HD Providers - HD TV Tips
Top tips to choose the best HD provider for you.To help you make the right decision, we've identified the five factors you should take into consideration when choosing your HD service provider:
HD price
Compare HD providers like-for-like, and make sure you know what you are paying for:
- Price of HD box and other equipment
- Monthly charges, if any, and the number of HD channels available
- Initial set-up costs
- Ongoing repairs and maintenance
- Ongoing service
HD installation
DIY-phobics beware: find out if you need to get your hands dirty and do any of the installation yourself, or if you can sit back and relax while a professional engineer does all the hard work for you.
HD Number of channels
The number of high definition programmes available is growing every month - but check which individual channels your HD provider offers. At present, this factor varies greatly from provider to provider, and you need to weigh this up against other factors before making your mind up. Sky offers the widest choice of high definition channels in the UK, with 35 HD channels and over 13,000 hours of HD entertainment a month - that's more than double the standard definition output of the UK's five main terrestrial channels combined.
HD extras
Compare HD providers on the range of extra benefits their service includes:
- 24/7 customer service
- The range of digital channels available
- Functionality of the personal video recorder (PVR) that comes with your HD package
- Warranty
- Bundles - all-in-one packages offering broadband and phone along with your TV
HD reputation
A reliable product and good customer service go a long way towards an overall positive HD experience.
You can find ratings and reviews of each HD service on consumer champion websites, such as Which? and on online forums, allowing you to gauge how positive the overall feedback is from existing customers using the service.