Sky OnDemand, new set top box

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#1390907 21-Sep-2015 08:40

When I cancel Sky (maybe once WC is over, but probably later due to living circumstances at the moment) the $10HD ticket will be the reason I give them for quitting.

It is a rort, and they know it.

jonathan18

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#1390937 21-Sep-2015 08:51

old3eyes: It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Don't mistake me for a Sky apologist (as I'm certainly not!), but the largest SVOD service in the world charges additional for HD.

Last time I checked when re-signing my parents up to Netflix a couple of months back I noted their entry package still doesn't provide HD. Sure, the same package is limited to playing on one screen at a time, but personally that's not restriction I currently care about - rather I pay an additional amount for the middle-tier package solely to get HD.

old3eyes

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#1390940 21-Sep-2015 09:01

jonathan18:
old3eyes: It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Don't mistake me for a Sky apologist (as I'm certainly not!), but the largest SVOD service in the world charges additional for HD.

Last time I checked when re-signing my parents up to Netflix a couple of months back I noted their entry package still doesn't provide HD. Sure, the same package is limited to playing on one screen at a time, but personally that's not restriction I currently care about - rather I pay an additional amount for the middle-tier package solely to get HD.

The difference is that Netflix price for HD is $3 not $10. Not sure haw many people would sign up for Netflix SD stream..

Regards,

Old3eyes

jonathan18

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#1390951 21-Sep-2015 09:12

old3eyes:
jonathan18:
old3eyes: It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Don't mistake me for a Sky apologist (as I'm certainly not!), but the largest SVOD service in the world charges additional for HD.

Last time I checked when re-signing my parents up to Netflix a couple of months back I noted their entry package still doesn't provide HD. Sure, the same package is limited to playing on one screen at a time, but personally that's not restriction I currently care about - rather I pay an additional amount for the middle-tier package solely to get HD.

The difference is that Netflix price for HD is $3 not $10. Not sure haw many people would sign up for Netflix SD stream..

I mentioned this to show that it's not always 'normal' to provide full HD as standard. I agree $10 is a lot to pay for the privilege, but then again as a proportion of the total bill it's significantly lower than Netflix's additional charge.

That said, I could never see myself forking out the relatively large sums for even basic Sky, and this is completely reinforced by Sky asking an additional $10 for HD. I'd rather look at the option of paying for the three SVOD services I'd be most interested in (Hulu add-free, Netflix and HBO) than paying a cent to Sky.

Spyware

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#1390953 21-Sep-2015 09:17

Would cost $250M to replace every set top box, including mySkyHD boxes, to create an H.265 solution to provide HD as standard. They are spending around half this.

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eracode

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#1391014 21-Sep-2015 10:12

jonathan18:
old3eyes:
jonathan18:
old3eyes: It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Don't mistake me for a Sky apologist (as I'm certainly not!), but the largest SVOD service in the world charges additional for HD.

Last time I checked when re-signing my parents up to Netflix a couple of months back I noted their entry package still doesn't provide HD. Sure, the same package is limited to playing on one screen at a time, but personally that's not restriction I currently care about - rather I pay an additional amount for the middle-tier package solely to get HD.

The difference is that Netflix price for HD is $3 not $10. Not sure haw many people would sign up for Netflix SD stream..

I mentioned this to show that it's not always 'normal' to provide full HD as standard. I agree $10 is a lot to pay for the privilege, but then again as a proportion of the total bill it's significantly lower than Netflix's additional charge.

That said, I could never see myself forking out the relatively large sums for even basic Sky, and this is completely reinforced by Sky asking an additional $10 for HD. I'd rather look at the option of paying for the three SVOD services I'd be most interested in (Hulu add-free, Netflix and HBO) than paying a cent to Sky.

Agree with you in this - but unfortunately the 'catch' is in the Sport.

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ockel

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#1391048 21-Sep-2015 10:47

old3eyes:
Apsattv:
l43a2:
Spyware:
l43a2: will the new sky boxes be in HD?

The new Sky boxes support DVB-S2 H.264 and most likely H.265 and hence support the migration of all the DVB-S mpeg2 transponders. The bandwidth claimed by such will allow another 20 HD channels to be added overnight (even keeping SD simulcast).

so does that mean the new boxes will let people use HD i wonder :P or is sky going to charge MOOOOOOORREEEEE like usual.

The New boxes can still be software tweaked to only output SD, if you don't pay $ for the ticket

It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Its not normal for Foxtel, Sky plc, additional HD channels still cost for DirecTV, as far as I can tell still paying extra for HD movies vs SD movies on SVOD services.

Who is it "normal" for?

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old3eyes

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#1391056 21-Sep-2015 10:59

ockel:
old3eyes:
Apsattv:
l43a2:
Spyware:
l43a2: will the new sky boxes be in HD?

The new Sky boxes support DVB-S2 H.264 and most likely H.265 and hence support the migration of all the DVB-S mpeg2 transponders. The bandwidth claimed by such will allow another 20 HD channels to be added overnight (even keeping SD simulcast).

so does that mean the new boxes will let people use HD i wonder :P or is sky going to charge MOOOOOOORREEEEE like usual.

The New boxes can still be software tweaked to only output SD, if you don't pay $ for the ticket

It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Its not normal for Foxtel, Sky plc, additional HD channels still cost for DirecTV, as far as I can tell still paying extra for HD movies vs SD movies on SVOD services.

Who is it "normal" for?

iTunes and Apple TV for one, Freeview where the channel is in HD. Admittedly the likes of Google Movies give you the option of SD or HD but for a pay TV providers in the 21st century where HD is the norm should not be charging extra if you have the hardware installed..

Regards,

Old3eyes

NonprayingMantis

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#1391067 21-Sep-2015 11:12

ockel:
old3eyes:
Apsattv:
l43a2:
Spyware:
l43a2: will the new sky boxes be in HD?

The new Sky boxes support DVB-S2 H.264 and most likely H.265 and hence support the migration of all the DVB-S mpeg2 transponders. The bandwidth claimed by such will allow another 20 HD channels to be added overnight (even keeping SD simulcast).

so does that mean the new boxes will let people use HD i wonder :P or is sky going to charge MOOOOOOORREEEEE like usual.

The New boxes can still be software tweaked to only output SD, if you don't pay $ for the ticket

It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Its not normal for Foxtel, Sky plc, additional HD channels still cost for DirecTV, as far as I can tell still paying extra for HD movies vs SD movies on SVOD services.

Who is it "normal" for?

Lightbox doesn't charge extra for HD
Neither does Freeview (since it's free, of course)

I think all the other NZ available services either charge charge more for HD (in the case of Netflix, iTunes, Sky). or don't have HD available (in the case of Neon, Igloo, Quickflix)

MikeAqua

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#1391088 21-Sep-2015 11:27

FreeviewHD has lowish availability - terrestrial only, selected programs only.

Lightbox - don't charge extra for HD. But for an HD capable internet service, your ISP generally will.

No way does the LightBox we receive achieve HD. Of course when we go to UFB and pay extra, we will probably get better on screen resolution.

I find SD is fine if I take my glasses off ...

NonprayingMantis:

Lightbox doesn't charge extra for HD
Neither does Freeview (since it's free, of course)

Mike

ockel

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#1391109 21-Sep-2015 11:52

NonprayingMantis:
ockel:
old3eyes:
Apsattv:
l43a2:
Spyware:
l43a2: will the new sky boxes be in HD?

The new Sky boxes support DVB-S2 H.264 and most likely H.265 and hence support the migration of all the DVB-S mpeg2 transponders. The bandwidth claimed by such will allow another 20 HD channels to be added overnight (even keeping SD simulcast).

so does that mean the new boxes will let people use HD i wonder :P or is sky going to charge MOOOOOOORREEEEE like usual.

The New boxes can still be software tweaked to only output SD, if you don't pay $ for the ticket

It amazes me in this day and age how Sky can still get away charging an extra $10 for HD where with everyone else it's normal..

Its not normal for Foxtel, Sky plc, additional HD channels still cost for DirecTV, as far as I can tell still paying extra for HD movies vs SD movies on SVOD services.

Who is it "normal" for?

Lightbox doesn't charge extra for HD
Neither does Freeview (since it's free, of course)

I think all the other NZ available services either charge charge more for HD (in the case of Netflix, iTunes, Sky). or don't have HD available (in the case of Neon, Igloo, Quickflix)

And how many channels on Freeview are HD?
And are those the same ones you get in HD on Sky without having to pay the HD ticket?

So who is it normal for? Lightbox? One service in NZ that doesnt charge extra for HD - that doesnt really make it sound "normal".

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ockel

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#1391231 21-Sep-2015 13:05

So it seems that the question is not whether one should be charging additional for HD (as it seems just about everyone is doing it) but rather what is the appropriate premium for HD content?

Is it 30% - a la Netflix
Is it 25% - as per itunes and Google in the US (although it is 33% for buying rather than 25% for renting)
Is it 15% - as per itunes and Google in NZ (and Sky if you took just Basic and Movies)

If you thought Sky's $10/mth was a rort then Netflix must make your eyes water.

Sixth Labour Government - "Vision without Execution is just Hallucination"

Jaxson

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#1391248 21-Sep-2015 13:34

The bit that gets me is the ludicrous upsell components to get HD sports from Sky.

The sport is $28.29

But the 'base package' is $49.22
The HD 'ticket' unlock is $9.99
The forced upgrade to a device that can even offer HD out via hdmi is $15?

Total monthly cost of $65 extra to get to your sport content in HD, or more if you don't think the HD ticket should be there.
$10 extra for 4k sounds appealing...

ockel

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#1391300 21-Sep-2015 14:18

Jaxson: The bit that gets me is the ludicrous upsell components to get HD sports from Sky.

The sport is $28.29

But the 'base package' is $49.22
The HD 'ticket' unlock is $9.99
The forced upgrade to a device that can even offer HD out via hdmi is $15?

Total monthly cost of $65 extra to get to your sport content in HD, or more if you don't think the HD ticket should be there.
$10 extra for 4k sounds appealing...

So you're unhappy at the cross-subsidy between Basic and Sport? Or the premium for HD?

You could always go Fanpass at $80/mth - its as much HD as Lightbox or Netflix is.

Golf @ $200/yr
EPL @ $200/yr
F1 @ $300/yr (even if you said that it should be $200/yr as it has no incremental premium over golf or EPL - but you should discuss that with Bernie)
Super15 @ $300/yr (likewise on the real value - but try telling a rugby fan that golf or soccer is as good as Super15)
NRL @ $300/yr

Add other Motorsport, Cricket, Americian Sport, Netball etc etc for whatever price you think lets call it $200 yr for everything else.

Total $1200/yr if everything listed above is $200/yr. Oh thats about the same as Sky+Sport+HD+your "forced upgrade".

Sounds like you're getting the Basic package for free to me.

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Jaxson

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#1391309 21-Sep-2015 14:28

ockel:

So you're unhappy at the cross-subsidy between Basic and Sport? Or the premium for HD?

Both, but do different degrees.

It's a have to make you pay for the base package and then charge extra for sport, IF sport is the only thing you're after.
I get it, that's Sky's little pot of gold and they're obviously going to structure their offering to milk that content for all it's got.
However, the base plus addons is the model that's annoying long time sky supporters nowadays.
I've been very surprised at the interest even older, more 'loyal', customers have shown in wanting to investigate alternatives, with the likes of Netflix etc generating some alternatives in the traditionally monopolistic market.

The HD thing is annoying, but if you could pay for that without having to upgrade to another box then that would be better.

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