You Ask Freeview (November 2012) and giveaway #AskFreeviewNZ

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freitasm

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#111917 19-Nov-2012 16:52

Hello folks. It is time for another Freeview Q&A here on Geekzone.

With the Digital Switch Over now in full swing, and Hawkes Bay switch done, the collective may have questions that need answers!

The idea is that we will have this discussion open for a couple of weeks or so (through end of November 2012) and lock this discussion while Freeview answers the questions.

We will then re-open the thread with their reply and leave it open for people to discuss. We will then follow with another discussion thread some time later and so on.

Remember folks, questions only, comments are ok after the Freeview answers are posted. This is not a "Please help me install Freeview" topic. If you have questions on installation please start another topic.

Start with your questions below for this round...

To make things even more appealing I am going to draw a DishTV T1050 DVR between the replies here when I close the thread to send to Freeviw (one entry per user regardless of number of questions). So make sure you ask smart question and be worthy of a cool prize!

My technology disclosure

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#719627 19-Nov-2012 17:03

ok, here is my question:

Dear Freeview,

Back in June we heard about creating a digital delivery platform via freeview boxes due around Christmas ( article from stuff http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/7026998/Freeview-pay-per-view-may-arrive-in-time-for-Christmas but as yet we haven?t seen or heard anything.

Any word on whether any content providers are going to use it (whether free or paid for) and, if so, who and when?

thanks

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

openmedia

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#719631 19-Nov-2012 17:12

Post DSO will we see any increase in transmission strength for the digital signals?

As part of the DSO prep we've seen some re-stacking around the regions. Will Auckland's transmission frequencies be changing at some point?

Both DTT service is now running a close to transmission capacity. Will we see a fourth active multiplex before DSO completes?

The DTH service seriously oversubscribed due to the multiple versions of TV One and TV 3. What progress is being made on acquiring additional capacity, or providing guidance to broadcasters around picture quality.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Journeyman

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#719947 20-Nov-2012 09:44

Has Freeview conducted any research into how many households have converted their televisions to Freeview-capable with a set top box vs how many people have upgraded the TV itself to one with a built in Freeview receiver?
Might Freeview have any indication as to how many households are still using a 4:3 television as opposed to a 16:9?

wellygary

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#719952 20-Nov-2012 09:49

Journeyman: Has Freeview conducted any research into how many households have converted their televisions to Freeview-capable with a set top box vs how many people have upgraded the TV itself to one with a built in Freeview receiver?
Might Freeview have any indication as to how many households are still using a 4:3 television as opposed to a 16:9?

Freeview know how many certified freeview STB decoders have been sold, vs inbuilt decoders in new TVs

I think Freeview will also be carefully watching the numbers of CRTs turning up in the recycling schemes around the country....

old3eyes

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#720038 20-Nov-2012 12:37

As the first stage on the analog shutdown has gone without any major problems why not just throw the switch nation wide end of this year. Why drag it on for another 12 months??

Regards,

Old3eyes

StarBlazer

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#720069 20-Nov-2012 13:40

Is there ever likely to be HD broadcast on Freeview Satellite?

Procrastination eventually pays off.

DjShadow

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#720075 20-Nov-2012 13:49

Is there any plans down the track to upgrade Freeview UHF/HD to DVB-T2 ?
There was talk when UFB was launched that Freeview was looking at using it as a transmission medium, has anything become of this?

kre8uv

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#720089 20-Nov-2012 14:15

Is the Freeview default channel numbering going to go past channel 29 in the future or are any additional channels going to fill the gaps ?

deadlyllama

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#720090 20-Nov-2012 14:15

StarBlazer: Is there ever likely to be HD broadcast on Freeview Satellite?

For that matter, are there any plans to switch to DVB-S2 at some point? If I buy a DVB-S-only STB today, how long can I expect it to be capable of receiving freeview?

MurrayM

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#720091 20-Nov-2012 14:17

Dear Freeview,

Are there any plans to offer a teletext-type service via Freeview when TVNZ turn off their Teletext service (is it still scheduled for the end of 2012)?

Thanks.

carleeto

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#720093 20-Nov-2012 14:18

Dear Freeview,

Most of NZ is now well aware of the switch to Digital and as of right now, all content is 1080i or lower.

My questions are:
1) Are there any plans for true 1080p content?
2) Japan is already going ahead with plans to skip 4k and switch directly to 8K for digital broadcasting (Ultra Hi Definition). 8k is already a standard approved by the ITU (http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/24/3264652/8k-ultra-high-definition-tv-specification-approved). Is another switch planned in the long term and if so, when?

splodge

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#720104 20-Nov-2012 14:28

StarBlazer: Is there ever likely to be HD broadcast on Freeview Satellite?

This is also my question. Are those of us who live outside the main centres ever going to get HD content without subscribing to Sky?

What is stopping (business or technical) Sky from opening up their HD broadcasts of the FTA channels on Optus D1 to freeview? Could some arrangement be made with Sky to allow that to happen?

mattwnz

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#720109 20-Nov-2012 14:34

splodge:
StarBlazer: Is there ever likely to be HD broadcast on Freeview Satellite?

This is also my question. Are those of us who live outside the main centres ever going to get HD content without subscribing to Sky?

What is stopping (business or technical) Sky from opening up their HD broadcasts of the FTA channels on Optus D1 to freeview? Could some arrangement be made with Sky to allow that to happen?

Don't they already do this, but it is a paid service? I agree that freeview should be HD from the satellite too, but it would make UHF redundant, and most freeview TVs are now running UHF freeview.

My question is wouldn't it have been better/easier/cheaper long term, for them to just have used the single satellite system, rather than having UHF for HD, and thus having two separate systems? I have satellite, and the picture quality for fast moving complex images is far worse than the analogue system, due to the high compression, and limited channels, so it is a pretty poor service compared to the UHF version. I suspect the answer will be that it was a decision made by the government at the time.

cdc

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#720110 20-Nov-2012 14:34

Why is there a difference in the available channels between freeview sat and UHF?

mattwnz

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#720116 20-Nov-2012 14:40

cdc: Why is there a difference in the available channels between freeview sat and UHF?

I have heard freeview discuss this before on the radio, and I recall it maybe because of limited satellite capacity remaining and cost to the broadcaster.

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