Guest kaiden Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I am thinking of getting a new TV for the living room, and relegating the old one to the kitched, JUST so I can have HD. I am wondering though, is it worth it? Do you really notice the difference guys? I checked here: http://www.digitalchoices.co.uk/hd-tv/hd-coverage-checker.html and it seems to say I can get freeview HD, and Sky, but not Virgin HD... Freeview looks to be only HD on 4 channels, which is a bit rubbish I think! And Sky, well, don't I have to pay for it? Anyway got any advice? Really, I was wanting sports in HD :d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I am wondering though, is it worth it? Well, since: Really, I was wanting sports in HD ...I'd say you've answered your own question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 You can get cheap HD TV's now anyway. I thought all new TV's had HD these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaiden Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 You can get cheap HD TV's now anyway. I thought all new TV's had HD these days. Oh, they mainly are... It is just that the only reason for replacing the old TV, is to watch HD. If I needed to replace the old TV anyway, it would be a no-brainer But I am only thinking of replacing it so I can get HD. Having never seen HD (not knowingly, anyway!), I am unsure if it is worth it. We are talking on a 32" screen, by the way. Anyone had experience of HD on a 32" screen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 The TV in my bedroom is a 32" HD TV. It was one of the first proper HD TV's out there. I have freeview... it's pointless. My main TV is a 47" 3D HD TV on Sky, now that you can notice the difference on! But only because it's on Sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I chopped in my 10yr old rear projection Sony TV last year for an LED Samsung D8000. You do really see the difference in quality from SD to HD and typically I only watch HD channels now. SD is fine, even on my new unit but, the HD is so much better IMO. Is it worth it, Oh Yeah! Can't wait for SKY F1 HD to start on 9th March Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideexitsupra Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Yeah much better if you get the right input. I have just gone from a 32" LCD to a 40" led and the difference is significant. Would recommend a led tv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaiden Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hey, thanks for the tips guys! Hmmm, off Kaiden goes off to look for the cheapest Sky package that has HD sports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Are you the guy from California Man? Just wondering as you don't know if you have to pay for Sky and whether HD makes a difference HD makes a massive difference, the bigger the TV the bigger the difference it makes. If buying a new TV set I would get a smart one with a Freeview HD tuner built in. The smart TVs allow you to access the internet via the appropriate connection/adapter and you can then browse various sites/apps etc. It's useful for netflix, facebook and iPlayer etc. Not really sure how else to guide you as I don't know how little you actually know. PS the cheapest sky package with HD sports is virtually the most expensive package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Are you the guy from California Man? Just wondering as you don't know if you have to pay for Sky and whether HD makes a difference HD makes a massive difference, the bigger the TV the bigger the difference it makes. If buying a new TV set I would get a smart one with a Freeview HD tuner built in. The smart TVs allow you to access the internet via the appropriate connection/adapter and you can then browse various sites/apps etc. It's useful for netflix, facebook and iPlayer etc. Not really sure how else to guide you as I don't know how little you actually know. PS the cheapest sky package with HD sports is virtually the most expensive package. Its very true that the larger the screen the bigger the difference. Now the thing is, loads of people out there think they have HD because their TV has the HD ready logo on the front. All this means is that there is a HD interface included, usually HDMI but there is no HD decoder for DTT and people don't have Sky or Virgin HD, yet they still think they are watching HD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Its very true that the larger the screen the bigger the difference. Now the thing is, loads of people out there think they have HD because their TV has the HD ready logo on the front. All this means is that there is a HD interface included, usually HDMI but there is no HD decoder for DTT and people don't have Sky or Virgin HD, yet they still think they are watching HD. Fortunately there isn't as much of that going on now, it's only really older TVs that won't be true HD. Reminds me of a story from a few years back. It was during the time that HD was just starting to take off and Sky were really promoting it. I'm sure you will remember the Wayne Rooney tackle in slo-mo, Tiger Woods swinging etc. Well, one of the guys comes into work and we're having a chat. We start to talk about HD and he tells me that "last night" that advert came on and his Wife turned to him and said "That HD looks absolutely fanastic, do you not think we should get it". He said he stared at her dumbfounded for a few seconds before explaining to her that it wasn't HD, he then explained it again... and once more.. before finally giving up and just agreeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Fortunately there isn't as much of that going on now, it's only really older TVs that won't be true HD. Reminds me of a story from a few years back. It was during the time that HD was just starting to take off and Sky were really promoting it. I'm sure you will remember the Wayne Rooney tackle in slo-mo, Tiger Woods swinging etc. Well, one of the guys comes into work and we're having a chat. We start to talk about HD and he tells me that "last night" that advert came on and his Wife turned to him and said "That HD looks absolutely fanastic, do you not think we should get it". He said he stared at her dumbfounded for a few seconds before explaining to her that it wasn't HD, he then explained it again... and once more.. before finally giving up and just agreeing. Actually, you would be shocked at how many tvs currently marketed in the UK do not have HD DTT decoders built in. Take a look at the specs at the cheaper models on the market and not just the budget badge engineered brands. Although many sellers are now really dropping prices to shift older stuff. Curiously, just about all the TVs we buy from stores in France, budget or not have HD TNT (French dtt) tuners in as standard, also TNT have lots more HD channels foc. Which considering how late they went live with dtt compared to us is bit of a joke, but the UK DTG made a real hash of it, driven mainly by the fear and paranoia that Bskyb were going to clean up and that the Murdochs would gain even more power in the media industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Actually, you would be shocked at how many tvs currently marketed in the UK do not have HD DTT decoders built in. Take a look at the specs at the cheaper models on the market and not just the budget badge engineered brands. Although many sellers are now really dropping prices to shift older stuff. Curiously, just about all the TVs we buy from stores in France, budget or not have HD TNT (French dtt) tuners in as standard, also TNT have lots more HD channels foc. Which considering how late they went live with dtt compared to us is bit of a joke, but the UK DTG made a real hash of it, driven mainly by the fear and paranoia that Bskyb were going to clean up and that the Murdochs would gain even more power in the media industry. Ahh sorry, I picked you up wrong. I was putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 7 (wish I could do that with my money though). Yeah they are only really becoming mainstream now with the HD freeview. I thought you were meaning the HD ready vs Full HD thing With HD ready, at one point, meaning it didn't actually need an HDMI port and it didn't need to be anything more than 720p resolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 For HD on Sky Sports it's definately worth it but for most of the other channels including the ones you pay extra for (we have the full package) the hd pictures aren't impressive at all, the quality of the picture varies considerably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaiden Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Are you the guy from California Man? Just wondering as you don't know if you have to pay for Sky and whether HD makes a difference Nah, from the UK... I bet California would be a bit sunnier! (although this weekend has been surprisingly bright!) I just wondered because I know someone that has a Sky box, and they don't pay - it's not dodgy or anything (or so they told me!) but they have a free to air card or something, that allows them to get just free channels? (or so they said!). I just wondered if any HD channels can be got like that really, I guess! As you can probably tell, I am not the most techno-aware guy! and asking in shops when you don't know much, well... I never know if they are talking bull s*&t or not! I know my spark plug from my sump plug, but when it comes to consumer electronics, I start to loose the plot... give me a lump to strip down over a TV to tune anyday!!! Cheers for the advice thought guys, most helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Have a try on this page, it shows the SD to HD difference. Just move the line from left to right http://www.freesat.co.uk/what-you-get/hd-tv/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 HD or SD ? http://hd.engadget.com/2006/12/09/1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubersonic Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Would recommend a led tv. Me too, I have a 27" 1440p LED monitor and its great, almost as good as the 42" Plasma downstairs, if I ever replace that I will probably go for LED Note to the OP though, Never EVER! buy an LED display without either testing it in the shop for a while or using one at a friends or something. Ill explain why, as you have said your knowledge of electrical tech isn't the best ill start at the beginning, firstly the isn't actually any such thing as an LED display (well the is but they stopped making them in the 80's because they were only really useful for Tetris) when people like me, Mooret, etc talk about LED TV's or LED Monitors what we mean is LED backlit, LED TV's are basically a TFT LCD screen like they have been selling since the 90's except instead of having a flourescent tube backlighting the panel the is an array of LED's doing it. This brings the problem that while CCFL TFT's can dim the tube to adjust brightness and plasma panels and CRT displays (old school TV's) can also dim, LED's cannot its either off or on. Im sure this brings the obvious question of how you adjust brightness on a LED backlit display if the LED's are either on or off? well its simple, you turn them off, then on, then off, then on, and you do it so fast that to the human eye the rapid flickering gives the optical illusion of dimness, the drawback to this however is that LED backlit displays are becoming synonymous with eye strain, headaches and even motion sickness. In fact people not being able to use their LED backlit display due to these symptoms is fast becoming the top reason people return Macbooks during the 14 day return period. So yeah, test yourself first to make sure you can actually watch a LED TV, but other than that go for it their great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Nah, from the UK... I bet California would be a bit sunnier! (although this weekend has been surprisingly bright!) WHOOOSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 WHOOOSH Yup, decided to leave it there when I read that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 AJI beat me to it with the link he posted, but above a certain distance from the screen your eyes wouldn't be able to resolve the finer detail that HD (and especially full HD) gives you. I have an HD TV but probably sit too far away from it to make much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaiden Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 OOOOOooooo!!! Sorry! I get ya now! your mean like the Neanderthal guy in the film?! Yer?... Well, if I don't shave for a few days, I can maybe look like a distant cousin of his! Hahaha Edit: See, this is me after just 1 day of not shaving! (was going to upload this as my avatar, but couldn't figure out how to do it!) [ATTACH=CONFIG]147250[/ATTACH] Yup, decided to leave it there when I read that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 OOOOOooooo!!! Sorry! I get ya now! your mean like the Neanderthal guy in the film?! Yer?... Well, if I don't shave for a few days, I can maybe look like a distant cousin of his! Hahaha Edit: See, this is me after just 1 day of not shaving! (was going to upload this as my avatar, but couldn't figure out how to do it!) [ATTACH=CONFIG]147250[/ATTACH] For avatars you need to be a fully paid up member You also get access to the members only areas including access to the service manuals etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I was always dubious about the difference until my virgin media got connected. I had all the HD channels for the first weekend, and switching between HD and SD on the same programme you could really see the difference. I lost a lot of the HD channels and really miss it. I don't watch enough TV to bother getting it back though. I think its a case of yes it looks a lot better, sport for instance is extremely clear, if I hadn't contrasted and enjoyed HD then I wouldn't miss it, but having done so I do. The SD looks quite blurry and dated now but after a while you don't notice. Until you switch to a HD channel and then its like 'oooo, pretty!". Its like sex with a homely girl and a very attractive active girl, both are good, and if you'd only done the homely one you wouldn't mind, but once you go active...its not the same experience after that. So in summary, forget HD, go have sex. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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