Home› TV and Home Entertainment Technology
Click here to check out Digital Spy's Tech section for the latest news, updates, reviews and cheap deals.
Options

Do I need an HD cable?

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,645
Forum Member
✭✭✭
in TV and Home Entertainment Technology #1
I got a new Samsung UE32EH5000 HD TV yesterday. Previously I had an 11 year old low definition set.

I subscribe to Sky but not their HD service.

With the free HD channels I'm not noticing any difference in picture quality from the non HD channels.

Supposedly Satellite Freeview is built in to the TV but I haven't come across it in the TV menu. So, do I need a HD cable running from my Sky box to the TV to get the HD picture? Or does the fact I'm getting a picture on the free HD channels mean that that is as good as the picture is going to get?
«1

Comments

  • Options
    dearmrmandearmrman Posts: 21,515
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #2
    Yes you will need an HDMI cable, to get the picture in HD.
  • Options
    asmasm Posts: 152
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #3
    To get HD you will need to use an HDMI cable. If you are using scart or composite video it will not be HD.
  • Options
    Chris FrostChris Frost Posts: 11,022
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #4
    Yes, the HD picture from the Sky box needs a HDMI cable connection between your Sky+HD box and the TV. This is an alternative connection to the SCART cable you are probably using right now.

    Once you have your HDMI cable installed then you'll need to switch to a different AV channel to watch Sky. One thing about HDMI; it doesn't switch over the TV automatically like you might have been used to with SCART. So remember to disconnect the SCART cable which is now redundant and then press the AV or source button on your remote to select the input where the HDMI cable is attached.

    Your TV having Freesat built in is something entirely different. Freesat uses a different TV tuner. The TV needs another connection, but this time it's a wire from the satellite dish to the TV. It has to be a direct connection. You can't split one of the existing satellite feeds going to the Sky box. I would suggest though, that if you are watching via Sky then this extra connection is probably redundant because there's very little if anything extra via Freesat that you aren't already getting via Sky.

    Ebay and online retailers sell low cost HDMI cables. As long as the spec' states something along the lines of HDMI 1.4, or High Speed (either with or without Ethernet) then you'll be fine. Expect to pay no more that £5.
  • Options
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,645
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #5
    Thanks for the answers. I'll get the cable then.
  • Options
    call100call100 Posts: 7,278
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #6
    Whatever you do don't pay too much for one......A cheap one works the same as an expensive one...A cheap supermarket branded one is good enough if you can't wait and order one from Amazon for a couple of quid.
  • Options
    David WaineDavid Waine Posts: 3,413
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #7
    I'll just repeat the advice you have already received. When you connect your new HDMI cable, disconnect the scart lead and throw it in the bin - or it will take precedence over the HDMI cable and you still won't see HD.
  • Options
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,151
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #8
    call100 wrote: »
    Whatever you do don't pay too much for one......A cheap one works the same as an expensive one...A cheap supermarket branded one is good enough if you can't wait and order one from Amazon for a couple of quid.

    ^ This

    you can get a HDMI cable from poundland will give the same picture quality as a £50 one from Currys
  • Options
    David (2)David (2) Posts: 20,632
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #9
    as well a unplugging the scart cord, once the hdmi is in place and you are viewing the sky picture through it, make sure the Sky box is configured to output HD pictures - eg 1080i mode. If your using it on scart now, chances are the box is only sending out 576SD pictures.
  • Options
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,645
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #10
    David (2) wrote: »
    as well a unplugging the scart cord, once the hdmi is in place and you are viewing the sky picture through it, make sure the Sky box is configured to output HD pictures - eg 1080i mode. If your using it on scart now, chances are the box is only sending out 576SD pictures.

    Thanks. I hadn't done that configuring but it turned out it was already at 1080i. Where it says Scart Control should I have that at off? And what about Scart Video Output? Does it matter now about that?
  • Options
    grahamlthompsongrahamlthompson Posts: 18,486
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #11
    Upnorthviewer wrote: »
    Thanks. I hadn't done that configuring but it turned out it was already at 1080i. Where it says Scart Control should I have that at off? And what about Scart Video Output? Does it matter now about that?

    Whatever setting you have the scart will output 576i. The setting only affects hdmi. If you aren't using the scart any scart video output settings won't make any difference.
  • Options
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 37
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #12
    To see any difference between SD and HD depends largely on the distance at which you are viewing the TV, even with the correct cables and set up. See the thread I started on this subject at Digital Entertainment Services/Satellite/Freesat+ Recorders/HD v SD
  • Options
    Nigel GoodwinNigel Goodwin Posts: 58,516
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #13
    MJD314 wrote: »
    To see any difference between SD and HD depends largely on the distance at which you are viewing the TV, even with the correct cables and set up. See the thread I started on this subject at Digital Entertainment Services/Satellite/Freesat+ Recorders/HD v SD

    Even at SD viewing distances you still get a better picture from HD, as it uses more bandwidth - just that you can't see the HD detail (which is what HD is).
  • Options
    emptyboxemptybox Posts: 13,917
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #14
    Just to point out, the OP's telly does not have a Freesat tuner.
    It has a Freeview HD tuner, and to watch that they will need to connect it to a terrestrial aerial.
  • Options
    tealadytealady Posts: 26,266
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #15
    Have to say I am very disappointed by the advice given to the OP, I thought there were people here who knew their onions.
    Anyway, OP you need this HDMI cable and you need to replace your power lead.
  • Options
    alan1302alan1302 Posts: 6,336
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #16
    tealady wrote: »
    Have to say I am very disappointed by the advice given to the OP, I thought there were people here who knew their onions.
    Anyway, OP you need this HDMI cable and you need to replace your power lead.

    Am glad you are here to point the op in the right direction :)
  • Options
    tealadytealady Posts: 26,266
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #17
    alan1302 wrote: »
    Am glad you are here to point the op in the right direction :)
    Well, it's usually chrisjr that points them in the right direction, but I guess he is on holiday.
  • Options
    Nigel GoodwinNigel Goodwin Posts: 58,516
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #18
    Has no one thought that he will already have an HDMI lead?, assuming he has a Sky HD box? - one comes with it.
  • Options
    barbelerbarbeler Posts: 23,827
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #19
    tealady wrote: »
    Anyway, OP you need this HDMI cable and you need to replace your power lead.
    :D Are those honestly genuine items, or just a spoof for the benefit of techies?
  • Options
    tealadytealady Posts: 26,266
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #20
    barbeler wrote: »
    :D Are those honestly genuine items, or just a spoof for the benefit of techies?
    Why don't you buy one and let us know!
    There was some guy who posted in GD last year who claimed to have a PhD and was involved in making some of the russ andrews products. Certainly these items have been referred to before by the knowledgeable posters who frequent this forum.
  • Options
    cyber_davcyber_dav Posts: 1,384
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #21
    Further to this, I replaced my scart with a HDMI lead and picture quality on the none-HD channels was also significantly better.
  • Options
    blueisthecolourblueisthecolour Posts: 20,127
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #22
    cyber_dav wrote: »
    Further to this, I replaced my scart with a HDMI lead and picture quality on the none-HD channels was also significantly better.

    Good stuff.

    Those £2k HDMI cables are worth every penny. Just make sure you also spend at least £1k on a remote control as that will improve the picture even more ;)
  • Options
    chrisjrchrisjr Posts: 33,282
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #23
    blueisthecolour wrote: »
    Good stuff.

    Those £2k HDMI cables are worth every penny. Just make sure you also spend at least £1k on a remote control as that will improve the picture even more ;)
    And don't forget a wooden panel to sit your kit on to vastly improve the sound quality.

    http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&pf_id=4056

    Bet you can get the same effect from a couple of quid off cut at B&Q :D
  • Options
    cyber_davcyber_dav Posts: 1,384
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #24
    blueisthecolour wrote: »
    Good stuff.

    Those £2k HDMI cables are worth every penny. Just make sure you also spend at least £1k on a remote control as that will improve the picture even more ;)

    LOL! I'll take your word for that, mine cost me a fiver from Amazon!
  • Options
    Chris FrostChris Frost Posts: 11,022
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #25
    blueisthecolour wrote: »
    Just make sure you also spend at least £1k on a remote control as that will improve the picture even more ;)
    I can't be bothered correcting this. Just want to say that if it was a dig at proper system control and those who see the value of it then you're so so very wrong, and I'm not referring to the silly comment about picture quality.
Sign In or Register to comment.