SkyHD due to be installed in 2 days. What do i need to know?

photoshop · 1 Apr 2009 at 21:08

SkyHD is getting installed on Saturday.

Whats the best way to set it up?
I understand it comes with a HDMI connection. Does this carry audio or just video?

The AV amp I have is Sony DSG820.

I'm assuming I'll have to take a HDMI from Sky to Amp and also an optical lead from Sky to Amp. That correct????

Or is it better to take HDMI lead from Sky direct to TV and then take optical from Sky to amp??????

Cheers.

Glaucus · 1 Apr 2009 at 21:34

is you amp hdmi?
If it is hdmi to amp, hdmi from amp to tv.

If it isn't, hdmi to tv, spdif to amp.

photoshop · 1 Apr 2009 at 21:35

Yes HDMI full HD amp

wolvers · 1 Apr 2009 at 21:54

You'll only get 2 channel if you go HDMI to amp. You need to go SPDIF to amp for DD from a skyHD box.

photoshop · 1 Apr 2009 at 22:08

wolvers69 said:
You'll only get 2 channel if you go HDMI to amp. You need to go SPDIF to amp for DD from a skyHD box.

Cheers mate.

So i'll need a HDMI and an SPDIF going to amp from SkyHD box then.

wolvers · 1 Apr 2009 at 22:12

photoshop said:
Cheers mate.

So i'll need a HDMI and an SPDIF going to amp from SkyHD box then.

Yep, and set optical out option in sky box sound settings to DOLBY D.

Make sure that you set the audio input to SPDIF (rather than AUTO) on you amp for the sky's HDMI socket or you'll just get that 2ch from the HDMI signal. Sorry if I'm telling my Granny to suck eggs!

photoshop · 1 Apr 2009 at 22:13

why the hell doesnt sky carry the audio over hdmi? thats just a waste

wolvers · 1 Apr 2009 at 22:18

I know but it's no loss as they can't broadcast anything that'll take advantage of the HDMI bandwidth anyway.

photoshop · 1 Apr 2009 at 22:19

Ahh well.
Looks like I need a 3m HDMI and 3m SPDIF cable.

You know any places for a thin or flat SPDIF cables?

wolvers · 2 Apr 2009 at 08:04

Well it's optical only I think (worth checking that) so the cables are going to be nice and thin anyway. I've never seen a flat toslink cable.

T'is a shame to have to have the extra cable with the way you've got your system set up.

photoshop · 2 Apr 2009 at 08:36

Is there then any point in my taking a HDMI cable from the sky box to the amp?
Would it not be the same if I just took that HDMI cable straight to the TV?

Or is it better to take the HDMI to the amp aswell (for some reason).

cram · 2 Apr 2009 at 08:37

You don't necessarily need to take HDMI to your amp. If you do the advantage is a single link from your amp to your TV and no changing of inputs on the TV. However, you will always need the amp on whenever you want to watch TV even if it is for something like to the news where you're not bothered about surround sound.

Oxide™ · 2 Apr 2009 at 09:06

as another option, you can also use the digital coax connection instead of the optical connection

-Ad- · 2 Apr 2009 at 09:36

There is an audiovisual online store

that sells Fisual cables for what is essentially peanuts. Use their optical, coaxial, and RCA cables in my system. Great value and built well enough. My 1.5m optical was about £4 if I rememebr correctly.

Also when the installer comes try to bag yourself a PACE box if he has one, of maybe a samsung if not. An Amstrad might be all he has though, and these are stuck on HIGH contrast setting. Whaterver you do DO NOT accept a HD box that he brings in a brown cardboard box, it will be a refurb. Make sure the box is in the full retail packaging.

Also, series link and a few other things won't work for a few hours, but will come on again later on.

Love my PACE and my 1tb HDD arrives at home today, and will install that tomorrow on my day off

Enjoy HD, it's amazing, especially sport. Check out RUSH HD and Eurosport HD for amazing demo pieces. Discovery et al are also stunning !

wolvers · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:24

Oxlde said:
as another option, you can also use the digital coax connection instead of the optical connection

Yeah, I couldn't remember if there was one.

photoshop · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:42

-Ad- said:
There is an audiovisual online store that sells Fisual cables for what is essentially peanuts. Use their optical, coaxial, and RCA cables in my system. Great value and built well enough. My 1.5m optical was about £4 if I rememebr correctly.

Also when the installer comes try to bag yourself a PACE box if he has one, of maybe a samsung if not. An Amstrad might be all he has though, and these are stuck on HIGH contrast setting. Whaterver you do DO NOT accept a HD box that he brings in a brown cardboard box, it will be a refurb. Make sure the box is in the full retail packaging.

Also, series link and a few other things won't work for a few hours, but will come on again later on.

Love my PACE and my 1tb HDD arrives at home today, and will install that tomorrow on my day off

Enjoy HD, it's amazing, especially sport. Check out RUSH HD and Eurosport HD for amazing demo pieces. Discovery et al are also stunning !

Thanks for that mate!!!
I'll be sure to take that on board and make sure i get a Pace or Samsung box. If not then im sending him back!

Looks like i might have to move my hardware around to accomodate it. Probably will end up taking a HDMI and a optical cable from box to amp.

Corasik · 2 Apr 2009 at 11:04

wolvers69 said:
I know but it's no loss as they can't broadcast anything that'll take advantage of the HDMI bandwidth anyway.

Doesnt even broadcast the highest bitrates of Dolby Digital, Pretty sure most of the HD channels have a 256kbps AC3 5.1 feed, compared to DVD's 448, and BluRays 640kbps.

Still its digital 5.1 and still gives good entertainment

Corasik · 2 Apr 2009 at 11:08

wolvers69 said:
Yeah, I couldn't remember if there was one.

Depends on which box you get, the older(obsolete) Thomson "Blow your Caps" HD boxes only had optical SP/Dif output. If your TV has enough inputs, you can always just use HDMI to the TV, and Optical to the Amp.

Slogan · 2 Apr 2009 at 11:15

Tell the Sky installation man that your toilet is broke prior to him entering the house - so he doesn't do the mother of all dumps in your house, like he did in mine.

I was downstairs and even then I could taste it like salt in the air at the seaside.

dbmzk1 · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:11

Slogan said:
Tell the Sky installation man that your toilet is broke prior to him entering the house - so he doesn't do the mother of all dumps in your house, like he did in mine.

I was downstairs and even then I could taste it like salt in the air at the seaside.

He crapped in your house? What the?!