you're not really getting any upscaling as the scart is the weak link in the chain.

It's a black box, quite large, the quality of the standard definition is slightly better than it was when I had Sky but nothing compared to my one HD channel BBC HD.

Biffo The Bare

I got the value HD package just after Christmas, and the good news is the SD channels are a lot better on this new box than the old grey Pace boxes, but only through HDMI. The BBC HD channel is amazing through HDMI.
As an experiment, I plugged in the Scart instead of the HDMI to my TV and it was like going back to the old Pace days. The difference is huge.
Moral of story: Use the HDMI cable even if it means upgrading your TV.

ciaran75

rang UPC yesterday and asked to upgrade to HD and they said it was not available yet in my location. I told him the website said it was to which he replied that he reckoned they only did that so people would ring up and they could sell them other packages etc. guess the wait goes on.

Of course i'd use a HDMI cable, currently it is the only thing not on HDMI in my AV setup.

irishj

HD isn't available in my area either (Celbridge)...what i don't get, is why they won't allow you to order a HD box anyway ? Everyone on here says the picture quality is superior with the HD box and your paying for it...so i don't see why they are dicks about it ???

I'm a customer, i want a HD box...i'm willing to pay for it, so give it to me !!!!

surf board

I heard its the best box they have had. In order to match Sky (who are now issuing only HD boxes) why not supply these to their customers instead of the digital+ boxes? If some customers cannot get HD in their area at least they will be ready when it is available &/or they will have better picture quality too on the SD channels.

paulm17781

I'd agree. I don't even know if I'd watch the stuff they have on HD. I want that box for the bigger HDD and HDMI.

Ranicand

ciaran75 wrote: »

hi guys,



Bit concerned may have a worse picture as currently have Digital+ going throuh DVD player to upscale which won't be possible as will be using a HDMI cable.

Cheers,

All non HD channels are upscaled by the HD box itself.

The picture quality on the HD box beats any other box by a mile.