As I write this, the media storm surrounding the Royal baby is just starting to brew. Kate went to the hospital this morning and it’s reported that she’s “in the early stages of labour.” So, not long until the next stage: wanting it all to be over and shouting at her husband then. Amusing aside: when I was in labour with Thing 2, I was determined to hold off taking painkillers so told His Nibs to distract me. Just something really simple, that I wouldn’t have to think too hard about but would catch my attention. he suggested we try twenty questions. I went first and he guessed it quite quickly (chocolate cake, I think), and then it was his turn. I asked twenty questions, then another twenty and gave up after another 15. I had absolutely no idea; I was no closer to guessing it than I was after question 1. I asked him to just tell me the answer, put me out of my misery. You know what he’d chosen? As something simple and easy as a quick distraction while his beloved was preparing to push out a baby?
The Sports Personality of The Year trophy.
The Sports Personality of the sodding Year trophy…
Anyway, I digress, back to the baby (and somehow tying this in with televisions). Poor Kate, it looks like the entire media world is camped outside the hospital (Reuters is even streaming a live feed of the outside of the hospital, consisting entirely of a sea of journalists & photographers.) Even the The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has been on Twitter. He tweeted: “My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the whole family on this enormously special day.” This baby is going to be the most photographed, filmed and discussed child, EVER.
I’m watching, of course, on an HD television, flitting from the Beeb to Sky. What a world of difference; Dermot Murnaghan is looking rather sweaty while over on Sky, Kay Burley, is an ice queen – even in close-up high-def there’s not a drop of sweat on her brow.
Interestingly, there’s been an announcement in the last week that BBC are launching five new HD channels by next year, so every shot of the baby’s chubby thighs and elastic-banded wrists will be able to be viewed in breathtaking clarity. Still, CBeebies will also be available in HD from early 2014 so Kate can pop to the kitchen and get the fishfingers under the grill while the future monarch watches Waybuloo. If, like me, you had previously only been using your TV as a square screen on which to view your programmes then you’ve been missing out. Read on for my guide.
What is HDTV?
HDTV is an improved broadcasting format offering improved picture and audio quality.
The kind of picture quality improvement you can expect from HDTV, particularly if you’re an avid follower of baseball.
Basically, high definition TV systems can offer a much clearer and hugely detailed picture as it contains much more picture information. All television signals consist of thousands of dots (pixels) that create the image you see on screen, so by using more of these pixels in a high-definition (HD) transmission a better image can be produced. That actually makes sense, even to me.
What do I need?
To receive High Definition transmissions you’ll need an HD or HD-ready TV set. You also need a set top box that’s able to receive HD content or a TV with an integrated HD receiver.
To watch HD TV you need two things, an HD TV set and something to watch in HD. This can be an HD programme on an HD TV channel, a film on Blu-ray disc or some other form HD such as video streamed via the internet directly onto your TV. Virtually all new flat screen TVs are HD compatible.
Most TVs now are HD ready 1080p, but smaller TVs – mostly 26-inch or less – are just HD ready. In all honesty, the smaller the screen, the less important the resolution, as it’s harder to see the difference on smaller screen.
What can I watch?
Anything that’s transmitted in HD. It depends on what your set-up is but, broadly speaking, everything from sport, to music, documentaries and arts to comedy and entertainment. A list of ALL channels broadcasting in HD is here (but this is all service providers.) HD TV is available via Sky or Virgin Media subscription services or without monthly subscription from Freeview HD or Freesat HD.
Signing up for a Sky or Virgin Media TV package gives you a much larger number of HD channels (currently more than 70 with Sky’s most expensive package, and this number is expected to grow) but this requires a monthly subscription, rather than a one-off payment.
View our vision range here
