MySky HD

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33 posts

Geek

#137442 11-Jun-2008 18:10

trout77: So does this spell the end for the Rugby channel?

Presumably SS1 will be 16x9 in HD

I talked to someone from sky about that at the launch today. He said that yes, all HD broadcasts will be 16:9, but that widescreen was only one of the features of the rugby channel and that the extra content is the main selling point. Hence, the channel stays.

allstarnz

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#137461 11-Jun-2008 19:36

hmmm interesting stuff. This thread has grown immensely in the few hours I was away from my PC this afternoon.

As a multiroom subscriber, this seems not too bad. I'm still unsure whether this 'high outlay, low ongoing cost' compares to the 'lower outlay, higher ongoing cost' that someone like Foxtel and Sky UK use.

Yes, I guess they're right about the Rugby Channel. They show stuff like Heineken Cup, Top 14, Currie Cup, U20 World Cup etc that isn't on Sky Sport. However you'd think they'd drop the price by a few bucks now their added bonus of 16:9 coverage is gone.

Now to figure out how to make a quick $600.... anyone want a kidney?

:edit: the PC World article quotes "In technical terms, high-def content will be delivered at bit-rates of about 14Mbits/s as opposed to 6-8Mbits/s for standard definition"

As far as Sky is concerned that's utter horse s__t. None of their channels that I can get broadcast any higher than about 4mb/s, most closer to 3.5mb/s. This includes 'premium' channels like The Rugby Channel. So SkyHD will be running at about 8mb/s then?

sbiddle

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#137464 11-Jun-2008 19:51

Aren't they using H.264 for their DVB-S2 service? If so it requires nowhere near the bandwidth that a MPEG2 stream does.

stuzzo

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#137468 11-Jun-2008 20:13

allstarnz:
Now to figure out how to make a quick $600.... anyone want a kidney?

From what I gather here you can also rent the box for $15 a month.... a much better deal than the one off fee....save that kidney

NZ Herald Story

allstarnz

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#137469 11-Jun-2008 20:18

sbiddle: Aren't they using H.264 for their DVB-S2 service? If so it requires nowhere near the bandwidth that a MPEG2 stream does.

yes, I was just being facetious. I was meaning more the equivalent of that bitrate if it was MPEG2 :)

cyril7

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#137475 11-Jun-2008 20:34

Based on a 22500ksym/sec, using D2 8PSK and 8/9 FEC means we get a raw usable rate of 60Mb/s. They quote they intend to run 14mb/s per mpeg4 HD stream meaning around 4-5 channels per mux. From all accounts 13Mb/s is heaps for a mpeg4 1080i stream so lets hope they dont eventually try and push 6 channels/mux.

Cyril

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TameIti

97 posts

Master Geek

#137478 11-Jun-2008 20:55

Have you guys been upgrading over the phone? Any idea when the Sky site will be updated?

Tockly

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#137481 11-Jun-2008 21:00

Yeah I rang the Call Centre. Sorta got the feeling that I knew more about it than the CSR.

Also real happy about TV3 being in HD. From a few reports I have found looks like the V8's from Bathurst will be in HD this year...Mmmm HD V8's...... Even more of an excuse to park my butt on the couch all day.

timbosan

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#137485 11-Jun-2008 21:14

I tried calling Sky when I got home from work about 7pm, but their HDi team was busy, I was told I would be called back, and they did within the hour, which I consider fantastic customer service.

The guy who called back was very knowledgable and had obviously had training about the HDi and its costs.

I currently have just a basic decoder, no MySky, and I happen to be at the start of a 12 month contract (having rejoined Sky after a couple years break).

I was told the costs are as follows:

$49 One off fee for the technician to come and change the boxes over and make sure everything works (I am guessing the installers need to make money somehow!), this must the $50 charge someone else previously mentioned.

A choice of either paying $599 up front for the HDi box, or $15 a month with a 12 month contract. As I have just started a contract anyway he said I would probably end up with 2 seperate contracts to make it easy, rather than trying to combine them.

There is the $10 monthly fee for getting the HD channels sent to you.

If I kept the current decoder to use the Multi Room service, this is another $25 a month, and no discount or free period as this is only for current MySky subscibers. However there is no charge for getting MultiRoom installed, which I thought used to cost $50 or so.

I asked about TV3 being HD from day one and his was a bit unsure about this.

I managed to get an install date of 31st July, I guess West Auckland doesn't have a great takeup rate compared to other regions ;-)

I was also told the boxes arrive on the 29th July, I am guessing this is when the are available to be shipped to the installers, hence the 31st being the first available install date.

All in all I was very impressed with the service from Sky, and it constrasts strongly with Vodafone who I have been dealing with lately in an effort up upgrade to the Red Network (being and current Vodafone phone and broadband subscriber) and I think Vodafone could learn a thing to two from the CSR team at Sky.

TameIti

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Master Geek

#137492 11-Jun-2008 21:37

Wait, only a 12 month contract? That is only $180, rather than $600 upfront. Or is it still continuous after 12 months?

timbosan

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#137498 11-Jun-2008 21:52

I know, I realised it didn't add up, but I forgot to ask, I will call back again tomorrow to clarify. Maybe its supposed to be 3 years, that $540? But he (the CSR) definately said 12 month contract @ $15/month, caused I repeated everything he said and I wrote it down and he confirmed it all. I guess we will all find out soon enough. The $15 does match up with what is on the Herald site, so perhaps it $15 a month for as long as you have it with a minimum of 12 months?

Has anyone else got more information on this directly from Sky, either confirming or otherwise?

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numfarr

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#137524 12-Jun-2008 06:47

If anyone gets more information about using the HD box with component cables, and what HDCP will be used for, I would love to know. I have a CRT TV that will do 1080i via component, and I don't want the movie or sport channels. According to this from Foxtel HD content will be available via component unless HDCP is active. And the Foxtel IQ2 manual here confirms it. So if they only use HDCP on the premium channels I should be OK.

If I can get TV3 and Prime, and maybe one day TV1 & 2, in HD without having to upgrade my TV and without having to pay the $10 HD content charge every month then I will upgrade MySky SD to HD, otherwise not.

old3eyes

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#137531 12-Jun-2008 08:17

I wonder if you will be able to get a SD MySky cheap now or will they simple trash them as they come in?? I'm not really interested in their HD service just for four channels that I hardly ever watch. For FTA I would rather get a Freeview HD STB..

Regards,

Old3eyes

link2007

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Master Geek

#137536 12-Jun-2008 08:33

AM i getting this right, either $599 upfront or $15 for 12 months>?

LostPacket

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Master Geek

#137538 12-Jun-2008 08:36

Yeah would really love to know more about the $15 a month instead of $599 might hold off for awhile for everybody to catch up

Still waiting on a official press release from sky.

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