Who is providing HDTV?
Am I HDTV ready?
Having bought your shiny new HDTV, you’re ready to watch high definition programmes right? Well, not quite. You will need to take out a HD subscription with a satellite (Sky) or cable broadcaster (Virgin Media). Having installed an HD receiving box (note: this is a different piece of kit from your existing cable/satellite box) you will be ready to go.
So all of the old programmes I’ve been watching on my new TV will now be High Definition? Well, unfortunately not. HDTV providers have dedicated HD channels which provide a limited, but growing choice of programmes in the high definition format.
You may have heard that the BBC have created a number of HD channels, these aare excellent and can be recieved via HD set top box.
We cannot stress strongly enough here on HDTV4U that taking out a High Definition subscription with Sky or Virgin Media does not make all of your tv programmes available in this format. The number of channels is growing, but limited, and as of writing Sky has the widest choice. See below for more details ...
Sky HD:
Sky's HD offering
Sky HD Sports 1 and 2
Sky HD Movies 1 and 2
Sky Box Office 1 and 2
Sky One HD
Artsworld HD
National Geographic HD
The Discovery Channel HD
BBC HD trial channel
Channel 4 HD
Sky currently offer 12 dedicated HD channels as well as the BBC's trial channel.Premiership football is a big attraction for those thinking of a HD subscription, and at the moment Sky has taken a big lead here broadcasting regular premiership games on its HD sports channels.
Many dramas are already shot in HD such as the Sopranos and Desperate Housewives in the US. The BBC, which already has a large catalogue of HD material is committed to recording everything in HD by 2010.Note:
Sky's latest High Definition channel, Channel 4 HD, is a 'simulcast' of the Standard Definition channel 4, with HD programmes being shown where possible.
Sky currently charge £199 for their HD box and £26 per month subscription for the HD broadcasting service (check with Sky for current prices / offers).
Virgin Media
Following the re-branding of Telewest/NTL as Virgin Media, consumers will now need to get V+ box (formerly the TVDrive) which is currently free, and take out a £10 a month subscription to Virgin Media's HD service.At the time of writing Virgin Media don't have any dedicated HD channels, but offer a growing selection of hi-def programmes on demand. At the moment there are a selection of programmes from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. There is also a range of HD on-demand movies available.
Satellite Providers
Unlike cable, satellite is available in most areas of the country, and at the moment Sky has taken a slight lead with its HD offering. View their website to get full details.
http://www.sky.com/hd/
Cable Providers
Virgin Media offer a range of cable services which include HD subscription services. These services may not be available in some rural areas. Also, if you are planning to sign-up for broad band check that this is available in your area. View their website to get full details.
http://www.virginmedia.com/
Having bought your shiny new HDTV, you’re ready to watch high definition programmes right? Well, not quite. You will need to take out a HD subscription with a satellite (Sky) or cable broadcaster (Virgin Media). Having installed an HD receiving box (note: this is a different piece of kit from your existing cable/satellite box) you will be ready to go.
So all of the old programmes I’ve been watching on my new TV will now be High Definition? Well, unfortunately not. HDTV providers have dedicated HD channels which provide a limited, but growing choice of programmes in the high definition format.
You may have heard that the BBC have created a number of HD channels, these aare excellent and can be recieved via HD set top box.
We cannot stress strongly enough here on HDTV4U that taking out a High Definition subscription with Sky or Virgin Media does not make all of your tv programmes available in this format. The number of channels is growing, but limited, and as of writing Sky has the widest choice. See below for more details ...
Sky HD:
Sky's HD offering
Sky HD Sports 1 and 2
Sky HD Movies 1 and 2
Sky Box Office 1 and 2
Sky One HD
Artsworld HD
National Geographic HD
The Discovery Channel HD
BBC HD trial channel
Channel 4 HD
Sky currently offer 12 dedicated HD channels as well as the BBC's trial channel.Premiership football is a big attraction for those thinking of a HD subscription, and at the moment Sky has taken a big lead here broadcasting regular premiership games on its HD sports channels.
Many dramas are already shot in HD such as the Sopranos and Desperate Housewives in the US. The BBC, which already has a large catalogue of HD material is committed to recording everything in HD by 2010.Note:
Sky's latest High Definition channel, Channel 4 HD, is a 'simulcast' of the Standard Definition channel 4, with HD programmes being shown where possible.
Sky currently charge £199 for their HD box and £26 per month subscription for the HD broadcasting service (check with Sky for current prices / offers).
Virgin Media
Following the re-branding of Telewest/NTL as Virgin Media, consumers will now need to get V+ box (formerly the TVDrive) which is currently free, and take out a £10 a month subscription to Virgin Media's HD service.At the time of writing Virgin Media don't have any dedicated HD channels, but offer a growing selection of hi-def programmes on demand. At the moment there are a selection of programmes from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. There is also a range of HD on-demand movies available.
Satellite Providers
Unlike cable, satellite is available in most areas of the country, and at the moment Sky has taken a slight lead with its HD offering. View their website to get full details.
http://www.sky.com/hd/
Cable Providers
Virgin Media offer a range of cable services which include HD subscription services. These services may not be available in some rural areas. Also, if you are planning to sign-up for broad band check that this is available in your area. View their website to get full details.
http://www.virginmedia.com/
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