Sky High Definition TV (HD TV)

Definition

A television system that has twice the number of scanning lines per frame and therefore produces pictures with greater detail.
  

What do I need?

To take advantage of everything Sky HD has to offer you are going to need an HD TV, one of Sky's new HD boxes and the relevant subscriptions.

If you are thinking about buying a new TV or have already purchased recently you will have to check it carries the 'HD ready logo'. If you are not sure you will need to check with the retailer or manufacturer that it meets the HD ready criteria.

That means that when you purchase your new Sky HD box and relevant subscriptions you will be set to receive Sky HD.
  

How much will it cost?

The Sky HD box costs from £229 plus an installation fee of from £30. You will also need to add £10 to your normal monthly subscription to receive the HD channels.
  

How will HDTV work?

Sky's HDTV channel line-up will include a combination of sports, movies, entertainment and documentary programming. Full details of content and pricing will be announced in due course.

Sky's HDTV system will support both 720p and 1080i picture formats. Broadcasters will be able to choose the format which is most appropriate to their individual requirements.

Sky will use the advanced compression coding system MPEG-4 for its HDTV broadcasts.

BSkyB's HDTV box will be equipped with an HDMI as its primary means of connecting to an HD display. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) will also be required to view BSkyB's HD content using an HDMI connection. HDMI can also be connected to DVI equipped displays that support HDCP using a suitable adapter cable.

“HD Ready” is a labelling scheme that is being introduced by the TV manufacturer's organisation EICTA. The “HD Ready” logo will appear on an increasing number of TV displays in shops over the coming months. Any TV set that carries the “HD Ready” label will work with Sky's HDTV service.
  

What Can I watch?

Sky Sports - Live Barclays Premiership Football in HD with Dolby 5.1 sound and Guinness Premiership Rugby in HD with other HD sports to be confirmed.

Sky Movies - Two screen showing all films in HD. Titles available at launch include Spiderman 2, The Day After Tomorrow and the House of Flying Daggers.

Sky One - A selection of Sky One's must see shows and blockbuster series in HD.

Artsworld - A selection of Artsworld opera, arts, ballet and classical music in HD.

Sky Box Office - Movie fans will be able to choose from up to ten HD movies per week.