Sky HD box firmware update - improved GUI

[Sliced Bread]

My Sky HD box received an up this morning.

I've not had a chance to explore it for new functionality, but it certianly has a nicer GUI.

 

[Sliced Bread]

"up" should say "update"

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

It may be my eyes, but I think the HD programming is also 'sharper / clearer' thus a better picture.

 

[brendonw]

Had this for a little while. Clearer, sharper and quicker!

 

[Sliced Bread]

Nice..I wonder why that is?

Maybe better upscaling for SD channels.

 

[Xanderzdad]

Re the better image. I thought it looked sharper and the colours punchier overall.

I also just treated myself to a 1Tb box so that I have room to record all my stuff in HD - very nice. Gave my old HD box to the kids.

 

[tvmog]

I'm interested to hear that some people are reporting an improvement in picture quality since the upgrade as my experience has been the exact opposite. I received the EPG upgrade overnight on Monday, and since then my picture quality has been appalling. HD is soft and grainy and lacking in depth with shimmering around object edges, and SD is almost unwatchable. Oddly the dolby 5.1 sounds very harsh and sibilent also. I'm going to try a reboot and re adjust my TV's picture settings.

 

[GSB]

I have movie package and i'm thinking of getting 'rid as i'm fed up with the lack of picture quality...why can't we have 1080p???

As for the new menu i say to sky oooh thanx :roll: ,but why do films when the scene is dark look like syrup is covering my screen |(

Sorry folks..rant over

 

[Sliced Bread]

I must be the only person not to have noticed a quality difference either way. Maybe I need a better tele

The anytime programmes are lower quality, but then that's to be expected from streaming content.

Overall I think it's a nice little upgrade.

 

[psurquhart]

I live in Maidstone Kent and have not had this upgrade yet.

Any ideas when they are rolling this out for different regions ? Where are you guys located ?

Presumably its all done automatically via the dish ?

 

[The_Lhc]

I have movie package and i'm thinking of getting 'rid as i'm fed up with the lack of picture quality...why can't we have 1080p???

Because it requires twice as much bandwidth as 1080i.

 

[bigboss]

I live in Maidstone Kent and have not had this upgrade yet.

Any ideas when they are rolling this out for different regions ? Where are you guys located ?

Presumably its all done automatically via the dish ?

I understand it's being randomly updated. It should happen by the end of this year.

http://corporate.sky.com/skyviews/sky/new_sky_plus_hd_epg_rolling_out_this_year

 

[Lee H]

I live in Maidstone Kent and have not had this upgrade yet.

Any ideas when they are rolling this out for different regions ? Where are you guys located ?

Presumably its all done automatically via the dish ?

I understand it's being randomly updated. It should happen by the end of this year.

http://corporate.sky.com/skyviews/sky/new_sky_plus_hd_epg_rolling_out_this_year

Indeed. I got it a month or so back, my friend a few streets away got it last week.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I got it 2 nights ago (3am according to my wife), still to make my mind up on overall picture quality, but the EPG is definitely better.

 

[proffski]

Had this for a little while. Clearer, sharper and quicker!

Fascinating, and I thought it was my eyes. Improvements all round except that mine is now somewhat slower... small price to pay though. Well done SKY!

 

[tvmog]

I'm interested to hear that some people are reporting an improvement in picture quality since the upgrade as my experience has been the exact opposite. I received the EPG upgrade overnight on Monday, and since then my picture quality has been appalling. HD is soft and grainy and lacking in depth with shimmering around object edges, and SD is almost unwatchable. Oddly the dolby 5.1 sounds very harsh and sibilent also. I'm going to try a reboot and re adjust my TV's picture settings.

I've done the reboot and there has been a huge improvement in the picture quality. Oddly, the most noticable improvement is on the EPG screen itself . Straight after the update the blue background was dark and muddy and the text quite blurry and fizzing around the edges. Now the blue is much brighter and clearer and the text sharper and more stable. I'm currently watching Le Tour on Eurosport HD and the scenery looks spectacular. As they say... go figure.

 

[bigboss]

Oddly, the most noticable improvement is on the EPG screen itself . Straight after the update the blue background was dark and muddy and the text quite blurry and fizzing around the edges. Now the blue is much brighter and clearer and the text sharper and more stable. I'm currently watching Le Tour on Eurosport HD and the scenery looks spectacular. As they say... go figure.

And, on top of this, the whole Sky Guide will also be available in pinpoint HD, delivering sharp graphics consistent with the stunning quality of our HD channels.

http://corporate.sky.com/skyviews/sky/new_sky_plus_hd_epg_rolling_out_this_year

 

[jase fox]

Got mine updated a few days ago and the first thing i noticed was how much better the Picture quality, so much sharper / clearer with even more vivid colour....Superb!!

Also the Sound quality seems so much louder to me too as i used to turn my volume up to a certain level whilst watching movies in 5.1, now i dont have to go as far with the volume

Overall it's a great upgrade probably the best sky have done, happy days :dance:

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

I think this is a great improvement to the EPG.

For those who want it but don't want to wait for it, you can unplug the HD box then whilst holding down the 'back up' button on top of the box, put the plug back in. Keep your finger on the 'back up' button until you see an onscreen message telling you the box is doing an update. When the update is complete, the new EPG is installed.

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

 

[mikey2008]

>) I did that, but I've still got the old EPG after the update...

 

[bigboss]

Hi,

I think this is a great improvement to the EPG.

For those who want it but don't want to wait for it, you can unplug the HD box then whilst holding down the 'back up' button on top of the box, put the plug back in. Keep your finger on the 'back up' button until you see an onscreen message telling you the box is doing an update. When the update is complete, the new EPG is installed.

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

Nope, didn't work for me either.

 

[bigboss]

Looks like I'll get it later this year (as mine is 4F30):

How can I find out which Sky+HD box model I have?

Press Services[/b] on your Sky Remote, then press 0[/b] to highlight Settings[/b]. Press 3 to highlight System Details[/b]. Note down the version Number 2nd line from the top of the screen.

If you have a version beginning with 4F31[/b], then you have an Amstrad DRX890[/b] or DRX895[/b]. As you are in the current wave of customers receiving the update, you will receive the new Sky Guide within the next few months.

If you have a version beginning with 4F30[/b], then you have a Amstrad DRX780[/b]. You will receive the new Sky Guide later in the year.

If you have a version beginning with 9730[/b], then you have a Samsung[/b]. You will receive the new Sky Guide later in the year.

If you have a version beginning with 9F30[/b], then you have a Pace[/b]. You will receive the new Sky Guide later in the year.

If you have a version beginning with 4E30[/b], then you have a Thomson[/b]. Unfortunately, we are not updating this box with the new Sky Guide.