Supra HD - The Technology, the hardware and the cables!
A quick Guide to HD from Supra Cables |
What is HD?
HD is the new "High Definition" broadcast standard that will enable
viewers to see more detail and better picture quality from those broadcasters
who transmit programmes filmed in HD.
HD resolutions are up to 4 times better than "Standard Definition",
as found on conventional TV's. Some older generation plasma screens may not be
able to support the HD standards, which are:
720 p (or progressive scan)
or
1080 i (or interlaced).
A higher resolution, 1080 p, is now becoming available on higher end hardware.
The ways of viewing HD pictures are two fold - either "off-air" via
a set-top box from one of the cable or satellite companies. Or from pre-recorded
programmes coming from a HD-standard DVD player or from the hard disk of a PC
/ Media Centre (with programmes downloaded from the 'Net).
Links to HD broadcasters:
BBC announnces support
for HDTV
BBC - FAQ
from the BBC
Sky - FAQ
-from Sky - Sky
HD set-top box details
Virgin Media is the new name for:
NTL Telewest
FAQ
from Telewest - TVDrive
set-top box details
The BBC HD service has been transmitting HD programmes since the 2006 World
Cup. This is available via both Sky and cable platforms, but ONLY if you have
a suitable HD enabled digi-box.
Other non-UK based providers are also broadcasting HD signals - these can be picked
up via a suitable HD satellite receiver - but you may need to pay a subscription
to receive these broadcasts, which may not be in English language. Check your
local satellite retailer for more information.
Links to HD hardware (source), which have HDMI outputs:
Sony
Playstation 3 (on The Register)
Microsoft
XBox 360 Elite (on The Register)
Toshiba
HD-E1 & HD-EX1 HD DVD players (on The Register)
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So, what do you need?:
The
source hardware - from one of the suppliers above
A
HD-Ready display - either a Plasma, LCD or projector - some brands
are even considering making a conventional TV that will display HD !!
A high quality, HDMI-approved HD cable
- such as the Supra HF100 Digital Video cable, terminated with either HDMI (as
standard) or DVI (the older standard) connectors - only good quality cables will
work properly, especially over longer distances, as the HD signal uses more bandwidth
and hence cheaper cables may not give the best picture quality.
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And what won't work?
You won't get HD via an existing standard satellite or
cable box - it must be one of the new generation boxes that
have either a HDMI or a component video output.
You won't see HD via a standard TV
- even if you have a HD set-top box, as most TV's cannot display the high resolution
signals.
You won't see HD via a Freeview box - at
least not yet, (unless you're one of the lucky 500 who were involved in the trial)
- Freeview does NOT currently have the bandwidth required to show HD -
but once analogue TV is switched off, then the capacity
might be available - so you may need to wait until 2012 for HD via Freeview
- just make sure OFCOM don't sell off this spectrum to the highest bidder - click
here to petition the PM.
You
won't get HD via a scart cable - you will need at least a HDMI cable
or a component video cable.
You won't see HD pictures via a "bog-standard"
DVD player - most existing movies have been filmed in "Standard
Definition" - the new formats of HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray players that DO support
HD video, are now starting to become available - and we hope that film studios
will make their films available in HD quality eventually...!
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