Sky UHD/HDR quality

[Limpit86]

Is it just me or is the picture quality on Sky quite a bit worse than for example the Netflix/Disney apps that are already on the TV?

For example, watching Billions in UHD on Sky, there is a massive difference to watching it on Paramount Plus app. I do feel the HDR versions on Sky are pretty decent but UHD is barely better than HD.

Have a good tv and watching on built in apps the quality is superb so it is not the box. Any reason for this? Have changed the settings to the highest quality on Sky etc 

[Chodley]

Better compression algorithms, potentially higher bitrate, dolbyvision or HDR10 instead of HLG, 24Hz support.

I think the UHD stuff is noticeably better than HD though.

[nigea99]

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@Limpit86 wrote:

Is it just me or is the picture quality on Sky quite a bit worse than for example the Netflix/Disney apps that are already on the TV?

For example, watching Billions in UHD on Sky, there is a massive difference to watching it on Paramount Plus app. I do feel the HDR versions on Sky are pretty decent but UHD is barely better than HD.

Have a good tv and watching on built in apps the quality is superb so it is not the box. Any reason for this? Have changed the settings to the highest quality on Sky etc 

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hi @Limpit86 

The TV apps are always likely to be better as they should be tuned to your TV, also Netflix & Disney + in particular use Dolby Vision which is often considered the better HDR version. 

HLG that SKY use (whih was developed for Live TV) is probably considered the poorest vesion of HDR

Regarding Billions, the UHD versions on SKY are not HDR. UHD SDR  & in particular 10 bit UHD SDR can, for some,  seem softer than HD as there is a more gradual progression in the image,  which may be why you prefer the HD version via the app.   

[Chodley]

An SDR signal should not use all 10bits of colour data so it should be impossible to see a difference between SDR on a box set to 8bit vs 10bit

[nigea99]

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@Chodley wrote:

An SDR signal should not use all 10bits of colour data so it should be impossible to see a difference between SDR on a box set to 8bit vs 10bit

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10 bit is not just for HDR

10 bit UHD SDR does (or at least can) use all the bits - it extends the colour gamut leading to a more gradual transition.  

Of course many of us may not notice the difference and maybe only those with high spec monitors in test labs can really tell but there is a difference between 8 bit & 10 bit colour

[Chodley]

Er, isn't SDR always transmitted in rec.709?