Connecting Sky HD to a TV...

NoEntry2k · 16/01/06 - 16:00

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I’m new to the whole HD thing.

Do we know yet how the new Sky HD box will connect to the TV? I’ve heard that the box will be compatible with non-HD ready TV’s, so I assume one of the outputs will be via scart. Is that right?
Also will the HD connector be the same as the one you would use to connect your PC to your TV?

Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User] · 16/01/06 - 16:05

The high definition connectors will be a digital HDMI port and an analogue component video set of phonos.

SCART will be on the box, but it won't be HD.

NoEntry2k · 16/01/06 - 16:51

Is the HDMI port the same as a PC connector cable (as you would use to connect a PC to a LCD TV), it looks like it to the naked eye but i could be totoally wrong?

camaj · 16/01/06 - 18:03

Do you mean VGA or DVI? Either way HDMI isn't like either although you can get hdmi-dvi converters.

If you don't have a display that can accept component then you'll only be able to watch in SD, not HD. Are you planning on getting the box then the tv a little while after?

Dan27 · 16/01/06 - 19:03

OK, here goes.

SKY HD OUTPUTS

VIDEO

HDMI (HDCP compliant) - Not recordable
(will receive ALL SD and HD channels, and will carry Dolby 5.1 sound)
HDMI PICTURE

Component (Not HDCP compliant) - Recordable with a HD-DVD/BluRay recorder
(will receive all SD & HD channels that dont carry HDCP. No sound carried)
COMPONENT PICTURE

Scart (RGB)
(will allow delivery and recording of SD broadcasts)
RGB SCART PICTURE

AUDIO

RCA (L&R) (carrys stereo surround)
RCA PICTURE (red and white outputs)

Toslink Optical (carrys Dolby Digital 5.1)
TOSLINK PICTURE

Digibear1 · 16/01/06 - 20:38

DanVitale wrote:

OK, here goes.

HDMI (HDCP compliant) - Not recordable

NOT RECORDABLE !
I didnt realise this !
What do you think the quality of a component recorded picture will be ?

Regards......Ted

Dan27 · 16/01/06 - 20:43

The component picture will be no different. Its just delivered in a different method

Digibear1 · 16/01/06 - 20:57

Thanks DanVitale, thats something at least

Regards......Ted

camaj · 16/01/06 - 23:09

Hold on a second, there's nothing to say HDCP content won't be recordable. It may be flagged as allowable to record perhaps with restriction.

There's nothing to say video over component will be recordable because they can use macrovision on that signal

[Deleted User] · 16/01/06 - 23:31

It won't be recordable for the rather boring reason that there's nothing available which can record it. That goes for component HD too. (OK, you could trawl eBay for a D-VHS deck I guess).

It would be surprising to say the least if Sky at least didn't enable HDCP protection on their content. The BBC may be different.

[Deleted User] · 16/01/06 - 23:33

DanVitale wrote:

OK, here goes.

Component (Not HDCP compliant) - Recordable with a HD-DVD/BluRay recorder
(will receive all SD & HD channels that dont carry HDCP. No sound carried)

You think? I don't believe there is any home device planned which can digitise an analogue HD signal. All the recording tech I've seen in development (eg, BluRay recorders) has recorded a pre-encoded bitstream.

camaj · 17/01/06 - 00:29

sanderton wrote:

there's nothing available which can record it. That goes for component HD too.

It would be surprising to say the least if Sky at least didn't enable HDCP protection on their content. The BBC may be different.

Sky have said they plan to use component on their own channels but that the rest is up to the other channels.

Blu-ray recorders should be able to record via component

[Deleted User] · 17/01/06 - 00:30

HDCP will be recordable depending on the content provider's wishes - it might be recordable at full resolution, it might be recordable downconverted to SD, or it might not be recordable at all

[Deleted User] · 17/01/06 - 09:37

camaj wrote:

Blu-ray recorders should be able to record via component

I didn't see any such machine at CES. Can you provide a link to a component recording machine?

[Deleted User] · 20/01/06 - 22:09

DanVitale wrote:

OK, here goes.

SKY HD OUTPUTS

VIDEO

HDMI (HDCP compliant) - Not recordable
(will receive ALL SD and HD channels, and will carry Dolby 5.1 sound)
HDMI PICTURE

Component (Not HDCP compliant) - Recordable with a HD-DVD/BluRay recorder
(will receive all SD & HD channels that dont carry HDCP. No sound carried)
COMPONENT PICTURE

Scart (RGB)
(will allow delivery and recording of SD broadcasts)
RGB SCART PICTURE

AUDIO

RCA (L&R) (carrys stereo surround)
RCA PICTURE (red and white outputs)

Toslink Optical (carrys Dolby Digital 5.1)
TOSLINK PICTURE

There's also composite and s-video too. Yours sincerely, Mr Pedantic.

[Deleted User] · 21/01/06 - 11:12

Sulphur Man wrote:

There's also composite and s-video too. Yours sincerely, Mr Pedantic.

And RF.

Mr Even More Pedantic

Psycho_Ned · 21/01/06 - 13:30

lol I think if you spent at least £300 on a sky HD box then connected it to your 26"+ HD TV via RF you would need the men in white coats sending round!

Be like driving a ferrari around in 1st gear

So if we're saying that you wont be able to record (well at least until a HD-DVD/Blu ray recorder comes out couple of years away i'd expect) but you will be able to record HD onto the sky box because its still got all the sky+ functionallity right?

So what would happen if you wanted to record something you recorded in HD onto a DVD recorder or something? would it downscale it back to SD or would it not be possible?

[Deleted User] · 21/01/06 - 15:35

Psycho_Ned wrote:

lol I think if you spent at least £300 on a sky HD box then connected it to your 26"+ HD TV via RF you would need the men in white coats sending round!

So if we're saying that you wont be able to record (well at least until a HD-DVD/Blu ray recorder comes out couple of years away i'd expect) but you will be able to record HD onto the sky box because its still got all the sky+ functionallity right?

So what would happen if you wanted to record something you recorded in HD onto a DVD recorder or something? would it downscale it back to SD or would it not be possible?

Indeed but how many people don't use RGB scart and have their STB and TV setup to complement eachother:)

SKY+ HD is a bitstream recorder so there are no problems recording HD broadcasts on the internal drive and since all encryption is intact there are no piracy/protection issues.

It's impossible at this time to record HD at it's native resolution onto a DVD recorder, you would have to get the STB to downscale the HD program to a standard analogue format (PAL) and then send it via scart/component or other ananlogue connection to the DVDr or even VCR.
Hooking up a PC via the component connections may allow you to capture at native resolution but we are talking a lot of processing power and the hit on PQ that you will suffer.
Recordable blue laser devices may indeed allow HD over HDMI but with the HDCP who knows exactly what will be allowed:)

MaxCherry · 22/01/06 - 13:07

Component (Not HDCP compliant) - Recordable with a HD-DVD/BluRay recorder

Can someone tell me what HDCP is?

I have a component connection on my plasma but not DVI or HMDI.

Does this mean I wont recieve some of the services.

[Deleted User] · 22/01/06 - 14:08

MaxCherry wrote:

Component (Not HDCP compliant) - Recordable with a HD-DVD/BluRay recorder

Can someone tell me what HDCP is?

http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_12.asp

MaxCherry · 23/01/06 - 07:45

Emrys Davies wrote:

http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_12.asp

Thanks. So by the looks of it, i'll be fine I just wont be able to record?

Dan27 · 23/01/06 - 08:32

No you will probably be able to record (depending on how BR/HD DVD recorders work out). You just may not be able to receive all channels depending on any of the SkyHD channels deciding to take up HDCP protection.

[Deleted User] · 23/01/06 - 10:17

The channels that do have HDCP on them will probably be downconverted to SD if your end of the transaction does not have HDCP

MaxCherry · 23/01/06 - 10:25

Will these details be availble nearer to the release?

I dont want to fork out for the box, only to be able to recieve SD broadcasts.

[Deleted User] · 23/01/06 - 10:30

MaxCherry wrote:

Will these details be availble nearer to the release?

Yes.

The level of protection for each programme will be up to the individual broadcaster and content owner. The big movie studios are likely to enforce highest HDCP for films, but for most other programmes I think they'll be less stringent.

MaxCherry · 23/01/06 - 10:50

This sounds like its gonna be a huge ball ache.

Ive seen HD in action and it looks amazing, but Im not really looking forward to shelling out £300 and then not being able to receive all the channels.

I think im better waiting for it rather than ordering it for the release. If it means having to buy a TV with a HDMI connection they can eff'off.

Hey there!

Quick Links

Connecting Sky HD to a TV...

Comments