IT’S SHAPING UP TO BE AN HD CHRISTMAS DESPITE THE CREDIT CRUNCH

Sky recently announced record growth of customers subscribing to their high definition TV service, reflecting the increasing attractions of the format

High definition TV broadcasting is still very young in the UK, but its attractions are starting to attract record numbers of paying customers despite the credit crunch.  Sky recently announced a record increase of 93,000 in HD subscribers in the last quarter ending 30^th September, bringing their total to just over 590,000.   They offer by far the most HD programming in the UK, but HD subscribers are also growing at Virgin Media and on the new Freesat service from the BBC.

The big players see HD as the “next big thing” for television in the UK and, despite the current economic environment, are investing heavily to greatly increase the variety of high definition (HD) content available to watch.  They are also offering some terrific deals to entice consumers to make the switch to HD viewing in time for Christmas.

So aren’t I already watching in high definition as I have an “HD Ready” TV set?

An “HD Ready” TV set alone will not allow you to watch TV in high definition.  Indeed there are many thousands of households up and down the land convinced that they are watching TV in high definition, when in fact they are not. 

The “HD Ready” TV set has many more pixels per square inch (4 times more than a standard set) allowing it to show pictures in far greater detail and with much more vibrant colours, but only if the content that it is showing is being broadcast and transmitted in high definition.  So you will need the right TV and a set top box able to receive and decode a high definition signal.  HD signals are also broadcast in surround sound making for a much richer sound as well as visual experience.

All the main manufacturers produce HD Ready sets and the chances are that if you have bought a TV recently (especially a flat screen) it will be HD Ready.  But it is very important to check this before subscribing to an HD service.

So is HD worth the additional spend?  If you walk past a TV showing content in HD you will notice a big difference – in fact so proud are new HD viewers that they often ask their friends round to gawp at the clarity of the picture.  Most viewers find that HD is particularly impressive for sporting events, documentaries and to a lesser extent movies and dramas.  Football in HD for example is a huge improvement on the standard TV experience – with players (and the crowd!) visible in extraordinary clarity.  

So in a nutshell, to enjoy HDTV you will need to make sure you have the following:

1. a TV capable of displaying high-definition pictures
2. a receiver that can decode the high definition signal, such Sky’s HD box or Virgin’s V+ box
3. a TV package that includes high definition programmes.

Who is broadcasting HD content and how do I access it?

Sky and the BBC have really pioneered the broadcast of HD content in the UK, but Virgin Media has joined the HD party also. 

Sky offer by far the widest range of HD channels, having recently increased their total to 28 channels offered.  The table below shows who currently shows what in HD….

HD Channel	HD Platform where available	HD Content	Free/pay
BBC HD     ITV HD   Channel 4HD   Sky One HD   FX HD   Sky Arts HD   Sky Premier HD, Plus 8 further Movies channels in HD   Sky Box Office 1,2 HD   Sky Sports HD1,2,3   Eurosport HD   Rush HD   Discovery HD   National Geographic HD   History HD   Luxe TV HD   Sky Real Lives HD   Bio HD and CI HD	FreeSat, Sky, Virgin Media   Freesat only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only       Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only   Sky only	Selection of BBC documentaries, sports and drama     Selection of ITV documentaries, sports and drama   Selection of C4 content   Selection of Sky One content     Selection of FX content including award winning Dexter   High quality arts programming   Blockbuster, family, modern greats, action and thriller, drama, comedy, Scifi and horror movies     Pay per view movie premieres   All the Sky Sports content: FAPL, test cricket, golf, tennis   Selected sports content   Extreme sports   Documentaries and factual content   Documentaries and factual content   Documentaries and factual content   Travel and lifestyle content   Reality,  entertainment   Biography, crime and investigation	Free on Freesat   Free on Freesat                         Only available as part of the Sky £10/month Sky HD package

 

So how do the various alternatives compare in terms of value for money?

It is shaping up to be an HD Christmas with the providers recognising that as households cut back on going out, staying into to watch a cinema quality movie in high definition and surround sound, is fast becoming a cheap and more attractive alternative.   

 

For anyone who is serious about watching HD, Sky offers by far the largest selection of HD channels and programming in the UK, covering the whole spectrum of content – from all the premium sporting action, to a large range of movies and documentaries.  The Sky+HD box also has all the features of a Sky+ box so that you can pause and record live TV.  What’s more Sky recently cut the price of their HD box in half to £75 when bought through selected retailers  < www.simplifydigital.co.uk/msnmoney>. 

As Chris Williams, Head of Products at the comparison service Simplifydigital comments “For families looking to watch a wide range of content in high definition  - from drama, to documentaries, sports and movies – then Sky is the only realistic choice.  Sky’s commitment to the HD revolution is really starting to show in terms of the breadth of content that they offer relative to the competition” 

Virgin Media only offer one HD channel, namely the BBC HD channel, but they do have quite a wide variety of on-demand content in high definition.

For the budget HD viewer who is happy to watch only BBC and ITV programming in HD, then Freesat is a possible choice, but the HD content will feel very limited.   Freesat does also have additional Freeview channels to watch in standard definition.

 

Platform	HD Channels	Cost through selected retailers
Freesat (from BBC)	BBC HD ITV HD Plus over 130 other TV and radio channels	Freesat HD box approx £150 Plus £80 installation for the satellite dish and box (for the service in a single room)   Total upfront cost: £230 Ongoing monthly cost: Free (no subscription) No contract   Freesat is available from Argos, Comet; John Lewis and other selected retailers
Sky	Selection of 28 HD channels including premium sports and movies	Sky+ HD Box £75 for new customers only.  Free installation Total upfront cost: £75 Ongoing monthly cost: SkyHD subscription is £10/month in addition to a standard definition TV subscription which is a minimum of £17/month, to £43/month including  Sky Sports and Movies.  Making a total of £27/month minimum, up to £53/month including the HD sports and movies channels.  Sky Box Office HD movies incur an additional pay per view charge. 12 month contract
Virgin Media	BBC HD only Selected on demand content	V+ box Free. V+ installation £75 for new customers Total upfront cost: £75 Ongoing monthly cost: Minimum of £11/month for basic TV package (M) including BBC HD.  Includes a basic home phone service and free line rental. 12 month contract

*Prices correct as at 7/11/08

 

For an impartial consultation and access to the best deals, to help you find the very best high definition package for you, click here or call 0800 138 8090.   

Written by chris

Tags: Freesat, HD TV, Sky