Freeview to get HD TV from 2009

mfmf

03-04-2008

Interesting article on the BBC news website: here

Quote:
“Viewers who want to watch the new services, which will first appear in the north-west of England, will need an HD-ready TV and a new set-top box.”

What set-top box would that be, then?

Hal_loe

03-04-2008

Originally Posted by mfmf:
“Interesting article on the BBC news website: here

What set-top box would that be, then?”

One that no manufacturers produce yet.....

Have a sneaky feeling it could all end in tears when it goes pear shaped...

PTD

03-04-2008

Originally Posted by mfmf:
“Interesting article on the BBC news website: here

What set-top box would that be, then?”

A new one.

But I wouldn't be surprised if Vestel are quick off the mark. I wonder if Evesham's(Netgem) Iplayer would cope?

son_t

03-04-2008

I wonder what HDTV over DTT specification they are going to use..? Is it going to be DVB-T2? Has it be finalised?

I wonder whether all those manufacturers who are currently developing new Freeview PVR boxes, have been told of this HDTV specification? Or will they have to shelf their development products yet again and start on something else...

demo196

03-04-2008

Ofcom says MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 here

"The MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 technologies should be introduced to one universal
coverage multiplex (Multiplex B as currently operated by BBC Free to View
Limited); this should enable carriage of three HD (or up to 15 standard definition
(SD)) sized services from 2009 and a fourth service available from 2012. "

Damn just bought me second 9200T. Got two years to save for a shiny new box when Craigkelly TX is switched over

robbie2

06-04-2008

Originally Posted by son_t:
“I wonder what HDTV over DTT specification they are going to use..? Is it going to be DVB-T2? Has it be finalised?

I wonder whether all those manufacturers who are currently developing new Freeview PVR boxes, have been told of this HDTV specification? Or will they have to shelf their development products yet again and start on something else...”

Ofcom's recommendations for UK HDTV terrestrial transmissions were published on 3 April 2008. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/cond.../statement.pdf

Ofcom also stated (para 2.20) that:

“A number of receiver equipment manufacturers have informed us that, based on this silicon chip development timeline, they would be able to make first consumer receiver equipment available in the market by the end of 2009, and in increasing volumes throughout 2010. However, some manufacturers, which are relying on their own in-house silicon receiver chip developments, have informed us that they would not be able to enter the DVB-T2 receiver market before 2011.”

roddydogs

06-04-2008

Makes a change for the South to be last!

robbie2

06-04-2008

Originally Posted by roddydogs:
“Makes a change for the South to be last!”

Absolutely nothing whatsoever of course to with the number of Labour marginal constituencies oop North !!!

However Ofcom do say that they will 'consult' on providing HDTV services on spare frequencies in other regions in the period leading up to switchover (para 5.47).

MarioLanza

06-04-2008

Originally Posted by roddydogs:
“Makes a change for the South to be last!”

Like the poll tax!

nwhitfield

07-04-2008

Originally Posted by robbie2:
“Absolutely nothing whatsoever of course to with the number of Labour marginal constituencies oop North !!!”

Quite right; it's not.

It's to do with the need to co-ordinate switchover region by region, and with those countries where there is a danger of mutual interference - that's much more of an issue in the parts of the UK closest to the continent that those that are a long way away.

But I guess some people will grind their political axes no matter what.