...
Well done becks nice one!!!
Anyway my review today will be on SKY's HD service in particular the box itself. I will try not to make my review in any way by the fact I have SKY blue screen of death in front of me. "Switch it off at the wall and wait 10 seconds"
YES I'VE TRIED THAT grrrrrr
Hehe ... Read review
This listing is for 1x Av floating shelf In Jet Black Gloss. The measurements for this ... more
shelf are W 900mm x D 350mm X H 30mm This shelf has been finished of in Jet Black. Complete with grommet hole cut out to feed wires through and discreet hidden brackets inc. Our shelves are 100% solid not hollow like cheaper versions out there. This shelf has been made to measure to suit a huge variety of AV items such as DVD, CD players, SKY boxes, PS3 and Separates systems. There is a discreet grommet hole cut out at the back of the shelf to feed wires through and keep them tidy. Display your pride and joy in style and be the ENVY of your friends. We can make these shelves in any size, design and in any colour of your choice, please have a look at our other listings. If you have your own bespoke design which you would like to use please visit pur website and contact us. www.gandg-group.com
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 4-5 business days...
This listing is for 1x Av floating shelf In Jet Black Gloss. The measurements for this ... more
shelf are W 900mm x D 300mm X H 30mm This shelf has been finished of in Jet Black. Complete with grommet hole cut out to feed wires through and discreet hidden brackets inc. Our shelves are 100% solid not hollow like cheaper versions out there. This shelf has been made to measure to suit a huge variety of AV items such as DVD, CD players, SKY boxes, PS3 and Separates systems. There is a discreet grommet hole cut out at the back of the shelf to feed wires through and keep them tidy. Display your pride and joy in style and be the ENVY of your friends. We can make these shelves in any size, design and in any colour of your choice, please have a look at our other listings. If you have your own bespoke design which you would like to use please visit pur website and contact us. www.gandg-group.com
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 4-5 business days...
Separates wall mounted floating shelf, concealed fixings. Standard sizes, shelf size W ... more
450mm x D 450mm x H 30mm overall height 960mm. 200mm gap between shelves. All sizes can be adjusted on request, shelves increased decreased on request. Channel grooved out on back of back board to feed wires through complete with grommet holes. Our shelves are 100% solid not hollow like cheaper versions out there. This shelf has been made to measure to suit a huge variety of AV items. There is a discreet grommet hole cut out at the back of the shelf to feed wires through and keep them tidy. Display your pride and joy in style and be the ENVY of your friends. We can make these shelves in any size, design and in any colour of your choice, please have a look at our other listings. If you have your own bespoke design which you would like to use please visit our website and contact us. www.gandg-group.com We also have a huge variety of real Wood Veneered and 100% Italian leather faced shelves. Please view our other items or contact us.
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
This listing is for 1x Av floating shelf In Jet Black Gloss. The measurements for this ... more
shelf are W 500mm x D 350mm X H 30mm This shelf has been finished of in Jet Black. Complete with grommet hole cut out to feed wires through and discreet hidden brackets inc. Our shelves are 100% solid not hollow like cheaper versions out there. This shelf has been made to measure to suit a huge variety of AV items such as DVD, CD players, SKY boxes, PS3 and Separates systems. There is a discreet grommet hole cut out at the back of the shelf to feed wires through and keep them tidy. Display your pride and joy in style and be the ENVY of your friends. We can make these shelves in any size, design and in any colour of your choice, please have a look at our other listings. If you have your own bespoke design which you would like to use please visit our website and contact us. www.gandg-group.com
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 4-5 business days...
This is a brand new 4 port HDMI Switchbox. The easy solution to connecting 4 additional ... more
HDMI devices to your TV, without needing to remove other devices. For example you could connect a SKY HD BOX, HD DVD Player and PS3 all simultaneously to this box. Features: 4 HDMI Female Input Connections; 1 HDMI Output Connection; 24K Gold plated connection ports for the best possible quality; Ideal for HD, TV, DVD, SKY, Satellite PS3, Xbox 360 and much more!; Maintains high resolution output; Switch operated; No Power supply required; Sharp HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3
Postage & Packaging:£1.29 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The 2 port HDMI switch routes high definition video (in multiple resolutions up to 1080P) ... more
and digital audio from any of the two sources to your LCD / Plasma screen. Two inputs accommodate the simultaneous connections of up to two high definition video sources such as SKY HDTV, Sony PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD players etc?. The output sends high definition audio/video signals to a high definition display. Features: The only HDMI switch box to be approved by HDMI ATC lab; Fully supports 1080P HDTV; HDCP Compliant; Supports DTS, Dolby 7.1 Channel Audio; Gold plated connectors; 2 HDMI source input; Built in amplifier and equaliser enables longer HDMI cables to be used; Plug and play, installs in seconds; Extends the range of HDMI compliant device by equalizing and re-clocking the HDMI signal; Shape HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3; Can be used with OR without a power supply(power supply is included)
Postage & Packaging:£1.29 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This is a brand new 2 port HDMI Switchbox. The easy solution to connecting 2 additional ... more
HDMI devices to your TV, without needing to remove other devices. For example you could connect a SKY HD BOX, HD DVD Player and PS3 all simultaneously to this box. Features: 2 HDMI Female Input Connections; 1 HDMI Output Connection; 24K Gold plated connection ports for the best possible quality; Ideal for HD, TV, DVD, SKY, Satellite PS3, Xbox 360 and much more!; Maintains high resolution output; Switch operated; No Power supply required; Sharp HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3
Postage & Packaging:£1.29 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The 3 port HDMI switch routes high definition video (in multiple resolutions up to 1080P) ... more
and digital audio from any of the two sources to your LCD / Plasma screen. Two inputs accommodate the simultaneous connections of up to two high definition video sources such as SKY HDTV, Sony PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD players etc?. The output sends high definition audio/video signals to a high definition display. Features: The only HDMI switch box to be approved by HDMI ATC lab; Fully supports 1080P HDTV; HDCP Compliant; Supports DTS, Dolby 7.1 Channel Audio; Gold plated connectors; 2 HDMI source input; Built in amplifier and equaliser enables longer HDMI cables to be used; Plug and play, installs in seconds; Extends the range of HDMI compliant device by equalizing and re-clocking the HDMI signal; Shape HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3; Can be used with OR without a power supply(power supply is included)
Postage & Packaging:£3.29 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The 5 port HDMI switch routes high definition video (in multiple resolutions up to 1080P) ... more
and digital audio from any of the two sources to your LCD / Plasma screen. Two inputs accommodate the simultaneous connections of up to two high definition video sources such as SKY HDTV, Sony PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD players etc?. The output sends high definition audio/video signals to a high definition display. Features: The only HDMI switch box to be approved by HDMI ATC lab; Fully supports 1080P HDTV; HDCP Compliant; Supports DTS, Dolby 7.1 Channel Audio; Gold plated connectors; 2 HDMI source input; Built in amplifier and equaliser enables longer HDMI cables to be used; Plug and play, installs in seconds; Extends the range of HDMI compliant device by equalizing and re-clocking the HDMI signal; Shape HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3; Can be used with OR without a power supply(power supply is included)
Postage & Packaging:Check Site. Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This is a brand new 4 port HDMI Switchbox. The easy solution to connecting 4 additional ... more
HDMI devices to your TV, without needing to remove other devices. For example you could connect a SKY HD BOX, HD DVD Player and PS3 all simultaneously to this box. Features: 4 HDMI Female Input Connections; 1 HDMI Output Connection; 24K Gold plated connection ports for the best possible quality; Ideal for HD, TV, DVD, SKY, Satellite PS3, Xbox 360 and much more!; Maintains high resolution output; Switch operated; No Power supply required; Sharp HDTV resolutions up to 1080p; VGA 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1920x1200; DTV/HDTV 480i / 576i / 480p / 576p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p; HDMI V1.3+ HDCP 1.0 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3
Postage & Packaging:£1.29 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: HD Quality Disadvantages: Content is poor at the moment
Sky HD
I'm writing this review as I watch a blue screen that says "There is a technical fault with this channel Please try later"
Oh well I was only watching sky news anyway, watching as our very own David Beckham rakes in the money as he moves to LA for an unbelievable 1million a week before tax.
Well done becks nice one!!!
Anyway my review today will be on SKY's HD service in particular the ... ...by the fact I have SKY blue screen of death in front of me. "Switch it off at the wall and wait 10 seconds"
YES I'VE TRIED THAT grrrrrr
Hehe anyway
I decided to get sky hd last march time in readiness for the world cup in the summer so I have had a 6 months with the service and feel pretty comfortable writing my feelings.
The sky HD service provides you at the moment with a handful of ... more
Sky HD
I'm writing this review as I watch a blue screen that says "There is a technical fault with this channel Please try later" Oh well I was only watching sky news anyway, watching as our very own David Beckham rakes in the money as he moves to LA for an unbelievable 1million a week before tax. Well done becks nice one!!!
Anyway my review today will be on SKY's HD service in particular the box itself. I will try not to make my review in any way by the fact I have SKY blue screen of death in front of me. "Switch it off at the wall and wait 10 seconds"
YES I'VE TRIED THAT grrrrrr
Hehe anyway
I decided to get sky hd last march time in readiness for the world cup in the summer so I have had a 6 months with the service and feel pretty comfortable writing my feelings. The sky HD service provides you at the moment with a handful of channels, which does include sky sports and sky movies and sky one hd. I'll go into the channels in a little more detail later. First up is the subscription details.
###SUBSCRIPTION### (as at time of writing review) I started with the mix 6 last year which would cost £22 normally per month. So when I upgraded to SKY HD I had to pay the following £299 for the box (not on offer in March 2006) An extra £10 a month for the HD broadcast .
This set up would only give me the HD channels that correspond with my package i.e mix 6, which would give me : SKY ONE HD BBC HD History HD Discovery HD National Geographic HD Sky Box Office 1 HD Sky Box Office 2 HD
The box also comes with the sky plus features but to access this you would need a sky plus subscription which would be another: £10 a month. So to tally up so far for mix 6 it would cost £42 a month plus £299 to go HD with sky plus. What was pleasing is that if you subscribe to the sky sports package (£10 a month) you get the sky plus features for free. So obviously I did which adds to my HD pleasure Sky Sports 1 HD Sky Sports 2 HD Also access to Premiership Plus HD if you want to pay the extra.
Now you can pay extra again and pay for movies to get the full subscription and the full compliment of HD channels. If done so you would get the two HD channels
Sky Movies 9 HD Sky Movies 10 HD
TO MAKE IT SIMPLE If you have sky plus and a subscription already its normally an extra £10 a month. Once signed up you can ask them to use your old box to have as an extra room, but again they charge for the multiroom service which is normally an extra £10 a month. You wonder where sky get all their money from
###INSTALLATION### I have to say the service level was very good. I ordered in the pre-order time in the spring and yes there was a delay but I did still get it in time for the world cup (in fact it was installed on the first day of the world cup). The engineer worked tidily and quickly and was rather pleasant. He was finished in around 2 hrs and tidied up after himself. He made sure everything was working including things like my dvd recorder and dvd player so my scarts were in the right sockets etc. Nice one SKY. They were on time and polite so all in all a big thumbs up to sky on that one.
###Cables### You shouldn't need any extra cables the sky hd box comes with its own HDMI cable, which is the preferred connection type obviously. If you don't have a HD tv then you have to use scart but then you wouldn't be getting SKY HD then would you.
###THE BOX### The box definitely has a nice design, its slick matt black finish looks nice under most tvs, it is quite bulky and does need quite a bit of room, it's comparable to a dvd recorder or a desktop workstation pc. The front has a number of sexy LED's including a nice glowy neon blue ring which rotates when you are using the sky plus features to playback. You also have some basic controls at the front to work your way round the menus just incase your remote control packs in. It also has a viewing card slot and interactive card slot at the front to (as standard)
The back is a whole different ball game. They have well an truly confused the living hell out of me. Now you have the expected on the back like SCART and HDMI, (Your basic connections for your audio and video signal). You also have your basic audio connections like RCA out and 5.1 optical out for surround sound. Which is all very good. The confusing bit (well I am easily confused) is the inclusion of the USB port and Ethernet port. Now I reckon the USB port is for future upgrades and I'll tell you why I think that in a minute. The Ethernet port I reckon is for interactive service via broadband (i.e plug it into your router) which I can only guess they will offer at a later date. There is also the usual telephone port so you can dial sky to purchase pay per view stuff.
The build quality is good. In fact feels very well built a lot better than the old Amstrad, pace sky receivers that they spew out to their customers. A very nice and tidy box. Well done SKY.
The only downfall is that the built n hard drive is only 160GB which at first sounds a lot but when you start recording HD content (the only way to record HD content is on your box, until HD recorders come out that is) you will see that 160GB doesn't go very far. A HD movie takes up roughly 10% of the space available so quite a bit. Particularly as the HD offering gets bigger, it would be fair to say that in 12 months time all the big tv stations will be transmiting in HD, so this 160gb hard drive will be an issue. I would like to think that SKY have though about this and have included the USB port for possible future expansion with an external hard drive etc.
###THE PICTURE AND SOUND QUALITY### I have a Samsung 32" LCD which is connected via the HDMI cable provided by sky. I've got to say the first time you sit down in front of a HD broadcast and watch something like Planet Earth on BBC HD it is simply breathtaking. The picture quality is amazing. You find your self repeatedly saying "I can't get over how clear it is" . It is an amazing jump, they say it is like looking out of a clean window instead of a smeary one. The audio is just as good, the great thing about HDMI is that it can carry all the signals so its pretty clear. Its still a lot better to pipe the audio off to a surround sound amp using the fibre optic input. You will find you get a fantastic transition. Picture quality is quite difficult to criticise at the moment as the only alternative is the Telewest HD offering and again its rather sexy looking so thumbs up to both I guess.
###THE BUGS### Yep the bugs, this is the bit when I tell about the things that go wrong, hence the blue screen Actually the blue screen that I was telling you about at the start was merely a weather issue and it has now come back since typing this. The biggest problem I get is when recording or playing back HD content. The box has the tendency of locking up and rebooting in the middle of playback mainly it has done it while recording and just watching but its mainly when I am playing back. And only when HD is involved. This is obviously very irritating. When I want to catalogue stuff to disc I have wasted a number of discs where I set to record and it fails half way through. I have phoned sky a couple of times and spoken to their tech team who have said it's a known issue and they are waiting for the next batch of boxes to come out. I have had this 6 months now so I guess that isn't very good.
###SUMMARY### To summarise I have to say that HD is great but the channel offering is pretty poor with only BBC HD and SKY HD offering the premium content. BBC HD is getting very good, it was especially good around Christmas, shows like Robin Hood, Torchwood and Planet Earth being shown in HD and also movies such as Kill Bill and Mission Impossible in HD. Nice… However putting the bugs aside it's a lot of money to be paying for the privilege and it might be worth waiting another 6 months until the content is better. If you like sports and especially football, watching premiership football in HD is excellent so you may find that's its worth the investment just for that.
Anyway I hope you have enjoyed the review I'm sure I will update in the near future.
Advantages: great piece of kit Disadvantages: none for me
...in 2005. At that time SKy HD wasn't out, so we didn't care about being HD compatible - after all what did it mean?
Sky HD launched in June 2006. It became an instant hit, and SKy chose to launch it at this time for the World Cup. There was a long and lenghtly waiting list for the latest must have and due to supply and demand issues the demand was split into World Cup - people who would be installed before and during the world cup, and After World ... ...the first year of launch Sky quickly reached over 900 thousand subscribers and it has continued to grow at quite a rapid rate. Since at this time I used to deal with Television fault at Sky, you used to find that a lot of customers came on the phone and added a bit smugly "i've got an HD box", like they were the only one in the country that had one, I got that all day. Used to make me smile if anything.
So we've explained the launch, what is the ...
leeanne160480 19.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of SKY SKY HD BOX
Advantages: They're almost giving them away. Disadvantages: Not the best quality, not enough HD channels to support extra £10 charge.
I ordered a Sky HD box a couple of months ago after enjoying movies on my HD player and HD gaming on my Xbox. I was very excited and looking forward to watching all those lovely HD channels (I think 30 channels were being boasted at the time)
The box prices and installation charges differ depending on the particular offer but I paid £49 for the box and £30 for installation . I was already a Sky+ TV and phone customer. To take Sky HD you will have ... ...or so HD channels that Sky are saying are available are only available if you already subscribe to that particular block of channels. Your £10 for HD channels only covers what you already subscribe to, you don't get them all. In a nut shell, if you don't subscribe to the documentary channels then you don't get the HD versions either, even if you pay a HD subscription. Out of 33 current HD channels I only get 16 because I don't subscribe to movies ...
LawrenceP 06.05.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of SKY SKY HD BOX
Advantages: Gorgeous Hi Definition TV Disadvantages: You need a HD Ready TV!
...Well, with the Sky HD box (and a requisite HD ready TV don't forget), the answer from here is simply, yes! First things first - the HD box is simply a Sky+ box with the ability to receive HD signals and send them through to your HD TV via a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable (digital SCART to all intents and purposes). For normal stations, which are still the vast vast majority, this allows a process called upscaling to be performed ... ...thrown in for good measure. Sky One has its premium programmes in HD, a library of which is growing all the time. Then there is the BBC HD Trial, showcasing the best of the BBC in glorious HD - a catalogue of film, drama, comedy and nature in HD growing almost weekly. So, bearing in mind, we are at the very early stages of HD, then there is a good choice of HD available - the good news is that it is growing!
So, in conclusion, is it worth £300? ...
rwgladwin 22.12.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of SKY SKY HD BOX
Advantages: True HD Quality Pictures, Sleek Looks Disadvantages: Price, HD Channels
...immediate concern when buying the Sky HD box is the price, £299, then there is the extra £10 per month for the HD service. This becomes more so apparent when you realise that not all the channels are HD, and the ones that are HD don't always broadcast HD programmes, a major example of this is Sky One HD which shows exactly what is on Sky One. My partner is a Sky Engineer and the amount of houses he has been to where the customer has been mis-sold ... ...has now-a-days in HD.
Sky One HD - Shows exactly what is on Sky One but shows like 24 and Battlestar Galactica are shown in HD.
Artsworld HD - Never really watched this channel, but looking at the Sky Planner shows that not all the programmes are HD.
Sky Movies 9 & 10 HD - Show exactly what is on Sky Movies 9 & 10, but upscale old films to HD quality (apparently) and new films in HD.
Sky Sports HD1 & 2 - Again not every programme is in HD, but ...
dazzmandoo 30.01.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of SKY SKY HD BOX
Advantages: Phenomenal Picture quality Disadvantages: A bit costly
I have had Sky HD for almost 2 years, initially, I had several problems with faulty boxes, however, I have had the current one for over 12 months now, and (i am touching wood at this point) it has been fine.
As with all Sky boxes, the thing will occasionally 'freeze', simply unplugging it from the mains, plugging it straight back in again, and leaving the box for a minute before turning on, rectifies the problem.
The box connects to your HD ready ... ...channels are available via the Sky Hd box.
Channel 4 HD
BBC HD
Sky One HD
FX HD
Sky Arts HD
Luxe TV HD
Sky Premiere HD (movies)
Sky Screen 1 HD (movies)
Sky Screen 2 HD (movies)
Sky Sports HD1
Sky Sports HD2
Sky Sports HD3
Eurosport HD
Rush HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic HD
History HD
Sky Box Office HD1
Sky Box Office HD2.
To receive HD channels, you have to pay £10 per months, in addition to your chosen package, HOWEVER, ...
bobbob455 07.08.2008 (26.11.2008)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of SKY SKY HD BOX
Ease of Use
Ease of Installation
Range of Features
Value for Money
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Advantages: Beautiful colours, very dark black colours, works well with standard SKY+ and HD Upscalers Disadvantages: Sometimes blurry on fast-paced action movies or older films. MoviePlus isn't all that great.
The Samsung LE-40F86BD is a fantastic TV. I use it with a Standard SKY+ box (i.e. not a SKY+HD model) and the picture is fantastic. As with all TVs using such a box, make suer you can sit at least 2 feet away from it. Sit too close and the picture will look extremely blocky. Due to the quality of the different channels, channels such as SKY ONE or National Geographic will look better (even in SD) than lesser funded channels.
Use a regular DVD player and the picture is beautiful but use an upscaling one such as the Samsung HD870 and the picture is stunning. If only I had an HD DVD PLAYER! I've watched Cars with and without the HD Upscaler and I assure you, the upscaling does make a difference.
Older movies or ones with a lot of fast moving action tend to look a bit blurred at times but in general it's awesome. Movie Plus isn ...
Advantages: 1080p BluRay movies Disadvantages: Price
We have had this TV now for 3 months and think it is fantastic. It is very easy to use and the picture quality is superb.
We use it with a PS3 for gaming and watching Blu-Ray movies (makes the most of the 1080p resolution) and it is the most amazing home movie experience. The internal sound is good and there is almost no motion blur like most other LCD's.
We watch the television using SKYHD and the HD programmes are visually amazing. Standard definition through the SKYbox is also good for the size of the screen.
Visually, the set looks great with its clear surround and interchangable bezel (optional extra) to make the TV blend in with the rooms decor.
I would highly recommend this TV to anyone looking for an allround HD performer. ...
Advantages: beautiful glossy tv, full 1080p, lots of inputs, easy to use. Disadvantages: settings suck out of the box
is 1920 by 1080. Hence the name. I was sure that if i was going to get an HDtv, i wanted the best. As in, i wanted 1080p. This TV ticked that box.
Secondly, you need a good contrast ratio. This is the difference between the lights and darks. The better the ratio, the darker the blacks will be and you will notice a crisper, more pleasant image. Again this TV is a cut above the rest in that department with a whopping ratio of 15000:1.
Thirdly, at least for me, was the number of inputs. Especially via HDMI. For some odd reason, most HDtv's only have 1 HDMI input? Which is lovely if you only have one HD source, but what about the future? I knew that I wanted to get a PS3. My DVD player also had an HDMI output for upscaling DVD's. We only have SKY+ box but might be getting a SKYHD one at some point. Then there's my PC, which also has ...
