[mythtv-users] OT: Sky UK (Was: DVB-S2 HD in the UK)

[Andre]

On 1 Feb 2011, at 16:47, Simon Hobson wrote:

> Andre wrote:
> 
>> There has also been very recent legislation in the UK to ensure that Sky Sports channels broadcast on terrestrial can be watched with a standard receiver and cam. I have great hopes that this opening up of competition will be extended into the satellite services.
> 
> Sky lost in court recently over this, but they still won't be producing a CAM that is compatible with (AIUI) pretty much anything currently on the market. The problem is that a CI CAM effectively gives a clear signal, and that's something they just aren't prepared to do for obvious reasons.
> 
> What they have been forced to accept though is to allow use of a CI+ CAM - which still maintains protection (and so isn't any use to us Myth users).
> 
> http://gonedigital.net/2010/12/15/ofcom-rules-against-sky-on-cams-for-topuptv/

Ah, I'd forgotten it was CI+, far less useful.

> 
> 
>> The reason I suggest to moan to Sky is exactly for your reasoning, tell them I am a potential customer but don't want your Sky box, sell me a cam and I'll buy your product.
> ...
>> I have a Sky+HD box and it's awful, regardless of pvr functionality, it's unable to render either a HD or SD picture with the correct video levels, colorimetry and for 4:3, aspect ratio. I'm told the one I have is supposed to be the best (Pace) If so I'd hate to see the rest. When I cancel I will ensure they know that their box is the reason for it.
> 
> And do you think they'll care ? The mass of sheeple happy to pay them silly amounts of money month after month for their locked down service prove that they can get away with it.

We do live in probably the least complaining country in the world, lots of muttering to mates at the pub or on mailing lists but little actual complaining. That said similar services in the US are equally locked in and they usually know how to complain properly!


> We, the enlightened ones, are but an insignificant group that wouldn't even show out from behind the fuzzy bit at the side of the line on the subscriber graph.

Even factoring in all the videophiles it's still insignificant, what a disaster that the only decent quality HD service available in the UK is locked behind a box that wouldn't know bt.709 colour space if it was bitten by it.


> 
> On the other hand, Freesat I think has them worried. You only have to look at the way they've dropped some of their charges since Freesat came out to see that.

I think you missed the :-P after that bit!

Andre