Differing SQ From Digi Boxes.

[icehockeyboy]

Never really gave this much thought, in fact I was looking out for a new centre speaker thinking that my MA Radius 180 was a bit lacking in top end sparkle, meaning that dialogue was hard to follow.

However, I've recently changed from a Goodmans ( don't laugh! ) HD box to a TiVo via Virgin, and the difference in SQ is considerable, hopefully meaning the MA can stay.

[Stratmangler]

Goodmans indicates Freeview HD, so you're comparing apples with oranges.

The bitrate on Freeview HD is nowhere near as good as that on Virgin Tivo. It'll be the same story with Sky HD.
I have flipped football matches from Freeview HD to Virgin Tivo, and the Freeview sound was pants. Switch to the Tivo and you're almost there.
And that's with the TV outputting to my DAC - the TV is also a central switch for all the sources connected to it, so my son's console games can be run through the DAC too.
Some of the games sound very impressive too.

[Stratmangler]

It'll be the same story with Sky HD.

I knew what I meant, but it's not very clear
Sky HD will like the Virgin TV, and give superior sound to Freeview regardless of the equipment supplying Freeview, because of the lowered bitrates Freeview is broadcast at.

[icehockeyboy]

Cheers Chris.