Home

HDTV ( High Definition Television )

In order to watch in HD you will need an HD ready tv. In my opinion it's not worth bothering with HD unless your tv is 32" or bigger.

HD is available from an aerial (Freeview HD), dish (Freesat or Sky), or Virgin. For some reason ch4 HD is not available on Freesat, yet it is on Freeview. I've no idea why. Freeview HD and Freesat HD can be either integrated into a television (usually mid to high end stuff) or you can get a stand alone receiver and connect to your tv using an HDMI cable.
You do not need a special aerial to receive Freeview HD.

HDMI cables come in varying lengths and even more varying prices. In my experience the cheapest cables work just as well as the expensive ones, and some cables are really expensive! DISCLAIMER....I've not tested this theory on long (>3m) cables.

Recording

Recorders are available for both Freeview and Freesat. They are generically known as PVRs (Personal Video Recorder). These are devices with built in hard disc drives (as used in computers). They are extremely versatile and much easier to use than VCRs were. If you get a twin tuner version (as most of them are) you have the facility to record one program while watching another. Typically they can hold 100 hours of television programs. They come in Freesat HD, Freeview HD and Freeview versions. The Freesat PVR will need a twin feed from the dish in order to record one program while watching another.

Home