Thread: HD Channels on Sun Direct DTH

India will soon get its first HD channel broadcast from Sun Direct DTH company.

The services will be launched for 5 channels namely Hindi GEC, Tamil GEC, English Movies, Kids, Educational and Tamil/Telugu Movies in India.

For offering HD channels SUN has tied up with Samsung.

SUN was running trials since April this year is what I read so some of you who already use SUN dth must have viewed them already.

I have read this news at many sources but didnt find any details on what would be the resolution for these channels.


Do most of you have HD tv's?

SUN DTH is more popular in Southern states because they offer a lot of channels in South Indian languages but it would be safe to say that SUN has more subscribers then the likes of Airtel DTH and Videocon D2H and is catching up really fast across the country.

I have never had a chance to know much about sun dth offerings but if they start Discovery and National geographic as well in HD then I would switch to SUN DTH

Does anyone know if they have plans to do that?

Originally Posted by Admin

Do most of you have HD tv's?

No. And i think very few people here are having it. Take a poll.

Yes not many people have HD tv's because untill now there was no need for it because no HD transmission was available for any channels and we in India have a liking to go to the cinema halls to watch movies instead of renting or buying DVD's.

I have seen a few of my friends buy LCD tvs recently but none of them opted for full HD tvs just because they thought it would take yonks for HD tv to become a reality.

I will buy a full HD TV soon - just waiting for no reason.

Originally Posted by just4kix

I will buy a full HD TV soon - just waiting for no reason.

When you do get it, please do tell us about it. You got any more Bluray movies?

Sure. When I buy the HD-TV (full HD obviously), I will post a review as well.

And yes. I do have Blu-Ray player and titles as well. Check my signature link.

Originally Posted by just4kix

Sure. When I buy the HD-TV (full HD obviously), I will post a review as well.

And yes. I do have Blu-Ray player and titles as well. Check my signature link.

omg !! holly cr** ! you got a huge collection !!!! Could i borrow a few Bluray movies when i get a bluray player ?

Originally Posted by rajan1311

omg !! holly cr** ! you got a huge collection !!!! Could i borrow a few Bluray movies when i get a bluray player ?

All painfully and labouriously collected over the last 10+ years.

Go ahead and buy a blu-ray player. I committed myself as soon as the format war ended.

I have currently three issues with my HT:

- I do not have a capable full HD output system such as a 1080p LCD TV or projector
- My Onkyo receiver is fairly old and does not decode DTS. This is a problem with blu-ray discs as HD sound is mostly encoded in DTS tracks and not Dolby Digital.
- My HR is a 5.1 system

I need to correct all of the above soon.

My STB is capable of HD viewing as it has component video o/p and optical digital audio o/p for 5.1 sorround sound. But dont know whether they allow to watch HD channels using my SD service STB.

And I see lot of new channels, names only, are being added for testing HD service.

Due to this move I see good video quality in Sun TV channel and better audio quality (stereo to 5.1 by home theater) in Sun Music.

If you have a digital reciever for sound, (like yamaha home theatre) or your home theatre systems have optical IN, you can use STB for 5.1. just connect to STB out -> Home theatre IN.

Originally Posted by techuser007

If you have a digital reciever for sound, (like yamaha home theatre) or your home theatre systems have optical IN, you can use STB for 5.1. just connect to STB out -> Home theatre IN.

but i think he is talking only about sound. You CANNOT watch HD services unless and until the STB is an HD video compatible STB, which you normally would need to buy. As of now only SUN HD is selling it. Tata Sky has indicated that they will be selling new HD stbs within a few months as they plan to launch the HD services soon, most likely before airtel and dish tv. We should expect at least 10 channels to start with on Tata Sky HD services.

Originally Posted by jatin2009

but i think he is talking only about sound. You CANNOT watch HD services unless and until the STB is an HD video compatible STB, which you normally would need to buy. As of now only SUN HD is selling it. Tata Sky has indicated that they will be selling new HD stbs within a few months as they plan to launch the HD services soon, most likely before airtel and dish tv. We should expect at least 10 channels to start with on Tata Sky HD services.

The STB for HD services is different - of course it has to be HD compliant.

To enjoy the full extent of HD service, what one needs is an HD-Ready or Full HD TV and a 5.1 Home theatre.

Upcoming more competition for SUN DTH as other DTH are on the outset of launching HDTV and it will also loose its monopolistic standing which will force it to reduce its price.

I have installed sun direct hd but I am unable to get sound from optical out.It is fine through HDMI if I connect directly to receiver but I don't like the idea of turning the receiver on just to watch regular programming.Has anyone experienced the same problem?

Originally Posted by rrunner

I have installed sun direct hd but I am unable to get sound from optical out.It is fine through HDMI if I connect directly to receiver but I don't like the idea of turning the receiver on just to watch regular programming.Has anyone experienced the same problem?

BTW, for optical out connection also, you will need to use the receiver.

I feel that there may be some issue with the receiver setting. You may have enabled the setting "Use HDMI over Coaxial/Optical". In this case, the receiver will ignore the optical connection.

Which is your receiver?

-----

If you wish to use direct audio from STB (without receiver), do one of the following:

a) For best results use HDMI - connect the HDMI cable directly to the LCD.
b) Connect Component Video + the Composite Audio to LCD. Component cable carries video only. So you will need analog audio along with it.

Originally Posted by alokmis

Upcoming more competition for SUN DTH as other DTH are on the outset of launching HDTV and it will also loose its monopolistic standing which will force it to reduce its price.

I think the more the competition the more the customers will get the benifits...

Originally Posted by karthick

I think the more the competition the more the customers will get the benifits...

Sun direct HD might want to reconsider its price or no one would prefer going for the most expensive HD.

now they will charge more for HD

Is SunTV true HD or upscaled? also I just checked the packs there is a 1year pack for Rs.9990/- and 2 months pack for Rs.2940/- but it doesn't mention the STB price is it still charging the highest amount?