do I need a new set top box?

geordief

I have just changed my TV from an old cathode tube to a new Samsung ue32d5000-it is HD Ready.

I had been using an old Sky Digibox (Pace) over the years .
With the new TV I wonder if I need a new satellite receiver to take advantage of the ,hopefully, better screen resolution.

I am confused because when I look at the RTE etc channels that I am also picking up directly from the aerial (these are the new Saorview channels) I cannot see any real distinction in quality between the broadcasts in HD and the other non HD broadcasts.

I am guessing there is nothing I can do about that but should I be aiming for a better performance from the channels that I am getting from the satellite dish (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc etc)?

So should I be looking to get a new HD Satellite receiver?

holidaysong

geordief wrote: »

I have just changed my TV from an old cathode tube to a new Samsung ue32d5000-it is HD Ready.

I had been using an old Sky Digibox (Pace) over the years .
With the new TV I wonder if I need a new satellite receiver to take advantage of the ,hopefully, better screen resolution.

I am confused because when I look at the RTE etc channels that I am also picking up directly from the aerial (these are the new Saorview channels) I cannot see any real distinction in quality between the broadcasts in HD and the other non HD broadcasts.

I am guessing there is nothing I can do about that but should I be aiming for a better performance from the channels that I am getting from the satellite dish (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc etc)?

So should I be looking to get a new HD Satellite receiver?

Most of the stuff on RTÉ2HD isn't actually in HD but is upscaled so it's not really an accurate reflection of the quality you'd get on a HD satellite channel. Personally I think it's worth upgrading your satellite receiver to make the best use of your TV.

John mac

at the persent time you have one hd chanel . RTE2 hd.

with a freesat hd box you will have bbc1hd bbchd itvhd ch4hd


(the better screen resolution will also become apparent while watching a film on blu-ray )

if you take some time to adjust the picture settings (sharpness, brightness ,contrast etc..) you will get a good pic fromm your current box.

geordief

John mac wrote: »

at the persent time you have one hd chanel . RTE2 hd.

with a freesat hd box you will have bbc1hd bbchd itvhd ch4hd


(the better screen resolution will also become apparent while watching a film on blu-ray )

if you take some time to adjust the picture settings (sharpness, brightness ,contrast etc..) you will get a good pic fromm your current box.

thanks
is there a difference between a hd freesat box and a hd satellite receiver?
Is freesat just a trademark for basically the same equipment or is there something extra they do?

Also I have a usb (hdd) port on the TV?
Can I use that somehow to record from the TV or would be just as easy to by a freesat hd reaceiver /tuner with a recording facility?

John mac

geordief wrote: »

thanks
is there a difference between a hd freesat box and a hd satellite receiver?
Is freesat just a trademark for basically the same equipment or is there something extra they do?

Also I have a usb (hdd) port on the TV?
Can I use that somehow to record from the TV or would be just as easy to by a freesat hd reaceiver /tuner with a recording facility?

with freesat branded box you will not have to retune if a channel changes transponder.. (humax foxsat hd would be my choice for recording )

you will have to get out the manual and look up about the usb on the tv..

geordief

do any of these freesat hd boxes come with a web browser?
(I see some have an ethernet port)

I wonder since it might be a quicker way of connecting to the RTE Player.