Tata Sky + HD Software Review

After taking a look at the hardware of the Tata Sky + HD in the Unboxing it's time to take a look at the software and see if the entire package is worth the upgrade.

Interface:

With the old Tata Sky box the interface was getting old and clunky and I'm glad that with the new box they freshened it up a little while keeping the basics the same. The colour scheme has changed from light gray to a see through black in an effort to make it look out of the way and the effect is very effective in that aspect. When you press the "Guide" button, rather than taking up the whole screen with the channel listings, the interface superimposes the menus over the top left of the screen, with the channel listings taking up the bottom third. This allows you to keep watching your program of choice while allowing you to set other shows for recording or browse upcoming shows. Overall, the interface looks much nicer and cleaner and as they say "It's the little things that make all the difference."

Navigation:

With the Tata Sky + HD box they've super-sized the remote and with it, super-sized my problems with the system. The remote is by far the worst part of the experience. Its large, cluttered and very unintuitive to use. The remote has a staggering 39 buttons which I can understand if it could control my TV and DVD player as well, but since it can't do either of those things it needn't be so complicated. Tata Sky needs to understand that the remote needs to be intuitive and that buttons can have different purposes in different places. They've tried to do that with the four colour buttons but those are the most unnecessary buttons on the remote themselves. They are unmarked and the main reason I use them 99% of the time is to go forward or backward 24 hours, something that the fast-forward and rewind buttons could easily be used for. On the navigational pad you would think that like the old box the up button would show you the next channel it doesn't, the right button does that (go figure). While one does eventually get used to the navigation it is overly complicated and need a dramatic overhaul even if it means killing half the buttons.


HD content:

The HD content on the box is abolutely amazing and I would recommend that if you have an HDTV you should  definately upgrade to the Tata Sky + HD. That said all HD isn't created equal and while one can clearly see that the Star channels are clearly upscaled and oversaturated the quality on channels like National Geagraphic and Discovery is the best I've seen. Though there aren't too many HD channels (for a full list look here: http://www.tatasky.com/hd/what-can-watch.html) they all offer a no-ad experience which will last until many more HD channels are available. The entire show plays without an add and they give previews of other shows in the remainder of the time. I hope that in the future more popular channels are available in HD or that it simply becomes standard even though that will mean the re-entrance of ads.


Recording Capabilities:

My favourite feature of the box is the recording capability. You can set the box up to record the entire series of a show so that you always have it to watch or just record individual items. The box automatically adds a set amount of time at the beginning and end so you don't miss anything due to a miscalculation of time. When you switch to any channel the box automatically records whats playing so you can rewind if you've missed anything but wont save the recording unless you specify that it should. You can pause live TV, which is useful in HD channels as they have no breaks and the box asks you if you want to switch channels if you are lagging behind on your current channel as it will delete the recording once you switch. My only gripe with the recording function is, once again the button layout. To access your recorded shows you have to press "Plan" which makes absolutely no sense as the button should just say "Recorded". Also to save the current recording one has to go through a relatively long process which detracts from the show.

Conclusion:

The box is an absolute wonder to own and apart from my gripes with the navigation (which one eventually gets used to) it is definitely worth spending Rs. 4000 if you already own an HDTV and I would recommend it to anyone at the drop of a hat.

For more news, reviews and videos stay locked on the site.