Question
I have Sky HD on my main TV. I have bought a second HD TV and want to be able to get HD on the second TV set.
What are my options?
Submitted online by Jim
Our Answer
The option that gives you the most flexibility would be to get Sky Multiroom, where you end up with a Sky HD connected to both of your HD TV sets. This would allow you to watch one HD channel in one room, and a different HD channel in the second room. The downside is that this will increase your monthly subscription to Sky. If you want to investigate this option, see Sky’s Multiroom site
There are some other options though:
- Get Freeview HD for the second TV set. With Freeview HD, you get the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 HD channels, and there’s no subscription. This assumes that you have access to a TV aerial and are in a Freeview HD coverage area. You would need a Freeview HD receiver.
- Get Freesat HD for the second TV set. At the time of writing, this offers five HD channels and uses a satellite dish (the same dish as you use for Sky). You would need a Freesat HD decoder box, and to get a cable from the dish to the Freesat HD decoder
- Consider getting a wireless HD video sender to get the HD signal from your Sky HD box to the second TV set wirelessly. Note that you will be limited to watching the same HD channel on both TV sets at the same time. Available models include the Gigaview 820 HDMI sender (pictured below) and the WHDI Full HD Sender
- Get an HDMI splitter box, split the output of your existing Sky HD box, then run an HDMI lead to both TV sets. If it’s a long cable run, try to get a good quality HDMI lead, as this will help to reduce interference. Note that you will be limited to watching the same HD channel on both TV sets at the same time.
The Gigaview 820 Wireless HDMI sender, sends HD over 20 metres
More information
- Need HDMI leads or splitter boxes? Try Maplin’s HDMI Accessories