Lack of HD programming on DVB-T

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Lack of HD programming on DVB-T

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#20105 13-Mar-2008 12:48

There is an very interesting article on the Hearld site about Freeview HD (the official name for the service) and comments by Rick Ellis that TVNZ are now backing away from their previous comments of 80% and 50% HD content in primetime. Now it seems we wont get any real HD programming (i.e. not upconverted from SD) until the Olympics, and then after that who knows? I noted there was NO comment on when HD programming with arrive, but there is a comment that HD programs will be flagged in the EPG with a HD logo, which is great.

Personally I think this makes the DVB-S option a better one for at least a year. I have been looking at the Topfield TF6000PVR, a dual tuner PVR which is $900, but that is only $400 more than a standard HD setup box, and gives far more options and features, plus of course there are the extra channels on satellite that are not on DVB-T. Plus it is good looking box, and not one of these tiny ones that look wierd on a rack of components.

Overall I think the DVB-S option is far better value for money at the moment, at least until there is a resonable selection of HD programming across the 3 channels.

This is a real shame and the fact the we as consumers miss out on watching something better than SD which is readily available overseas I think will confuse the market, afer all while buy a $500 box to get TV over your HUF aerial, when for the same price you can buy a complete satellite package and get more channels and at the same quality?

1 | 2

3606 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#116327 13-Mar-2008 13:10

From the musings on the apssattv forum that is only to cover TVNZ's butt. It does mention Canwest / TV3 going to list what it is going to be broadcasting next week in regards to the fact that TVNZ won't have 720p broadcast facitiles until next year+.

Most if not all of the US content is already shot in HD and downscaled to SD, it depends on if TVNZ have an agreement to rebroadcast the HD or SD content from overseas as well. So time will tell what actually happens with DTT.

IMHO, if you already have a HD capible TV, I would wait for a DTT HD receiver. $900 seems excessive to spend on a DVB-S Dual Tuner box, when you can get a single tuner recordable box for less than $400, or buy a PCI DVB-S card for $150, just seems a bit OTT to spend $900 on a box that doesn't even support HD.

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#116328 13-Mar-2008 13:11

Yes . I was rather disapointed with TVNZs response to HD programing considering that they have had at least 12 months notice of this, where as Canwest when they owned C3 and C4 and later Mediaworks upgraded to HD and I believe are ready with HD content soon after launch.. I'm hoping that these suppliers that say that they are going to supply $299 DTT STB come up with the goods.
i.e http://www.freeviewnz.com/

Regards,

Old3eyes

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#116339 13-Mar-2008 13:46

$900 is a lot, true, but if you look through the features, such as a LAN connection, the ability to download and UPLOAD files (I am guessing it means you can use it as a media player, but that's just a guess), and even for the real geeks, an API so you can write your own programs! Imagine, a geekzone RSS feed reader, being displayed on your TV running on your DVB-S box!

The other thing I like about this box is that it is a full-size component, meaning it looks 'right' with other items such as DVS players, amps, etc.

Plus it offers a 'here and now' solution to watching/recording TV. Yes, a HTPC can do that and more, but it many times more complicated to setup and keep running.

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#116364 13-Mar-2008 15:13

timbosan: $900 is a lot, true, but if you look through the features, such as a LAN connection, the ability to download and UPLOAD files (I am guessing it means you can use it as a media player, but that's just a guess), and even for the real geeks, an API so you can write your own programs! Imagine, a geekzone RSS feed reader, being displayed on your TV running on your DVB-S box!

The other thing I like about this box is that it is a full-size component, meaning it looks 'right' with other items such as DVS players, amps, etc.

Plus it offers a 'here and now' solution to watching/recording TV. Yes, a HTPC can do that and more, but it many times more complicated to setup and keep running.

you have just discibed my media center. which can do all that and more. plus I can record sky, dvb-t and dvb-s. probably cost around $900 to build too.

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#116368 13-Mar-2008 15:22

From what I can tell its not TVNZ problem in getting the HD material, but having a playout system that will handle it, something they currently have on order but not in service.

Cyril

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#116370 13-Mar-2008 15:35

cyril7: From what I can tell its not TVNZ problem in getting the HD material, but having a playout system that will handle it, something they currently have on order but not in service.

Cyril

So very true Cyril, and I was just waiting for someone to point that out. I guess it just comes down to your requirements at the 'user experience' level. We have a Media Centre PC, but it always requires some level of feeding and watering, and whilst very capable, it is too much for my kids to use, and a abit noisy. Enter the 'appliance' viewpoint, such as the Topfield box, one that anyone can just plug in and turn on and use, and not have to worry about.

If you are prepared to put the time in and have the skills, I cannot deny a HTPC is a great option and a very similar price, but if you just want your family to have the option to just solve the 'how turn on the bloody TV!?!?!' question, then I would go with the appliance option every time. (And I am sure that quesion gets raised in more than just my house!!!)

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#116379 13-Mar-2008 16:04

I've said this numerous times recently but it wasn't until a few days ago when I actually tried this that it surprised me.

I don't think 99% of people will be able to tell the difference between true 720p content and upscaled 576i -> 720p on the average size TV. Remember that many people are still buying TV's in the 32" - 42" category for their lounge. Watching a true 720p feed vs upscaled on a 32" TV it is damn near impossible to tell the difference, remembering that most people also sit a lot further away from their TV's than the guidelines that define being able to even tell the difference between 576i and 720p.

I have a 50" Plasma and do truely appreciate HD content and realise how much nicer it looks. IMHO the reality is that a lot of people are buying such small TV's and sitting so far away there is no point in the networks even broadcasting true HD content.

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#116382 13-Mar-2008 16:21

timbosan:
cyril7: From what I can tell its not TVNZ problem in getting the HD material, but having a playout system that will handle it, something they currently have on order but not in service.

Cyril

So very true Cyril, and I was just waiting for someone to point that out. I guess it just comes down to your requirements at the 'user experience' level. We have a Media Centre PC, but it always requires some level of feeding and watering, and whilst very capable, it is too much for my kids to use, and a abit noisy. Enter the 'appliance' viewpoint, such as the Topfield box, one that anyone can just plug in and turn on and use, and not have to worry about.

If you are prepared to put the time in and have the skills, I cannot deny a HTPC is a great option and a very similar price, but if you just want your family to have the option to just solve the 'how turn on the bloody TV!?!?!' question, then I would go with the appliance option every time. (And I am sure that quesion gets raised in more than just my house!!!)

Have to agree re kids especially - dont know if I would be going the HTPC route if that was a factor in my house. Being a DINK (Double Income No Kids) house this isnt really an issue for me - altough the wife probably wishes we had an apliance when I spend a few hours trying to get some new pluggin to work!

I have a 40" LCD and sit about 2-3 meters away so can def see the difference between upscaled and 720p.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#116384 13-Mar-2008 16:25

geekiegeek:
altough the wife probably wishes we had an apliance when I spend a few hours trying to get some new pluggin to work!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! :-)

mentalinc

3234 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#116398 13-Mar-2008 16:59

Wow all those posts ^^ at not a single person mentioning the fact the name is blatently misleading.

Would you buy a can of Coke when there is not going to be any Coke to drink from the can until some unknown time?

Basically it says its HD but it simply is not.

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#116402 13-Mar-2008 17:07

mentalinc:
Basically it says its HD but it simply is not.

That could be argued as well.

TV1, TV2 are being broadcast 24/7 in 720p and TV3 is being broadcast 27/7 in 1080i

By definition this makes them "HD" channels.

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#116404 13-Mar-2008 17:12

By definition this makes them "HD" channels.

By Iterpretation, or Interpolation :)

Cyril

openmedia

3329 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#116405 13-Mar-2008 17:17

Try reading the official press release as it is presented as "HD capable digital terrestrial "

Freeview DTT Service Name Announced 13th March, 2008

So who is going to go after them this time for not being "free" and not being 100% HD?

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.

CYaBro

4585 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#116502 13-Mar-2008 22:47

openmedia: Try reading the official press release as it is presented as "HD capable digital terrestrial "

Freeview DTT Service Name Announced 13th March, 2008

So who is going to go after them this time for not being "free" and not being 100% HD?

They say the HD logo will appear in the EPG for programs that will be broadcast in native HD.
Will MediaPortal's EPG show these?

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

openmedia

3329 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#116504 13-Mar-2008 23:01

CYaBro:
openmedia: Try reading the official press release as it is presented as "HD capable digital terrestrial "

Freeview DTT Service Name Announced 13th March, 2008

So who is going to go after them this time for not being "free" and not being 100% HD?

They say the HD logo will appear in the EPG for programs that will be broadcast in native HD.
Will MediaPortal's EPG show these?

Does media portal have an MHEG-5 EPG?

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.

1 | 2