You Ask Freeview thread #1

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6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#165892 20-Sep-2008 23:38

How can I subscribe to an EPG using a Mac and EyeTV? As far as I can tell, you only get access to the EPG if you have the "approved set top box", well I don't need a set top box, but I'd really like to have an EPG subscription.

paul151

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#165894 20-Sep-2008 23:46

What training and upskilling are you offering to vendors promoting 'Freeview' badged products / services?

I ask this because here in Dunedin I have observed a DSE staffer suggesting to customers they need 'line of sight' to Mt Cargill. in order to be able to receive DVB-T and if they don't have this then DVB-S was the only option to them.

I pointed the staff member to the Freeview site and the .pdf of predicted signal plot coverage ex Cargill which he admitted changed his view about how wide the DVB-T sigs were sent and what he would suggest to his customers in future.

sbiddle

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#165917 21-Sep-2008 08:46

bronwyncarlisle: How can I subscribe to an EPG using a Mac and EyeTV? As far as I can tell, you only get access to the EPG if you have the "approved set top box", well I don't need a set top box, but I'd really like to have an EPG subscription.

This isn't really an issue for Freeview, it's an issue foir the company that writes EyeTV. Freeview|HD uses the MHEG5 format for it's 8 day EPG and only transmits now and next show details in the DVB EIT tables. It appears that virtually all countries now deploying DVB-T are all doing the same thing and using MHEG5 middleware.

It's not so much case of ujsing an "approved set top box", it's just a matter of making their software compatible support MHEG5, the specifications for this format are available, it is not a closed standard.

My understanding is that EyeTV has no issues importing XMLTV files so you should easily be able to obtain the EPG data in an XMLTV fornmat from sites that have this publically available and then import this directly into EyeTV to give you an 8 day EPG. If you're after some help with this I'd suggest starting a new thread as there are other EyetV users on here and I'm sure there will be somebody who's doing this.

bronwyncarlisle

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Wannabe Geek

#165921 21-Sep-2008 09:41

I already do get the EPG xml file, but it's actually not that accurate. I rarely watch the TV live, I mostly record it for watching later, and the times in the xml EPG are often quite a few minutes out. I have it set to record from 5 mins before to 10 mins afterwards, but I still sometimes miss bits. IF EyeTV supported the EPG format, how would I go about accessing it is what I really wanted to know I suppose. Then I can get onto them about support.

freitasm

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#165922 21-Sep-2008 09:43

People please post questions only in this thread. If you post a question and the answer is technical and not really something for Freeview, once identified please open a new discussion if needed more clarification.

If you don't do this it will be really hard for us to filter what needs to be answered.

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Jarno

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#165939 21-Sep-2008 11:03

Maybe we need some introductory remarks about what the area of responsibility is for Freeview (to avoid a bunch of "ask TVNZ | Mediaworks | Kordia | Stratos | your local antenna installer | the guy on trademe you bought that decoder from" responses)?

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freitasm

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#165942 21-Sep-2008 11:12

We don't know for sure if something is for one or another so everything goes to Freeview. They will tell us.

My thought is that any question is valid but if it is deemed as "not freeview" then follow up on its own discussion to avoid making it too hard to separate actual questions from other topics.

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petes117

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#165947 21-Sep-2008 11:16

I think most people want to see more channels, especially Prime.
But is there any chance of adding other free-to-air channels like Triangle, Alt TV, Juice and outside of Auckland?

How about having a standardised video resolution and audio format for all channels, even if the original programme is not recorded in it? i.e 1280x720 50fps and 5.1 AC3 audio

LennonNZ

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#165951 21-Sep-2008 11:24

What is Freeview's response in the Zinwell 620-HD's units breaking the GPLv2 Licence with using the Linux Kernel on their units and not supplying the source code or Licence with their Units? They are "freeview" branded so it looks like freeview is breaking the GPL Licence as well?

Is there a copy of the freeview certification process which says what the certification actually details?

I've had 0 response from any contact's I've had with Zinwell in the past (they seem to ignore their email from me regarding this) so can Freeview Supply any proper contact details for Zinwell?? (like who represents them in New Zealand? who was given the freeview certification etc)

Thanks

Spyware

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#166007 21-Sep-2008 13:08

gurthang117:
How about having a standardised video resolution and audio format for all channels, even if the original programme is not recorded in it? i.e 1280x720 50fps and 5.1 AC3 audio

May not be possible due to bandwidth constraints. Each mux can support up to 26 Mbps using DVB-T COFDM 64QAM, FEC 3/4, guard interval 1/16, 8K carriers. 2 x 720p + 3 x 576i is the limit or 2 x 1080i + 2 x 576i. This has been discussed previously and it should be obvious that the laws of physics have been used to determine resolution and bitrate of each channel.

EDIT: Mux bandwidth can not be increased without a change to DVB-T2 which is currently on trial in London.

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petes117

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#166026 21-Sep-2008 13:57

Spyware:
gurthang117:
How about having a standardised video resolution and audio format for all channels, even if the original programme is not recorded in it? i.e 1280x720 50fps and 5.1 AC3 audio

May not possible due to bandwidth constraints. Each mux can support up to 26 Mbps using DVB-T. 2 x 720p + 3 x 576i is the limit or 2 x 1080i + 2 x 576i. This has been discussed previously and it should be obvious that the laws of physics have been used to determine resolution and bitrate of each channel.

Nevertheless, 576i channels are not HD. This can be construed as false advertising. Freeview HD is not "free", you still pay for the decoder.
I thought I'd mention this in this thread because Freeview are listening to it (maybe they can expand their bandwidth I don't know), but I won't mention it again if no one thinks this is an issue :)

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sbiddle

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#166028 21-Sep-2008 14:05

gurthang117:
Spyware:
gurthang117:
How about having a standardised video resolution and audio format for all channels, even if the original programme is not recorded in it? i.e 1280x720 50fps and 5.1 AC3 audio

May not possible due to bandwidth constraints. Each mux can support up to 26 Mbps using DVB-T. 2 x 720p + 3 x 576i is the limit or 2 x 1080i + 2 x 576i. This has been discussed previously and it should be obvious that the laws of physics have been used to determine resolution and bitrate of each channel.

Nevertheless, 576i channels are not HD. This can be construed as false advertising. Freeview HD is not "free", you still pay for the decoder.

We all know that 576i is not HD, did anybody ever claim it was?

IMHO the claims that "Freeview|HD" is not "free" are just plain crazy. If you were to take this seriously then nothing in life is "free". You have to pay for a radio to listen to "free" radio, buy a TV to watch old analog "free" TV.

It becomes a completely irrelevant not that many TV's come with Freeview|HD tuners built in. You are getting it "free" just like older analogue TV was "free".

Lets keep this thread on topic please.

eXDee

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#166047 21-Sep-2008 15:44

gurthang117: Nevertheless, 576i channels are not HD. This can be construed as false advertising. Freeview HD is not "free", you still pay for the decoder.

So, what are they meant to call it? Payview | Sometimes HD?
Free refers to the fact its free to air. HD refers to the fact that its HD capable. I think you'll find that every service in the world that is sold as HD won't have HD for every channel.

MF: I hope you make another thread with the questions, since theres too many repeats, already answered and technical questions.

old3eyes

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#166061 21-Sep-2008 17:14

Will we see anymore HD channels or do we have to wait until the analog cutoff for this too happen and just when is the analog cutoff in NZ??? 2012, next year, sometime, never?? Would be nice for an actual date..

Regards,

Old3eyes

charley

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#166071 21-Sep-2008 18:35

sbiddle:
charley: 1) The downside of DVB-T is some channels have black borders on all 4 sides. Is it possible to fix this and if so are there plans to?

I'm also not sure what you mean by a border around the whole 4 sides, this sounds like a setup issue with your setup. The occasional ad or music video on C4 does appear both centre cut and letterboxed when the aspect ratio has been messed up. This is an occasional thing however, not the norm but does appear reasonably frequently on C4.

I watch freeview on a 29" 4:3 tv and get the black boarders all round with alot of c4 programs and a few programs from other channels e.g Celebrity Apprentice, Funniest Home Videos, Wipeout etc
I cant stand watching programs that look like that.

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