LED, LCD and plasma TV: HD TV explained HD TV services
If you buy an HD-ready television that doesn't have a built-in Freeview HD or Freesat tuner, you won't be able to get home, plug it in and automatically start watching HD programmes. You'll also need to sign up to an HD service that shows HD programmes. So what are your options?
For the top HD-ready TVs check out the latest models in the Which? LCD and plasma TV reviews.
Sky's HD services are subscription-only and are available for an additional monthly fee on top of the normal digital TV subscription. Virgin doesn't charge a monthly fee for access to its HD content but again you must sign up for a digital TV subscription with the company. HD content from Freesat and Freeview is free after you've paid a one-off fee for equipment and installation. A limited amount of on-demand films and TV programmes are also available in HD with BT Vision.
Sky and Virgin both offer more HD channels than the services that don't require a subscription.
Bear in mind that programmes have to be specially made in HD and broadcast in HD too – an HD-ready TV or an HD service won't turn a standard-definition programme into an HD one.
Get HD TV for a one- off fee with Freesat
Freesat HD (satellite TV)
What is it?
Freesat was launched in May 2008 and requires a satellite dish. To get the service you'll have to pay a one-off fee of around £80 for satellite dish installation plus the cost of buying a Freesat HD set-top box.
Alternatively, you could go for a TV with an integrated Freesat HD tuner, from Panasonic, Sony or LG. These are quite expensive, starting at around £500, but if you don't already have an HD TV and want to get Freesat this could be a good option. You'll still need the satellite dish to receive the service though.
If you want to record HD programmes you'll need an HD digital TV recorder or PVR. The Humax Foxsat HDR box was the first Freesat PVR on the market and lets you record two programmes in HD while watching a third. At around £230, it isn't cheap, but it allows you to record a generous 80 hours of content in HD or 200 hours in standard definition. There are models available from other manufacturers including Panasonic.
Compare test results for the latest Freesat HD equipment in the Which? PVR review.
What can I watch in HD on Freesat?
The service allows you to watch HD TV content from BBC and ITV without paying a subscription fee
Freeview HD
What is it?
Freeview HD is the latest way to watch high-definition channels. Its service makes HD channels available through your standard TV aerial. The Freeview HD signal is not yet broadcasting in all areas of the country but from June 2010 should have been available to 50% of the UK, according to Freeview. The rest of the country will start to receive Freeview HD in line with their digital switchover dates. You can find out when digital switchover is due to happen in your region in the Which? guide to digital switchover.
What will I need to watch HD on Freeview?
Older Freeview set-top boxes and TVs with Freeview built-in won't be able to receive HD broadcasts. This will mainly apply to models bought before 2010 which don't have the Freeview HD service. This is because a new compression format is being used to fit HD broadcasts on to the service. Nearly all new models will be compatible, as long as they carry the Freeview HD logo.
See how the first Freeview HD set top boxes compare in our tests in the Which? set-top box review.
What will I be able watch in HD on Freeview?
Freeview HD gives viewers access to subscription-free HD channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and SC4 in Wales. Five had initially aimed to launch in late 2010 but this has now been delayed. Not all programmes from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are broadcast in HD but a wide range of content is available, from documentaries to sport.
The Sky+HD box lets you record HD TV
Sky HD (satellite TV)
What is it?
The Sky HD service is an add-on to its digital TV service. If you're a new customer, you'll need to sign up to one of Sky’s digital TV packages as well as the HD service. If you're an existing customer, you can upgrade to the HD service. New customers currently get the Sky+HD set-top box and installation for free if they sign up to the HD service.
The HD service itself - the HD pack - costs £10.25 per month on top of your chosen Sky TV subscription. You need to make sure the channels you want to watch are included in your Sky TV package. For example, to watch Sky Sports HD you must subscribe to the Sky Sports Pack.
The Sky+HD box has a built-in recorder that allows you to record digital and HD programmes. It has all the functionality of the Sky+ box but with the added bonus of high definition.
We've put this box through its paces in our test lab and you can find the results here Sky Digital Sky+ HD.
What can I watch in HD on Sky?
Sky allows you to get more than 35 dedicated HD channels including:
Sport: Sky Sports HD1,2 & 3, Eurosport HD, Rush HD
Movies: Sky Movies HD: Premiere, Screen 1&2, Action/Thriller, Comedy, Drama, Family, Modern Greats and Sci-fi Horror. Sky Box Office HD 1&2
Other: Sky Arts 1&2 HD, Sky Real Lives HD, Sky 1 HD, 4HD, BBC HD, Five HD, E4 HD, Biography channel HD, Crime & Investigation Network HD, Discovery HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, FXHD, History Channel HD, Luxe TV HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, SciFi HD.
If you subscribe to ESPN's sport service with Sky, you'll also get access to its HD channels, including Premier League football matches in HD.
For information about Sky's TV packs, see the Which? guide to cable tv, satellite tv and digital tv packages.
V+ offers high-definition TV on cable
Virgin Media HD
What is it?
To watch HD TV programmes on cable TV you must subscribe to one of Virgin's digital TV packages. There are two options available - the V+ HD box, and the Virgin Tivo box. Both boxes give you access to HD content, as well as the ability to record programmes. The boxes, as well as installation, are free for new customers.
Find out what we thought of Virgin's Tivo box when we reviewed it.
What can I watch in HD on Virgin?
Virgin's HD channel line-up includes: BBC HD, ITV 1 HD, 4HD, Five HD, E4 HD, Living HD, FX HD, MTV HD, and National Geographic HD. If you subscribe to the sports channel ESPN, you'll also get ESPN HD, showing live Premier League football games in high definition. As with Sky's service, you get only the HD channels that correspond to the channels included in your standard subscription.
Virgin's on-demand service also gives you access to some HD programmes, and you can watch some content from BBC iPlayer in HD for free.
You can't get HD TV on BT Vision yet
BT Vision HD
What is it?
There aren't currently any HD channels on BT Vision, but you can view a small selection of films and TV shows in HD from BT's on-demand library. Films in HD cost £4.99 each for new releases, and £2.99 for older films.
BT Vision service is only available to BT's broadband customers.
To find out more about BT's bundles have a look at the Which? phone, internet and TV packages review.