Who has SKY HD+?

I got Sky+ HD insalled a fw weeks ago (new install, ordered Wednesday evening online, installed the following Monday, install even beat the posty with my viewing card LOL, so he showed me how to do that in the secret menu).

May I ask what exactly is the problem with Amstrad boxes that you all seem to want to avoid them? They are the latest models right? And most people on Digital spy seem to think they are the best so far. Minus the contrast issue, but mne seems fine. Haven't checked the setting, but it's not banding or anything, or too bright or too dark in places at all. No oversaturation either. Silent as a whistle (only time I hear it is when putting it into stand by and you hear the HDD wind down). No failed recordings, no skipping in recordings, nothing. So why the need to avoid these boxes? Is it the HDD replacing thing? Are these picky? Hopefully not, as I might upgrade mine, don't need to yet, as I am only on basic package, but still.

I have to say it is a marked improvement over other channels. I personally do like the look of the new EPG cannot wait to get it for my box, think it looks nice and sleek, and has some great features (highlighting HD programs being one of them). Disappointed with some channels choice for programs in HD. Like Jag HD, whoops I mean FX HD, although I complained a week ago or thereabouts about that and suddenly NCIS has appeared on the EPG for Friday, and Dexter in HD too. Sweet.

Does the box output SD better in 1080i mode? Will have to try that, as mine is set to Auto, and some SD channels just look terrible. Luckily C4HD/Sky1HDs approach (simulcast, with upscaled SD content) means I can watch those channels instead of the low quality versions.

My installed bloke wasn't a regular Sky Guy (i.e. in the Sky branded van) so he put our dish on the chimney stack, and told us we need to tell sky when we need them out, as it needs to be a specialist installer. He rang for confirmation before he did it, but couldn't get it, but ended up just putting it up there anyway. LOL.
 
FXHD is becoming simulcast this Friday, so it will show all the shows that the normal FX broadcasts after 7.00pm. Checking it now it shows Family Guy in HD, didn't think it was even 16:9 yet!

I find that 1080i makes SD look better, which is surprising cause the scaler in the PX80 is very good, but setting the box to "Auto" makes the picture very soft on SD. As for the Amstrad thing, it is really down to the contrast issue. It should be fixed with the new EPG, but most people tend to agree that Pace are the most reliable and work right out of the box.
 
I'd avoid cartoons in HD.

They're usually a terrible aspect with huge black borders. FYI: Dexter has always been shown in HD, just not on the same nights as the normal FX. It's nice they're doing it on the same night now though :)
 
EVH said:
I'd avoid cartoons in HD.

They're usually a terrible aspect with huge black borders. FYI: Dexter has always been shown in HD, just not on the same nights as the normal FX. It's nice they're doing it on the same night now though :)
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The borders are there to make it it's correct aspect ratio. Watch the simpsons on sky1hd and you will the black bars because that's the way it's meant to be viewed. Watch it in HD and then go to the normal sky1 and you will see it's stretched to fit the screen and looks wrong.
 
We're looking to get HD when we move house at the end of this month. Obviously there will be a bit of a wait but...

We are considering the whole Sky HD package with phone and broadband. But a question I have is would we still require a BT line rental? Or does the Sky line rental negate the need to involve BT at all?

Edit - FYI the house has previously had a BT line.
 
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I found out yesterday that I've got a 3 month wait for Sky HD. Understand it's the same across the board, as I'm an existing customer.
 
Nymins said:
The borders are there to make it it's correct aspect ratio. Watch the simpsons on sky1hd and you will the black bars because that's the way it's meant to be viewed. Watch it in HD and then go to the normal sky1 and you will see it's stretched to fit the screen and looks wrong.
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I know, but it's too much wasted room on a 60inch TV, so I'd rather the stretch-o-vision :p
 
My HD box got upgraded to the new EPG last night, but when I turned the TV on this morning, I do not have access to any of the channels. I only have one tuner working due to the way our block of flats has been wired up, but it was fine before the upgrade. Now I can see the program names etc and in signal strength its fine but it will not display any channels and tells me no signal is being recieved... Did anyone else suffer this after the upgrade?
 
BlizzardX said:
My HD box got upgraded to the new EPG last night, but when I turned the TV on this morning, I do not have access to any of the channels. I only have one tuner working due to the way our block of flats has been wired up, but it was fine before the upgrade. Now I can see the program names etc and in signal strength its fine but it will not display any channels and tells me no signal is being recieved... Did anyone else suffer this after the upgrade?
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You need to have a look at "Single feed mode on the New EPG"

EDIT: http://www1.sky.com/HDGuide/pdf/HD_EPG_MICROSITE.pdf
 
dillingerdan said:
May I ask what exactly is the problem with Amstrad boxes that you all seem to want to avoid them? They are the latest models right? And most people on Digital spy seem to think they are the best so far. Minus the contrast issue, but mne seems fine.
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There isn't one, other than the contrast issue - which will no doubt be fixed in the new EPG rollout. The Pace box has had a few complaints on DS - the one that would irritate me the most being screen blanking when changing channels.

I would guess the attitude is due to the Sky+ PVR2/3 Amstrad boxes being bloody awful, and the Pace boxes being the best by a long stretch. My guess would be once the Amstrad contrast issue is fixed it'll be the best box - from info I've read it's had the lowest callout rate so far.
 
Hmm I wonder if you were a prospective new customer would you have to wait three months to have HD installed?, some how I don't think so.
 
My sky contract cancelled today, my box is great though, even though ive stopped getting the pay per view channels, my box is goosed and you get free sky movies hd1 sky movies hd2 and national geographic all in hd still :)
 
Metalface Mark said:
My sky contract cancelled today, my box is great though, even though ive stopped getting the pay per view channels, my box is goosed and you get free sky movies hd1 sky movies hd2 and national geographic all in hd still :)
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Im guessing this is just because the cancellation still hasn't fully went through? :eek:
 
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