Satellite for HD Channels

What? · 08-12-2005, 10:07

Not sure if this should be in the Satellite or HD forum... (please move if it would be better suited to Satellite/technical)

Anyone know or have any clues as to which satellite(s) sky will be using to broadcast the HD channels next year?

Astra 2A North/South?
Astra 2B North/South?
Astra 2D?
Eurobird 1 Fixed/Steerable1/2?

Are there some tests going on now that give any clues?

thanks

bayards · 11-12-2005, 16:02

The lone Sky test in MPEG4 is running on Astra2B on 12.344 Horizontal , 27500 and 2/3 using DVB-S2 - so no-one can really see it at the moment.

Having watched the World Cup draw from Leipzig, I noted that it is only 6 months to the first match in Germany. Sky had better get their fingers (and prices) out soon so we can sign up - or else it will be all over....

Howard

camaj · 11-12-2005, 18:21

I don't think that will be a problem!

Jarrak · 11-12-2005, 18:26

Doesn't matter what SKY does since the rights will probably be owned by the BBC and ITV who may have no interest in helping SKY sell boxes

camaj · 11-12-2005, 20:25

It does matter, without Sky the only other option would be cable and terrestrial (if you lived in london)

bayards · 11-12-2005, 20:35

I live in London and NTL in my area are still analogue! Forget HDTV!

H

Jarrak · 11-12-2005, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaj

It does matter, without Sky the only other option would be cable and terrestrial (if you lived in london)

The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD.

Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor.

camaj · 12-12-2005, 03:24

This isn't about what's a critical factor and what isn't. They could do it all from a transmitter in the shetland islands to one person and they will have still done it.

While it's technically possible for them to only do it via FTA recievers it's unlikely to happen. AFAIK they haven't even got the BBC Freesat service set up let alone a HD version. Anyone interested in HD would be getting the SkyHD version unless they wanted to buy a FTA reciever for a few months and then flog it. It's far from ideal. We (well most of us) need Sky to get the launch done before the WC and I don't think that'll be a problem

Jarrak · 12-12-2005, 09:41

Fair enough

I think you are ignoring the BBC's dislike for all things SKY and their desire not to rely on them for anything but I hope you are right and that any BBC Dsat content (WC obviosuly) can be watched via a SKY+ HD in 2006.

bayards · 12-12-2005, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD.

Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor.

We are pretty reliant on Sky - just for the kit. If the BBC choose to broadcast FTA then all well and good - but I can't see any manufacturer rushing our a non-Sky HD box just for a test period.

MPEG4 boxes are like gold dust in Europe at the moment...still unavailable to buy.

H

Jarrak · 12-12-2005, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayards

We are pretty reliant on Sky - just for the kit. If the BBC choose to broadcast FTA then all well and good - but I can't see any manufacturer rushing our a non-Sky HD box just for a test period.

MPEG4 boxes are like gold dust in Europe at the moment...still unavailable to buy.

H

I agree that SKY will have a huge influence on the HD Dsat market in 2006 but once the HD mpeg4 receivers start shipping in bulk then if the BBC do go that one step furhter and simulcast their WC games in HD you have no need for SKY. While the "tests" will remain I don't think anyone really expects the BBC not to have something official on Dsat in 2006 being broadcast FTA.

Don't you have an EU sourced STB on order that is both mpeg4 and DVBS2 complaint and will handle the expected BBC HD broadcasts?

technologist · 12-12-2005, 17:34

But some boxes are happening now!!!!

Premiere is rolling out high-definition TV using Pace's DS810 receiver. Pace says the DS810 is the world's first DVB-S2 MPEG-4/H.264 high-definition set-top box for commercial deployment. The receiver is equipped with new technologies such as DVB-S2, which Pace says improves bandwidth efficiency by up to 30%, and HDMI with HDCP for secure connectivity to HD-Ready displays.

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...lass=0&id=1346

Jarrak · 12-12-2005, 17:50

Indeed but at this time the STB's are going straight to the broadcasters for their subscribers with few hitting the direct retail market, this will be resolved sooner rather than later and of course for the UK means a non SKY solution for upcoming BBC HD output.

noel43 · 12-12-2005, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD.

Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor.

Will they be a special license for HDTV as they was for colour when it first came out? Knowing this gov watch this space.

Jarrak · 12-12-2005, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by noel43

Will they be a special license for HDTV as they was for colour when it first came out? Knowing this gov watch this space.

Nope.
If there was then it would already be in place for the 400 TV customers/employees who have access to BBC HD output on their new DVR.

The BBC have made noise about wanting more cash for HD but like the digital premium license fee nothing will come of it or rather everyone will pay for the new services via the current license fee regardless of if they make use of them.

bayards · 12-12-2005, 22:07

Hi Jarrak,

Yes I have a MPEG STB on order from Europe - latest release date is 15 December - but how many will be available. Most on-line shops show no release dates.

I'm in Austria later this week so will have my nose pressed against any TV shop window in case!

Howard

08-12-2005, 10:07	#1
What? Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brighton Posts: 64	Satellite for HD Channels Not sure if this should be in the Satellite or HD forum... (please move if it would be better suited to Satellite/technical) Anyone know or have any clues as to which satellite(s) sky will be using to broadcast the HD channels next year? Astra 2A North/South? Astra 2B North/South? Astra 2D? Eurobird 1 Fixed/Steerable1/2? Are there some tests going on now that give any clues? thanks

11-12-2005, 16:02	#2
bayards Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South Lincs Posts: 1,862	currently... The lone Sky test in MPEG4 is running on Astra2B on 12.344 Horizontal , 27500 and 2/3 using DVB-S2 - so no-one can really see it at the moment. Having watched the World Cup draw from Leipzig, I noted that it is only 6 months to the first match in Germany. Sky had better get their fingers (and prices) out soon so we can sign up - or else it will be all over.... Howard

11-12-2005, 18:21	#3
camaj Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 813	I don't think that will be a problem!

11-12-2005, 18:26	#4
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Doesn't matter what SKY does since the rights will probably be owned by the BBC and ITV who may have no interest in helping SKY sell boxes

11-12-2005, 20:25	#5
camaj Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 813	It does matter, without Sky the only other option would be cable and terrestrial (if you lived in london)

11-12-2005, 20:35	#6
bayards Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South Lincs Posts: 1,862	I live in London and NTL in my area are still analogue! Forget HDTV! H

11-12-2005, 21:10	#7
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by camaj It does matter, without Sky the only other option would be cable and terrestrial (if you lived in london) The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD. Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor.

12-12-2005, 03:24	#8
camaj Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 813	This isn't about what's a critical factor and what isn't. They could do it all from a transmitter in the shetland islands to one person and they will have still done it. While it's technically possible for them to only do it via FTA recievers it's unlikely to happen. AFAIK they haven't even got the BBC Freesat service set up let alone a HD version. Anyone interested in HD would be getting the SkyHD version unless they wanted to buy a FTA reciever for a few months and then flog it. It's far from ideal. We (well most of us) need Sky to get the launch done before the WC and I don't think that'll be a problem

12-12-2005, 09:41	#9
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Fair enough I think you are ignoring the BBC's dislike for all things SKY and their desire not to rely on them for anything but I hope you are right and that any BBC Dsat content (WC obviosuly) can be watched via a SKY+ HD in 2006.

12-12-2005, 12:25	#10
bayards Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South Lincs Posts: 1,862	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD. Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor. We are pretty reliant on Sky - just for the kit. If the BBC choose to broadcast FTA then all well and good - but I can't see any manufacturer rushing our a non-Sky HD box just for a test period. MPEG4 boxes are like gold dust in Europe at the moment...still unavailable to buy. H

12-12-2005, 14:07	#11
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by bayards We are pretty reliant on Sky - just for the kit. If the BBC choose to broadcast FTA then all well and good - but I can't see any manufacturer rushing our a non-Sky HD box just for a test period. MPEG4 boxes are like gold dust in Europe at the moment...still unavailable to buy. H I agree that SKY will have a huge influence on the HD Dsat market in 2006 but once the HD mpeg4 receivers start shipping in bulk then if the BBC do go that one step furhter and simulcast their WC games in HD you have no need for SKY. While the "tests" will remain I don't think anyone really expects the BBC not to have something official on Dsat in 2006 being broadcast FTA. Don't you have an EU sourced STB on order that is both mpeg4 and DVBS2 complaint and will handle the expected BBC HD broadcasts?

12-12-2005, 17:34	#12
technologist Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Posts: 7,519	But some boxes are happening now!!!! Premiere is rolling out high-definition TV using Pace's DS810 receiver. Pace says the DS810 is the world's first DVB-S2 MPEG-4/H.264 high-definition set-top box for commercial deployment. The receiver is equipped with new technologies such as DVB-S2, which Pace says improves bandwidth efficiency by up to 30%, and HDMI with HDCP for secure connectivity to HD-Ready displays. http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...lass=0&id=1346

12-12-2005, 17:50	#13
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Indeed but at this time the STB's are going straight to the broadcasters for their subscribers with few hitting the direct retail market, this will be resolved sooner rather than later and of course for the UK means a non SKY solution for upcoming BBC HD output.

12-12-2005, 20:32	#14
noel43 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 433	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak The BBC certainly do not need SKY to launch HD in the UK, the BBC have the resources to broadcast HD FTA on Dsat and by next summer there will plenty of HD mpeg4 receivers for those with the money and desire for HD. Piggy backing on SKY certainly makes things easier but it's not a critical factor. Will they be a special license for HDTV as they was for colour when it first came out? Knowing this gov watch this space.

12-12-2005, 20:39	#15
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by noel43 Will they be a special license for HDTV as they was for colour when it first came out? Knowing this gov watch this space. Nope. If there was then it would already be in place for the 400 TV customers/employees who have access to BBC HD output on their new DVR. The BBC have made noise about wanting more cash for HD but like the digital premium license fee nothing will come of it or rather everyone will pay for the new services via the current license fee regardless of if they make use of them.

12-12-2005, 22:07	#16
bayards Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: South Lincs Posts: 1,862	Hi Jarrak, Yes I have a MPEG STB on order from Europe - latest release date is 15 December - but how many will be available. Most on-line shops show no release dates. I'm in Austria later this week so will have my nose pressed against any TV shop window in case! Howard

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Satellite for HD Channels