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Posts with tag SkyHd

International HD news roundup

by Richard Lawler Apr 19th 2009 @ 8:11AM


Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days, let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, até à próxima!

Read - Sky HD EPG relaunched
Read - Fox Pan American Sports Establishes Its First HD Platform on the Intelsat Network
Read - Portugal goes for Zen
Read - Movies debut on German iTunes store

Sky+ HD maps out a plan to beat downturn depression with HDTV

by Richard Lawler Feb 6th 2009 @ 11:47PM


Tough Economic times, layoffs and bad news from Pioneer can all be enough to affect a person's mood for the worse, but don't give up yet since Sky+HD has apparently found a link between watching HDTV and improved psychological well being. Sure it's partly marketing fluff aimed at improving HD penetration, but it does jibe with our extensive "watched Sunrise Earth for hours" research. as such, we think UK residents should give psychologist Donna Dawson's viewing guide a shot, based around using key visual factors to stimulate the brain, it might give one a different viewpoint on the current state of things. Of course, U.S. viewers are on their own, but why not grab the PDF and work up a lazy DVR weekend mental health break of your own.

First Sky News HD broadcast is the Obama inauguration

by Richard Lawler Dec 10th 2008 @ 6:11AM

The first Sky News HD broadcast will be the swearing in of Barack Obama January 20, 2009. Interested Brits can catch the broadcast on Sky Arts HD channel 258, presented by Jeremy Thompson and Adam Boulton. After the first real HD election, it's only fitting to see the result properly, unfortunately there's still no word on when the news will its own HD feed.

[Via HDTV UK]

Disney brings Cinemagic HD to UK

by Steven Kim Nov 24th 2008 @ 5:50AM

Disney CinemagicNo longer just something for French children, Disney's Cinemagic HD channel will be coming to the UK this December on Sky Digital. Sky's HD count will hit 29 with the addition when it debuts in time for Christmas screenings of "Ratatouille" and "Tinkerbell." In case you're wondering what those two flicks have to do with Christmas, we have to say, "Get over it, Scrooge." Seriously, at least here in the US, we'll take anything HD that breaks up the "It's a Wonderful Life" - "Miracle on 34th Street" - "A Christmas Story" marathon that is the Christmas season and is kid-friendly! Hopefully the offerings on the HD movie-centric channel will grow quickly out of the gate for our UK friends.

Gorilla gets Sky+ HD service in its enclosure, wouldn't return to the wild if he could

by Darren Murph Oct 28th 2008 @ 9:22PM


There's spoiled, and then there's Nico. The 47-year old Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, which is currently being held at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, England, grew quite fond of television during a six-month UK quarantine period spent indoors. Now, officials have upgraded the animal's living quarters to include a Sky+ HD box and an HDTV. According to Nico's head keeper, "television has proved a great environmental enrichment tool for Nico over the years," and now, Nico can sit back [and] enjoy the greater picture detail of HD and the surround sound experience." Before you get too jealous, you should know that the creature's viewing hours are limited -- you know, so it doesn't morph into an "archetypal couch potato."

Sky extends half-off HD box promo, launches 10 million ad campaign

by Richard Lawler Oct 3rd 2008 @ 12:07PM


If you thought Sky+ HD's lower £150 set-top box was nice, imagine the reaction to its just-extended £75 (plus £60 installation) offer. Available until the end of October, Sky's apparently hoping that in combination with an ad campaign featuring Cyndi Lauper's True Colors will push Britons to make the jump to HDTV. That it will also cause us to relive a particularly embarrassing middle school dance is apparently of no consequence to this heartless media juggernaut. Enjoy your half price high definition boxes, no matter the emotional cost.

Read - Sky Extends Half Price Sky+ HD Deal
Read - Sky backs HD service with £10m campaign

Sky+HD bringing limited edition designer STBs this Christmas

by Darren Murph Sep 10th 2008 @ 8:52AM


We're beginning to think this is some sort of odd annual tradition, but just as it did last year, Sky+HD is launching a small collection of limited edition designer set-top-boxes for the artsy type. Designed by four of the UK's "most visionary designers and image makers," the units will go on sale in mid-October and range in price from £75 to £150 when taken with a Sky TV and HD Mix subscription from £27 / month (hey, that's news to us!). Best of all, we're also told that the service will be delivering 30 dedicated high-def channels by the end of 2008, so we suppose a boisterous "huzzah!" is in order here. Full release copied after the break.

Continue reading Sky+HD bringing limited edition designer STBs this Christmas

Sky launching Real Lives HD channel October 20

by Richard Lawler Aug 20th 2008 @ 12:53PM

Brits needing their reality TV in high definition get a boost October 20, when the Real Lives channel on Sky goes HD. Hook your HDTV up to Sky+ HD and enjoy Lorraine Kelly's DNA Stories, Toy Boys , Fashion Avenue. Sounds good, we'll be checking out The First 48 and awaiting the HD debut of Survivor in the meantime, although it does bring into question how much of reality TV do we really want to see in HD.

[Via HDTV UK]

Sky HD service goes live in New Zealand

by Darren Murph Jun 12th 2008 @ 8:59AM

Just under two months after Freeview HDTV launched in New Zealand, in comes word that the long-awaited Sky HD service has done likewise. Dubbed My Sky HDi, the service is hosting (at least initially) Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Movies, Sky Movies Greats and TV3 in high-definition. Those who are already subscribed to My Sky can make the very worthwhile leap to high-def by handing over $49.95 for the revamped (and doubly capacious) set-top-box. Reportedly, those who join will see 104 live sporting events in HD before the close of 2009, and Sky has already secured the rights to both the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. For more details on the whole thing, just give that read link a little love.

Sky's new HD EPG gets peeked

by Darren Murph Jun 1st 2008 @ 7:56PM


We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.

Sky HD service gets reviewed

by Darren Murph Mar 18th 2008 @ 2:15AM


Given that our place of residence is most certainly not in the UK, Sky wasn't included in our recent breakdown of HD carriers. Thankfully, the kind blokes / dames over at HDTV Lounge were able to sit down with the Sky HD service and write up a fairly thorough review. For those on the fence, Sky HD has become a fair bit more attractive here of late with the addition of three new HD channels and a price cut to boot. The long and short of it is that the Sky HD DVR is more than satisfactory, and as for the programming quality, reviewers were left with all sorts of positive vibes. Best of all, there's even a few comparison shots to give SD subscribers a look at what they're missing out on. Go on, check out the read link for the full spill.

Sky cuts setup price on HD package

by Richard Lawler Mar 7th 2008 @ 7:38AM

One of those European HDTV owners that doesn't actually watch HD? That survey may hold some weight, as Sky is cutting prices on its Sky+ and Sky HD services. The Sky HD box now costs £249, or £199 bundled with internet and phone, although the monthly HD charge is still £10. With the entry costs lowered a bit and a few new channels, we'll see if that is enough to get people upgrading to HD.

[Via HDTV UK]

SkyHD pushing HD remasters of classic British films

by Richard Lawler Mar 3rd 2008 @ 10:53PM

Sir Michael Caine finds HD quality "unforgiving", but we're sure more than a few movie buffs will appreciate a clearer look at classics like Zulu and The Italian Job (not the one with Marky Mark in it) prompted by Sky's need for movies to fill its new HD channels. Of course many films have already been remastered for HD, but as HD adoption grows worldwide, we can look forward to high quality transfers of more international flicks.

Sky HD adding three new HDTV channels for a total of 17

by Richard Lawler Feb 28th 2008 @ 4:17PM

With its troubles in the past, Sky is ramping up its HD service, with plans to add three new stations soon for a total of 17 HD channels. Viewers can expect Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD. Sky Sports HD 3 will kick off with Monday Night Raw in March and the PGA European Tour, while FX HD is a "bespoke" custom channel, Sky Movies Premiere is a simulcast of the SD channel. Sky says its signed up more than 400,000 subscribers since launch, and once these channels are added, they'll have access to 6,500 hours of HD programming per month. We know it was rough for a while, any Sky HD users out there got a report about the service these days?

Sky confirms HD boxes will soon receive new EPG

by Darren Murph Jan 17th 2008 @ 7:32AM

Rumors of a facelifted electronic programming guide to Sky's receivers / DVRs have been swirling for quite some time, and apparently, the satellite provider has finally come clean and doled out the skinny. According to Digital Spy, only Sky HD boxes will be receiving the upgrade, which will replace the current four top-level options with ten. Purportedly, "television, radio and interactive services will be listed separately," and it's also stated that a small box will be added to show content from channels as they are browsed through in the guide. As for when Brits can expect the new EPG? "Sometime during 2008" -- sadly, that'll have to do for now.




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