Sky HD output - maxxed to 1080i?

[ldsdbomber]

Ugh, I'd assumed that the Sky HD service would be able to output at 1080p for my new Sony Bravia KDL-x2000 (40") which supports 1080p I believe.

http://www.sonycentres.co.uk/product.asp?did=131_7_168_4201


But after having had my HD box exchanged (the first one was broken), and seeing the guy set it up, it did not have 1080p as output, only 720p or 1080i.

Does this mean that there really isn't any 1080p output available in the UK yet? Will I need to buy even more kit at some point, or will it be a case of an upgraded SkyHD box somewhere down the line?

Am off now to try and do a comparison of 720p and 1080i, as I know that 720p is supposed to be better for motion (Sky Sports?) than still-like (Nat Geo?)

[Hugh]

This CF thread may help, re 1080i versus 720p.
Linky (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33607171&highlight=1080i)

[Tezcatlipoca]

Moved to the Sky HD/+ forum....



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_HD

All HD channels are broadcast in the 1080i format (though the box can be set to scale this to 720p if the user wishes)

[SMHarman]

1080p is not likely to become a broadcast standard for a good while yet. Waay to much bandwidth.

[Creative]

Ugh, I'd assumed that the Sky HD service would be able to output at 1080p for my new Sony Bravia KDL-x2000 (40") which supports 1080p I believe.

http://www.sonycentres.co.uk/product.asp?did=131_7_168_4201


But after having had my HD box exchanged (the first one was broken), and seeing the guy set it up, it did not have 1080p as output, only 720p or 1080i.

Does this mean that there really isn't any 1080p output available in the UK yet? Will I need to buy even more kit at some point, or will it be a case of an upgraded SkyHD box somewhere down the line?

Am off now to try and do a comparison of 720p and 1080i, as I know that 720p is supposed to be better for motion (Sky Sports?) than still-like (Nat Geo?)

As Matt D has already said, Sky use 1080i for the encoding. If you set your Sky box to output 720p then the STB is having to down sample the decoded 1080i image. You will get the best possible picture from the STB with 1080i setting as the box doesn't have to do the extra processing of the pictures.
The advantage in changing between 1080i and 720p comes at the encoding stage, not decoding.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Also, a bit OT.

ldsdbomber, if you want to make full use of your nice big 1080p Bravia, then why not get the HD-DVD drive for your 360 ;) :)


Nice & cheap. Not anywhere near as expensive as buying a standalone HD-DVD player or Blu-ray Disc player.


http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33605353

[awibble]

Also, a bit OT.

ldsdbomber, if you want to make full use of your nice big 1080p Bravia, then why not get the HD-DVD drive for your 360 ;) :)


Nice & cheap. Not anywhere near as expensive as buying a standalone HD-DVD player or Blu-ray Disc player.


http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33605353

A Sony Bravia with a XBox360 :P

IMO, wait a few months, if you jsut want the player, as they will drop in price for christmas and yo will be able to get a blu-ray and hddvd player in one.