High Definition ?

[Alice]

If I have all the equipment and channels should I just see that WOW HD factor on my screen?
I think I might be missing something ! Is it just me ?

[amandaandherveg]

My OH loves the whole HD thing but I can't get that excited about it, especially if I don't have my specs on.

[SueA]

I think it depends on which equipment you've got Alice & whether you've subscribed to an HD package or not. Also not everthing is broadcast in HD so you'll only get the right effect on certain programmes anyway. We've got the HD T.V. but nothing else at the moment, as we have satellite we'd have to swap to their HD box & pay an extra subscription cost & as it costs a packet anyway we're not too keen. Other than that you can get Freesat as a built in option on a TV or a separate box & you can get some BBC & other channels in HD on that for free but again only certain programmes. I notice that usually when they're trying to promote HD they usually show you something in slow motion - great but the actual shows are in realtime, not slo-mo!

[scarey55]

I'm with you Alice - I can't see what all the fuss is about.

[Capsid]

What equipment do you have? A 32" LCD TV won't show you the wow factor. You need something bigger, say 42".

I think Gardener's World really shows off the HD content well or any of the BBC nature programmes; the Galapagos series in particular stood out for me.

[Alice]

Thanks for all your replies.
I've got all the equipment SueA, HD TV, HD Freesat box and I've checked the programmes they say are being broadcast in HD but I just can't see the difference.

Maybe you're right Capsid and my TV is just not big enough, but I'm not getting another one.

[smallblueplanet]

Have you got the better quality connecting leads? Is ita HD tv or HD-ready, would that make a difference? Is your tv a 'good' brand?

I was thinking we needed a new tv but even if I got a HD one don't think I could afford the extra on Sky HD subs!

[Capsid]

Have you got the better quality connecting leads? Is ita HD tv or HD-ready, would that make a difference? Is your tv a 'good' brand?

I was thinking we needed a new tv but even if I got a HD one don't think I could afford the extra on Sky HD subs!

Yes you need HDMI or component cables to view HD pictures. I presume Alice must have this otherwise she won't be able to see any picture whatsoever.

You can view some HD channels free through Freesat but you need a Freesat tuner (although many new HD TVs have those built in) and a satellite dish.

[Capsid]

Thanks for all your replies.
I've got all the equipment SueA, HD TV, HD Freesat box and I've checked the programmes they say are being broadcast in HD but I just can't see the difference.

Maybe you're right Capsid and my TV is just not big enough, but I'm not getting another one.

So what size is your TV?

[throup]

Thanks for all your replies.
I've got all the equipment SueA, HD TV, HD Freesat box and I've checked the programmes they say are being broadcast in HD but I just can't see the difference.

Maybe you're right Capsid and my TV is just not big enough, but I'm not getting another one.

Are you tuning in to a HD channel? Gardener's World, for example, is broadcast in HD but only if you are watching the BBC HD channel (108 on Freesat). If you are tuned to BBC Two you will only see it in standard definition.

[smallblueplanet]

Yes you need HDMI or component cables to view HD pictures. I presume Alice must have this otherwise she won't be able to see any picture whatsoever.

Could she be using component connectors, will they be as good? (I must stay off AV Forums!)

You can view some HD channels free through Freesat but you need a Freesat tuner (although many new HD TVs have those built in) and a satellite dish.

Yes, but I'm not going to upgrade just to watch a few freesat channels.

[Capsid]

Could she be using component connectors, will they be as good? (I must stay off AV Forums!)

Component does allow you to watch an HD picture but it's an analogue cable not pure digital. I did watch HD through component on an old plasma display before they introduced HDMI and the picture quality was very good.

[Alison]

We've got the whole thing through cable TV but personally I think it's a total waste of money and not worth it at all but OH loves it. I'd be happy with a little portable TV in the corner and OH would like one the size of the wall. We compromise but I still don't see what all the fuss is about.

[Mrs Dobby]

Gotta say we have HD, a 50" Plasma LG 1080p, HDMI cables, PS3 (Blueray in HD is awesome!) and SKY+ HD, it looks and sounds amazing! Its one of the few things that we do treat ourselves to, and when watching something in HD you really can tell the difference! Watching any nature programme or film in HD is brilliant, GW does look great too!

[Alice]

Thank you everybody for your replies.
At the moment i'm concluding there's no difference I can see, but I could be wrong.
The Tv I have is as big as I'm prepared to put up with in the room it is in.
But please do keep the replies coming incase I am missing something.