Last year, Sky's announcement to introduce a HD (high definition) service before the World Cup triggered a media frenzy.

Fuelled by speculation as to what the TV giant would have in store for its goggle-eyed couch-pawns, it's only recently that any conclusive information has been confirmed by Sky.

Next Monday (22 May 2006), it finally hits and we've just spent a morning checking out the new Sky HD box and services.

First things first, the Sky HD PVR set-top box will cost £299 to buy and an extra tenner on your monthly Sky+ subscription. Plus, you'll need an HD-ready TV and, to really feel the power of HD, a 5.1 surround sound system.

While some will have at least one of these prerequisites, there's no denying it will be an expensive switch for many. Plus, standard Sky subscribers will need some rewiring of their dish. Sky has said that its installers will supply all HD connectors and cables, though.

Sky will offer nine high definition channels at launch, comprising BBC HD, Sky One HD, Sky Box Office HD, Artsworld HD, National Geographic Channel HD, Discovery HD and two Sky Movies HD channels.

However, not every programme within some channels (namely Sky One) has been filmed in HD. So SD (standard definition) broadcasts will be up-scaled to either 720p or 1080i, depending on what resolution you choose in the settings menu.

What's more, because Sky isn't currently using a full fleet of HD cameras at its live sporting events, you could see the main action in pure HD and close-ups in up-scaled SD.

As the service grows older this will change, but as it stands not everything at launch will be broadcast in pure HD.

Nevertheless, with an unadulterated HD broadcast, the image quality is nothing short of brilliant.

We watched Star Wars: Episode III and found the detail so sharp that every hair on Obi Wan Kenobi's head could be picked out and background scene detail appeared where it simply can't be spotted on SD broadcasts.

On the downside though, you could also see clearly where characters have been digitally inserted using green screen effects. It's nowhere near the laughable appearance of the old Jason and the Argonauts films, but will be something the Hollywood studios will need to combat for future productions

Make-up artists will also need to change their tact due to the amount of detail picked up; blemishes, lines and spots simply can't hide from HD. Oh dear, darling.

Wildlife programmes have also been revolutionised; leaving close-up macro footage looking crisper than anything we've seen and objects in the background as clear as the foreground subject.

Sky is also lumping audio into its HD remit with tricks like expanding sound from stereo to full 5.1 surround as football players walk out of the tunnel and onto the pitch to the encapsulating roar of the crowd.

The set-top box itself is around the same size as its predecessor, but now has a curved front panel and is styled in black. To reduce noise, the cooling fan vent is now positioned on the bottom with small feet to raise the box, which allows air to flow freely.

On the back are HDMI and analog component outputs, alongside two Scart sockets, digital optical out and stereo out.

There are also USB and Ethernet ports, which are currently inactive. However, with services like Sky by Broadband signifying the future of TV, it might not be long before the Sky HD box can be connected to a router.

The digital output can also be delayed to aid setup with home cinema systems.
Programmes recorded in high definition can be outputted to a recorder, but only in standard definition, which means any recorded HD content will have to be watched through the Sky HD box.

The remote control offers all the same functionality but looks more futuristic and there's a separate shortcut to HD programmes within the Sky Planner. The HD EPG ( Electronic Program Guide ) works just like the last, allowing up to seven days of planning and series linking.

There's no denying that HD will add impact to what we watch; however it's important to mention that HD is still a fledgling technology. Sky freely admits it's still learning and there will be much more to come as HD progresses.

Related articles:
Telewest corners high-definition market ahead of World Cup