Sky picture better than Freeview. Reasons?

[Hamslay]

I just did a bit of a test to compare Sky and Freeview. I'm currently a Sky subscriber and considering moving over to Freeview, so I borrowed a Freeview box off my Dad in order to compare picture quality.

The test wasn't totally fair. The Sky image was straight from the digibox's RGB scart into my LE32R41B's RGB-enabled scart. The Freeview image had me standing on a sofa holding an aerial above my head, and with the Freeview box outputing the image via scart to the TV's non-RGB scart socket. I then stepped through numerous channels on both the digibox and the Freeview box, switching the source on the TV to compare quality on each channel as I went.

To be honest, the Freeview image was OK, but the Sky image was always better. Significantly sharper. Even my wife noticed!

Correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding of digital TV is that you either get a picture or you don't. When the signal is borderline the image can freeze or you can lose sound, but you don't get a gradual deterioration in picture quality. So if Freeview was working, that was as good as it gets, and a stronger signal from a roof aerial might be more reliable but would not actually give a better image.

If the above is true, the other thing that gave Sky an advantage was using the RGB scart on the TV. I don't know just how much difference this makes, but I guess it may have contributed.

I'd really appreciate any feedback on this "test". At present, I'm now tempted to downgrade to Freesat rather than go to Freeview, based on picture quality alone. I really wanted to get Freeview as I could then get a two tuner PVR. With Freesat, I'd have to dig out some E180's for the old VCR!

I'm not willing to invest £800 in a new TV only to then reduce image quality my moving to an inferior source.

[Starburst]

Well using an inferior connection for the Freeview box will colour the results

Overall picture quality on digital channels (assuming good reception) is a factor of the broadcast bitrate and the resolution of the image and not forgetting the quality of the source material.



Most people seem to agree that DTT provides the better all round quality from the 4 main UK broadcasters and I certainly have no real issues with the DTT picture on my Humax 9200 via RGB to a w/s telly.
Nor do I have any issues with SKY for the same channels via RGB scart to a LCD making allowances for both the BBC and ITV not being able to broadcast live footy to a standard I consider acceptable on both platforms.

[Hamslay]

You're right. I did just ensure the Freebox was set to output RGB and then swapped the scarts at the back of the TV so the Freebox was on the RGB scart socket. As expected, image quality is now at least equal, if not better, on Freeview. So I guess RGB scart really does make a big difference. :D

If it's a toss-up between Freeview and Freesat, with a limited number of channels compared to what I'm used to on Sky, knowing that Freeview has better quality BBC and ITV would be a big thing in Freeview's favour.

I would love to be able to find a good broadcaster of good quality football. I had Sky because of Sky Sports. Since buying the LCD I don't really bother with the football now as it's too annoying to watch! Sky hi def might have been the answer if it wasn't going to be so expensive, but then that would only be the premiership I guess. I tend to watch Real Madrid, and the picture quality on the games from Spain is absolutely horrendous!

[MAW]

Well, don't blame sky for the deficiencies of your display technology! The footy may not br great, but at least 1/2 the problem is likely to be your TV