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Sky HD is the brand name of the HDTV service launched by BSkyB on 22 May 2006 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland to enable high definition channels on Sky Digital to be viewed. The service requires the user to have a Sky HD Digibox (costing upwards of £249/€326), and a HD ready TV. Customers who pre-ordered by paying a £30/€45 deposit before 6 April 2006 were the first to receive the service, with installations starting on 22 May 2006. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Skyhdlogo. ... High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television broadcasting system with greater resolution than traditional television systems (NTSC, SECAM, PAL). ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB — formerly two companies, Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sky Digital is the brand name for British Sky Broadcastings digital satellite television service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28. ... An Amstrad Digibox with Viewing Card Inserted A Sky Digital Viewing Card The Digibox is a device marketed by British Sky Broadcasting in the UK and Republic of Ireland to enable home users to receive digital satellite television broadcasts (satellite receiver). ... HD ready concerns the ability of television receivers to display high-definition pictures. ... What is a Pre-Order? A Pre-Order is an item paid for before it is released. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Sky reported they had signed up 422,000 customers to their HD service by the end of December 2007.^[1]

Subscriptions

A subscription to the Sky HD service carries an extra £10/€15 per month fee on top of the standard Sky subscription. This fee allows customers to view the equivalent HD channels of their chosen channel package. To receive all HD channels, one must subscribe to the Sky Movies and Sky Sports packages. Without a subscription to Sky Movies or Sky Sports, Sky Movies HD and Sky Sports HD respectively, will not be available. Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ...

If you subscribe to any Sky Digital package, the Sky HD subscription also includes a Sky+ subscription and enables the PVR features of the box. (A Sky+ fee was previously charged at an additional £10/€15 per month, or waived if you subscribed to a premium package including sports and/or movies.) This does not apply if you have a FreeSat agreement – Sky will charge £10 for HD and an additional £10 for Sky+ (the Sky+ £10 charge was dropped in early 2007; the Sky HD page What does it cost? has more details). This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... BSkyB Logo Freesat from Sky is a British non subscription based satellite service from BSkyB which gives viewers access to 150 channels. ...

Only those who subscribe to Sky HD can watch pay-per-view Sky Box Office HD movies. The FTA BBC HD service does not require a subscription (but does require an HD capable digibox such as the Sky HD box). Free-to-air is a phrase used to describe television and radio broadcasts which are available without subscription and without decryption (pay-TV). ... BBC HD is the high-definition television channel launched by the BBC on a trial basis from May 15, 2006, with the first HD originated programme, Planet Earth, shown on May 27. ...

Technical information

The first generation of Sky HD Digibox were produced by Thomson. It is a version of the Sky+ PVR with a 300 GB hard drive, 160 GB of which is for consumer use, with the other 140 GB reserved for Sky Anytime services. Samsung have started a trial run of a small amount of Sky HD Boxes, and are expected to produce more by April. Pace Micro Technology have also announced that they have been contracted to produce Sky HD and are expected to roll out the Set Top Box in 2008.^[2] This article is about the media and entertainment company. ... This article is about the unit of measurement. ... Sky Anytime is the brand-name of a range of on demand services from BSkyB designed to compete with Video on demand services currently offered by cable companies such as Virgin Media. ... Samsung Group is one of the largest South Korean business groupings. ... Pace Micro Technology Plc is a British manufacturer of set top boxes for digital and analogue satellite television, founded in 1982. ...

For connectivity with HD ready televisions, the box outputs via a HDMI connector (adapters to Digital Visual Interface are available) as well as an analogue component connection (YPbPr). Traditional standard-definition connections are also available via SCART, S-Video and component. (The Component panel has been removed from all boxes manufactured after January 2008.) The box is High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) compliant. All programming is currently available via both HDMI and component connections, although individual broadcasters have the option to require HDCP (and therefore HDMI/DVI) in the future. The digibox also comes with a new slimline version of the Sky+ remote control. HD ready concerns the ability of television receivers to display high-definition pictures. ... The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a licensable audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed, encrypted digital streams. ... DVI redirects here. ... YPbPr (also referred to as YPrPb, PrPbY, and PbPrY) is a color space used in video electronics. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... S-Video (also known as Y/C) is a baseband analog video format offering a higher quality signal than composite video, but a lower quality than RGB and component video. ... High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of Digital Rights Management (DRM) developed by Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections. ...

All HD channels are broadcast in the 1080i format (though the box can be set to scale this to 720p if the user wishes), in the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format, broadcast from the SES Astra and Eurobird 1 satellites at 28.2E and 28.5E in a new DVB standard, DVB-S2. They use HDMI to connect to an HD Ready TV. BBC HD is however DVB-S. 1080i is a shorthand name for a category of video modes. ... JOHN HERMAN SUCKS FAT DICK ... H.264 is a standard for video compression. ... SES Astra SA, is a corporate subsidiary of SES, based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg, that owns and operates the Astra series of geostationary satellites, which transmit approximately 1100 analogue and digital television and radio channels via 176 transponders to 91 million households across Europe. ... Eurobird 1 is a Eutelsat operated satellite, used for digital television. ... Official DVB logo, found on compliant devices DVB, short for Digital Video Broadcasting, is a suite of internationally accepted open standards for digital television. ... DVB-S2 is a newer specification of the DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcasting) standard. ... The High-Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI) is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. ... HD ready concerns the ability of television receivers to display high-definition pictures. ... DVB, short for Digital Video Broadcasting, is a suite of internationally accepted, open standards for digital television maintained by the DVB Project, an industry consortium with more than 300 members, and published by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC...

The electronic program guide is almost identical to the one found on Sky+, with the exception being that by pressing TV Guide and then number 2 on the remote control, listings for only the HD channels are shown. An update was sent to the HD boxes early on March 20, 2007, which also included code for Sky Anytime. Sky Anytime TV is accessed by pressing "TV Guide" and then the red button. The Sky Digital EPG in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. ... For other uses, see Remote control (disambiguation). ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

The Sky HD Digibox backpanel.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x400, 40 KB) Backpane of the Sky HD receiver. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x400, 40 KB) Backpane of the Sky HD receiver. ...

Teething problems

Many early adopters of Sky HD have encountered numerous issues with both the hardware and software of Sky's latest offering.

Unforeseen box shortages prior to launch meant that thousands of customers who had already paid the £300 fee for the box had their installations delayed, many at the shortest of notices.

Software issues include failed recordings, unresponsive fast forwarding, the inability to fast forward at the advertised rate of x30 (although this is only on HD channels due to HD using more memory) and time delays on the clock (which can interfere with recordings). Hardware issues include overheating of the box and a slightly controversial discussion regarding possible damage to certain Pioneer panels. All of these issues are intermittent and by no means experienced by all users. Sky have continued their policy of attempting to resolve these issues via software updates. Another problem is on certain HD television sets, viewers have been unable to view Sky Anytime recordings when using HDMI. This is caused by HDCP errors, so customers are having to use component instead^{[citation needed]}. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a specification developed by Intel Corporation to protect digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections. ...

Sky have also been criticised for not yet allowing the use of certain interfaces, such as the Ethernet, Serial ATA and 2xUSB ports (all of which have planned future use^{[citation needed]}). Ethernet is a large, diverse family of frame-based computer networking technologies that operate at many speeds for local area networks (LANs). ... SATA redirects here. ... Note: USB may also mean upper sideband in radio. ...

According to James Murdoch (Chairman of BSkyB), Sky intend to combine Sky Broadband with Sky HD to offer a true on-demand service using the ethernet socket of the Sky HD box^{[citation needed]}. James Murdoch (born December 1972) is the CEO of British Sky Broadcasting and younger son of billionaire media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. ...

The other main cause for concern among those that took up the HD service during its infancy, is the paucity of HD broadcasts available. Many have been disappointed that of the 14 HD channels, only BBC HD, the movie and documentary channels show exclusively HD footage. The others, to varying degrees, complete their coverage with upscaled standard definition programmes.

Channels

The following channels are available and can currently be found on the given channel numbers. Selecting these numbers on a non-HD digibox brings up an information banner displaying a contact telephone number.

The majority of these channels, such as Sky One HD, broadcast the same programmes as the standard definition version, and only use HD for certain programmes.

The launch line-up consisted of Sky One HD, Artsworld HD, Sky Movies 9 HD, Sky Movies 10 HD, Sky Sports HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic Channel HD, Sky Box Office HD 1 and Sky Box Office HD 2. The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Sky Arts was an opt-out service from the Sky News television channel on the Marcopolo satellite. ... Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ... Discovery HD is the international name of the high-definition television channels from Discovery Communications. ... National Geographic Channel HD is a high definition simulcast of the National Geographic channel. ... Sky Box Office is BSkyBs PPV system, which shows movies, and occasionally sporting events. ... Sky Box Office is BSkyBs PPV system, which shows movies, and occasionally sporting events. ...

Current HD channels

This article is about the British television station. ... Free-to-view (FTV) is a term used in the United Kingdom for certain television channels on the Sky Digital satellite platform which require a working VideoGuard receiver and viewing card to decrypt the signals, but do not require any form of continual subscription. ... This article is about the British television station. ... BBC HD is the high-definition television channel launched by the BBC on a trial basis from May 15, 2006, with the first HD originated programme, Planet Earth, shown on May 27. ... Free-to-air is a phrase used to describe television and radio broadcasts which are available without subscription and without decryption (pay-TV). ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... “Pay TV” redirects here. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Arts was an opt-out service from the Sky News television channel on the Marcopolo satellite. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Movies is the collective name for the British premium subscription television movie channels operated by Sky Television, later British Sky Broadcasting. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Rush HD is a sport-oriented television channel that broadcasts exclusively in high definition television. ... Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision, is an entertainment company in the United States that owns the cable channels AMC, WE, fuse, Independent Film Channel, Voom HD Networks, MSG Network, FSN New York, News 12, and several others. ... Discovery HD is the international name of the high-definition television channels from Discovery Communications. ... Discovery Networks Europe is the European Subsidery of Discovery Communications Inc. ... National Geographic Channel HD is a high definition simulcast of the National Geographic channel. ... This article is about the organization. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... The History Channel UK is a British television channel broadcasting programmes related to historical events and persons. ... A&E Television Networks is a media company that owns several TV networks on cable and satellite. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Box Office is the name of BSkyBs Pay Per View (PPV) system. ... Pay-per-view is the name given to a system by which television viewers can call and order events to be seen on TV and pay for the private telecast of that event to their homes later. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ... Sky Box Office is the name of BSkyBs Pay Per View (PPV) system. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the Ireland. ...

Future HD channels

FX is a British TV channel owned by Fox, launched in 2004 and originally branded as FX289 in reference to its Sky Digital EPG number. ... ITV HD is the high-definition television channel launched by ITV on a trial basis from June 2006, primarily to show the World Cup games to which ITV has the rights. ... ITV plc (LSE: ITV) is the British media company that operates 11 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom. ...

Sky Anytime

Main article: Sky Anytime

On 27 March 2007, Sky launched its Sky Anytime on TV Push-Video on Demand service for owners of Sky HD set top boxes. Programmes in high definition and standard definition are recorded overnight to a reserved 140GB of disk space, to give the effect of video on demand. Sky Anytime is the brand-name of a range of on demand services from BSkyB designed to compete with Video on demand services currently offered by cable companies such as Virgin Media. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Video on demand (VOD) systems allow users to select and watch video and clip content over a network as part of an interactive television system. ...

This has also been used to bring viewers high definition programmes from channels that do not currently broadcast in HD. These have included Sky News (Technofile, Diana: The Last Word), The Disney Channel (High School Musical 2) and Nickelodeon (iCarly). Sky News is a 24-hour British domestic and international television news channel that started broadcasting on 5 February 1989 as part of the then four-channel Sky Television service, as well as a hourly news radio service in the UK. Broadcast of a 24-hour radio service is due... For the Disney Channel in other countries, see Disney Channel around the world. ... For the soundtrack, see High School Musical 2 (soundtrack). ... Nickelodeon (Nick for short) is a cable and satellite TV network primarily for children and pre-teens. ... iCarly is an American television series aimed at young teens and preteens, which premiered on September 8, 2007 on Nickelodeon. ...

Every Sunday The Big New HD Preview Show, presented by Jason Barlow, showcases upcoming high definition content on both Sky Anytime on TV and the linear HD channels. Jason Barlow is a journalist and broadcaster. ...

Future

As well as the anticipated increase in HD channels in 2008, a new EPG exclusively for Sky HD boxes will appear by the end of the year. Amongst other features, the new EPG will allow users to view programmes in a small window while browsing the TV Guide, will have a new programme search system, and will cache channel listings on the hard drive enabling loading times to decrease and for synopsis information to be displayed for channels other than the one you are watching.^[3]

See also

• British Sky Broadcasting
• High-definition television
• High-definition television in the United Kingdom
• V+

British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB — formerly two companies, Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. ... High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television broadcasting system with greater resolution than traditional television systems (NTSC, SECAM, PAL). ... High-definition television broadcasts began in the United Kingdom in 2006. ... Old V+ Logo The black V+ Box Right Side Front view of the V+ box V+ (previously known as TV Drive) is a product from Virgin Media which provides Personal Video Recording (PVR) and High Definition (HD) functionality to customers who subscribe to the service. ...

References

1. ^ 422,000 Sky HD customers by 31st December 2007 – Sky's Q4 2007 report (PDF)
2. ^ http://www.pacemicro.com/corporate/newsroom/pacenewsitem.asp?id=10571 Pace Micro Technology Press Release
3. ^ Welsh, James. "Sky HD boxes to get new EPG this year", Digital Spy, 2008-01-16. Retrieved on 2008-01-23. 

Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users) is a British media and entertainment website, noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Sky HD at sky.com