Did a search and couldn't see a similar post but apologies if this is common knowledge to my fellow STV viewers.

I discovered the other day when I wanted to record 'the red dahlia' that the humax box gave me the option to record it on HD when selecting record on the stv channel.

Did not think this facility was available from the stv channel (certainly not experienced it before) so that's good news.

Yes I think that this is new because I have not noticed it before either. Probably in advance of Freeview HD?? I think we are beginning to see some new changes of attitude that we will all benefit from whether viewing HD programs on Freesat OR Freeview.

There have been ongoing disagreements between STV and ITV, resulting in both parties going to court. Negociations about the use of the ITV1 HD stalled before the launch of ITV HD and so only just resolved.

STV are very protective of their STV brand, we see no ITV branding in the 2 STV regions in Scotland. This extended to the use of the ITV1HD channel whereby STV refused to allow freesat viewers to use the option to record in HD via their channel 103 epg position in freesat because they didn't want people to see the ITV1HD brand...

Bobby Hain STV's Director, Broadcast Services and Regulatory Affairs used to speak with contempt about the intrusive ITV1 branding.

Anyhow they have got over that situation now.

I wonder though, will it be STV HD in STV's freeview regions or ITV1HD...

J

The HD is provided via channel 977 ITV1 London. THis channel also carries the Audio Discription service.

All freesat HD boxes carry the channel regardless of your location.

Yes but on the STV variant of channel 103, no HD links to programmes on ITV1HD were available until recently.

Yes ITVHD could be accessed by the back door, but how many average joe's would know about this provision. ITV or STV (depends on where you live) is channel 3 on any EPG...

Its nothing to do with Branding, its all to do with Money.

If they are using a PVR then since ITV London was added over 6 months ago, the system has always given the option when available. The plan is that the new Switchover information leaflets for Northern STV this year will also tell customers about channel 977.

Retail staff now tell customers when selling freesat so quite a few average joe's know.

YES it was.

Been spoken about in the Scottish press allot and in various media conferences that STV have spoken at.

I work in Scottish Broadcasters, so I have had direct contact with STV.

This was always a massive factor in negotiations with ITV. STV asked for all the ITV1 branding to be removed from the HD channel. ITV declined.

STV do not carry any ITV branding, titles, logos etc.

A special feed is provided for STV by ITV without any such branding for their normal service, STV asked for a special version of the HD service too. This was declined.

J

No on STV's epg data, no HD links were carried until January 1 2010.

You had a find ITV1 London to seek out any HD programmes.
For the average punter they will not know.
J

Apart from the ITV News, ITV National Weather, mentions of ITV on other shows like This Morning and GMTV.....

STV's license requirements they have to take network news weather and GMTV. what ever they are called, previously ITN.

These were taken over by ITV and branded as such.

STV dispute the use of the ITV name, STV strangely have rights to it...

Here STV is the channel always, never ITV.

As the feed is supplied by Granada, the advertising revenue pays for the HD service, which is still a lmited service, to arrange for a further feed would be to expensive.

I must admit I never watch STV, But thats my choice and judging by the viewing figures it seems Im not the only one.

Sorry J beg to differ, I know as I too work in the industry, If you want dates of when the EPG was changed I can go through my e-mails but I have an Edinburgh postcode and have quite a few HD programmes that were recorded on my PVR from last year

The feed is ITV1 Granada, but Granada is just a regional news room and advertising, it's one company now.

I believe that a technical solution to the branding is being looked at, i.e. cost effective. But the negotiations will take time.

It's a shame you don't watch some STV, because their break from ITV network programmes, has on occasion, been refreshing.

Scotland from the Air, Scotland at the movies. You will not get these else where.

J

The feed and advertising now comes from London, the change was made at the same time as the name changed to ITV 1 HD.

From ITV1 London's links I don't doubt.

But for STV I doubt it, as I checked for a long time after receiving news from STV about the changes.

Yes I know that their are some good programmes, but they dont float my boat, and while Gregorys girl is a good film it shouldnt have to be rolled out every month! lol.

Well I have to go and enjoy the real Scotland from the ground now. speak soon folks.

The Humax EPG scans all the channels and when available gives the option to record SD, HD or just watch.

it's been well documented on the web, check joinfreesat.co.uk that STV didn't provide the HD links from their EPG data, if the don't provide the connection, the humax can not invent it.

But it was suggested for a long time to use ITV1 London as the links were there in their EPG data.

J

I have been fully aware since the ITV London was put on the EPG for all that you could record or watch using that channel but the option to record (along with the HD symbol appearing on the STV channel) was never there per my original post. The system never gave you the option to record in HD from the STV channel before.

This is good news for me as I could kept forgetting to check the ITV London listing to see if a programme was in HD or not.

This only works if the alternatives are correctly coded using the series and prog crids and the epg is flagged as being available in HD. STV used to fulfill neither of these requirements so you most definitely could not schedule an ITV 1 HD recording from the STV channel at lcn 103 on the epg.

Ive only noticed the record option for HD on STV in the last few days pretty sure it wasnt there before this.

As AxeVictim has observed already (and I have only just noticed yesterday), I can confirm that recordings from STV are now offering the ITV1 HD option (if available) and have been doing so since the 4th Jan at least since my wife, at that time, set up a series event for the "Above Suspicion" trilogy from the Scottish Area EPG and it has recorded perfectly in HD.

Colin