When will HD be available?
 

Does anyone have an informed idea/guess as to when Sky HD will be available
to order?

I don't have Sky at present but I was about to order Sky+ within the past
week or so until I saw the HD webpages. I don't really want to subscribe to
Sky only to be on the receiving end of relatively expensive install and
equipment prices as an existing customer.

Is it thought probable that Sky will introduce Sky HD hardware packages
early next year or even late this year?

Gareth.

Unfortunately, The actual date for the launch of High-Definition on Sky has
yet to be announced. All that they are saying is that it will be in 2006.

Our living room has just undergone a major redecoration project
incorporating an HD-Ready plasma screen haning on the wall. 5.1 sound with
concealed speaker cables.

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have recently
wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the HD-Sky+ boxes are
available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an advertising
campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

Brendan

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, The actual date for the launch of High-Definition on Sky
has yet to be announced. All that they are saying is that it will be in
2006.

Our living room has just undergone a major redecoration project
incorporating an HD-Ready plasma screen haning on the wall. 5.1 sound
with concealed speaker cables.

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have recently
wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the HD-Sky+ boxes are
available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an
advertising campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

No doubt they're waiting for a handful of cheapo programming from the USA so
they can run that in an endless loop for minimum running cost!

"There now follows a specially converted HD version of The Simpletons,
please insert you Sky credit card into the special slot to view this
crap...Errr Repeat...Err programme"

What an absolute waste of hardware/software which will just be used to
display clearer channel logs,red dots and coming soon logos.....
Quite obviously Sky will be working hard on this BEFORE they even think of
converted repeats...Err original programmes!

"The Wizard" wrote in message
...

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, The actual date for the launch of High-Definition on Sky
has yet to be announced. All that they are saying is that it will be in
2006.

Our living room has just undergone a major redecoration project
incorporating an HD-Ready plasma screen haning on the wall. 5.1 sound
with concealed speaker cables.

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have recently
wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the HD-Sky+ boxes
are available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an
advertising campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

No doubt they're waiting for a handful of cheapo programming from the USA
so they can run that in an endless loop for minimum running cost!

"There now follows a specially converted HD version of The Simpletons,
please insert you Sky credit card into the special slot to view this
crap...Errr Repeat...Err programme"

What an absolute waste of hardware/software which will just be used to
display clearer channel logs,red dots and coming soon logos.....
Quite obviously Sky will be working hard on this BEFORE they even think of
converted repeats...Err original programmes!

Not to mention the 7 minute HD advertising breaks

"me" wrote in message
...

"The Wizard" wrote in message
...

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, The actual date for the launch of High-Definition on Sky
has yet to be announced. All that they are saying is that it will be in
2006.

Our living room has just undergone a major redecoration project
incorporating an HD-Ready plasma screen haning on the wall. 5.1 sound
with concealed speaker cables.

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have
recently wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the
HD-Sky+ boxes are available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an
advertising campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

No doubt they're waiting for a handful of cheapo programming from the USA
so they can run that in an endless loop for minimum running cost!

"There now follows a specially converted HD version of The Simpletons,
please insert you Sky credit card into the special slot to view this
crap...Errr Repeat...Err programme"

What an absolute waste of hardware/software which will just be used to
display clearer channel logs,red dots and coming soon logos.....
Quite obviously Sky will be working hard on this BEFORE they even think
of converted repeats...Err original programmes!

Not to mention the 7 minute HD advertising breaks

Strangely enough when colour TV's came out, The Adverts were the first thing
in colour whilst a lot of programmes were still shown in B&W.
So pretty obvious the Ads will be first to be shown in HD too.

What the next *Shown in even higher quality* CRAP are they going to think
of?

"Now you can WALK into the screen and chase the crazy frog live"

I can imagine soon people calling this latest offing *Half Done TV*

(Still, I suppose it's keep the opticians in business and SOME hooligans off
the street) ;-)

In fact, the HDTC announcement coincided with finalisation of the h264
coding standard, and SKy are wiating to be sure they'll be reliable
supplies of enough chips to make the new receivers.

Much stuff has already been made in HD format, for quite a while now.

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, The actual date for the launch of High-Definition on Sky
has
yet to be announced. All that they are saying is that it will be in 2006.

Our living room has just undergone a major redecoration project
incorporating an HD-Ready plasma screen haning on the wall. 5.1 sound
with
concealed speaker cables.

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have recently
wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the HD-Sky+ boxes are
available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an
advertising
campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

Brendan

What model is your plasma and how do you rate it because I was in Currys
having a look (no I won't buy from them) but out of 5 units they had maked
as HD-Ready, only one supported HDCP which I believe is required for some
Sky HD broadcasts.

I'm trying to put together a short list before I take the plunge.

--

Simon

"Simon Pocock" wrote in message m...

What model is your plasma and how do you rate it because I was in Currys
having a look (no I won't buy from them) but out of 5 units they had maked
as HD-Ready, only one supported HDCP which I believe is required for some
Sky HD broadcasts.

I'm trying to put together a short list before I take the plunge.

--

Simon







There really does seem to be some liberties being taken with the HD Ready
label/logo although this could be just ignorance on the retailers part or even
a deliberate attempt to con the customer.
HDMI (or at least DVI with HDCP) is a must for any television for the upcoming
broadcast HD as well as from pre-recorded HD media. While it's likely that
HDCP stripping boxes will become more common there is no reason not to
future proof your display and give yourself maximum flexibility.

SKY's own channels on the HD platform will be accessible via component but
only on the first generation SKY+ HD, it's very likely that HDMI will be the
only option in the long term. SKY of course only guarantee their own channels
will support HD component, other broadcasters will have the choice to follow
suit or just use the HDMI output.

There is a short list here.......

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226844


For more specific info pay a visit to the Plasma and LCD forums on that site.


Mike C

Simon Pocock wrote:

I was in Currys
having a look (no I won't buy from them) but out of 5 units they had maked
as HD-Ready, only one supported HDCP which I believe is required for some
Sky HD broadcasts.

As mentioned, buying HD is a minefield at the moment with everyone
sticking the "HD" label onto anything with a big screen.

If doesn't matter too much whether you get a screen with DVI or HDMI
but whatever it has it should be HDCP or it probably won't work with
domestic set top HD sources.

HDCP + screen res of at least 720p = "HDREADY" label and only devices
with HDCP should have that sticker.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/7rm2m
UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
BBC reception questions? ; http://www.astra2d.com/
Fed up with on-screen logos? : http://logofreetv.org/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

Mike_C wrote:

While it's likely that
HDCP stripping boxes will become more common

These will be illegal under EU law. The majors have spent *billions*
lobbying for this.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/7rm2m
UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
BBC reception questions? ; http://www.astra2d.com/
Fed up with on-screen logos? : http://logofreetv.org/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

What model is your plasma and how do you rate it because I was in Currys
having a look (no I won't buy from them) but out of 5 units they had maked
as HD-Ready, only one supported HDCP which I believe is required for some
Sky HD broadcasts.

I'm trying to put together a short list before I take the plunge.


Mine is a Pioneer "XDE" model. And I am pleased with it.

As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.

Read the technical spec of your chosen model and check that it has either
DVI or HDMI interface which supports HDCP
That the screen can accept and display incoming signals of "720p" or "1080i"
format.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.
Obviously, the higher the better.

Brendan

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 09:42:12 +0000 (UTC), "Brendan DJ Murphy"
wrote:

What model is your plasma and how do you rate it because I was in Currys
having a look (no I won't buy from them) but out of 5 units they had maked
as HD-Ready, only one supported HDCP which I believe is required for some
Sky HD broadcasts.

I'm trying to put together a short list before I take the plunge.


Mine is a Pioneer "XDE" model. And I am pleased with it.

As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.

Read the technical spec of your chosen model and check that it has either
DVI or HDMI interface which supports HDCP
That the screen can accept and display incoming signals of "720p" or "1080i"
format.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Charlie

--
Remove NO-SPOO-PLEASE from my email address to reply
Please send no unsolicited email or foodstuffs

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...
As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Yes.
But many poor plasma owners need to convince everyone that 1024 is enough.

Loz

"loz" wrote in message
...

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...
As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Yes.
But many poor plasma owners need to convince everyone that 1024 is enough.

Loz

Pixels do not necessarily have to be square-shaped.
If they are square, then yes, you will need more horizontal pixels for a
16:9 aspect ratio.

Brendan

PS. Please dont call me "Shirley"

The Panasonic, Pioneer 42/43" HD plasmas are 1024 X 768
The Hitachi 42" interlaced is 1024 X1024
same as the Fujitsu (as its the same panel)

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...

"loz" wrote in message
...

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...
As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Yes.
But many poor plasma owners need to convince everyone that 1024 is
enough.

Loz

Pixels do not necessarily have to be square-shaped.
If they are square, then yes, you will need more horizontal pixels for a
16:9 aspect ratio.

Brendan

PS. Please dont call me "Shirley"

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:52:09 +0000 (UTC), "Brendan DJ Murphy"
wrote:


"loz" wrote in message
...

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...
As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Yes.
But many poor plasma owners need to convince everyone that 1024 is enough.

Loz

Pixels do not necessarily have to be square-shaped.
If they are square, then yes, you will need more horizontal pixels for a
16:9 aspect ratio.

Hmm, I've just looked up the minimum requirements for a display
calling itself "HD Ready" (The EICTA "Conditions for HD Labelling of
Display Devices"):

"The minimum native resolution of the display (e.g. LCD, PDP) or
display engine (e.g. DLP) is 720 physical lines in wide aspect ratio."

So it seems a display can have fewer pixels horizontally than a 720p
HD broadcast (meaning scaling), and still call itself HD Ready...

Charlie

--
Remove NO-SPOO-PLEASE from my email address to reply
Please send no unsolicited email or foodstuffs

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...

Hmm, I've just looked up the minimum requirements for a display
calling itself "HD Ready" (The EICTA "Conditions for HD Labelling of
Display Devices"):

"The minimum native resolution of the display (e.g. LCD, PDP) or
display engine (e.g. DLP) is 720 physical lines in wide aspect ratio."

So it seems a display can have fewer pixels horizontally than a 720p
HD broadcast (meaning scaling), and still call itself HD Ready...

Yep.
As I read it, a 1x720 display could claim HD Ready

Loz

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...

"loz" wrote in message
...

"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...
As mentioned in previous posts, the key things too look out for for
High-Definition are the following.
That the screen itself has pixel resolutions of at least 1024 x 768.

1280 x 720, Shirley?

Yes.
But many poor plasma owners need to convince everyone that 1024 is
enough.

Loz

Pixels do not necessarily have to be square-shaped.
If they are square, then yes, you will need more horizontal pixels for a
16:9 aspect ratio.

whatever shape they are, you need more of them for proper HD.
1024 doesnt = 1280 whether they are square, oblong, round, triangular....

Loz

loz wrote:
"Charlie Pearce" wrote in
message ...


Hmm, I've just looked up the minimum requirements for a display
calling itself "HD Ready" (The EICTA "Conditions for HD Labelling of
Display Devices"):

"The minimum native resolution of the display (e.g. LCD, PDP) or
display engine (e.g. DLP) is 720 physical lines in wide aspect ratio."

So it seems a display can have fewer pixels horizontally than a 720p
HD broadcast (meaning scaling), and still call itself HD Ready...


Yep.
As I read it, a 1x720 display could claim HD Ready

Loz


If I was not impatient, the sensible thing to do would be to wait 6
months or even a year to buy a cheaper HD setup with confidence.
Unfortunately, I AM IMPATIENT!
Hime

Brendan DJ Murphy wrote:

I am an existing Sky subscriber but I do not have Sky+. I have recently
wanted a Sky+ digibox but have decided to wait until the HD-Sky+ boxes are
available.

Hopefully, it shouldn't be much longer now until Sky launches an advertising
campaign for their new HD digiboxes.

If you already have 'free' Sky+ (ie two premium packages or more)
I'd recommend that you get hold of a Sky+ box anyway. It really is a
nice addition to Sky and makes it a much better experience. Chances
are that Sky will offer a deal to their existing Sky+ users when the HD
service comes out but until then you'll get a lot of use out of the
older system.


Gav