No HDTV for Freeview Satellite customers

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Zimsar10

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#15851 11-Sep-2007 09:04

Ok, I have just learnt via a telephone discussion with a Freeview representative, that Freeview have no planned intention of broadcasting HDTV to what is currently their entire customer base!! What they told me was "we are going to be broadcasting HDTV in Terrestrial UHF signal to 75% of the country only by March 2008". I was absolutely shocked to learn of this, as I have just invested in a Satellite dish to go with my brand new Samsung LA40S81B 40" LCD HDTV capable television set.

Honestly, what on earth are Freeview thinking? Why are they shafting everyone who has just forked out for a receiver & Satellite dish? I was also told that they "have no plans to broadcast in HDTV for Satellite customers next year at this time".

The thing I can't understand is that the HDTV signal can be broadcast simultaneously to both UHF & Satellite, so why on earth can't they do this? As far as I know, worst case scenario may require an upgrade of the receiver box to receive HDTV, I personally have a Zinwell reciever.

So what do people think about this?

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#86224 11-Sep-2007 09:17

I've learnt from many other high-tech innovation and being early adopter to many bleeding edge technology... and I must say, this is not a surprise to me. Many folks that got Freeview are adventurists and early adopters (the polite way to say, beta tester).

Good thing I'm holding out for UHF offering in 2008, though I'm already on TCL Digital Saturn TV service.

Don't get sleepless nights over this... you'll cope with the disappointment in your due time, just let it rolls. I know good handful of people who bought Apple's products before the new announcement (not just recent but over a number of years). Or people that bought new technology and later found the manufacturer is not going to update to make it Vista compatible etc... so yeah, technology is real pain, especially one that with bleeding-edge!

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Zimsar10

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#86226 11-Sep-2007 09:23

I'm gonna hope that they use their brains & deliver the service to Satellite customers as well, before too long. Sky are going to be doing it next year, so I can't understand why they would shaft 41,000 Freeview Satellite customers.

chiefie

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#86227 11-Sep-2007 09:25

Just like most thing that the Government doesn't really think much about... in one nasty word "stupidity"... hope that sum up most.

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old3eyes

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#86228 11-Sep-2007 09:27

Freeview made this known from day one. This is why I refuse to buy a DVB-S STB and will wait for the DVB-T version that will have HD. I see that sky has put off HD at least until June/July 2008. No doubt waiting until Foxtel in Ozz launches so that they can piggy back on Foxtel's STB and screw even more $$ out of the NZ customer..

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Old3eyes

BrentR

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#86231 11-Sep-2007 09:33

old3eyes: Freeview made this known from day one.

Exactly.

Not Freeview's fault you didn't do your research prior to purchasing said STB.

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#86232 11-Sep-2007 09:38

ZIMsar10: Sky are going to be doing it next year, so I can't understand why they would shaft 41,000 Freeview Satellite customers.

i wouldnt hold my breath for SKY rolling out anything either... they havent exactly been punctual in introducing technology in the past.

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Zimsar10

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#86234 11-Sep-2007 09:54

Jeffthechef:
old3eyes: Freeview made this known from day one.

Exactly.

Not Freeview's fault you didn't do your research prior to purchasing said STB.

That's really helpful. Freeview do not specifically rule out the broadcasting of HDTV over Satellite on their website & the push has been for the Satellite dish install, not UHF.

cyril7

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#86237 11-Sep-2007 10:20

This aspect has been discussed in the mainstream media and is quite clear on their web site. Also if I am not mistaken the FTA DVB-S STB that you may have spent some money on now quite clearly states that it is not capable of HD, its only SD, did you think somehow that it would do HD sometime in the future? The fact that you cannot buy a HD DVB-S box clearly indicates that its not available, and if it does then you will need a new box, as the one you have just purchased clearly states that it is mpeg2 ML&MP and most likely has the resolution printed on the spec on the outside of the box aswell.

Cyril

Zimsar10

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#86240 11-Sep-2007 10:37

cyril7: This aspect has been discussed in the mainstream media and is quite clear on their web site. Also if I am not mistaken the FTA DVB-S STB that you may have spent some money on now quite clearly states that it is not capable of HD, its only SD, did you think somehow that it would do HD sometime in the future? The fact that you cannot buy a HD DVB-S box clearly indicates that its not available, and if it does then you will need a new box, as the one you have just purchased clearly states that it is mpeg2 ML&MP and most likely has the resolution printed on the spec on the outside of the box aswell.

Cyril

This discussion has nothing to with my Zinwell receiver, I am fully aware it only does SD, not HD & if need be, I can upgrade the box at a later stage, I don't have a problem with that. Sky will be broadcasting in HDTV via Satellite sometime next year, so the boxes will available sooner a later.

What I am not happy with is that Freeview have no plans at this stage to broadcast via Satellite in HD & only have plans for Terrestrial UHF by March 2008, which will reach only 75% of the population, whereas Satellite can reach 100%.

It seems silly to me that they are encouraging people to take up Satellite TV & yet *at this time* they no plans to broadcast in HDTV for current or future Satellite customers.

This taken from their website:

Welcome to a new era in broadcasting. For the first time, you can watch your favourite programmes in crystal clear, digital quality, for free!

No more bad reception, no monthly fees and no contracts free digital TV and radio for all New Zealanders.

All you need is a set top box and if necessary, a new satellite dish. The Freeview satellite service covers all of New Zealand and is available NOW.

Digital means better reception, ultimately more channels and new services it's an exciting development and it's here now. Learn about Freeview and how you can enjoy a richer entertainment experience in your home.

http://freeviewnz.tv/index.php?section_id=1

sbiddle

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#86244 11-Sep-2007 10:58

The DVB-S satellite service is only designed as an infill service for the 25% of NZers who won't receive the DVB-T terrestrial service when it launches. The terrestrial service will be the main method of viewing TV on the Freeview platform for most NZers.

The reasons for no HD are pretty straight forward, the cost of DVB-S2 STB's is still high and due to the higher bandwidth requirements and the cost of bandwidth it's also not as economical as regular SD channels. Freeview have indicated that it's likely we could possibly see DVB-S2 broadcasts but that it's un likely for several years at least. HD satellite broadcasts are not that common overseas, HD over terrestrial and cable is.

As for Sky's HD broadcasts it's going to be very much a case of waiting to see what they offer. They will be broadcasting some sport such as rugby in HD however the bulk of their overseas programming is only received in SD. There will only be a limited number of channels being broadcast in HD and even then not all programming will be in HD. I'd say Sky would be lucky to have more than 5% of their total programming in HD.

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#86246 11-Sep-2007 11:07

I think HD requires much more bandwidth than SD. Satellite bandwidth is expensive. As for terrestrial bandwidth, well there's oodles of that! I guess it makes perfect sense to me - Satellite for everyone including fringe. UHF for everyone else.

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Zimsar10

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#86247 11-Sep-2007 11:16

sbiddle: The DVB-S satellite service is only designed as an infill service for the 25% of NZers who won't receive the DVB-T terrestrial service when it launches. The terrestrial service will be the main method of viewing TV on the Freeview platform for most NZers.

The reasons for no HD are pretty straight forward, the cost of DVB-S2 STB's is still high and due to the higher bandwidth requirements and the cost of bandwidth it's also not as economical as regular SD channels. Freeview have indicated that it's likely we could possibly see DVB-S2 broadcasts but that it's un likely for several years at least. HD satellite broadcasts are not that common overseas, HD over terrestrial and cable is.

As for Sky's HD broadcasts it's going to be very much a case of waiting to see what they offer. They will be broadcasting some sport such as rugby in HD however the bulk of their overseas programming is only received in SD. There will only be a limited number of channels being broadcast in HD and even then not all programming will be in HD. I'd say Sky would be lucky to have more than 5% of their total programming in HD.

Thanks for you're input, at least your not as blunt as some members on these forums & have at least provided some hope for me & the many other thousands of people who are waiting for HD via Satellite.

cyril7

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#86250 11-Sep-2007 11:49

I guess you term Blunt refers to me, sorry, not intended as I too am anoyed that there is no HD on sat, however even though there are no immediate plans to not do HD when the FreeView heads were asked about this (quite some months ago) they stated that they would probably concider it once the DVB-T service was up and running.

I guess its all a matter of priorities, getting a full country wide coverage bringing the nation forward to a digital platform via DVB-S in SD is the first step. This gives them a digital platform that all the country has ready access to at a reasonable cost (ie those 4-500 little translators can be rested up). The get the major metros up and running on DVB-T with HD as an option broadcasters can use. This is an important point, there is no indication that broadcasters will do HD 24/7, it may be an as desired basis. Once thats all settled then I would think its reasonable that a DVB-S2 mux is deployed.

I do know that the Avalon uplink has a spare modulator/tx chain (seperate to the current two and their hot standbys). I presume this is for future expansion of a third mux, purhaps in DVB-S2 to support HD, who knows.

If you check the Freeviewnz.tv help and trouble shooting FAQ section you will find a "What is HD", the answer clearly states that only the DVB-T service will have this ability, this info has been there since day one of the website launch.

Cheers
Cyril

Zimsar10

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#86251 11-Sep-2007 12:02

cyril7: I guess you term Blunt refers to me, sorry, not intended as I too am anoyed that there is no HD on sat, however even though there are no immediate plans to not do HD when the FreeView heads were asked about this (quite some months ago) they stated that they would probably concider it once the DVB-T service was up and running.

I guess its all a matter of priorities, getting a full country wide coverage bringing the nation forward to a digital platform via DVB-S in SD is the first step. This gives them a digital platform that all the country has ready access to at a reasonable cost (ie those 4-500 little translators can be rested up). The get the major metros up and running on DVB-T with HD as an option broadcasters can use. This is an important point, there is no indication that broadcasters will do HD 24/7, it may be an as desired basis. Once thats all settled then I would think its reasonable that a DVB-S2 mux is deployed.

I do know that the Avalon uplink has a spare modulator/tx chain (seperate to the current two and their hot standbys). I presume this is for future expansion of a third mux, purhaps in DVB-S2 to support HD, who knows.

If you check the Freeviewnz.tv help and trouble shooting FAQ section you will find a "What is HD", the answer clearly states that only the DVB-T service will have this ability, this info has been there since day one of the website launch.

Cheers
Cyril

Yes, the blunt comment was directed at you & Jeffthechef, but I'm over it now.

I have found that information about HDTV being available for Terrestrial UHF on their website, but only recently, as in today. The information is pretty much buried & in my opinion, they should state on their home page "HDTV will not be broadcast via Satellite at this time" or words to that affect, rather than burying the information in their Help & Trouble Shooting section & I have taken this issue up with them.

Time will tell I guess, thanks for your input.

lchiu7

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#86265 11-Sep-2007 13:40

sbiddle: ..

The reasons for no HD are pretty straight forward, the cost of DVB-S2 STB's is still high and due to the higher bandwidth requirements and the cost of bandwidth it's also not as economical as regular SD channels. Freeview have indicated that it's likely we could possibly see DVB-S2 broadcasts but that it's un likely for several years at least. HD satellite broadcasts are not that common overseas, HD over terrestrial and cable is.

..

If you exclude the US that is probably right but in the US HD over satellite has huge penetration with both Dish Network and DirectTV.

I also wonder why HD is not over satellite since that would provide potentially 100% coverage unless there is some mistaken notion that those who purchased certified fSTB's might feel a bit aggrieved to find that the boxes won't work with HD over satellite (despite all the communications to that effect). If however they offer HD over DVB-T they can at least say, well this is a different service and you need a different box!

Also on the bandwidth issue, no idea how much bandwidth is available on D1 for HD transmissions but I suspect plenty. The unanswered question (Cyril?) is how much bandwidth is available on the terrestrial networks in NZ for the re-transmission of HD signals across the country to get to the local UHF transmitters and repeaters?

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