Viewing free to air HD channels

[LoveToStack]

Right basically we just got a new television, capable of HD unlike it's predecessor. However we have Sky+ and not Sky's HD service so I was wondering how I would go about viewing the free to air HD channels like BBC HD and the like. From what I can tell, I'll need a HDMI cable but I assume it's not as simple as just going straight from the TV to the Sky box. Treat me as you would a beginner because I really don't know much about this but it just seems like we might as well make use of the HD capabilities somewhat, rather than just having a larger, brighter picture.

[N!ck]

To view HD over Sky you need SKY HD.

[The Professor]

And to view HD over freeview you need Freeview HD.

[LoveToStack]

So the fact that bbc hd and others are 'free' is irrelevant because they can't be viewed without subscribing to services requiring payment?

[brandon]

I think you need Freesat

[Recursion]

Get a Freesat box for ~£50 then hook it up to your SKY dish.

[The Professor]

So the fact that bbc hd and others are 'free' is irrelevant because they can't be viewed without subscribing to services requiring payment?

Theyre called freeview and freesat for a reason :P All you need is the box.

[Black_Apalachi]

So even if you have Sky, you need a completely different box taking up a whole shelf just to watch one extra channel? :S

[Luke]

So even if you have Sky, you need a completely different box taking up a whole shelf just to watch one extra channel? :S

freesat includes itv and bbc HD (soon c4 HD)

sky+HD includes 30+ HD channels.

[The Professor]

So even if you have Sky, you need a completely different box taking up a whole shelf just to watch one extra channel? :S

If you don't have Sky HD, yeah pretty much. Unless you have freeview HD/freesat HD built into your TV but I don't know if they do that.

[N!ck]

If you don't have Sky HD, yeah pretty much. Unless you have freeview HD/freesat HD built into your TV but I don't know if they do that.

Yeah, some do.

Freesat is just like Freeview but with some HD channels (and missing some standard freeview channels though).

[Jordy]

Freeview won't be HD for ages. Without getting a subscription, Freesat HD is your only choice.

Freeview is testing HD at the moment, however you wont' be able to receive it till 12 months after the digital switchover in your region. So that's 2013 if you live in London.