Why HD Actually Matters

I take calls from people every day and the HD question comes up a lot. Almost everyone starts with the same doubt. Is it actually different or is it just something they say to sell a more expensive pack. And I get it. You do not want to pay extra and end up seeing the same thing. So I will tell you what I tell them.

If you have a TV that is bigger than say 32 inches and you sit at a normal distance from it then yes you will see a clear difference. The picture on SD looks a bit soft. Not bad necessarily but soft. On a bigger TV that softness becomes noticeable. Edges are not sharp. Faces look a little smudged. With HD the same channel comes through clean and clear. You can read the small text on the screen without squinting. That part is real.

Size of the TV is the thing nobody talks about but it is the most important factor. A customer of ours has a small TV in his bedroom and he said he upgraded to HD and saw no difference. The size was a 24 inch. Of course he did not see it. The screen is too small to show the flaw. But in the living room where most people have a 43 or 50 inch the story is completely different.

I also notice people do not talk about sound enough. HD channels sound better. It is subtle but it is there. The audio is fuller. Regular channels can sound a bit like the sound is coming from a phone speaker. HD makes it more natural. Music and background sounds come through properly.

Honestly if you watch sports it is the easiest decision. A lot of people watch a fair amount of cricket and the first time they see a match in HD it is a noticeable difference. You can see the stitching on the ball. The grass looks like grass and not a green blur. It really is a different experience.

A lot of people confuse HD with 4K and I cannot blame them because the TV shops mix it up too. They are not the same. HD is what most of the good channels broadcast in. 4K is a much higher resolution but very few channels actually broadcast in 4K. So if you buy a 4K TV do not expect everything to look 4K. The box and the pack and the channel all need to support it. For normal watching HD is really what you want.

One more thing. Check if your TV actually supports HD before you upgrade your pack. If your TV is very old it might not. And if that is the case then upgrading the pack will do nothing because the TV itself cannot show it. You would need a new TV first. So just check that one thing before doing anything else.

If you have the right TV and you watch a decent amount then I think it is worth it. The price difference between SD and HD packs is not huge anymore and the difference in experience is there from day one. If you want to know if it is worth it specifically for your TV and your viewing habits you can ask us. We will tell you honestly, we are not here to push things on people.

Frequently asked questions

Is HD worth it on a small TV

On a small screen the difference is hard to spot. Bigger screens show the difference.

Are all channels HD

Most main channels have HD versions but not every channel does. Regional and some news channels may still be SD.

Is HD the same as 4K

Not the same at all. 4K is much higher quality but HD is what actually works for daily TV watching.

Does my TV need to be new for HD

It just needs to support HD. Most TVs from the last several years do. Check your model to be sure.

Does HD need internet

No. It works over satellite just like regular TV channels. Internet has nothing to do with it.