Tata Sky launched their HD Service Tata Sky HD on June 14 and ShaswatPatel.com happy to publish first user review of Tata Sky HD by our reader Sree who also wrote Sun Direct HD Review for us! Here is in-depth Tata Sky HD Review:
– Purchase:
I made inquiries in Gujarati Galli located in Koti, Hydrabad, since TS announced the launch of HD on their website. One of the dealers told me that TSHD will be available at their outlet from 20/06/10. He also informed me that they have kept display from that very day. I purchased it on 21/06/10 and asked him to install it on the same day itself. He confirmed that he will try and registered the digicomp no. immediately. The total pack consisted of Digi comp with smart card, Remote control with batteries, HD Cable, Component cable and composite A/V cable.
Tata Sky HD STB (Digicomp)
- Installation and First Impression:
On the same day, I received call from TS help Desk that my installation is scheduled at 6 PM. I asked them to come around 6.30PM. So, they came sharply at 6.25PM and started the installation procedure. It took 30 minutes to install the dish and activated Base pack. But they told me that remaining free packages, including HD gold pack, will be activated with in 24 Hrs. But I denied their clarification and I told them strictly that I want it to be done now. They called Helpdesk, but they also confirmed the same. Then, I asked Helpdesk people to connect me to their Escalation Team or Team Leader. This led to activation of all the packs in 10 minutes, including HD. So, I felt happy as every thing was completed on the same day. So, my first impression on TS is very good because they took immediate action on my seriousness.
System Setting in Tata Sky HD
HD Setting in Tata Sky HD
HD Resolution Setting In Tata Sky HD
- Picture Quality
Video quality of HD channels is Awesome with 1080i. SD Channels quality also increased when compared with SD STB.
Showcase
Dicovery World HD
ESPN HD
Star Sports HD
- Audio Quality:
Audio of all the HD channels is Dolby 5.1 through SPDIF O/P. Discovery HD audio is better than remaining HD channels. But in NGC HD, Audio in not splitting in to 5.1. Audio for this channel seems to be same from all 5 speakers. But Discovery HD’s is splitting in to 5.1. Star Sports and ESPN audio is also revolving around the 5 speakers. It’s a new experience to me. It’s like a sound wave revolving round the stadium. Anyway, it’s giving the experience of a stadium view.
- STB Specifications
STB looks very cool in black color and little bit smaller than SD STB. It has HDMI, Component, composite and RF video O/P and SPDIF/Coaxial audio O/P for 5.1 Dolby Audio. 2 USB Ports are also included. There is no heating problem and software for this HD STB is excellent. It offers fast booting and fast channel change-over in addition to a very good looking interface except Big TATA SKY Logo on left side.
Tata Sky HD STB
Tata Sky HD STB
- Remote Control
Remote is almost half the size of the SD remote and good looking in black color as well as very good and handy remote. It will feel like a moblie in our hand.
Tata Sky HD Remote
- Advantages
I can say this HD STB will be an excellent HD experience at unexpected low cost.
- Disadvantages
Irritating subtitles in NGCHD and Audio of NGC HD is not even stereo. Showcase (Jodha Akbar) audio is also Mono. I think TS HD is still doing project on audio telecasts. Because, in the showcase event, I observed some variations in the audio often. So, TS HD should concentrate on Audio signal of HD channels. USB ports are disabled.
Quality of SD channels
SD channels quality has increased a little bit. Those are better than SD STB’s. We can watch them with some enhanced brightness and color depth. Also, there is no pixels issue.
Interface
I am surprised about the Interface of TS HD. Really, it’s very cool. The images and letters in the interface are also experiencing HD quality. Very cool and nice Interface I never saw in any DTH.
Tata Sky HD Interface
Guide Menu in Tata Sky HD
- Experience with HD Channels
Surrently Tata Sky HD is providing the following HD channels:
1. Discovery HD (1080i)
Discovery World HD
Discovery World HD
Discovery World HD
2. NGC HD (1080i)
Nat Geo HD
Nat Geo HD
Nat Geo HD
3. ESPN HD (1080i)(Event Based)
ESPN HD
ESPN HD
ESPN HD
4. Star Sports HD (1080i)(Event Based)
Star Sports HD
Star Sports HD
5. ShowCase HD (1080i)
ShowCase HD
Audio signal of all 5 HD channels is 5.1 Dolby through SPDIF. But Star Sports HD and Discovery HD only telecasting in 5.1. NGC HD, ESPN HD, and Showcase HD are in MONO.
ESPN HD and Star Sports are showing only at the time of LIVE matches, as they are event based HD channels. The Showcase HD will appear, if we subscribe to it. Currently, Kites is the HD Showcase event. Also, FIFA and Wimbledon matches in HD viewing are very beautiful.
Finally, I am very much satisfied with TSHD and HD channels. It’s a good move by TS, offering HD at such a low and unexpected price. It is providing user account to every user on their website, so that we can manage our account at our convenience without calling Helpdesk.
Popularity: 7% [?]
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I have BenQ E2220HD Full HD monitor which has HDMI ver 1.3, whether we can directly connect this with Tata Sky HD by HDMI? or TV tuner card is required?
Hi divs
Yes, you can directly connect your Benq monitor with the Tata Sky HD setup box as both have HDMI available.
The work of a TV tuner is done by the Tata Sky HD setup box and hence you won’t need to buy one.
I am a Tata Sky subscriber already with a digicomp with almost an year of subscription paid up (costing around Rs.5000). Now these people want me to pay Rs. 3999/- for new Digicomp. This same offer is for New Tata Sky subscribers also. The advantage they bray to existing subscribers is to keep the old connection for a TV in another room. So I have to buy another TV. Guys these Tata Guys only want to make money. They don’t respect existing subscribers. I am waiting for my subscription to be over & I am going to look for other service provider. Tatas suck…..
Dear Pankaj,
Wait till you experience the service of ‘Other’ providers.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Regards,
Akhilesh
(Satisfied with Tata Sky for last 3 years)
TATA SKY people doesnt keep their prices….They change as per their wish….They really such the customers….
Tata Sky Customer Service sucks big time. Executives at their call centers in Pune are huge liars who are trained (yes trained) to make false commitments never to be fulfilled. I had ordered a HD+ which never got installed yet (5 days now).
The worst was, when i asked for an escalation, some lady called me and claimed to be a manager with Tata Sky and assured delivery next day. Not to my surprise, nothing happened even after 3 days of the promise but to my surprise i got to know that she wasn’t a manager with Tata Sky but just another team leader with the call center who was even a bigger liar and pretended to be an escalation manager.
Had a similar experience with Tata Photon + as well. I had ordered Photon + online by making payment by credit card. Nothing happened on my order for more than a month. Recently, I called up their published number to order Photon + and was told that i will have someone contacting me in 48 hours (48 hrs to contact a lead?). Its been 96 hours and nobody has got in touch with me.
I think the Tatas have lost it big time. Starting 100s of companies for the hake of it and forgetting about where are these companies going seems to be the strategy….strong need for self actualization without execution???
Well their service is same like other DTH customer care! Everyone are same!
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