Sky TV HDi etc

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networkn

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#23801 9-Jul-2008 12:24

Hi There!

I am considering the change from Digital Sky to HDi, but my god its expensive, by the time you pay to subscribe to each channel that they have high def and then a $10 access fee for the privilege of using high def, then its getting damn pricey. Also they are talking 6 weeks for access.

My question is:

Right now, we have the signal split so that we can watch sky on any tv in the house, but only on the one channel that is set on the decoder (ie not full multiroom). Sky told me this wouldn't be possible with HDi, but the lady didn't sound confident, and I wondered if she was simply saying no, to make it easier for herself.

Is there a way to be able to watch like we do now, with HDI? The Mysky updated box would make my life a lot easier, but I wouldn't lose the multiroom thing for anything right now.

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#145360 9-Jul-2008 13:09

You can split any signal that comes out of MySky HDi.

It doesn't have an RF out (co-ax) but you can run the composite signal into a RF modulator (inexpensive) for the same result.

clevedon

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#145424 9-Jul-2008 14:20

So would you still have to rum HDMI cables to all the other TVs then to get HD onto those other TVs?

networkn

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#145432 9-Jul-2008 14:29

Stuzzo, do you have an example of this modulator you are talking about? I take it the high def channels would not be broadcast over the lower end connections in high def but rather std def.

stuzzo

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#145460 9-Jul-2008 15:07

networkn: Stuzzo, do you have an example of this modulator you are talking about? I take it the high def channels would not be broadcast over the lower end connections in high def but rather std def.

That's right, analogue outputs will be in standard definition although there is just a hint of suspicion that component might be HD enabled.

If you want HD signals to multiroom you'll need to get an HDMI splitter and run HDMI cables to the other TVs. I guess many that do feeds to bedroom TVs etc would be happy with SD for that.

If contemplating a splitter I'd advise just to wait until the box is in service so that you can benefit from the experience of others using this method. From what I can gather My Sky HDi should work fine with HDMI splitters but there have been compatibility issues before and I'd advise caution ie buy a splitter from somewhere you can return it if it doesn't work!

By the way, this is an example of an RF modulator.

networkn

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#145471 9-Jul-2008 15:24

Thanks Stuzzo, what about a wireless modulator since getting the cable to the locations of the bedroom could be a pain.

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#145472 9-Jul-2008 15:27

networkn: Thanks Stuzzo, what about a wireless modulator since getting the cable to the locations of the bedroom could be a pain.

No. There is no way of transmitting a HDMI signal via wireless.

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#145476 9-Jul-2008 15:30

networkn: Thanks Stuzzo, what about a wireless modulator since getting the cable to the locations of the bedroom could be a pain.

There's plenty of brands of video sender around (wireless) so you could just send composite if your TV will accept it or modulate the composite (with audio) to RF at the TV end.

Oh, if you mean HDMI...no, although I've heard of wireless HDMI systems under development, part of this process is convincing the HDMI Forum that they will be sufficiently secure.

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#145477 9-Jul-2008 15:30

What about component or other SD signals like rgb?

stuzzo

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#145487 9-Jul-2008 15:45

networkn: What about component or other SD signals like rgb?

There are wireless component video systems but not sure what's available locally. Probably more a specialist system than a retail item.

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#145681 9-Jul-2008 20:06

There are wireless component video systems but not sure what's available locally. Probably more a specialist system than a retail item.

Really, I would be surprised, without recourse to some digital format to transmit (ie mpeg encode over Wifi) then I am unaware of some more simplistic RF solution for component video transmission. And if that (ie mpeg/Wifi) is what was used then the re-code process would most likely render results not that much ahead of a simple SD analog composite RF solution.

The real solution is multiple (multiroom) STBs to maintain full performance, or using a properly split component cable feed or HDMI split feed, as others have said you really need to wait till full compatibility of active HDMI splitters can be confirmed with the HDi.

Cyril

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#145724 9-Jul-2008 20:58

cyril7:
Really, I would be surprised, without recourse to some digital format to transmit (ie mpeg encode over Wifi) then I am unaware of some more simplistic RF solution for component video transmission. And if that (ie mpeg/Wifi) is what was used then the re-code process would most likely render results not that much ahead of a simple SD analog composite RF solution.

The real solution is multiple (multiroom) STBs to maintain full performance, or using a properly split component cable feed or HDMI split feed, as others have said you really need to wait till full compatibility of active HDMI splitters can be confirmed with the HDi.

Cyril

I saw a WiFi media center extender at Dick Smith the other day but didn't take too much notice. There was an HDMI port in the picture though.

Cyril, I read somewhere about thin client decoders possibly being developed. The idea being that the HDi box has the tuners, hard drive and satellite connection, and the client boxes connect to it via the ethernet port to receive either live feed via one of the tuners or a previously recorded programme from the hard drive. The decryption would occur in the client box which I presume would be offered as a replacement for the existing multiroom. Have you heard anything about this?

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#145732 9-Jul-2008 21:08

Cyril, I read somewhere about thin client decoders possibly being developed. The idea being that the HDi box has the tuners, hard drive and satellite connection, and the client boxes connect to it via the ethernet port to receive either live feed via one of the tuners or a previously recorded programme from the hard drive. The decryption would occur in the client box which I presume would be offered as a replacement for the existing multiroom. Have you heard anything about this?

I saw this demonstrated by Pace in UK about 3yrs ago, based on essentially the same hardware (for central server) as the HDi. As yet I am still to see any NDS sibling take this any further, but personally this is a significant part of the future, lets hope its on the dashboard of someone with influence.

Cyril

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#145738 9-Jul-2008 21:24

cyril7:
I saw this demonstrated by Pace in UK about 3yrs ago, based on essentially the same hardware (for central server) as the HDi. As yet I am still to see any NDS sibling take this any further, but personally this is a significant part of the future, lets hope its on the dashboard of someone with influence.

Cyril

I hope so too. Seems a far better option than running a long HDMI cable to the 2nd TV and then getting an IR extender for the remote... or more likely lots of shifting boxes around depending on who wants to watch what

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#146582 11-Jul-2008 08:50

clevedon: So would you still have to rum HDMI cables to all the other TVs then to get HD onto those other TVs?

Have a look at this article.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1047617

Regards,

Old3eyes

clevedon

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#146591 11-Jul-2008 09:08

Very interesting, would make things a lot easier for us. Have built the house last year and ran normal TV cable everywhere and would cost a fortune to replace now with HDMI. Thanks for that.

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