Is it worth recording a HD channel instead of SD Channel? - Sky+ HD

cjrailson · 08-11-2009, 12:32

Hey Guys,

Just had Sky HD installed and I have a quick question. I have noticed that Channel 4 HD seems to follow the exact same schedule as Channel 4 SD.

Now im guessing most of the programs haven't actually been shot/broadcast in HD (eg. 'Friends' as far as I know has no HD version?) So is there any benefit to telling SKY + HD to record from Channel 4 HD instead of the standard Def Channel 4 for something like 'Friends' or 'The Family' ?.

Chris

Restorer · 08-11-2009, 12:39

I haven't seen a single show yet that wasn't noticeably better PQ on 140 compared with 104.

This is down to high quality upscaling at source and of course the high bitrate tramsission of the HD channel.

Up to you whether you think the gain in PQ is worth the extra disc space used.

Jarrak · 08-11-2009, 12:41

Well given that in general the broadcast SD we see is a pale shadow of the broadcast quality master that the likes of CH4 have access to broadcasting on a HD channel upscaled by studio quality hardware and much higher bitrates using a more efficent codec should have a benefit compared to a low and over compressed SD broadcast.

That's the theory anyway but record the same show on both and then compare and contrast taking into account the SKY+HD or your TV upscaling the SD broadcast.

Simon Cow · 08-11-2009, 12:43

Yes! Is the short and long answer.

There is more bandwidth available on the HD channel so less likely to go blocky when it runs out of bandwidth like it does on the SD channel.

The SD made programmes are "upscaled" and whilst that doesn't make them HD, it does transport them in the best quality that they will ever be.

As they are upscaled, they will take up more hard drive space than the SD version, but that is the only negative about it.

So my advice is go with the HD channel if you want to watch or record anything on Channel 4.

cjrailson · 08-11-2009, 12:55

Wow, very quick reply!, Thanks guys!

I did actually notice a better picture but was not quite sure if it was just me

.

I figured as the Sky HD box up scale's SD channels anyway that there might be no difference between the 2 channels on SD content.

But the explanation about higher bit rates and up scaling at the broadcast end makes sense. So I will opt for recording from HD channel where possible! (Im actually quite looking forward to seeing what 'Friends' looks like on the HD channel later as the E4 versions (especially from earlier seasons) have always looked rubbish to me!

Thanks again guys

Ragnarok · 08-11-2009, 13:18

IF the SD source before it's upscaled is in good condition it going to look fab being carried on a HD channel compared to SD on an SD channel.

In Channel 4's case on satellite anyway Channel 4 is in a lower than SD resolution 544x576 rather than than 1 of the Proper standards 704/720x576. So the difference is more pronounced.

Friends is pretty rubbish picture quality wise but more detail will be kept including the grain.

ipod_sock · 08-11-2009, 16:07

Plus of course what anyone has failed to mention is that if the C4HD dog is in the corner, it's in TRUE HD and not just upscaled!!!

srhill · 08-11-2009, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnarok

Friends is pretty rubbish picture quality wise but more detail will be kept including the grain.

Friends is pretty rubbish - says it all, forget the bit about pq

Jaycee Dove · 09-11-2009, 16:36

Just watch Paul O Grady at 5 pm on channel 140 and see how PQ on Channel 4 HD can look even though not in HD.

Studio shows are well suited to the higher bandwidth so always worth recording that way.

wod1 · 09-11-2009, 16:49

yes channels like discovery, programs are miles better on discovery hd and there is no ads on discovery hd which is nice to have.

i always record the hd version of a channel now as they only take up 2% now with a larger disc in the receiver

GeoffNI · 09-11-2009, 17:06

If you have the space to record then record of the HD channel. Upscaled programming look better than the SD version yet still clearly falls short of HD. The only downfall to recording upscaled programming is the amount of disc space it will use despite being an average picture minus obvious compression.

08-11-2009, 12:32	#1
cjrailson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Services: Sky +, 1mb Broadband Posts: 279	Is it worth recording a HD channel instead of SD Channel? Hey Guys, Just had Sky HD installed and I have a quick question. I have noticed that Channel 4 HD seems to follow the exact same schedule as Channel 4 SD. Now im guessing most of the programs haven't actually been shot/broadcast in HD (eg. 'Friends' as far as I know has no HD version?) So is there any benefit to telling SKY + HD to record from Channel 4 HD instead of the standard Def Channel 4 for something like 'Friends' or 'The Family' ?. Chris

08-11-2009, 12:39	#2
Restorer Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NE England Services: Sky+HD, Sky Broadband Max Posts: 545	I haven't seen a single show yet that wasn't noticeably better PQ on 140 compared with 104. This is down to high quality upscaling at source and of course the high bitrate tramsission of the HD channel. Up to you whether you think the gain in PQ is worth the extra disc space used.

08-11-2009, 12:41	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Services: SKY+ HD, Freesat via PC, Philips DTR 1500 & Humax 9200 Freeview, SKY Max Posts: 17,412	Well given that in general the broadcast SD we see is a pale shadow of the broadcast quality master that the likes of CH4 have access to broadcasting on a HD channel upscaled by studio quality hardware and much higher bitrates using a more efficent codec should have a benefit compared to a low and over compressed SD broadcast. That's the theory anyway but record the same show on both and then compare and contrast taking into account the SKY+HD or your TV upscaling the SD broadcast.

08-11-2009, 12:43	#4
Simon Cow Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 959	Yes! Is the short and long answer. There is more bandwidth available on the HD channel so less likely to go blocky when it runs out of bandwidth like it does on the SD channel. The SD made programmes are "upscaled" and whilst that doesn't make them HD, it does transport them in the best quality that they will ever be. As they are upscaled, they will take up more hard drive space than the SD version, but that is the only negative about it. So my advice is go with the HD channel if you want to watch or record anything on Channel 4.

08-11-2009, 12:55	#5
cjrailson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Services: Sky +, 1mb Broadband Posts: 279	Wow, very quick reply!, Thanks guys! I did actually notice a better picture but was not quite sure if it was just me . I figured as the Sky HD box up scale's SD channels anyway that there might be no difference between the 2 channels on SD content. But the explanation about higher bit rates and up scaling at the broadcast end makes sense. So I will opt for recording from HD channel where possible! (Im actually quite looking forward to seeing what 'Friends' looks like on the HD channel later as the E4 versions (especially from earlier seasons) have always looked rubbish to me! Thanks again guys

08-11-2009, 13:18	#6
Ragnarok Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: near Hell, Services: BE Internet, $kyHD + pace V1, DTT , 19.2+28.2°E+30°W Posts: 2,949	IF the SD source before it's upscaled is in good condition it going to look fab being carried on a HD channel compared to SD on an SD channel. In Channel 4's case on satellite anyway Channel 4 is in a lower than SD resolution 544x576 rather than than 1 of the Proper standards 704/720x576. So the difference is more pronounced. Friends is pretty rubbish picture quality wise but more detail will be kept including the grain.

08-11-2009, 16:07	#7
ipod_sock Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Liverpool Services: Sky+HD Amstrad box=no subs, O2 broadband Posts: 57	Plus of course what anyone has failed to mention is that if the C4HD dog is in the corner, it's in TRUE HD and not just upscaled!!!

09-11-2009, 16:36	#9
Jaycee Dove Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 7,085	Just watch Paul O Grady at 5 pm on channel 140 and see how PQ on Channel 4 HD can look even though not in HD. Studio shows are well suited to the higher bandwidth so always worth recording that way.

09-11-2009, 16:49	#10
wod1 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: west yorkshire Services: Be, motorised satellite Posts: 5,166	yes channels like discovery, programs are miles better on discovery hd and there is no ads on discovery hd which is nice to have. i always record the hd version of a channel now as they only take up 2% now with a larger disc in the receiver

09-11-2009, 17:06	#11
GeoffNI Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Services: ESPN, Sky+HD World Posts: 2,058	If you have the space to record then record of the HD channel. Upscaled programming look better than the SD version yet still clearly falls short of HD. The only downfall to recording upscaled programming is the amount of disc space it will use despite being an average picture minus obvious compression.