Sky HD Package - Am I reading the Sky website right?

Devon_Hippo

Looking at the Sky TV Packages and I am not sure if I am reading the packages right or if they are misleading (in my eyes!).

I went to http://www.sky.com/quickbuy/build and clicked the ? after
"Not sure what Pack contains your favourite channels?" for more info .....

For example, when I look at the Variety Package it says ....
"Variety Pack includes:

Sky 1 Sky 2 Sky 3 ...."

and at the bottom says
"Take the HD Pack and you'll also get:
Sky1HD SciFiHD C4HD ..."
(not listing all the channels - you get the picture )

and a Similar kind of list for each of the various TV Packs

NOW ... for the HD Pack it says ....
"HD Pack includes:
SkySportsHD1 SkySportsHD2 SkySportsHD3 ..." then lists 10 HD Movie Channels and all the various HD channels from all the different Entertainment packs.

At the bottom it does says "The HD Pack gives you access to up to 37 HD channels, that's 30 more than anyone else in the UK" but it does not say anywhere in the list that what you get in the HD Pack list is dependant on what Packs you have selected??

Am I reading this too literally? (and if so, can I hold them to this list if I select the HD pack?)
Why would I want to subscribe to the Movie channels for £18 if I get 10 HD Movie channels for £10? are these HD channels only transmitted ocasionally?
Same for Sky Sports - Get Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 & 4 for £18, or the HD versions of 1, 2 & 3 for the same £10

I hope this post makes sense a little at least and someone can explain what you do and do not get - and if the "HD Pack includes:" section is just badly worded or you do get that lot for a tenner?

If I am right, then it is not bad value at all for £10 extra but if I don't get those, would I be within my rights to cancel as I am not getting what I expected (as described by their website)?



Cheers

David.

withabix

You can't get the HD of a channel without subscribing to the package that the 'standard' version of the channel itself is on.

Your £10 HD subscription simply adds the HD version of whichever channels you ALREADY have in your subscription, providing there is an HD version.

peachyprice

Seems pretty clear to me:

Step 2: Choose your Sky box


The channels you receive with the HD Pack depend on your Sky TV package. If you want to watch Sky Sports or Sky Movies HD channels, add the Sports or Movies Pack. If you are joining Sky TV and take a free Sky+HD box with free standard set-up, all you need to pay now is £10 towards your first month's HD subscription.

Devon_Hippo

Never went on to step 2 - Step 1 was misleading enough for me.
Thanks guys, but I still say there should be a little * or something on the HD pack that says "channels subject to entertainment packs selected" or somesuch

dazzer68

withabix wrote: »

You can't get the HD of a channel without subscribing to the package that the 'standard' version of the channel itself is on.

Your £10 HD subscription simply adds the HD version of whichever channels you ALREADY have in your subscription, providing there is an HD version.

not sure thats true, as i dont have the knowledge pack, but i get nat geo hd?
but the advert is very misleading, you get all the hd channels bar movies and sport basically unless you subscribe to those.

Jimx26

withabix wrote: »

You can't get the HD of a channel without subscribing to the package that the 'standard' version of the channel itself is on.

Your £10 HD subscription simply adds the HD version of whichever channels you ALREADY have in your subscription, providing there is an HD version.

No you get all the none premium HD channels regardless of what packages you subscribe too. So if you have a basic package you will get everything with the exception of the sports and movie channels.

Devon_Hippo

dazzer68 wrote: »

not sure thats true, as i dont have the knowledge pack, but i get nat geo hd?
but the advert is very misleading, you get all the hd channels bar movies and sport basically unless you subscribe to those.

Jimx26 wrote: »

No you get all the none premium HD channels regardless of what packages you subscribe too. So if you have a basic package you will get everything with the exception of the sports and movie channels.

So, Dazzler and Jim, just to double-check, you are saying that if I take the Sky HD Pack I will get ALL the HD channels of ALL of the entertainment packs even if I subscribe to just one pack (the minimum allowed) :T
But what I don't get is any of Premium HD Channels unless I DO subscribe to a pack which includes the matching Premium SD Channel? (I can live with that )

So next question ....
Are the HD Channels always being transmitted in parallel with their non-HD version? so if I want to watch the Nat Geo channel and don't subscribe to the Knowledge pack, I will always be able to watch the same schedule via the HD version?
or are they a bit like the BBC HD channel that has its own part-time schedule.

It is clear why the pricing is done how it is - just an extra quid for an extra pack, it is easy to just click the box to add them on. I wonder how many people subscribe to every pack "just in case" they might want to watch but never do!?
TBH, the only reason I am looking at sky is the freeview reception is poor here and the cost of getting a dish bought and installed (plus a quidco cashback offer for Sky HD) - means Sky with free install and an HD box is kinda close to a reasonable deal.

Jimx26

Devon_Hippo wrote: »

So, Dazzler and Jim, just to double-check, you are saying that if I take the Sky HD Pack I will get ALL the HD channels of ALL of the entertainment packs even if I subscribe to just one pack (the minimum allowed) :T
But what I don't get is any of Premium HD Channels unless I DO subscribe to a pack which includes the matching Premium SD Channel? (I can live with that )

So next question ....
Are the HD Channels always being transmitted in parallel with their non-HD version? so if I want to watch the Nat Geo channel and don't subscribe to the Knowledge pack, I will always be able to watch the same schedule via the HD version?
or are they a bit like the BBC HD channel that has its own part-time schedule.

It is clear why the pricing is done how it is - just an extra quid for an extra pack, it is easy to just click the box to add them on. I wonder how many people subscribe to every pack "just in case" they might want to watch but never do!?
TBH, the only reason I am looking at sky is the freeview reception is poor here and the cost of getting a dish bought and installed (plus a quidco cashback offer for Sky HD) - means Sky with free install and an HD box is kinda close to a reasonable deal.

Yes I have 2 mixes plus sky sports 1 but I get all the non premium channels plus SS1 in HD. I believe in the main they are broadcast in parrallel with their SD cousins with the exception of BBC but some programmes will be upscaled to HD you can check what is true hd by pressing the info button and it will tell you in the top right hand corner HTH
Jim

Devon_Hippo

Thanks Jim. It does help indeed

wellerangel

I want to get rid of sky hd but still view hd channels and use sky +. I have built in freeview in my tv. what's the best way to go around this? I am currently paying £29pm which is the lowest of the hd packages

Jimx26

wellerangel wrote: »

I want to get rid of sky hd but still view hd channels and use sky +. I have built in freeview in my tv. what's the best way to go around this? I am currently paying £29pm which is the lowest of the hd packages

You can cancel all your subs and still view BBC,ITV and Channel 4(i think) in HD
you will have to pay Sky £10 to use the plus functionality