Sky HD picture question

[admin_exported]

I have had my Sky HD box for several days now and although I am impressed with the clarity of the picture, some programs seem to look outstanding when others look just 'oh yeah that's a good picture' but haven't got that wow factor. Is HD the same as SD in that it all depends on the broadcaster?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think that is the case. If you look at something that is filmed in HD (Lost, Battlestar Galactica etc) then they will always look better than stuff that is filmed in SD.

 

[John Duncan]

Some HD pictures are upscaled from SD........

 

[Anonymous]

So are you saying that the programs on my HD channels are not necessary filmed in HD, but filmed in SD then upscaled? Sorry if I have misunderstood you.

 

[Anonymous]

I think I was typing when you was replying also.

 

[Anonymous]

Just press the "I" for information button on your remote, if the programme was filmed in HD it'll have HD in the top-right of the box, if not, then it's an upscaled SD pic.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Yes, I agree with what's been written. Lost, although the plot gets thicker each week, it looks stunning.

 

[Clare Newsome]

[quote user="Gerrardasnails"]Yes, I agree with what's been written. Lost, although the plot gets thicker each week, it looks stunning.[/quote]

I agree. Watch a lot of HD shows, but Lost is superbly shot even by high-def standards: better picture than many Blu-rays i've seen.

 

[Anonymous]

After having upgraded to Sky HD a few weeks ago I've noticed the following:

1. By no means is all programming on "HD" channels actually HD. Channel 4 HD for example is bad for this. Its annoying that you're not getting the HD benefit and if you record a programme from an HD channel (say a 2 hour film for example) it will take up 15% of your HDD whether or not it is actually HD.

2. The SD channels vary enormously. The worst I've noticed is Setanta - blocking and blurry, whereas most other SD channels look better than on old Sky+.

3. The box makes a lot more noise than the old one!

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="StringerBell"]1. By no means is all programming on "HD" channels actually HD.[/quote]

Well, you should find that if it was originally SD, it has been upscaled by the broadcaster to HD, who in theory have more time and processing power to do the job than your telly or Sky box does, but that's not to say it'll be up to the standard of a broadcast that was originally filmed in HD, the silk purse rule applying as it does. Note however that film is inherently an HD medium, so filmed shows have a better source to work with than those using video (provided broadcasters can go back to the original rather than the betamax, which is by no means a given).

 

[Anonymous]

Shouldnt that apply to all SD pictures through your Sky HD box if you have your output set to 1080 or 720?

SD does (Setanta and few other exceptions apart) look better on Sky HD.

 

[Anonymous]

A lot depends on what you are watching it on as well. The difference between BBC HD and SKY HD football matches on one hand and ITV football on the other is significant I find.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Just watch a Spanish game in "HD" on Sky and then a Premiership game and you will see the difference. The Premiership game was filmed in HD and it's a superb picture. The Spanish game was filmed in SD and it's poor.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I still dont think HD is really value for money at the moment. ITV will be starting to show their HD programming via the red button very soon though.