Am I going to be upset with no HD

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E3xtc

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#86226 4-Jul-2011 10:24

Hello all,

We are looking at moving in to a new house, and from the lay of the land it does not look good for getting terrestrial reception; ie I can't see the aerials (either Waitarua or Sky Tower - in Auckland). Basically the aerials are behind hills/Waitakeres.

So given that I can't see them; does this pretty much rule out any chance of getting that signal or is there still a possibility? What are the key factors to consider here?

My other option is to go with Satellite - but that isn't HD :( What is the difference like in terms of real life viewing - am I going to miss it or do most people not really care?

If we end up down the satellite path (not ideal), I am wondering if I should just get a Sky Install done if I can find a favourable deal? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your input

Cheers
Troy

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Networkn
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#489069 4-Jul-2011 10:32

I'd personally be pretty keen to make sure I could get a HD Signal if it were me, but it depends on your individual preference. I think HD is pretty important in our household, but I'd find out what your options are by calling an aerial company in.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#489071 4-Jul-2011 10:34

A MySky HD install would give you the picture you're looking for, all-be-it, at a cost.
Another option is the likes of the Dish TV Satellite PVR... it will upscale the SD content via HDMI, so it will look better than a standard satellite Freeview box, while also offering the ability to access My Freeview functionality (series link, recording 2 shows at the same time etc).
It also offers the opportunity of picking up the Aussie channels (including SBS HD) if you have a large disc. BUT, you need to remember that those Australian stations aren't guaranteed to be around forever... so it's a bit of a 'nice while it lasts' scenario.

networkn

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#489073 4-Jul-2011 10:36

If you can get mysky hd I'd definitely opt for that if you can justify the cost. It's simple, straight forward, and once you have it, you'll never let it go.

Klipspringer

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#489075 4-Jul-2011 10:40

E3xtc: Hello all,

We are looking at moving in to a new house, and from the lay of the land it does not look good for getting terrestrial reception; ie I can't see the aerials (either Waitarua or Sky Tower - in Auckland). Basically the aerials are behind hills/Waitakeres.

So given that I can't see them; does this pretty much rule out any chance of getting that signal or is there still a possibility? What are the key factors to consider here?

My other option is to go with Satellite - but that isn't HD :( What is the difference like in terms of real life viewing - am I going to miss it or do most people not really care?

If we end up down the satellite path (not ideal), I am wondering if I should just get a Sky Install done if I can find a favourable deal? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your input

Cheers
Troy

Have you been onto the freeview website, filled in your address and checked if its going to be available or not? I am not in direct line with any towers and we receive it fine. The freeview website says that our region is "highly likely"

xpd

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#489076 4-Jul-2011 10:40

Have you had HD in the past ? If not, then going to DVB-S will be fine.
Im in the same boat, unable to get DVB-T (altho according to Freeview I might be able to now but highly doubt it), never had HD anything before, got Freeview via DVB-S and happy with that. Huge difference going from the old analog to DVB-S....

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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E3xtc

773 posts

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#489088 4-Jul-2011 11:16

Yeah we currently have HD freeview; so am worried about the downgrade. I wonder if the Satellite service will ever get to HD? Probably when TVNZ go Dolby on the sound aye...*groan*

The coverage map on the freeview site, says "unlikely" for HD, but "Very Likely" for the Satellite service.
Can't justify the MySky - let alone Sky normal....we just don't watch enough TV, but when we do we enjoy the world of HD.

Does anyone have recommendations on who a good company out west auckland might be for finding out if it is at all possible?

Thanks for the comments and thoughts everyone; keep them coming if you have anything else to offer :)

muppet

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#489120 4-Jul-2011 12:31

We used to watch TV in HD before we got Sky (not HDi)

Since then it's all normalD. I don't notice anymore. I dunno what size our TV is, 46" or something.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly do notice the difference when we do happen to look at HD. But after a few days, I bet you're not going to care.

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

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scuwp

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#489132 4-Jul-2011 12:50

You won't notice it on your 20" in the bedroom, but if you have a flash 50"+ set anywhere in the house the difference is significant IMO. Its a real downer going from an HD broadcast program back to regular def...sooooo disappointing.

Would I go back? If there was a chance I could keep HD I definitely would. Can't be helped much if there is a mountain in the way.

A quick way to see is to check out the neighbors aerial set-ups, or even a friendly knock on the door.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Klipspringer

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#489141 4-Jul-2011 13:02

yea agreed. Going back to SD from HD is like the difference between VHS and DVD. Its very noticeable. But then maybe i have a critical eye!

E3xtc

773 posts

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#489165 4-Jul-2011 13:40

Oh damn - I was hoping that wouldn't be the case, but secretly figured it would be :( as I usually look at others and go "man that clarity is super average".
I don't pretend to have a uber cool HT setup; but like the clarity etc, albeit only on a 40" panel.

openmedia

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#489171 4-Jul-2011 13:57

I'm currently stuck on SD until I get a new aerial installed, but I'm using two DVB-S cards under MythTV with a good upscaller to 1080 with HDMI out. Generally the picture is ok, but I'd like to get HD back up and running.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

lchiu7

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#489179 4-Jul-2011 14:21

I think apart from better PQ HD (at least on TV3 and some programmes) has 5.1 audio, the benefits of which cannot be overstated.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

E3xtc

773 posts

Ultimate Geek

#489215 4-Jul-2011 15:56

Oh man I didn't even realise 5.1 only came with HD....boy this keeps getting worse...note to self - in next sale and purchase agreement on a house, put in HD TV reception as a condition of sale :(

robjg63

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#489220 4-Jul-2011 16:06

Not trying to rub it in - but I found this:
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=2487.0
It suggests TVNZ are getting very close to 5.1 surround on HD broadcasts as well.
A lot of people have been wanting that for a while!

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

lchiu7

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#489259 4-Jul-2011 16:47

E3xtc: Oh man I didn't even realise 5.1 only came with HD....boy this keeps getting worse...note to self - in next sale and purchase agreement on a house, put in HD TV reception as a condition of sale :(

Well I made sure that my house could get TCL cable before I agreed to make an offer

What about a bigger aerial or are the neighbours going to complain?

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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