You Ask Freeview (November 2010 round)

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › You Ask Freeview (November 2010 round)

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79254 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#71143 5-Nov-2010 09:48

Hello folks. We have previously arranged with Freeview to have a series of regular Q&A discussions here on Geekzone.

The idea is that we will have this discussion open for a couple of weeks or so (through end of November) 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. Start with your questions below for this round...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

3324 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#400537 5-Nov-2010 10:29

When are we going to see a schedule around expansion of DTH coverage to 87%

Are plans under way to expand the service to 5 multiplexes from the existing 3.

Will we be seeing any additional HD services in the next year?

Will Prime be migrating to HD, and will FOUR be in HD rather than SD.

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.

langi27

675 posts

Ultimate Geek

#400542 5-Nov-2010 10:33

Are you planning to test 3D DVB-T broadcasts in the near future?

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#400547 5-Nov-2010 10:41

When analogue is switched off on UHF, will the existing transmitters then be used to broadcast DVB-T to extend the service even further? (ie - Marlborough receives Prime etc UHF from Kaukau site but cannot pick up HD due to the HD transmitters pointing the other way. Simply using those transmitters to broadcast HD wiould enable Marlborough to receive HD)

Lounge:
WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB
ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE
PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS

Man Cave:
XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek

#400548 5-Nov-2010 10:41

What's happening with the regional broadcasters such as Canterbury TV once analogue is turned off? Will they be joining Freeview?

allstarnz

1719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#400556 5-Nov-2010 10:53

what is the situation in regards to the New Zealand Racing Board and Freeview? There have been rumours for a long time about Trackside coming on Freeview.

TechSol

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

Technical Solutions Aust

#400641 5-Nov-2010 11:40

What is the situation with Sony's PlayTV and Freeview. I know there is a problem with the TV guide only showing the next 3 hours or so (and some smaller issues) - however about 6 months ago for 1 -2 days, this problem was rectified and then went back to broken.

I can only assume something was changed on Freeview's end temporarily (since the software for playTV is updated only about once a year) so if it is such an easy fix could we see this implimented permanently?

Any other info on what is happening to do wit this would be great!

Thanks

DjShadow

4084 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#400706 5-Nov-2010 12:37

Is there any update on plans to use the MHEG side of things for Interactive TV?

What does Freeview have in mind for educating some of our older generation regarding Analogue Switch off?

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

SteveON

1916 posts

Uber Geek

#400725 5-Nov-2010 13:05

When the time comes (<12 months to switch off), will Freeview/GOVT be providing vouchers to the people who haven't switched yet?
Similar to what happened in the USA.

CraigHumphrey

61 posts

Master Geek

#400734 5-Nov-2010 13:11

Are we going to see more channels?

When will we see 2nd generation devices, particularly PVRs, turn up?

Are the bignames (Panasonic is the only one so far?) going to deliver Freeview/MyFreeview|HD devices?

As analog TV is turned off, will we see an improvement in signal strength?

When will the EPG work natively with Windows (7) Media Centre?

Will format shifting be allowed in the near future?

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#400736 5-Nov-2010 13:12

Are there any plans to provide multi channel audio (i.e. AC3, 5.1 etc.) as opposed to the existing 2 channel MPEG2 audio on the DVB-S service for those who are unable to receive the DVB-T service?

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#400768 5-Nov-2010 14:00

What are the obstacles preventing HD transmission by satellite?

What is Freeview doing to address these?

If they are insurmountable, what is to prevent a deal being struck with Sky either to remove the encryption from retransmitted Freeview content, or to provide access cards for Freeview content for a one-off nominal charge?

Will Freeview remain free?

Jaxson

8041 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#400783 5-Nov-2010 14:21

Some 3 years maybe? after the sat service kicked off, are there any plans for an official PVR for those outside of the terrestrial coverage areas?

VinLew

210 posts

Master Geek

#400919 5-Nov-2010 19:05

Will Triangle/Stratos be broadcast on Freeview|HD?
Considering it consists of Dunedin content but most of Dunedin Freeview users use DVB-T, it would be common sense to apply this to the cities that contribute to the channel (if that makes sense).

What is your position on TVNZ6 being potentially converted into a youth channel?
Is Kidzone a major attraction to Freeview now and would its loss have a positive or negative effect on sales?

Are there any more updates for the Zinwell STBs?
Zinwell reps have published notices in various forum warning against flashing to chinese software because they will not be elegible for "upcoming features".

Any comments on Zinwell using open source code on their STBs without releasing their source code, which violates software licenses they must oblige?

"Easy Peasy" - What the hell happened there? NZ has an attitude of "If you don't understand it, don't do it", so rather than making the NZ population look unintellegent why don't you emphasise that Qualified Installers can do it if needed?

Do you like mince pies?

bfginger

1267 posts

Uber Geek

#401154 6-Nov-2010 14:39

Why are new Freeview set-top box models like the Panasonic MyFreeview|HD units no longer being listed in the Products section of the Freeview website?

Are the Conditional Access Modules and encryption spoken about in Freeview documents for the purposes of turning Freeview into a pay television platform in the future?

As most people are still deeply confused about Freeview and the analogue switchoff, will Freeview revisit its advertising to inform people about the basic technical facts?

Foo

522 posts

Ultimate Geek

#401345 7-Nov-2010 11:03

Some of these may have been asked, but:

- Are there plans to launch further channels?

- Are there plans to launch any further +1 channels?

- What plans are there for other channels to be broadcast in HD? Is that the decision of the channel rather than Freeview?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5