Freeview and Freesat News

[bradavon]

BBC seeking participants for Freeview HD trial -

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin ... hp?id=8639

Pity Freeview is London only but it's still very exciting news. Assuming their is no rental charge (which there shouldn't be) I'd definitely pay a one off fee for Freeview HD.

[slasher13]

Not sure about HD at the moment, its very expensive for the TV. Hopefully the price will drop next year or so.

[bradavon]

Freesat launch set for May 6:

http://whathifi.com/home-cinema/archive ... may-6.aspx

Cool, in HD too! Although a digi-box without a hard disk is pointless for me. I couldn't go back to a standard digi-box now, even for HD. Hopefully by the time I could get one a PVR model will be out.

From the comment section in that link:

"Channels at launch will be current Freeview channels, plus BBC HD and (possibly, if it launches in time) ITV HD - which will follow the BBC HD format of broadcasting @3 hours a day of selected HD content, including sport and drama.

What's still unclear at the moment is whether Channel 4 HD will be available via Freesat, as there are contractual issues re Sky having exclusive satellite rights, it seems."

So possibly just the ONE HD channel at launch

[bradavon]

Early indications suggest that Alba (Grundig) and Humax will lead the way with the first receivers available from launch. This information has been provided to us:

- Standard receivers from launch (manufacturer: *alba)
- HD receivers from launch (manufacturer: humax)
- HD receivers from may/june (manufacturer: *alba)
- HD/PVR receivers from july (manufacturer: *alba and humax)

*alba receivers are likely to be badged as grundig.

Source: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/ ... ailability

Cool, PVRs as early as July.

[bradavon]

Official Freesat Press Release:

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/ ... ss-release

Bush Freesat box for £50 (you'll need a dish):

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin ... hp?id=9559

The free-to-view satellite service FreeSat will officially begin broadcasting tomorrow (May 6), with an expected 80 channels of programming. Unlike Freeview, FreeSat is free from bandwidth restrictions and so will offer high definition channels alongside standard definition fare from the start.

At launch there will be one HD channel, the newly re-launched BBC HD. ITV will join the party with an exclusive to FreeSat HD service ‘within weeks’.

Unlike their terrestrial rivals, all FreeSat products will come with an Ethernet port. Part of the platform’s development will involve the integration of online services. While FreeSat will not be drawn on possible applications, a roll-out of iPlayer and related online playback applications is seen as inevitable.

Prices for Hi-def receivers will start at 120 pounds, plus 80 quid for a dish installation. Standard definition FreeSat boxes will sell for 50 pounds, plus installation. Panasonic will offer an exclusive range of flatscreens with integrated FreeSat tuners.

Source: http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/page/h ... _a_new_era

Until we start seeing Freesat PVRs it won't interest me much but when we do this sounds like the way to get HD TV without a subscription!

I won't be getting it this year (flat) but may do in 2009/2010. I'm guessing the SD channels will be broadcast from the same source as Freeview meaning it's unlikely to fail.

[bradavon]

Grundig @ Comet - £49.99 (I cannot find it though):

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/ ... e-at-comet

Goodmas SD Freesat box - £69.99:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... ODMANS.htm

Goodmas HD Freesat box - £149.99:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... ODMANS.htm

Humax HD Freesat box £149.99:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... EHUMAX.htm

Humax HD Freesat box £149.99:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/produc ... -FOXSAT-HD

Personally I'd go with Humax. They make excellent Freeview/Satellite boxes.

[bradavon]

Freeview HD to launch Dec 2, BBC says it's fast-tracking transmitter upgrades:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blogs/t ... s+25+06+09

Is there any word if existing Freeview SD compatible aerials will work with Freeview HD? I hope so.

I wonder how this will compete with Freesat? Given that Freesat only has 2 HD channels, I can see Freeview HD all but killing it off. Why get Freesat when you can get Freeview HD without the need for a satellite dish. The only saving grace (except more channels) is BBC iPlayer coming to Freesat.

[bradavon]

Freeview HD boxes in store by Christmas:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blogs/s ... st+boss+22+

As soon as Freeview HD PVRs are available I'll be all over it. If I can use my existing aerial! Also BBC iPlayer to come to Freeview HD (over Broadband though):

http://www.rboffers.com/news/entertainm ... dband.html

I don't mind it being over BB but why only Freeview HD? I've been waiting for BBC iPlayer to be on Freeview for ages. Until then it's not much use to me.

[bradavon]

Samsung first to license advanced Rovi EPG, TV tech will 'empower consumers' says brand:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blogs/t ... s+brand+18+

WOW! Very impressive EPG indeed.

[bradavon]

Freeview HD product testing to begin October:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blogs/t ... r+08+09+09

[bradavon]

Freesat to debut BBC iPlayer in December, ITV Player planned for early 2010:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blogs/t ... 0+25+11+09

Freeview HD is getting BBC iPlayer eventually too.

[bradavon]

You can see when your area will be getting Freeview HD here:

http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/cont ... %20out.pdf

My area is April 2010/at the same time as Digital Switch over. Yay! .