Sky HD - non HD images

[Oldenbroke]

A question for those of you with Sky HD boxes...are the non HD programs any better visually than from a

plain vanilla Sky+ box?

I have discovered that I can't have 'Anytime' progs because my Sky+ box is too old, so seriously

considering HD. I am also considering the Onkyo 875 for its upscaling (and other) abilities along with

a general upgrade of other kit - speakers (KEF 2005.1) DVD player (Denon 1920 / EP30). My

existing amp is a Denon 2803, TV Sony KDL 40W2000. Any comments on any aspect of this meander welcome!

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yes, the standard-def programmes look slightly better - more by force of them being delivered via HDMI rather than Scart connection, than any superb upscaling on the part of the Sky HD box. But route the pictures through that Onkyo and you'll see a big difference - I was amazed how much better it makes SD TV. And needless to say the HD broadcasts look awesome.

Oh, and buy a decent HDMI cable, cos the one that comes with the Sky box is rubbish - you don't have to spend a fortune, just buy a decent brand (for example, Tech+Link do a bargain cable for under £20; QED HDMI-Performance can be had for under £50).

What's your budget for the rest of your upgrades?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Clare, is it just the big Onkyo's that upscale images really well? I'm going to get a new receiver in the next few months but the Onkyo's are too big for my rack. The Sony 5300 and the Denon 2808 onwards have upscalers too, are they not very good?

 

[Clare Newsome]

They're good, but not necessarily hugely better than the scaler in a decent source and/or TV/projector. At the moment, however, the big Onks (875 and 905) are in a different league - their upscaling is clearly superior.

As ever, it's down to system-matching: if you've got, say, a TV or projector with superb scaling; or you're using a superlative HD source (high-end Blu-ray player, for example) then you're not going to need your receiver to do as much work on the video front.

I'd also expect the next-generation of Denon, Sony and Yamaha receivers (not forgetting Pioneer, Marantz, Arcam...) to take the game to Onkyo in terms of features and price/performance: there's nothing we'd like to see more than a real scrap to be top-dog, as it's all good news for the consumer.

 

[D.J.KRIME]

What bugs me with some of the HD content on SKY is that it would appear to be a Upscaled SD image but broadcast at 1080i on the HD channel, C4 HD spirngs to mind most prominantly.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

That's I guess what I'm waiting for. I was a little disappointed with the look of the new 606 from Onkyo - everyone has called them ugly birds but brilliant and they only need to have added some make up and go on a bit of a diet - but they have stayed big and ugly. The Denons are the same size virtually throughout it's range. I will wait for the £500 good looking, 4 hdmi, upscaling, upconverting receiver with pre outs for front speakers and HD audio that should be out in the next few months!!

 

[Anonymous]

Clare, this may be one for you to answer.

I currently have sky HD, ps3 and panasonic 37z lcd, I am planning to buy the 606 when it comes out. I dont need 4 hdmi, and the extra power form the amp wont be used by my speakers, will the new 606 upscale my standard def picture to the same quality you mention above, or will the kit i already have do a decent job of upscalling, and therefore shall I save £100 and pick up a 605 while i still can

Regards

Boogi11

 

[Gerrardasnails]

The 606 doesn't have a video upscaler that I am aware of. If you don't need the extra hdmis or the power, you would be better off with the 605 at £320!

 

[Anonymous]

well im no expert, but this is off the onkyo asia website when talking about the new 606 "Apart from 1080p video, the TX-SR606 can upscale all video signals to 1080i"

so is this an upscaller and will i notice the difference if it does have one

regards

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yep, the 605 doesn't upscale to 1080p, and neither does the 606, AFAIK.

It's the HQV Reon-VX video processing chip in the '875 and '905 that makes all the difference.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare, sorry for being a bit thick, but what does the specs mean on the 606 when it states,Apart from 1080p video, the TX-SR606 can upscale all video signals to 1080i, i was under the impression that this would "do what it says on the tin", and improve a 720i/720p signal from sky hd, or ps3, can you please explain what it all means, as I may get the 605 if it wont offer any better picture quality.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We haven't tested it, so I can't be sure - they could just mean upconversion rather than upscaling.

And anyhow, 720p is better than 1080i (see here for a related story), so there'd be no point in that switch.

 

[Oldenbroke]

Thanks for the quick reply Clare.

In my mind I am budgeting ~£1000 for speakers and ~£600 for BD player (eventually, Denon??)

on top of the ~£1000 for the 875. No plans to replace the screen - it hasn't done any HI Def

work yet! Cabling will be best I can afford and certainly not lower standard than WHF recommended

for price of system.

Are you aware of any potential upgrades to the 875, as the 605 is on its way out already?

 

[Clare Newsome]

All Onkyo range to be upgraded to '6' status, but in stages (just like last year's '5' roll-out, when the cheaper models came first). We'll keep you posted with dates and specs.

Speakers - KEF KHT3005SE if you're after style. More options if you're willing/able to choose more traditional size/style speakers, as they are some great deals on packages at the moment.

Blu-ray player will depend on what's out when you come to buy - we're itching to get our hands on the new players from Denon, Marantz etc!

One slight note of caution, however - you have a fabulous, Full HD spec TV, but it doesn't support 24fps, so you may get some slight juddering issues with complex scenes on Blu-ray discs. It'll be fine with Sky HD, however...

 

[Oldenbroke]

You are a star Clare, thanks for the info. I am leaning towards the 3005SE's on stated performance

as well as style (they are like ones we have now) and I have been told big boxes are out.

Not sure the boss will be happy when I tell her we need a new TV with the Blu-ray player......

maybe they will be offered together with a discount? I can dream.

Last thought on this - is Blu-ray output fixed at 24fps or is it selectable?

 

[Anonymous]

Why do Sky insist on broadcasting non-HD programs over their HD channels. I hope they eliminate this practice soon.

Also as all the movie channels should be broadcast as HD.