A Freeview satellite update (January 2025)

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Apsattv

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#318137 19-Dec-2024 16:19

https://freeviewnz.tv/newsatellite/

1. Some channels need to be updated on 21 January 2025 to prepare for the replacement satellite (learn more here). If you can't watch Al Jazeera on channel 20, it means you use one of the very few older satellite boxes that needs to be replaced or you'll lose Sky Open, eden+1 and Bravo+1 from that date, and all channels in April.

2. As the current satellite nears the end of its life, its signal is becoming marginally more variable. While this does not have any impact for the majority of satellite viewers, you may experience reception issues for brief moments in certain parts of the day if your satellite dish is not properly aligned or if you live in very remote regions such as the Chatham Islands. Please see here for more information if this relates to you.

Freeview is moving to DVB-S2 from the looks of it..hopefully they will push to H264 and go HD at the same time. The other interesting news there extra streams being added.

"I can't watch Al Jazeera, what do I need to do?"

If you can't watch Al Jazeera on channel 20, your satellite box is too old and needs to be replaced.

You can choose from a range of replacement options.

"Where there’s good internet: stream Live TV channels with the Freeview Streaming TV app, it's free to download on most Smart TVs and preloaded onto SmartVU dongles. eden+1 and Bravo+1 will be added to Freeview Streaming TV following the January 21st channel changes."

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#3322437 19-Dec-2024 17:34

Al Jazeera is on a DVB-S2 transponder and is using MPEG4 video encoding.

Apsattv

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#3322447 19-Dec-2024 18:30

Yes hence my comment, That Freeview most likely will go to DVB-S2 once they change sats.

Oblivian

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#3322465 19-Dec-2024 19:14

And my classic sat sniffing DVB non S2 box just become ewaste :(

Basil12

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#3322602 20-Dec-2024 09:24

According to Freeview: "Everyone across the industry is working together towards a seamless transition to the replacement satellite in April 2025, with minimal impact for viewers."

Nah, someone in the industry will just be surfing or watching YouTube.

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Apsattv

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#3323387 22-Dec-2024 18:52

on Freeview website "Note for viewers tuned in through satellite: On December 19th, the broadcaster retired Sky Open +1 on satellite. You can still watch everything you love on Sky Open, which plays the same content. If you’d still like to watch Sky Open delayed by 1 hour, Sky Open +1 remains available on the Freeview Streaming TV app. "

JimmyH

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#3324921 27-Dec-2024 11:02

I have an elderly relative who is caught by this, and who is semi-bedridden in constant pain so they rely on their TV to get them through the day. They can't get a terrestrial signal, and aren't up to using streaming. So I want to replace the satellite tuner I gifted them 5(ish) years ago (which isn't compatible with the new satellite) before this becomes an issue. I need uncomplicated from a users perspective for this task.

It's a while since I have looked at Freeview, and we don't currently have it at our house. The universe of boxes seems to have shrunk a lot, and the only readily available options seem to be DishTV (ugh) models SAT1 or s7070PVR units. On paper the s7070 is obviously the better unit (twin tuner and built in drive for recording). But I can't find much in the way of reviews - and I'm aware that DishTV units that look good on paper have historically had a track record of being buggy and poorly supported.

Does anyone have any real world experience of trying operating these units they could share, or is there another option I have overlooked (aside from streaming which, for the avoidance of doubt, ISN'T an option in this scenario). I'm hoping to pick something up this weekend, and drive to them to do the setup while I'm on leave next week, so any observations on whether either of these units are sensible would be greatly appreciated.

NB: Is it also fair to assume that the DishTV units will work after the satellite change, otherwise they wouldn't still be being sold?

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saf

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#3324941 27-Dec-2024 11:42

Ultimately, this is due to the Optus D2 satellite is set to be replaced in 2025 and is now in an inclined orbit, so Freeview's hand is pushed to do something to prevent service degradation as this increases, being the satellite replacement.

Further info from Freeview on the satellite replacement:

Background
On January 21st, the satellite channel carrier needs to make the following changes to Freeview’s satellite service in preparation for the upcoming satellite replacement in April:

Sky Open, eden+1 and Bravo+1 will update from MPEG2 to MPEG4.
Al Jazeera will move to Sky TS3 on 12,519Mhz.

Viewer impact limited to those using older satellite receivers

There is no impact to viewers tuned in through a UHF aerial or to those using the Freeview Streaming TV app. Most satellite viewers are not expected to do anything at all either, these changes will take place seamlessly.

However, older (MPEG-2 only) satellite boxes (those that cannot watch Al Jazeera on Freeview channel 20) will not be able to pick-up Sky Open, eden+1 and Bravo+1 from January 21st and need to be replaced. If not replaced, these older satellite boxes will lose all channels when the satellite replacement takes place in April.

Replacement options include:

a new satellite receiver box
a dual tuner TV, and,
Where there’s good internet, use the Freeview Streaming TV app available on Smart TVs and on the SmartVU dongle.

MATV systems

MATV systems receiving Freeview through satellite need to be updated. Please refer to details within the Background section above.

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Oblivian

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#3324994 27-Dec-2024 12:06

The legacy motorhome community is about to churn out a heap of ewaste. I suspect

They're all about the mini/compact tuners for dishes. Which often limited to older models someone would get in bulk. And often not of the technology inclined.

Have to check the parents one. Got a feeling like mine it's only mpeg2. I'm guessing early freeview boxes may be too. It was only the later standards that called for both mpeg2/4. Per the 2022 spec sheet

Items listed are mandatory for all devices.

6.11.1 MPEG-2
• MPEG 2 MP@ML – only used on the satellite platform

6.11.3 HEVC Video H265
• It is likely that HEVC HD broadcasts will start on the satellite platform soon
• Part 2 - ISO/IEC 23008–2, ITU-T H.265
• D-book 10 ref 22.3.1.2
• HEVC is constrained by ETSI TS 101 154 clause 5.14 HEVC IRDs and Bitstreams
• Only HEVC progressive video frame rates we be required

Spyware

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#3324995 27-Dec-2024 12:12

Items listed are mandatory for all devices.

6.11.1 MPEG-2
• MPEG 2 MP@ML – only used on the satellite platform

6.11.3 HEVC Video H265
• It is likely that HEVC HD broadcasts will start on the satellite platform soon
• Part 2 - ISO/IEC 23008–2, ITU-T H.265
• D-book 10 ref 22.3.1.2
• HEVC is constrained by ETSI TS 101 154 clause 5.14 HEVC IRDs and Bitstreams
• Only HEVC progressive video frame rates we be required

Doesn't even mention H.264 (mpeg4 part 10). Maybe you missed a bit (6.11.2?). Or maybe they are skipping H.264.

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#3324997 27-Dec-2024 12:47

The specs have at least one mistake, page 10.

HEVC High Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.264/AVC

Oblivian

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#3325051 27-Dec-2024 13:31

Link for those interested
https://freeviewnz.tv/Media/o4pp5qwe/freeview-specification-2022-v15.pdf

264/11.2 is listed as for terrestrial only in that. So left it out.

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RunningMan

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#3336022 26-Jan-2025 17:22

Well, with the changes a couple of days ago, Sky Open etc. are now on 12519H, which is DVB-S, not -S2 as Al Jazeera used to be. Using H.264/AVC video encoding 704x576i.

kiwisteve

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#3342018 12-Feb-2025 15:44

I have a 10 year old + Topfield that was an early DVBS DVBS2 reciever Its quite happy on 12519 Sky's FTA part for Sky Open / Aljazerra etc An even older European Octagon box as expected no video and audio from those channels .

My Dish TV SAT1 did not automatically process the update . I had to do a manual ReScan !!

cheers

Steve

kiwirock

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#3344418 18-Feb-2025 22:36

They've got a third satellite @ 160 now. Optus have contracted Korea to provide a satellite in that slot for the meantime.

Sky have a test card running on it, but I don't think services have been moved to it yet from the temporary move to 156.

yitz

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#3344427 18-Feb-2025 23:05

Have they got enough satellites and transponders to go back to analogue broadcasting again? 😉

Any luck receiving anything on a Trinitron that does PAL (B/G/D/K) 😂

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