Quality of new Foxtel/Austar HD services

**pc9** · 17-11-09, 04:40 PM

I know its early days, but is anyone with an IQ2 subscription with the new packages able to provide feedback on the additional High Def services, ie Starpics, Showtime Fox sports 1,2,3 etc. Particularly interested in video quality and resolution. I note from the Lyngsat details that there are 5 MPEG 4 hd services per transponder and am curious to know how they perform.

**shlocker** · 17-11-09, 06:17 PM

I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks but SD channels look better than before on IQ. Maybe its just the new colors of info bar that give that illusion?

**custom** · 17-11-09, 08:22 PM

I hooked up a new Mystar HS last Thurday and the Movies and sport (golf) looked better for sure. The FTA wasn't on yet so can't tell you about that tuner.

**gordon_s1942** · 17-11-09, 09:27 PM

shlocker, I thought some of the channels (Austar SD) looked a bit sharper than before the weekend.

But from the lineup of programs presently on,I wont be hurrying to spend a $100 to go HD.

**JIM_WALKER66** · 18-11-09, 10:48 AM

Interesting. My Austar SD pic quality looks better of late.. I thought my eyes were playing up... I guess D3 may have helped????????

**adams** · 18-11-09, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by pc9

I know its early days, but is anyone with an IQ2 subscription with the new packages able to provide feedback on the additional High Def services, ie Starpics, Showtime Fox sports 1,2,3 etc. Particularly interested in video quality and resolution. I note from the Lyngsat details that there are 5 MPEG 4 hd services per transponder and am curious to know how they perform.

I don’t subscribe to hd package but hd showing on iq2 till the end of month. My plasma is not hdcp compatible so no hdmi. The picture through component hd is as good as terrestrial hd connected with dvi. So I give it thumbs up.

**pheggie** · 18-11-09, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by adams

I don’t subscribe to hd package but hd showing on iq2 till the end of month. My plasma is not hdcp compatible so no hdmi. The picture through component hd is as good as terrestrial hd connected with dvi. So I give it thumbs up.

I've heard you can switch off hdmi warnings in the setup of the provider box.
So you might be able to try HDMI

**adams** · 18-11-09, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by pheggie

I've heard you can switch off hdmi warnings in the setup of the provider box.
So you might be able to try HDMI

Yes you can disable warnings and turn off hdcp to get component 1080i but as soon as I plug in hdmi it tries to do the hand shake thing.

**mate** · 18-11-09, 09:27 PM

if you get IQ2 you wouldn't want to view the garbage any other way! As far as shit goes, it's good quality shit!

**bureaudechange** · 18-11-09, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by shlocker

I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks but SD channels look better than before on IQ. Maybe its just the new colors of info bar that give that illusion?

Sorry if a little off topic, but when Channel Seven Sydney was on the two transponders, the quality of the new one (D3) was noticeably much better - the audio especially.

**xnavyman** · 20-11-09, 05:34 AM

I hooked up my new Austar HD decoder last night and found the HD channels very good.

Also the FTA and other channels have been a lot clearer over the last week with a Mystar box.

I am pleased with it so far. At last my HD Plasma is getting used what it is meant for.

**pc9** · 20-11-09, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by xnavyman

I hooked up my new Austar HD decoder last night and found the HD channels very good.

Also the FTA and other channels have been a lot clearer over the last week with a Mystar box.

I am pleased with it so far. At last my HD Plasma is getting used what it is meant for.

My situation exactly - I churned out of Austar two years ago because I could'nt stand the SD video shite on my 58" plasma. I am basically paying $105 to watch 12 HD channels and rate this as a better deal than $101 to get all of SD channels, most of which are unwatchable. I just hope the mystar has a favourites function so I can filter out all the 5761 crap. PS my interests are only sport and movies.