ITV launches its new channel, ITV1 HD, on April 2nd 2010, which will broadcast ITV1’s schedule in high definition for the first time.

ITV this week reached commercial agreement with Sky and Virgin Media for carriage of the new channel. ITV1 HD will also launch on [...]]]> New ITV1 HD channel available on Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin

ITV launches its new channel, ITV1 HD, on April 2nd 2010, which will broadcast ITV1’s schedule in high definition for the first time.

ITV this week reached commercial agreement with Sky and Virgin Media for carriage of the new channel. ITV1 HD will also launch on Freeview*; and Freesat, where it will move from a red button service to a standalone channel for the first time.   The new deals mean that ITV1 HD will be available on all major high definition platforms ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

The ITV1 schedule will be simulcast on the new channel, with the majority of peak time content available in ‘native’ HD, including all live football, and an increasing range of drama, factual and entertainment programming.  Other ITV1 content including GMTV and the daytime schedule, will be ‘upscaled’ – giving viewers a better than ever experience of the nation’s most popular commercial channel.

Upcoming highlights on ITV1 HD will include the final stages of the UEFA Champions League and The FA Cup as well as England internationals and the FIFA World Cup 2010.  HD dramas include Father & Son, Law and Order: UK, Identity, The Prisoner, Foyles War and Lewis.  In factual programming there’s the chance to see Joanna Lumley’s Nile, Greatest Cities of the World with Griff Rhys Jones, and the brand new Survival with Ray Mears all in pure HD.  And, for HD entertainment there’s The Whole 19 Yards, 71 Degrees North, Soccer Aid and the UK’s biggest TV show, Britain’s Got Talent.  ITV1’s Prime Ministerial debate will also be shown in HD.

Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, Channels and Online, said:

 “The availability of high definition content is something viewers have come to expect as standard and, as we approach the 2010 World Cup, I’m delighted that we are able to launch our new channel, ITV1 HD, on all major platforms.

“All of our output will benefit from the stunning picture quality that high definition offers, whether it’s ITV’s original drama, landmark factual shows, entertainment events or our live football.”

Notes to Editors:

ITV1 HD will be available on the following EPG numbers:

Freesat   119
Freeview  51
Sky       178
Virgin    113

Watch TV, movies and games in superb High Definition detail with the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. View fast-moving images, such as sports or action movies, with life-like smoothness and sharper detail thanks [...]]]> The Sony KDL-32W5810 was launched in October 2009 and is the first Sony to have Freesat HD built in as well as Freeview.

Watch TV, movies and games in superb High Definition detail with the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. View fast-moving images, such as sports or action movies, with life-like smoothness and sharper detail thanks to Motionflow 100Hz with Image Blur Reduction technology. Enjoy images with impressive depth and clarity, optimal contrast, vibrant colours and truer-to life tones with BRAVIA ENGINE 3. Enjoy vibrant pictures on screen with optimal colour purity thanks to Live Colour. You can select one of the four options, Off, Low, Mid, and High, to adjust colour vividness for optimal image quality. Experience deep blacks even in the darkest scenes thanks to the Advanced Contrast Enhancer. Easily switch the picture and sound settings to best suit what you’re watching with one-touch Scene Select on the remote control for the most atmospheric, dynamic and realistic results.

With a variety of Eco Settings including the Light Sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness depending on the ambient light levels in your room, we can help you to reduce energy consumption and be friendly to the environment. If you enjoy watching films then this is the TV for you – view movies exactly how the director intended with 24p True Cinema. 80000:1 dynamic contrast ratio – black levels are deeper for richer, more realistic colour representation. When you are not watching TV, turn it into a digital picture frame with Picture Frame Mode. Fill the black hole in your living room by using your TV to display your own pictures or the pre-installed images. Experience the effect of digital surround sound from only two front speakers with our advanced S-Force Front Surround technology.

Alter the volume of voices without changing background volume with Voice Zoom. Enjoy all the video, music and photo content from your computer on your TV with DLNA home networking technology. View information from the internet on screen while watching TV with Applicast^TM. Pre-installed services include a series of handy widgets such as an Analogue Clock and a Calendar, and in the future you can download even more. Four HDMI^TM inputs (two on rear, two on side, all with CEC) make it simple to connect to High Definition sources such as Blu-ray Disc^TM and PLAYSTATION®3.

Share your favourite photos, music or videos on the big screen with the easy-to-use USB Media Player. Control your entire home cinema set-up with just one click on the TV remote and access the menus on compatible peripheral devices such as Handycam® camcorders thanks to BRAVIA Sync. Beautifully slim, and elegant the W5810 features a sleek Piano Black finish, and also has a Swivel function to help you find the best position for the screen. Integrated freesat tuner – watch free-to-air HD and SD satellite broadcasts without the need for an additional set top box. Watch digital TV with the integrated standard definition digital terrestrial tuner (MPEG-2, also receives analogue).

More Info:

Sony Website

The DSI86HD features HDMI connectivity, which not only allows you to see HD channels [...]]]> The Sagem DSI86HD is a High Definition Freesat satellite set-top-box. Just plug it into your TV, connect your satellite dish and you can receive free-to-air Freesat channels with no subscription costs, including High Definition channels such as BBC HD and ITV HD.

The DSI86HD features HDMI connectivity, which not only allows you to see HD channels in all their glory, but with its impressive 720p or 1080i upscaling functionality, lets you see standard definition content at HD resolutions, so they’ll look at their best on your HD-ready flatscreen.

For older TVs, there’s also Scart (with RGB) output and Scart pass-through from devices such as VCRs or DVD recorders. There’s also a coaxial digital audio output, which is ideal for connecting the box to a surround sound system, and a stereo line output, which can be used to connect to a hifi or stereo system.

The DSI86HD is also really easy to use, thanks to its on-screen menus and simple Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which shows you what’s on for the coming week.

Specifications:

• Digitally interactive
• Digital text
• Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) subtitles available
• Auto setup
• User controlled auto detection of new channels
• User controlled auto scan for new channels
• Now and next electronic programme guide
• 7 day electronic programme guide
• 2 SCART sockets
• HDMI output socket
• Upscales to 1080i
• Freesat approved
• Remote control
• Size (H)4.1, (W)31, (D)17.5cm
• Weight 1kg
• Remote control requires 3 x AAA batteries (included)

More Info:

Sagem Website

Specifications:

The box is upgradeable via over the air updates and the software has been improved since launch now offering the facility to add non freesat channels to the receiver.

The [...]]]> The Goodmans GFSAT100SD is a standard definition freesat set top box manufactured by the Alba group, available since freesat’s launch. The receiver offers vibrant standard definition pictures.

The box is upgradeable via over the air updates and the software has been improved since launch now offering the facility to add non freesat channels to the receiver.

The Goodmans includes the usual standard freesat features including a 7 day TV guide EPG, 5.1 surround sound audio out and is energy efficient consuming less than 3 watts in standby. Features:

• freesat Digital Box
• freesat compliant
• Access all freesat Digital Channels and Radio Stations
• On-Screen TV Listings 7 Day EPG
• Energy Efficient less that 3 watts in standby
• Parental control
• Digital text
• Red button interactive service
• Subtitles and Audio Description

Connections:

• 2 x Scart Sockets
• LNB In and Out
• Ethernet – For future broadband connection
• SPDIF – Dolby digital audio output 5.1

What’s in the box:

• freesat Digital Box
• Scart Cable
• Remote control
• 2 x AAA Batteries
• Quick Start Guide
• User Manual

Dimensions:

• Width – 253mm
• Depth – 155mm
• Height – 45mm
• Weight – 0.55kg

More Info:

Goodmans Website
freesat Channels

Note: This is a standard definition box – you will not be able to receive high definition channels.