hdtv freeview

daz316 · 24-09-2007, 19:54

i am planning on buying samsung 50 inch plasma. I know it has freeview but i was wondering if it would receive the hd siginal when it come to freeview.

David (2) · 24-09-2007, 20:00

no it wont. Current HD-Ready sets only have a screen capable of displaying a HD picture. Their in built electronics can not decode future FreeviewHD signals, or satellite HD, or Cable HD. The internal electronics are limited to normal "SD" pictures. You would need to add some kind of HD box connected using the HDMI socket.

Dave

roddydogs · 25-09-2007, 08:08

When is HD coming to freeview?

daz316 · 25-09-2007, 09:24

thanks for the info David. I think I will buy a sky hd box.

Nigel Goodwin · 25-09-2007, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by daz316

thanks for the info David. I think I will buy a sky hd box.

Makes a LOT more sense, it's already here, most probably it will be higher quality than any potential DTT offering (due to lack of bandwidth on DTT), and there's certainly already more channels than DTT will probably ever have, with more on the way.

The only thing you might consider, is waiting for the BBC Freesat HD boxes, but I would imagine this is likely to be a good while yet, and they won't give as many HD channels as a Sky HD susbscription.

carefree cook · 25-09-2007, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddydogs

When is HD coming to freeview?

certainly not in the near future. as it stands regulator ofcom are debating whether to use the spectrum released by the switching off of the analogue transmitions for hd on freeview platform, or putting it to auction. see here for more details;
http://www.hdforall.org.uk/

Apollo 1875 · 25-09-2007, 13:23

It's a shame that we have no terestrial HD broadcasts on the horizon

; the technology is already in place to receive it and record it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DHG-HDD25.../dp/B00067TYEK

Come on Ofcom, this is what we need.

Nigel Goodwin · 25-09-2007, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo 1875

It's a shame that we have no terestrial HD broadcasts on the horizon

; the technology is already in place to receive it and record it.

What use would that be?.

There isn't even an agreed standard for HD terrestrially in the UK, so an American recorder would probably be worse than useless.

Apollo 1875 · 25-09-2007, 13:31

Sorry, I meant a UK spec version.

I'm just gazing into the future, knowing that there will be exciting possibilities if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting.

Nigel Goodwin · 25-09-2007, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo 1875

Sorry, I meant a UK spec version.

I'm just gazing into the future, knowing that there will be exciting possibilities if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting.

They already have, they have told the broadcasters to use their existing bandwidth!

parthena · 25-09-2007, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo 1875

...if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting.

They already have, I posted a link somewhere here a day or two ago.

What I want to know is...

If the BBC are to transmit free-to-air high-definition programmes, which current TV sets will be able to receive and display them without the aid of satellite or cable?

parthena
(I keep getting re-mystified, Nigel, despite your efforts

)

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 14:42

None - see post 2.

Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box.

parthena · 25-09-2007, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

None - see post 2.

Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box.

But the BBC is going to transmit free-to-air DTT...

What's the point?

parthena

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 15:50

Do you expect all manfacturers to have invested in producing HD sets, second-guessing what format HD broadcasts will be made in, and to have been selling them for the past few years, and the public to have been willing to pay the price premium for them, on the strength of provisional approval that has only just been given today of the possibility of one channel broadcasting in HD in a 4-hour overnight slot?

Also see http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-freeview.html

The BBC HD channel on DTT might be delayed until there is more certainty over the available space on DTT so that people don't buy equipment that will soon become obsolete. It's an ongoing thing. Until this is resolved, I don't expect we'll see many integrated HD TVs in the near future. In the meantime, you can get a Freesat box next spring or a HD Freeview box, if they appear on large quantities. Bearing in mind you may have to replace any Freeview box you buy now when the full 9-hour service is launched. but better than buying a whole new TV isn't it?

HD on DTT is not going to be the best way of receiving HD, it will be quite limited.

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 16:02

PS. To summarise what has been announced today...

The BBC has been given *provisional* approval for a proper HD channel, as opposed to the trial service. But there will be a month's public consultation before it is finally given the go-ahead. Assuming everything goes to plan, the service on satellite and cable would be able to start immediately, pending the granting of the service licence and the extension of the trial licence to fill the gap until the service licence starts.

There is uncertainty about Freeview. Space on the platform in limited. They could go ahead with a 4-hour overnight slot straight away, pending revision of the licence currently granted for that slot. But people with current Freeview boxes would have to replace them with HD versions if they wanted HD. People with integrated TVs and no separate Freeview box would have to buy a box.

For a full 9-hour service, the format in which Freeview is broadcast would have to be changed. That means that people with old-format Freeview HD boxes would have to replace them again. And people with integrated TVs would have to replace them. And people with integrated DVD/HDD recorders would have to replace them. And people with Freeview PVRs would have to replace them...

So they are waiting to make a decision on how to go ahead with the Freeview HD service.

Does that help to explain why there have been no HD-integrated TVs on sale up to now and why there will probably be none in the near future? As Nigel said concisely, there is not yet a standard for HD broadcasts on DTT. That's what they are trying to work out.

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 16:14

PPS. Ofcom's "approval" for HD on DTT that you mentioned...

They haven't approved anything as far as I can see, they've only reiterated their position that there will be no extra space granted for HD and that existing space must be used. See Post 10.

Which is why full HD channels need to be broadcast in a different format in order to fit them into available space, and why this mess has been created of having differing standards and the dilemma about what to do.

TheCmeister · 25-09-2007, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box.

ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside...

parthena · 25-09-2007, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

As Nigel said concisely, there is not yet a standard for HD broadcasts on DTT.

I surely can't be blamed for believing that the BBC was aiming its free-to-air HD channel at Freeview viewers, but by the looks of it we should dismiss any idea of being included in the customer base for the foreseeable future... given that there are no HDD STBs or TVs

I wouldn't be worrying my little head about this if I didn't need a new TV and had not been warned about the inferior SD display of most LCDs.

parthena

Jarrak · 25-09-2007, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCmeister

ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside...

The problem with HD Ready is that it's a minimum spec and not a guide to what manufactures can add to increase the "value" of their products

Did you have a choice of DTT, Dsat or Cable specific modules or was it just lumped into the base line spec and supports an unknown HD broadcast source?

Nigel Goodwin · 25-09-2007, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCmeister

ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside...

Interesting!, what country are you in?, are there any HD terrestrial transmissions?, and if not what makes you think the TV will receive them if they start?.

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by parthena

I surely can't be blamed for believing that the BBC was aiming its free-to-air HD channel at Freeview viewers, but by the looks of it we should dismiss any idea of being included in the customer base for the foreseeable future... given that there are no HDD STBs or TVs

I wouldn't be worrying my little head about this if I didn't need a new TV and had not been warned about the inferior SD display of most LCDs.

The reason why Freeview is up in the air with regard to HD is because Ofcom hasn't allocated space for it, and broadcasters are trying to work out how on earth they can do it. No, there are no integrated TVs available, but that's because they can't produce them to a standard that doesn't yet exist!

Have a look at LCD displays in shops and see if you think they're poor quality. Only you can decide. If you really can't stand them, get a new CRT TV instead, but you'll have to hurry because they're fast disappearing.

If youy really can't stand the quality that the flat screens produce then get a Sky HD box or wait until spring next year and get a Freesat box. Then, at least, you will soon have at least 2 part-time channels in HD. At the moment, you've only got the trial BBC HD channel on satellite. There are also 3 or 4 non-Sky and non-Freesat boxes that you will be able to receive the BBC HD channel with, and there's also cable.

Even if there was a DTT HD receiver so you could watch BBC HD, are you really going to stay up between 2am and 6am in order to watch it?

You really really don't need HD to enjoy flat screen TVs. And you certainly don't need a HD-integrated TV to get HD. In fact, that's the only way you *can't* get it at the moment!

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 19:05

Well, been doing some research, and there is indeed a Loewe TV with built-in MPEG4 DTT receiver. But I can't see anywhere to buy it from, only pages where it's been displayed at various expos and shows! Haven't got a clue whether it would work with BBC HD.

parthena · 25-09-2007, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

get a new CRT TV instead, but you'll have to hurry because they're fast disappearing.

That's just it! Samsung are supposed to be bringing out a new Slimfit with faults rectified, but then I have to find a company that will deliver it up lots of stairs, and then my one and only unit will collapse under 55kg... I bet you lot are all strong and have brothers/sons/dads/mates to help cart things around

Quote:

get a Sky HD box or wait until spring next year and get a Freesat box.

Can't have a dish.

Quote:

are you really going to stay up between 2am and 6am in order to watch it?

Those are my most alert hours

As for my understanding of the problem, I really didn't realise that no "standard" had been agreed upon, or even that there could be more than one standard, I thought HD was HD, full stop

parthena

Chris Simon · 25-09-2007, 21:23

A "standard" is the method by which broadcasts are made, e.g. you're aware presumably that American TV is broadcast in a different way from British TV and you need equipment specially designed for the purpose of receiving the broadcasts you want.

Freeview is broadcast by a particular method. HD *can* be broadcast by that method, but it requires much higher bandwidth (i.e. "space") than SD transmissions. With DTT there is a limit in the frequency range that can be used. Ofcom have decided not to release additional space for HD and therefore existing space must be used, which is rapidly filling up. In order to transmit just those 4 hours of HD overnight, the BBC must use space that is currently used by BBC Parliament, BBC Four, and 3 of the interactive video streams, i.e. those particular channels cannot broadcast at the same time as the proposed 4-hour HD service. It therefore follows that in order to broadcast a full-time HD channel, the BBC would have to cut services elsewhere.

There is a way of fitting full-time HD in, and that is to wait until digital switchover is complete which will free up space used by the existing analogue channels, and also to use a different broadcasting method ("standard") which is able to compress more into the same space. This is where the problem lies - to change the standard means that existing boxes will no longer work. And waiting for digital switchover to be complete means 2012...

There is no agreed method of broadcasting HD yet as there is no live HD service. There was a trial BBC HD service which used the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview, but that has ended. They haven't yet decided whether to continue using that method or whether to wait and/or change the standard. [Correction: the trial service was broadcast using the new compression, no the old one] Hence this period of public consultation and ongoing discussions. BBC HD has only got *provisional* approval as yet. It is practically a foregone conclusion that the channel will go ahead as planned on satellite and cable but the jury is still out on what to do with Freeview and how to do it. Even if they manage to squeeze a full-time BBC HD channel in, I don't think you're going to see a huge influx of HD channels to Freeview unless Ofcom change their position. It's just not suited for the task. See http://www.hdforall.org.uk/ - the campign for HD on Freeview. The headline on that page is "High definition on Freeview may never happen". Dated December 2006. However, there has been no change in Ofcom's position since then, all they've done is restate it.

There is no such problem with satellite, as yet, as space is not so restricted.

Gilson · 25-09-2007, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

There was a trial BBC HD service which used the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview, but that as ended. They haven't yet decided whether to continue using that method or whether to wait and/or change the standard.

AFAIK the BBC HD trials were MPeg4 not MPeg2 "the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview"?

24-09-2007, 19:54	#1
daz316 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 73	hdtv freeview i am planning on buying samsung 50 inch plasma. I know it has freeview but i was wondering if it would receive the hd siginal when it come to freeview.

25-09-2007, 08:08	#3
roddydogs Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6,353	? When is HD coming to freeview?

25-09-2007, 13:31	#9
Apollo 1875 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Moon Base Alpha Posts: 386	Sorry, I meant a UK spec version. I'm just gazing into the future, knowing that there will be exciting possibilities if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting. Last edited by Apollo 1875 : 25-09-2007 at 13:34. Reason: made an addition

24-09-2007, 20:00	#2
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	no it wont. Current HD-Ready sets only have a screen capable of displaying a HD picture. Their in built electronics can not decode future FreeviewHD signals, or satellite HD, or Cable HD. The internal electronics are limited to normal "SD" pictures. You would need to add some kind of HD box connected using the HDMI socket. Dave

25-09-2007, 09:24	#4
daz316 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 73	thanks for the info David. I think I will buy a sky hd box.

25-09-2007, 11:26	#5
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by daz316 thanks for the info David. I think I will buy a sky hd box. Makes a LOT more sense, it's already here, most probably it will be higher quality than any potential DTT offering (due to lack of bandwidth on DTT), and there's certainly already more channels than DTT will probably ever have, with more on the way. The only thing you might consider, is waiting for the BBC Freesat HD boxes, but I would imagine this is likely to be a good while yet, and they won't give as many HD channels as a Sky HD susbscription.

25-09-2007, 11:39	#6
carefree cook Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wilts or saas fee,Switzerland Posts: 421	Quote: Originally Posted by roddydogs When is HD coming to freeview? certainly not in the near future. as it stands regulator ofcom are debating whether to use the spectrum released by the switching off of the analogue transmitions for hd on freeview platform, or putting it to auction. see here for more details; http://www.hdforall.org.uk/

25-09-2007, 13:23	#7
Apollo 1875 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Moon Base Alpha Posts: 386	It's a shame that we have no terestrial HD broadcasts on the horizon ; the technology is already in place to receive it and record it. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DHG-HDD25.../dp/B00067TYEK Come on Ofcom, this is what we need.

25-09-2007, 13:29	#8
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by Apollo 1875 It's a shame that we have no terestrial HD broadcasts on the horizon ; the technology is already in place to receive it and record it. What use would that be?. There isn't even an agreed standard for HD terrestrially in the UK, so an American recorder would probably be worse than useless.

25-09-2007, 14:17	#10
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by Apollo 1875 Sorry, I meant a UK spec version. I'm just gazing into the future, knowing that there will be exciting possibilities if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting. They already have, they have told the broadcasters to use their existing bandwidth!

25-09-2007, 14:36	#11
parthena Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx Posts: 2,769	Quote: Originally Posted by Apollo 1875 ...if Ofcom eventually decide to green-light HD terestrial broadcasting. They already have, I posted a link somewhere here a day or two ago. What I want to know is... If the BBC are to transmit free-to-air high-definition programmes, which current TV sets will be able to receive and display them without the aid of satellite or cable? parthena (I keep getting re-mystified, Nigel, despite your efforts )

25-09-2007, 14:42	#12
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	None - see post 2. Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box.

25-09-2007, 14:50	#13
parthena Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx Posts: 2,769	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon None - see post 2. Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box. But the BBC is going to transmit free-to-air DTT... What's the point? parthena

25-09-2007, 15:50	#14
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	Do you expect all manfacturers to have invested in producing HD sets, second-guessing what format HD broadcasts will be made in, and to have been selling them for the past few years, and the public to have been willing to pay the price premium for them, on the strength of provisional approval that has only just been given today of the possibility of one channel broadcasting in HD in a 4-hour overnight slot? Also see http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-freeview.html The BBC HD channel on DTT might be delayed until there is more certainty over the available space on DTT so that people don't buy equipment that will soon become obsolete. It's an ongoing thing. Until this is resolved, I don't expect we'll see many integrated HD TVs in the near future. In the meantime, you can get a Freesat box next spring or a HD Freeview box, if they appear on large quantities. Bearing in mind you may have to replace any Freeview box you buy now when the full 9-hour service is launched. but better than buying a whole new TV isn't it? HD on DTT is not going to be the best way of receiving HD, it will be quite limited.

25-09-2007, 16:02	#15
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	PS. To summarise what has been announced today... The BBC has been given provisional approval for a proper HD channel, as opposed to the trial service. But there will be a month's public consultation before it is finally given the go-ahead. Assuming everything goes to plan, the service on satellite and cable would be able to start immediately, pending the granting of the service licence and the extension of the trial licence to fill the gap until the service licence starts. There is uncertainty about Freeview. Space on the platform in limited. They could go ahead with a 4-hour overnight slot straight away, pending revision of the licence currently granted for that slot. But people with current Freeview boxes would have to replace them with HD versions if they wanted HD. People with integrated TVs and no separate Freeview box would have to buy a box. For a full 9-hour service, the format in which Freeview is broadcast would have to be changed. That means that people with old-format Freeview HD boxes would have to replace them again. And people with integrated TVs would have to replace them. And people with integrated DVD/HDD recorders would have to replace them. And people with Freeview PVRs would have to replace them... So they are waiting to make a decision on how to go ahead with the Freeview HD service. Does that help to explain why there have been no HD-integrated TVs on sale up to now and why there will probably be none in the near future? As Nigel said concisely, there is not yet a standard for HD broadcasts on DTT. That's what they are trying to work out.

25-09-2007, 16:14	#16
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	PPS. Ofcom's "approval" for HD on DTT that you mentioned... They haven't approved anything as far as I can see, they've only reiterated their position that there will be no extra space granted for HD and that existing space must be used. See Post 10. Which is why full HD channels need to be broadcast in a different format in order to fit them into available space, and why this mess has been created of having differing standards and the dilemma about what to do.

25-09-2007, 16:23	#17
TheCmeister Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 209	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon Current HD Ready sets can only receive SD transmissions, and display HD transmissions via an external box. ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside...

25-09-2007, 16:34	#18
parthena Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx Posts: 2,769	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon As Nigel said concisely, there is not yet a standard for HD broadcasts on DTT. I surely can't be blamed for believing that the BBC was aiming its free-to-air HD channel at Freeview viewers, but by the looks of it we should dismiss any idea of being included in the customer base for the foreseeable future... given that there are no HDD STBs or TVs I wouldn't be worrying my little head about this if I didn't need a new TV and had not been warned about the inferior SD display of most LCDs. parthena

25-09-2007, 16:43	#19
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by TheCmeister ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside... The problem with HD Ready is that it's a minimum spec and not a guide to what manufactures can add to increase the "value" of their products Did you have a choice of DTT, Dsat or Cable specific modules or was it just lumped into the base line spec and supports an unknown HD broadcast source?

25-09-2007, 17:04	#20
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by TheCmeister ive just ordered a loewe hdtv which has the mpeg4 hdtv tuner inside... Interesting!, what country are you in?, are there any HD terrestrial transmissions?, and if not what makes you think the TV will receive them if they start?.

25-09-2007, 18:47	#21
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	Quote: Originally Posted by parthena I surely can't be blamed for believing that the BBC was aiming its free-to-air HD channel at Freeview viewers, but by the looks of it we should dismiss any idea of being included in the customer base for the foreseeable future... given that there are no HDD STBs or TVs I wouldn't be worrying my little head about this if I didn't need a new TV and had not been warned about the inferior SD display of most LCDs. The reason why Freeview is up in the air with regard to HD is because Ofcom hasn't allocated space for it, and broadcasters are trying to work out how on earth they can do it. No, there are no integrated TVs available, but that's because they can't produce them to a standard that doesn't yet exist! Have a look at LCD displays in shops and see if you think they're poor quality. Only you can decide. If you really can't stand them, get a new CRT TV instead, but you'll have to hurry because they're fast disappearing. If youy really can't stand the quality that the flat screens produce then get a Sky HD box or wait until spring next year and get a Freesat box. Then, at least, you will soon have at least 2 part-time channels in HD. At the moment, you've only got the trial BBC HD channel on satellite. There are also 3 or 4 non-Sky and non-Freesat boxes that you will be able to receive the BBC HD channel with, and there's also cable. Even if there was a DTT HD receiver so you could watch BBC HD, are you really going to stay up between 2am and 6am in order to watch it? You really really don't need HD to enjoy flat screen TVs. And you certainly don't need a HD-integrated TV to get HD. In fact, that's the only way you can't get it at the moment!

25-09-2007, 19:05	#22
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	Well, been doing some research, and there is indeed a Loewe TV with built-in MPEG4 DTT receiver. But I can't see anywhere to buy it from, only pages where it's been displayed at various expos and shows! Haven't got a clue whether it would work with BBC HD.

25-09-2007, 20:57	#23
parthena Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx Posts: 2,769	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon get a new CRT TV instead, but you'll have to hurry because they're fast disappearing. That's just it! Samsung are supposed to be bringing out a new Slimfit with faults rectified, but then I have to find a company that will deliver it up lots of stairs, and then my one and only unit will collapse under 55kg... I bet you lot are all strong and have brothers/sons/dads/mates to help cart things around Quote: get a Sky HD box or wait until spring next year and get a Freesat box. Can't have a dish. Quote: are you really going to stay up between 2am and 6am in order to watch it? Those are my most alert hours As for my understanding of the problem, I really didn't realise that no "standard" had been agreed upon, or even that there could be more than one standard, I thought HD was HD, full stop parthena

DS Forums

hdtv freeview

25-09-2007, 21:23	#24
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	A "standard" is the method by which broadcasts are made, e.g. you're aware presumably that American TV is broadcast in a different way from British TV and you need equipment specially designed for the purpose of receiving the broadcasts you want. Freeview is broadcast by a particular method. HD can be broadcast by that method, but it requires much higher bandwidth (i.e. "space") than SD transmissions. With DTT there is a limit in the frequency range that can be used. Ofcom have decided not to release additional space for HD and therefore existing space must be used, which is rapidly filling up. In order to transmit just those 4 hours of HD overnight, the BBC must use space that is currently used by BBC Parliament, BBC Four, and 3 of the interactive video streams, i.e. those particular channels cannot broadcast at the same time as the proposed 4-hour HD service. It therefore follows that in order to broadcast a full-time HD channel, the BBC would have to cut services elsewhere. There is a way of fitting full-time HD in, and that is to wait until digital switchover is complete which will free up space used by the existing analogue channels, and also to use a different broadcasting method ("standard") which is able to compress more into the same space. This is where the problem lies - to change the standard means that existing boxes will no longer work. And waiting for digital switchover to be complete means 2012... There is no agreed method of broadcasting HD yet as there is no live HD service. There was a trial BBC HD service which used the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview, but that has ended. They haven't yet decided whether to continue using that method or whether to wait and/or change the standard. [Correction: the trial service was broadcast using the new compression, no the old one] Hence this period of public consultation and ongoing discussions. BBC HD has only got provisional approval as yet. It is practically a foregone conclusion that the channel will go ahead as planned on satellite and cable but the jury is still out on what to do with Freeview and how to do it. Even if they manage to squeeze a full-time BBC HD channel in, I don't think you're going to see a huge influx of HD channels to Freeview unless Ofcom change their position. It's just not suited for the task. See http://www.hdforall.org.uk/ - the campign for HD on Freeview. The headline on that page is "High definition on Freeview may never happen". Dated December 2006. However, there has been no change in Ofcom's position since then, all they've done is restate it. There is no such problem with satellite, as yet, as space is not so restricted.

25-09-2007, 21:31	#25
Gilson Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,145	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon There was a trial BBC HD service which used the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview, but that as ended. They haven't yet decided whether to continue using that method or whether to wait and/or change the standard. AFAIK the BBC HD trials were MPeg4 not MPeg2 "the existing method of broadcasting via Freeview"?