Sky HD output settings

Ben · 28 Feb 2007 at 07:52

Corasik said:
and there wont be broadcast 1080p for a long time.

And why not? Sky do broadcast in 1080p, the box just doesn't output it. Let's put it this way, if Sky Broadcast in 720p, why offer 1080i? The benefit of 1080i is gone, and in reverse if they Broadcast in 1080i, the benefit of 720p is gone. Broadcasting in 1080p takes up less space than broadcasting in 720p AND 1080i, they can then just let the box scale it down to 720p or interlace the signal for output. I'm betting Sky would either release an update or a new box that "magically" outputs 1080p.

Metalface Mark · 28 Feb 2007 at 08:21

Ben said:
And why not? Sky do broadcast in 1080p, the box just doesn't output it. Let's put it this way, if Sky Broadcast in 720p, why offer 1080i? The benefit of 1080i is gone, and in reverse if they Broadcast in 1080i, the benefit of 720p is gone. Broadcasting in 1080p takes up less space than broadcasting in 720p AND 1080i, they can then just let the box scale it down to 720p or interlace the signal for output. I'm betting Sky would either release an update or a new box that "magically" outputs 1080p.

they dont broadcast in 1080i and 720p though, they broadcast in 1080i and it scales to 720p.

Begbie · 28 Feb 2007 at 09:12

I though it would have been too much bandwidth, epically that some of the hd stuff is lacking atm and bandwidth normally gets the blame. Can't see a new hd box out for a while.

New sky+ box is due out in April, with 2 hard drives and 4 tuner cards!!!! :eek:

Tesla · 28 Feb 2007 at 09:29

begbo said:
New sky+ box is due out in April, with 2 hard drives and 4 tuner cards!!!!

Where did you here that? I have heard no such news and can see no benefit to having 2 HDD's.

Fr0dders · 28 Feb 2007 at 11:00

Ben said:
And why not? Sky do broadcast in 1080p, the box just doesn't output it. Let's put it this way, if Sky Broadcast in 720p, why offer 1080i? The benefit of 1080i is gone, and in reverse if they Broadcast in 1080i, the benefit of 720p is gone. Broadcasting in 1080p takes up less space than broadcasting in 720p AND 1080i, they can then just let the box scale it down to 720p or interlace the signal for output. I'm betting Sky would either release an update or a new box that "magically" outputs 1080p.

i was under the impression that Sky didnt broadcast in 1080P. They record the programmes in 1080P but broadcast 1080i and 720p

i get your point, that broadcasting 1080P on its own, would use less data than 720p and 1080i

but i didnt think they did this currently ?

Begbie · 28 Feb 2007 at 11:12

Tesla said:
Where did you here that? I have heard no such news and can see no benefit to having 2 HDD's.

Work at sky, and was told by 2nd tier tech guys that have demo'd it. Time will tell though. 2 hard drives as cheaper than one large hard drive, and supposedly can be split so the box can be used on 2 tv's and used as two different boxes (hope that makes sense :rolleyes:

). Also running the telephone cable up to the dish for any additional multi room boxes.

Some rumors about wireless multi-room boxes atm, although they won't be out for a while. The new sky+ boxes are defo coming out though if what I've been told is true.

Secret_Window · 28 Feb 2007 at 12:52

720p definitely. 1080i looks crap on my screen - that's watching from a 46".

Sclodion · 28 Feb 2007 at 13:07

Sky broadcast ALL their HD content at 1080i 25 frames (50 fields) a second.

They CANNOT broadcast 1080p. none of the transmission encoders can support it and it would take twice as much bandwidth to transmit as 1080i so you'd get half the number of channels even if they could do it.

They do not broadcast 720p at present, although they are looking at whether this is a better format for sports production and transmission.

As for the original question, set the sky box to 1080i then to 720p and see which you like the look of better. It all comes down to whether theres a better scaler and deinterlacer in the sky box or your TV.

Fr0dders · 28 Feb 2007 at 13:53

Sclodion said:
Sky broadcast ALL their HD content at 1080i 25 frames (50 fields) a second.

They CANNOT broadcast 1080p. none of the transmission encoders can support it and it would take twice as much bandwidth to transmit as 1080i so you'd get half the number of channels even if they could do it.

didnt think so

im not supprised they only broadcast 1080i as well. If 1080P isnt possible, im not sure how broadcasting 720P and 1080i would be possible.

Ben · 28 Feb 2007 at 14:15

InwardSinging said:
they dont broadcast in 1080i and 720p though, they broadcast in 1080i and it scales to 720p.

Which completely loses the point of 720p, which is for smoother picture, which you cannot get from converting a 1080i source to 720p.

Energize · 28 Feb 2007 at 14:29

Ben said:
Which completely loses the point of 720p, which is for smoother picture, which you cannot get from converting a 1080i source to 720p.

Actually bob deinterlacing gives the full smoothness of 720p by converting each field to a frame instead and displaying each one seperatley just like a progressive video. So you get the full 50fps and it's a very simple conversion.

The only major reason why 1080i is worse than 720p is because on a 1366x768 display 1080i is a lower resolution than 720p. Assuming the display is using a form of bob deinterlacing there isn't really much difference otherwise.

Sclodion · 28 Feb 2007 at 14:31

Ben said:
Which completely loses the point of 720p, which is for smoother picture, which you cannot get from converting a 1080i source to 720p.

Agree Ben, but there are a host of issues surrounding this

1. 720p is better for fast action material like sport (esp football) because of its higher temporal resolution and lack of interlace artifacts, but only if you shoot at 720p.

2. Most content being produced on video is shot 1080i today although 1080p native cameras are becoming more viable.

3. its very easy to turn 1080p 24 filmic based content into 1080i and you keep the high resolution so movies tend to look very good at 1080i.

4. Its really expensive to run a TV plant catering for multiple HD formats

So while there are still huge discussions about the merit of 720p vs 1080i, you just have to pick one of them to run a TV station. Most people have far more 1080i video and movie stock than sports so 1080i wins.

Everyone broadcaster agrees that 1080p is where they want to be for HD as you get the bst of both worlds, but the economics are not viable yet.