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Sky adds Bond Channel to its movie offering, will screen entire back catalog in high-definition
Fresh from his appearance at this year's Olympic opening ceremony, James Bond is getting his own dedicated channel on Sky. The UK broadcaster will start showing all 22 movies in high-definition from October 5th, gearing up to the British spy's latest adventure, Skyfall, which launches a month later. Android, iOS and PC platforms will be able to stream the collection through Sky Go, while its new on-demand service will also be showing the full gamut of Bond adventures in a few months. For England, James.
Sharp intros HDD-equipped AQUOS Blu-ray 3D players, complete with BDXL support
You won't find this trio hitting US shores anytime soon, but those situated in Japan have a new gaggle of Sharp BD decks to ogle. The BD-HDW65 and BD-HDW63 both include a pair of TV tuners, BDXL support and compatibility with Blu-ray 3D titles, with the only difference being the hard drive -- there's a 500 gigger in the former and a 320GB drive in the latter. The BD-HDS65 goes with a single digital tuner, a single analog tuner and a 500GB hard drive, which might prove useful for storing copious amounts of drama from Sky TV. You'll also find WiFi integrated throughout, not to mention an Ethernet jack, HDMI output, component jacks and DLNA support. We're told that the first two should ship in around a month, with the last fellow going on sale in Japan this November; as for pricing, we're hearing a range from ¥90,000 ($1,066) to ¥120,000 ($1,422), which ain't cheap no matter how you slice it.
Report: UK couch potatoes switch to HD in growing numbers
According to Ofcom's latest Communications Market Report, 24 million HDTV sets were sold in the UK over the past 12 months, meaning about 20 percent of the population took home a new box in the past year. Yet despite watching nearly four hours of "telly" a day in 2009, in first 3 months of 2010, nearly a third of all households with internet access used on-demand catch-up services like the BBC's iPlayer, which represents an 8 percent growth over the same period last year. This data isn't all that surprising though considering the how much HD content has been made available in the UK over the last few years through free options such as Freeview HD, or premium services like Sky HD or Virgin Media. It's also still far behind US HDTV penetration, which stood at 33 percent back in 2009 and saw 5.5 million HDTVs sold during the 2008 / 2009 holiday season alone. That fact shouldn't stop electronics manufacturers from diving Scrooge McDuck style into their newly acquired money bags, or prevent newly minted British HD households from marveling at how ugly Jeremy Clarkson is in 1080p.
Sky+HD issues limited edition 1TB set-top boxes for World Cup watching
Sky just can't quit with the limited edition set-top boxes, issuing its latest edition in honor of the 2010 World Cup. these Sky+HD boxes feature a 1TB hard drive inside and prints from fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, illustrator Gerald Scarfe and actor Phil Daniels on the outside. The pricetag is £249, plus installation fee, but we guess the real question is you can afford not to have a box celebrating 1966 when the games kick off June 11. Think about it. %Gallery-93210%
International HD news roundup
Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days, let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, até à próxima!Read - Sky HD EPG relaunched Read - Fox Pan American Sports Establishes Its First HD Platform on the Intelsat Network Read - Portugal goes for Zen Read - Movies debut on German iTunes store
Sky+ HD maps out a plan to beat downturn depression with HDTV
Tough Economic times, layoffs and bad news from Pioneer can all be enough to affect a person's mood for the worse, but don't give up yet since Sky+HD has apparently found a link between watching HDTV and improved psychological well being. Sure it's partly marketing fluff aimed at improving HD penetration, but it does jibe with our extensive "watched Sunrise Earth for hours" research. as such, we think UK residents should give psychologist Donna Dawson's viewing guide a shot, based around using key visual factors to stimulate the brain, it might give one a different viewpoint on the current state of things. Of course, U.S. viewers are on their own, but why not grab the PDF and work up a lazy DVR weekend mental health break of your own.
First Sky News HD broadcast is the Obama inauguration
The first Sky News HD broadcast will be the swearing in of Barack Obama January 20, 2009. Interested Brits can catch the broadcast on Sky Arts HD channel 258, presented by Jeremy Thompson and Adam Boulton. After the first real HD election, it's only fitting to see the result properly, unfortunately there's still no word on when the news will its own HD feed.[Via HDTV UK]
Disney brings Cinemagic HD to UK
No longer just something for French children, Disney's Cinemagic HD channel will be coming to the UK this December on Sky Digital. Sky's HD count will hit 29 with the addition when it debuts in time for Christmas screenings of "Ratatouille" and "Tinkerbell." In case you're wondering what those two flicks have to do with Christmas, we have to say, "Get over it, Scrooge." Seriously, at least here in the US, we'll take anything HD that breaks up the "It's a Wonderful Life" - "Miracle on 34th Street" - "A Christmas Story" marathon that is the Christmas season and is kid-friendly! Hopefully the offerings on the HD movie-centric channel will grow quickly out of the gate for our UK friends.
Gorilla gets Sky+ HD service in its enclosure, wouldn't return to the wild if he could
There's spoiled, and then there's Nico. The 47-year old Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, which is currently being held at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, England, grew quite fond of television during a six-month UK quarantine period spent indoors. Now, officials have upgraded the animal's living quarters to include a Sky+ HD box and an HDTV. According to Nico's head keeper, "television has proved a great environmental enrichment tool for Nico over the years," and now, Nico can sit back [and] enjoy the greater picture detail of HD and the surround sound experience." Before you get too jealous, you should know that the creature's viewing hours are limited -- you know, so it doesn't morph into an "archetypal couch potato."
Sky extends half-off HD box promo, launches 10 million ad campaign
If you thought Sky+ HD's lower £150 set-top box was nice, imagine the reaction to its just-extended £75 (plus £60 installation) offer. Available until the end of October, Sky's apparently hoping that in combination with an ad campaign featuring Cyndi Lauper's True Colors will push Britons to make the jump to HDTV. That it will also cause us to relive a particularly embarrassing middle school dance is apparently of no consequence to this heartless media juggernaut. Enjoy your half price high definition boxes, no matter the emotional cost.Read - Sky Extends Half Price Sky+ HD DealRead - Sky backs HD service with £10m campaign
Sky+HD bringing limited edition designer STBs this Christmas
We're beginning to think this is some sort of odd annual tradition, but just as it did last year, Sky+HD is launching a small collection of limited edition designer set-top-boxes for the artsy type. Designed by four of the UK's "most visionary designers and image makers," the units will go on sale in mid-October and range in price from £75 to £150 when taken with a Sky TV and HD Mix subscription from £27 / month (hey, that's news to us!). Best of all, we're also told that the service will be delivering 30 dedicated high-def channels by the end of 2008, so we suppose a boisterous "huzzah!" is in order here. Full release copied after the break.
Sky launching Real Lives HD channel October 20
Brits needing their reality TV in high definition get a boost October 20, when the Real Lives channel on Sky goes HD. Hook your HDTV up to Sky+ HD and enjoy Lorraine Kelly's DNA Stories, Toy Boys , Fashion Avenue. Sounds good, we'll be checking out The First 48 and awaiting the HD debut of Survivor in the meantime, although it does bring into question how much of reality TV do we really want to see in HD.[Via HDTV UK]
Sky HD service goes live in New Zealand
Just under two months after Freeview HDTV launched in New Zealand, in comes word that the long-awaited Sky HD service has done likewise. Dubbed My Sky HDi, the service is hosting (at least initially) Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Movies, Sky Movies Greats and TV3 in high-definition. Those who are already subscribed to My Sky can make the very worthwhile leap to high-def by handing over $49.95 for the revamped (and doubly capacious) set-top-box. Reportedly, those who join will see 104 live sporting events in HD before the close of 2009, and Sky has already secured the rights to both the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. For more details on the whole thing, just give that read link a little love.
Sky's new HD EPG gets peeked
We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.
Sky HD service gets reviewed
Given that our place of residence is most certainly not in the UK, Sky wasn't included in our recent breakdown of HD carriers. Thankfully, the kind blokes / dames over at HDTV Lounge were able to sit down with the Sky HD service and write up a fairly thorough review. For those on the fence, Sky HD has become a fair bit more attractive here of late with the addition of three new HD channels and a price cut to boot. The long and short of it is that the Sky HD DVR is more than satisfactory, and as for the programming quality, reviewers were left with all sorts of positive vibes. Best of all, there's even a few comparison shots to give SD subscribers a look at what they're missing out on. Go on, check out the read link for the full spill.
Sky cuts setup price on HD package
One of those European HDTV owners that doesn't actually watch HD? That survey may hold some weight, as Sky is cutting prices on its Sky+ and Sky HD services. The Sky HD box now costs £249, or £199 bundled with internet and phone, although the monthly HD charge is still £10. With the entry costs lowered a bit and a few new channels, we'll see if that is enough to get people upgrading to HD.[Via HDTV UK]
SkyHD pushing HD remasters of classic British films
Sir Michael Caine finds HD quality "unforgiving", but we're sure more than a few movie buffs will appreciate a clearer look at classics like Zulu and The Italian Job (not the one with Marky Mark in it) prompted by Sky's need for movies to fill its new HD channels. Of course many films have already been remastered for HD, but as HD adoption grows worldwide, we can look forward to high quality transfers of more international flicks.
Sky HD adding three new HDTV channels for a total of 17
With its troubles in the past, Sky is ramping up its HD service, with plans to add three new stations soon for a total of 17 HD channels. Viewers can expect Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD. Sky Sports HD 3 will kick off with Monday Night Raw in March and the PGA European Tour, while FX HD is a "bespoke" custom channel, Sky Movies Premiere is a simulcast of the SD channel. Sky says its signed up more than 400,000 subscribers since launch, and once these channels are added, they'll have access to 6,500 hours of HD programming per month. We know it was rough for a while, any Sky HD users out there got a report about the service these days?
Sky confirms HD boxes will soon receive new EPG
Rumors of a facelifted electronic programming guide to Sky's receivers / DVRs have been swirling for quite some time, and apparently, the satellite provider has finally come clean and doled out the skinny. According to Digital Spy, only Sky HD boxes will be receiving the upgrade, which will replace the current four top-level options with ten. Purportedly, "television, radio and interactive services will be listed separately," and it's also stated that a small box will be added to show content from channels as they are browsed through in the guide. As for when Brits can expect the new EPG? "Sometime during 2008" -- sadly, that'll have to do for now.
Channel 4 launches HD simulcast on Sky
Good news for those with Sky: Channel 4 is now available to you in glorious high-definition. The channel has officially launched an HD simulcast on the sat provider, with crisper versions of Holloaks and Ugly Betty being highlighted. Apparently, the former show will be committed to HD as of next Spring, and Channel 4 HD will also air "a number of live music specials" including ones that feature The Scissor Sisters and Keane. At first, the channel will be a mixture of HD and SD programming, and it will purportedly air "around 10 films and series episodes in HD per week." This addition brings the total of dedicated HD channels on Sky to 14, and it should be available right now to anyone with a Sky HD box and an active Sky viewing card.[Via Digital Spy]
