SKY SKY HD BOX

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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? ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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, ... Read review

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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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 SKY HD and the HD programmes are visually amazing. Standard definition through the SKY box 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.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

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 SKY HD one at some point. Then there's my PC, which also has... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful