Sky HD offering?

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DS9

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#20055 11-Mar-2008 22:45

Hi,

I see the first reference I have seen to the HD offering though I hope it is not a true reflection, I would guess the 2 Movie channels will be Sky Movies HD and SBO HD (OnDemand) and I hope the sports will be SkySport HD and ESPN HD, I hope Prime and Discovery and or Nat Geo. will also be added. Here is the link. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4433285a18335.html what do you guy's think?

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CYaBro

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#116040 12-Mar-2008 00:32

Reading that article, it looks like Sky will also force you to buy a MySky unit to get the HD channels.
Why not just a standard STB that will allow this??

I also want to know when Freeview will launch more DTT services in the rest of the country for those of us who won't be covered when they launch in the nine main centres next month??
Surely Whangarei / Northland is a big enough centre?

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cyril7

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#116049 12-Mar-2008 07:35

I was hoping for more in the Discovery/NatGeo category as well.

Cybro, none of the current Sky STBs including the current MySky have processors that can deal with either mpeg4 or HD framerates.

As for FreeView, I asked FreeView this just the other day, when would the 2nd tier(last 10% coverage) Txs get installed, they have no idea, was their reply, they will gauge that based on takeup in the primary 75% coverage.

Cyril

sbiddle

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#116050 12-Mar-2008 07:49

cyril7:
As for FreeView, I asked FreeView this just the other day, when would the 2nd tier(last 10% coverage) Txs get installed, they have no idea, was their reply, they will gauge that based on takeup in the primary 75% coverage.

Cyril

My understanding was the 75% -> 87% upgrade was dependant on additional funding from the government.

cyril7

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#116052 12-Mar-2008 07:52

Hi Steve, you are right, and the decision to release the funds is dependant on the take up on the primary service, guess thats how it works.

Cyril

CYaBro

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#116065 12-Mar-2008 09:06

cyril7:

Cybro, none of the current Sky STBs including the current MySky have processors that can deal with either mpeg4 or HD framerates.

Yea I realise that but why do you have to get the new Mysky STB?
Why not just a standard STB replacement?
Is it still going to cost $600?

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walt12

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#116073 12-Mar-2008 09:36

One way or another, DTT has to be taken up because analog won't be around forever, unless of course the analog users shift to DVB-S instead of DTT.

On the issue of Sky HD, although NatGeo and alike would have also been good in HD, I am glad they have prioritised sport because that's where the most profound viewing difference will be possible. Watching Sport1 upscaled on a HDTV is an appalling viewing experience unless you're currently sitting >3-4 metres away from the screen.

cyril7

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#116078 12-Mar-2008 09:54

Yea I realise that but why do you have to get the new Mysky STB?
Why not just a standard STB replacement?
Is it still going to cost $600?

I was not aware that the SD MySky was going to be stopped, if you want HD you will need a HD box obviously. Wont surprise me if the SD MySky was taken off the menu and only HD ones rolled out, but you only get HD service if you subscribe to the HD channels. There was talk of the HD box not having a upfront (or lesser upfront) fee, time will tell.

Sports is the big money spinner for Sky, so no surprise that it will get front seat on HD along with Movies.

Cyril

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old3eyes

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#116112 12-Mar-2008 13:10

cyril7:
Yea I realise that but why do you have to get the new Mysky STB?
Why not just a standard STB replacement?
Is it still going to cost $600?

I was not aware that the SD MySky was going to be stopped, if you want HD you will need a HD box obviously. Wont surprise me if the SD MySky was taken off the menu and only HD ones rolled out, but you only get HD service if you subscribe to the HD channels. There was talk of the HD box not having a upfront (or lesser upfront) fee, time will tell.

Sports is the big money spinner for Sky, so no surprise that it will get front seat on HD along with Movies.

Cyril

As I'm not a sports fan then Sky's HD offerening is of no interest to me. But I bet they throw a heap of PPV chanels on it though..

Regards,

Old3eyes

eXDee

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#116162 12-Mar-2008 17:00

cyril7:
Yea I realise that but why do you have to get the new Mysky STB?
Why not just a standard STB replacement?
Is it still going to cost $600?

I was not aware that the SD MySky was going to be stopped, if you want HD you will need a HD box obviously. Wont surprise me if the SD MySky was taken off the menu and only HD ones rolled out, but you only get HD service if you subscribe to the HD channels. There was talk of the HD box not having a upfront (or lesser upfront) fee, time will tell.

Sports is the big money spinner for Sky, so no surprise that it will get front seat on HD along with Movies.

Cyril

I think what he is asking is why do you have to buy a PVR to get HD and not just a standard HD decoder.

CYaBro

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#116188 12-Mar-2008 20:24

eXDee:
cyril7:
Yea I realise that but why do you have to get the new Mysky STB?
Why not just a standard STB replacement?
Is it still going to cost $600?

I was not aware that the SD MySky was going to be stopped, if you want HD you will need a HD box obviously. Wont surprise me if the SD MySky was taken off the menu and only HD ones rolled out, but you only get HD service if you subscribe to the HD channels. There was talk of the HD box not having a upfront (or lesser upfront) fee, time will tell.

Sports is the big money spinner for Sky, so no surprise that it will get front seat on HD along with Movies.

Cyril

I think what he is asking is why do you have to buy a PVR to get HD and not just a standard HD decoder.

Yes that's what I was trying to say

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

rugrat

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#116189 12-Mar-2008 20:25

Hmmm, Only movies, as I don't watch sport. If they want $100's of dollars for the new mysky boxes or a higher subscription I'll stick to mysky one where it's suppose to be maintained and updated (by updated I mean software wise) for ever. Something in the agreement about always kept up to date and no extra monthly charges.

If they stop rolling out mysky 1 boxes wonder what they'll do when it breaks down, as if they want to change the agreement, then I'll want my $600 dollars back to void the contract.

DS9

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#116224 12-Mar-2008 22:03

Hi,

I think the reason for only supplying PVR's, is that they control the content storage and a friend who works in purchasing for Sky UK, say's the networks and content owners do sell their product for less, if there can be some way of encrypting the product in storage. as you know we cannot even copy of the MySky unless it is done via playback. With HDCP it makes perfect sence to only sell PVR's.

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cyril7

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#116225 12-Mar-2008 22:07

OK, the PVR thing, worldwide PayTV operators have moved toward PVR STBs to enhance subscriber experience. Other than SkyItalia who did launch a non PVR HD STB a couple of years ago all other NewCorp operators have gone for exclusive PVR HD boxs. Even now SkyItalia has moved toward a PVR only rollout.

SkyNZ and Foxtel are pretty small in the PayTV world so have little option than run on the apron strings of their bigger sibblings.

SkyUK now only offer nonPVR boxs as extra boxs, the standard package (talking SD package not HD) is a PVR one.

Basically a PVR offers more marketing opertunities to pay operators. Subscribers like PVR features, so its all a matter of market force and common sense.

I think the issue for us in NZ is will there be a upfront cost like the current MySky demands or a subscription fee for a PVR HD or otherwise. I think Sky will go for the latter, reducing the impact of moving to a PVR for all subscribers over time. Once again all speculation.

Cyril

DS9

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#116227 12-Mar-2008 22:17

Hi,

I would hope that we are able to buy a subsidised box for maybe $700 or so with 3 year warranty and unlimited firmware updates, also for those who cannot afford that maybe $25 p/m surcharge like I pay for multiroom. That is my hope though we are talking about Sky here and I would not be suprised if they come out with something from left field. Still Give me SBO HD, SkyMovies HD, SkySport HD, ESPN HD, Discovery HD and Nat.Geo HD and I do not care how they price it as long as it is within $25p/m.

I aim to misbehave.