Sky, Virgin & BT TV Haggle down prices and get serious discounts Article Discussion

Phreaky

What a load of crock. Ring retentions and they will put you on 30mbit straight off the bat, they'll even send you a Superhub.

10mbit profile is 10 up 1 down, which is exactly what you're getting. Its not listed as 100mbit in connection settings, you're reading it wrong.

Don't ask, don't get. Stop moaning and be proactive.

KTF

Meghalaya wrote: »

I've been a customer of Virgin since they started and I am appalled with their service, communication, value, transparency and “ethical” standards.

So phone them up and cancel. Then see what they say.

colinoufc

Rang Virgin and said that I could get a better deal with Sky and was given £10 a month reduction indefinitely. Did have to agree to a 12 month contract but as I had no intention of leaving I'm happy.

tifo

I've just realised that many programs don't work properly on HD channels with the 1TB box (I didn't have a program with the 250GB) because they revert to 4:3 format. Rung AVC who do tech support for Sky and told this is 'normal' since many US programs (even 2011/2012) and UK ones from a few years ago were made in 4:3. Seems the US hasn't caught up to 16:9 widescreen then. I said I haven't seen this problem with other boxes (even other 1TB) and was told i'm lying.

I was also told to watch the SD channels as those are in 16:9.

So why was I sold HD channels if I have to watch SD and why am I paying them £10.25 per month for the privilege?

DragonQ

You are confused about how 4:3/16:9 and SD/HD works.

If a show is in 4:3 SD, then it will be transmitted as 4:3 on SD channels. For some bizarre reason, the Sky box will stretch this to 16:9 when outputting to the TV, making everyone look fat and distorted. This is a flaw of Sky boxes - you are not watching the programme in its original aspect ratio.

HD can only be 16:9, so if the same 4:3 show is broadcast on an HD channel, it will have black bars either side to fill the rest of the 16:9 area. This means you're watching the show in its original format, without any crappy stretching. The Sky box should really do this for SD channels transmitting in 4:3 too but unfortunately it doesn't.

tifo

DragonQ wrote: »

You are confused about how 4:3/16:9 and SD/HD works.

If a show is in 4:3 SD, then it will be transmitted as 4:3 on SD channels. For some bizarre reason, the Sky box will stretch this to 16:9 when outputting to the TV, making everyone look fat and distorted. This is a flaw of Sky boxes - you are not watching the programme in its original aspect ratio.

HD can only be 16:9, so if the same 4:3 show is broadcast on an HD channel, it will have black bars either side to fill the rest of the 16:9 area. This means you're watching the show in its original format, without any crappy stretching. The Sky box should really do this for SD channels transmitting in 4:3 too but unfortunately it doesn't.

Yes, I know this and exactly what Sky have said.

What I am saying is that I don't believe that many new programs are broadcast in 4:3, such as those from 2006-2012 ... for example, I have this problem on Disney channels on the latest shows ... Sky say CH5 HD is always like this anyway ... as are many other HD channels.

This means I cannot watch many HD channels because nearly all are on 4:3 ... and it's not my TV.

KTF

On your sky box have you changed the setting so that HD content is displayed in a different colour on the EPG so you can easily see the 'true' HD content?

DragonQ

I find it hard to believe that a lot of stuff on HD channels is 4:3. Give an example of a programme (and the channel it's on) where you see this problem.

If everything is set up correctly, the only time HD channels would be 4:3 when the SD channel is 16:9 is when the material is 4:3 and the SD channel is being incorrectly stretched by the Sky box.

tifo

DragonQ wrote: »

Give an example of a programme (and the channel it's on) where you see this problem.

Most of Disney channel HD on 609, Sky channels on 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, Sci Fi, Universal, Comedy .......... nearlly all HD channels.

DragonQ

I said an example of a programme...

For example, Sky1 HD is currently showing Stargate SG-1 and Sky Atlantic HD is showing Star Trek: Voyager. Both are 4:3 so have black bars on the sides.