Sky HD - supplied HDMI cable

[andyh]

I have just upgraded to Sky HD, I am currently using the HDMI cable supplied by Sky. Is there any value in buying a better cable? I have noticed that the SD channels seem a little softer compared to my old sky box, although I did have that connected with a QED performance scart cable.

The HD picture, especially on the movie channels looks fantastic though, which is good!!

Any thoughts would be useful, thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

no ..

the sky hd boxes are not great at upscaling , go into the menu on it , and set the output to 576i , so your tv will be upscaling , this may improve things , the hdmi cable has nothing to do with the picture , if the cable works , its fine...

 

[professorhat]

maxflinn:the hdmi cable has nothing to do with the picture

Would be a pretty poor picture without it

 

[True Blue]

yes..

Quality cables and shielding make a difference.

 

[The_Lhc]

maxflinn:the sky hd boxes are not great at upscaling , go into the menu on it , and set the output to 576i ,

NO! If you set it to 576i then the box will DOWNscale HD pictures, which complete defeats the object of getting SkyHD, set it to Auto, then the TV can upscale SD pictures and receives HD pictures at 1080i.

 

[Anonymous]

oh, i didnt realise there was an auto on it , dont have sky meself

 

[daveh75]

the_lhc:
maxflinn:the sky hd boxes are not great at upscaling , go into the menu on it , and set the output to 576i ,

NO! If you set it to 576i then the box will DOWNscale HD pictures, which complete defeats the object of getting SkyHD, set it to Auto, then the TV can upscale SD pictures and receives HD pictures at 1080i.
SkyHD boxes dont output 576i via HDMI either! They all deinterlace the native 576i signal.

 

[Anonymous]

daveh75:the_lhc:

maxflinn:the sky hd boxes are not great at upscaling , go into the menu on it , and set the output to 576i ,

NO! If you set it to 576i then the box will DOWNscale HD pictures, which complete defeats the object of getting SkyHD, set it to Auto, then the TV can upscale SD pictures and receives HD pictures at 1080i.

SkyHD boxes dont output 576i via HDMI either! They all deinterlace the native 576i signal.

I set my SkyHD box to 1080i and let my TV do the deinterlacing - it does a far better job!

Back to the original question, I did upgrade my HDMI cable, and although the picture was better, I found a more noticeable improvement by replacing the mains cable.

 

[daveh75]

Brian123:daveh75:the_lhc:

maxflinn:the sky hd boxes are not great at upscaling , go into the menu on it , and set the output to 576i ,

NO! If you set it to 576i then the box will DOWNscale HD pictures, which complete defeats the object of getting SkyHD, set it to Auto, then the TV can upscale SD pictures and receives HD pictures at 1080i.

SkyHD boxes dont output 576i via HDMI either! They all deinterlace the native 576i signal.

I set my SkyHD box to 1080i and let my TV do the deinterlacing - it does a far better job!Yes,but that still means the Sky box is upscaling SD, which they're also rubbish at.

 

[Anonymous]

daveh75:Brian123:

I set my SkyHD box to 1080i and let my TV do the deinterlacing - it does a far better job!Yes,but that still means the Sky box is upscaling SD, which they're also rubbish at.

Agreed - it's a compromise between deinterlacing and upscaling.

Still, on my TV at least (TH-42PX80) Sky's SD content seems better in 1080i than 576p!

 

[Anonymous]

Agree with that, just tried mine and although the SD pictures are not fantastic, they're better in 1080i than when set to Auto.

What did you change the mains cable to? Better quality one or just a different standard cable?

 

[Anonymous]

TheYellowPeril:

What did you change the mains cable to? Better quality one or just a different standard cable?

I'm using one of these mains cables:

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_18&products_id=47

 

[Anonymous]

Brian

Did you replace the mains cable on the Sky HD box or the TV to achieve the better picture?

Cheers

 

[Cookie Monster]

Hi Andyh,

I tried (and own) several different leads with my SkyHD box and there were very clear differences between all.

Currently use Chord Active that i got through What Hifi subscription. However you should see a big improvement in edge definition and stability with a That Cable (www.Thatcable.com) purchased a 1m one for £4.79. Won't cost the earth and you can judge for yourself.

Even though i 'could' use my Chord Active (£100+) with my Panny Blu-Ray player i prefer the rigid edged picture from the 'Thatcable' (£4.79).

I use a 42 inch tv and 77 inch projector screen and believe me there is a difference in quality on larger screens, but you don't need to spend a fortune. Heard WhatHifi use a 60 inch Pioneer so when they say they can see a difference.......

Don't get me onto Mains Leads, they make a great difference too. Love it!

Good Luck,

Cookie Monster

 

[Anonymous]

hi andyh

i tried (and own) several different leads with my humax foxsat hd box , and there was absolutely no difference between them ...