[TelstraClear] Telstra High definition TV is it a myth

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › [TelstraClear] Telstra High definition TV is it a myth

MikeB4

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#40296 28-Aug-2009 08:42

I was pondering today , will TCL ever get their HD TV service off the ground or is it like Duke Nukem 4 ever. A never show?

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#251201 28-Aug-2009 08:45

It will definately happen. Plenty of work being done behind the scenes at present for it's rollout.

freitasm

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#251204 28-Aug-2009 08:52

Latest rumour is February 2010 - which would be one year later if we followed the previous rumour...

MikeB4

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#251205 28-Aug-2009 08:58

Why is it taking so long? Its not like they need to invent the Technology

RockResearch

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#251213 28-Aug-2009 09:37

With mysky up and running and TIVO on the way it may be too little too late.

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sbiddle

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#251214 28-Aug-2009 09:38

KiwiNZ: Why is it taking so long? Its not like they need to invent the Technology

If you knew exactly what was on offer and realised the complexities of a CATV network you would understand why it's taking so long. There have been numerous upgrades that have all needed to happen before the PVR can be launched one of which is for TCL to upgrade their network to DOCSIS3 which is by no means an overnight task.

While they haven't needed to invent the technology what they are doing couldn't have been done a couple of years ago.

Much like NZ's late entrance into the DVB-T market the wait was worth it because we ended up with a far superior H.264 based network. TCL's PVR is very much along the same lines.

jpollock

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#251310 28-Aug-2009 14:18

sbiddle:
KiwiNZ: Why is it taking so long? Its not like they need to invent the Technology

If you knew exactly what was on offer and realised the complexities of a CATV network you would understand why it's taking so long. There have been numerous upgrades that have all needed to happen before the PVR can be launched one of which is for TCL to upgrade their network to DOCSIS3 which is by no means an overnight task.

While they haven't needed to invent the technology what they are doing couldn't have been done a couple of years ago.

Much like NZ's late entrance into the DVB-T market the wait was worth it because we ended up with a far superior H.264 based network. TCL's PVR is very much along the same lines.

So, is the plan for them to go completely IP, with a network based PVR? Otherwise, I can't really see how DOCSIS3 affects delivery of HD content.

Either way, doesn't affect me. I cancelled my cable TV last month. No Sky either. :)

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cyril7

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#251319 28-Aug-2009 14:32

It still surprises me that they have not biffed everyone off the analog HFC TV network to give them some space back.

Cyril

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#251340 28-Aug-2009 15:15

cyril7: It still surprises me that they have not biffed everyone off the analog HFC TV network to give them some space back.

Cyril

Because I'm feeling grouchy this afternoon, and prone to arguing.

From TCL's viewpoint:

1) The analog set-top boxes work, and are already depreciated.
2) They like charging NZ$99 for install and NZ$5/mo for DTV.
3) They might be paying more to Sky for a DTV subscriber.
4) They'd rather upgrade you to a PVR instead of having to buy two set top boxes.
5) They haven't finished depreciating the analog network equipment?

But yeah, they should just turn off the analog network.

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sbiddle

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#251354 28-Aug-2009 15:49

cyril7: It still surprises me that they have not biffed everyone off the analog HFC TV network to give them some space back.

Cyril

I've heard some speculation that some analogue channels will be going in the very near future to make space.

@jpollock

TCL have already said the STB will have on demand content. You would obviously appreciate how DOCSIS3 could benefit them when it comes to this! With that delivering a 1080i stream at ~9-10Mbps becomes reality.

Screeb

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#251395 28-Aug-2009 17:54

sbiddle:
With that delivering a 1080i stream at ~9-10Mbps becomes reality.

Knowing TelstraClear, this would count towards your cap

jpollock

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#251411 28-Aug-2009 19:09

Screeb:
sbiddle:
With that delivering a 1080i stream at ~9-10Mbps becomes reality.

Knowing TelstraClear, this would count towards your cap

I want my 100mbps, just not at 230/month. :O

TCL has typically been pretty good about caps. When work was on TCL, it used to be unmetered between home and work, as well as to many other friends. I can only assume that the router doing the billing was further out in the network. :)

So, find a couple of friends and do some testing. :) You might be pleasantly surprised.

@sbiddle

As for VoD (and RS-DVRs), you don't need to go IP to offer it. I thought it was typically done by allocating a channel for that customer at the local cabinet?

I guess that means that TCL is doing their own cabinetisation... Unless they're going for IPTV, which would be a more drastic change, replacing their DTV plant.

But I have absolutely zero visibility, and only know what I read as the Cablevision case made it's way through the courts. :)

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MikeB4

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#251664 30-Aug-2009 08:36

An agent for Telstra has told me that it will late 2010 at the earliest . This is crazy.

lchiu7

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#251732 30-Aug-2009 13:48

cyril7: It still surprises me that they have not biffed everyone off the analog HFC TV network to give them some space back.

Cyril

I'd be really annoyed if they did that and then made me pay $30 or whatever for the second decoder (digital). Currently I pay $10 (and I think that's too much) for a second analogue decoder in the second room.

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Jizah

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#251735 30-Aug-2009 14:08

Second digital decoder is $15.

sbiddle

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#251753 30-Aug-2009 16:02

lchiu7:
cyril7: It still surprises me that they have not biffed everyone off the analog HFC TV network to give them some space back.

Cyril

I'd be really annoyed if they did that and then made me pay $30 or whatever for the second decoder (digital). Currently I pay $10 (and I think that's too much) for a second analogue decoder in the second room.

TCL have no choice but to start culling analogue channels at some stage because they use far too much bandwidth.

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