I was asked the definitive ‘question in the hallway’ by a partner this week about high-definition TV. I don’t want to become a gadget reviewer, but I thought it was interesting to update the current state of play. The partner in question has just purchased a 50″ plasma TV (drool).
Essentially – if you have Foxtel, do you still need a high-definition set-top box?
For a review of the current state of HDTV services – it’s about 20 hours per week – go here:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18863685-12280,00.html
A quick review on the internet confirms that Foxtel is planning to introduce 2 HD channels next year (!) and that they only rebroadcast Standard Definition digital signals for free-to-air channels (but not 7 & 10, who are apparent holdouts):
http://www.foxtel.tv/digital_1290.htm#1431
To reproduce what Foxtel have to say for themselves:
FOR EAST COAST SUBSCRIBERS (ie: Sydney Melbourne Brisbane)
FOXTEL has agreements with the Nine Network, ABC and SBS to retransmit their digital signals (standard definition digital signal only) on FOXTEL Digital’s cable and satellite platforms.
Negotiations to retransmit Seven and Ten’s digital signals on FOXTEL Digital’s satellite platform continues. FOXTEL retransmits Seven and Ten’s analogue signals on cable.
Satellite subscribers can continue to receive the Seven and Ten signals in their homes using the current terrestrial reception system, as they do today.
So therefore the answer to the question is that you will currently – and for the foreseeable future – need the HD set top box to get HD free-to-air TV. Although I wonder whether HD is worth it, on balance with a 50″ screen it’s probably something that falls into the category of A Really Good Thing.
The next point of frustration will be the Personal Video Recorder – which is what you will need if you want to pause live tv and record in digital widescreen etc. However, since PVRs won’t work with Foxtel anyway, you’re probably better off holding off until the PVRs come down in price, or are compatible with Foxtel (the whole problem is Foxtel has analogue cables and the PVRs only have digital inputs).
And that is the HD TV State of Play – you do need the set top box.