To HD Or Not HD

scoobie_wrc · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:40

is hd worth an extra tenner a month? ive heard some ppl say they dont notice any difference between the 2, ive just bought a new tele and think the pic is damn good and dont wanna fork out an extra tenner a month for the same quality pic.

ci_newman · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:41

Depends on the size of your TV really. 32" and less, the difference will be hard to see unless its a really low-quality channel (and HD won't be available for that anyway).

The Halk · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:42

I find football and rugby in HD are great. Normal TV isn't really so much better. Some films are great in it, some don't seem to benefit.

I don't like the extra tenner, but meh, can't do much about it until it becomes the norm.

JayMax · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:42

I think it's definitely worth it if you watch a lot of sports.

scoobie_wrc · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:47

ci_newman said:
Depends on the size of your TV really.

42inch plasma

Castiel · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:47

Definitely HD

Shimmyhill · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:49

Flick between BBC1 and BBC1 HD (when its showing a proper HD show) and decide if you think the PQ jump is worth the money!

Conscript · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:50

It's great for films and nature programs.

Heliospherez · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:51

I have a 42" Plasma and the difference is amazing.

That said, I have Freesat - so there are only 2 or 3 HD channels available - which seem to be exceptional quality (possible due to the Bitrate or compression - not really sure) compared to some of the Sky HD offerings I have watched on other people setups.

SDK^ · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:53

I've been on HD since February 2006. Where it really shines is Sport and Nature programs; they are amazing in HD. The difference is night and day.
F1 is being broadcast in HD this year - it's going to be awesome !!

Also, watch a film on Blu-ray and you'll never go back to DVD's again.

Scuzzy · 19 Jan 2011 at 21:58

Scoobie.... I hate watching SD TV and thats not being snobby!!! I just annoys me watching SD... Saying that though what I hate more is SD programs going out on a HD Channel !!!! Arggghhhhh...

Rant over..... Pay the £10

Domo · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:00

Depends on the size of your TV and how far you sit from it. I sit between 6 and 7ft from my 37" and although HD is certainly sharper, it hardly gets me salivating with excitement,

Found this which might help as a guide:
The 2-5 principle
Standard
For an optimum viewing distance with Standard Definition material, the nearest seating position should be limited to around twice the screen width while the furthest seating position should be no more than around five times the width of your screen.

HD
For an optimum viewing distance with High Definition material, the nearest seating position should be adjusted to around 1.5 times the screen width while the furthest seating position should be no more than around four times the width of your screen.

Rotty · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:05

I have a 42 panny plasma and the difference is barely noticeable

james.miller · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:05

difference is massive on my 50" panasonic, though some of that is down to the terrible quality of the SD feeds on virgin digital.

Scuzzy · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:08

SDK^ said:
watch a film on Blu-ray and you'll never go back to DVD's again.

Good Point !! Massive difference !

Drukk · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:10

Depends how much TV you watch really , I cetainly don't think its worth another 10 pounds a month.

People seem to get carried away with the hype.

Rybo89 · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:17

Upgraded from Sky+ to Sky+HD last night and i think its fantastic and well worth it!

Non HD channels are a lot better quality, never mind the HD channels. The sound is loads better to, can tell that by checking out the music channels.

This is on a 50".

joeyjojo · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:22

Drukk said:
Depends how much TV you watch really , I cetainly don't think its worth another 10 pounds a month.

What's a TV?

Scuzzy · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:22

Drukk said:
Depends how much TV you watch really , I cetainly don't think its worth another 10 pounds a month.

People seem to get carried away with the hype.

The football on HD is amazing right down to the blades of grass, Also the NFL is so crisp and vivid.... Drukk you sure you have a HD TV? hehe

izzop · 19 Jan 2011 at 22:22

Rybo89 said:
Upgraded from Sky+ to Sky+HD last night and i think its fantastic and well worth it!

Non HD channels are a lot better quality, never mind the HD channels.The sound is loads better to, can tell that by checking out the music channels.

This is on a 50".

Did hear a rumor sometime ago that Sky do this to get people to switch over, although not sure if it's true?