To get the best out of HDTV in your home, you'll need both a receiver that's compatible with HD signals and a high-definition screen that can reproduce the extra color and detail. But which devices and channels are available, and which ones are best for you?
First steps to HDTV
Introduction
Many people pay huge amounts of money for HDTV, without giving serious thought to how they plan to use it. This how-to article aims to help put together the pieces of the puzzle, in order to avoid expensive mistakes, and to make sure you enjoy HD at its best. First, we take a look at which HDTV signals are actually available.
Tracking down HDTV signals:
You shouldn't consider what equipment you'll need until you know what type of HDTV signals are available in your area. In the United Kingdom, the number of HDTV channels is growing. Freeview (DVB-T) offers none at present, but Freeview HD is expected to launch in some regions in December 2009.
Cable currently offers just one HD channel (BBC HD), but there are plans to launch a further six in late 2009. Satellite service Sky+ HD, on the other hand, already offers 33 channels that broadcast partially in HD, again with plans to introduce further channels in the near future. The non-subscription satellite service Freesat, introduced in 2008 by the BBC and ITV, only offers two HD channels: BBC HD and ITV HD.
Options of receiving HDTV signals
HDTV via cable (DVB-C):
The United Kingdom's main cable operator, Virgin Media, currently broadcasts just a single high-definition channel, BBC HD, but has announced plans to add six more HD channels later this year. A small selection of on-demand HD content is also available.
Avoid confusing "digital cable" with HDTV via cable - HD cable channels are indeed digital, but not all digital channels also deliver HD signals. The "digital cable" to which most people commonly refer gives the viewer access to more channels than with analog cable, and at slightly better quality - though still below the level of HDTV. If you want to access HDTV via cable, you may need to upgrade your set-top box to a version that's compatible with the higher-quality signals.
First steps to HDTV
Introduction
Many people pay huge amounts of money for HDTV, without giving serious thought to how they plan to use it. This how-to article aims to help put together the pieces of the puzzle, in order to avoid expensive mistakes, and to make sure you enjoy HD at its best. First, we take a look at which HDTV signals are actually available.
Tracking down HDTV signals:
You shouldn't consider what equipment you'll need until you know what type of HDTV signals are available in your area. In the United Kingdom, the number of HDTV channels is growing. Freeview (DVB-T) offers none at present, but Freeview HD is expected to launch in some regions in December 2009.
Cable currently offers just one HD channel (BBC HD), but there are plans to launch a further six in late 2009. Satellite service Sky+ HD, on the other hand, already offers 33 channels that broadcast partially in HD, again with plans to introduce further channels in the near future. The non-subscription satellite service Freesat, introduced in 2008 by the BBC and ITV, only offers two HD channels: BBC HD and ITV HD.
Options of receiving HDTV signals
HDTV via cable (DVB-C):
The United Kingdom's main cable operator, Virgin Media, currently broadcasts just a single high-definition channel, BBC HD, but has announced plans to add six more HD channels later this year. A small selection of on-demand HD content is also available.
Avoid confusing "digital cable" with HDTV via cable - HD cable channels are indeed digital, but not all digital channels also deliver HD signals. The "digital cable" to which most people commonly refer gives the viewer access to more channels than with analog cable, and at slightly better quality - though still below the level of HDTV. If you want to access HDTV via cable, you may need to upgrade your set-top box to a version that's compatible with the higher-quality signals.
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