Danielle Nagler, the head of BBC HDTV, says: ‘Getting to nine hours is quite a milestone in the life of BBC HD.’ But what [...]]]> BBC HD is now broadcasting up to nine hours a day, the maximum permitted by the BBC Trust. The challenge now, it says, is to balance its schedule and develop an identity.

Danielle Nagler, the head of BBC HDTV, says: ‘Getting to nine hours is quite a milestone in the life of BBC HD.’ But what exactly will viewers want from BBC HD going forward? In her BBC blog, Nagler confirms the station is looking for ways to balance high-definition material from other BBC channels, and that new schedules are currently under development.

The BBC HD channel begins at 16:00 and runs through to 00:30 or 01:30 seven nights a week, they do have permission to extend the channel hours when there are sporting or other events that fall outside those hours.

There are two types of freesat receiver SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition), at the moment all programs that come via your conventional TV aerial on the roof of you house are Standard Definition even with a Freeview [...]]]> To receive freesat you will need a freesat receiver (set top box) connected to a satellite dish.

There are two types of freesat receiver SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition), at the moment all programs that come via your conventional TV aerial on the roof of you house are Standard Definition even with a Freeview set top box or Freeview TV everything currently is Standard Definition. They only way up to now to receive HD (High Definition) was to subscribe to SKY Digital who monopolise the market. Now freesat has arrived the monopoly has ended.

If you do not have or plan to have a HD (High Definition) TV or are not that fussed about HD you can purchase a cheaper SD (Standard Definition) receiver (set top box) at launch SD freesat receivers were retailing for around £50 (this does not include installation).

If you wish to watch television in HD (High Definition) or plan to in the future you will need a slightly more expensive HD freesat receiver, at launch HD freesat receivers were retailing for around £120 to £150 (this does not include installation).

Important! To receive HD (High Definition) channels you will a need a HD ready television, most LCD/Plasma TV’s sold in the last few years are HD ready (please refer to you television manual to confirm) your TV should have a special socket called a HDMI socket. All HD and SD freesat receivers come with conventional SCART sockets, however you will NOT be able to view HD (High Definition) if you connect this way. SD freesat receivers do not have a HDMI socket.

To connect the HD (High Definition) freesat receiver to your HD ready TV you will also require a HDMI lead, this carries the picture and sound digitally unlike SCART which is analogue, some HD receivers at launch were shipping with HDMI leads or were available separately for around £10.

We would recommend If you can afford a HD (High Definition) freesat receiver even if you do not have a HD TV yet that you go for the HD receiver to future proof yourself as the image is over four times more detailed than a Standard Definition picture and more broadcasters will be broadcasting programmes in HD, there are no plans to stop broadcasting in Standard Definition most programmes will be broadcast in both formats in the future.

If you do not currently have a satellite dish on your property (currently or previously capable of receiving SKY Digital) you will need a small satellite dish installed similar or the same as a dish used for receiving SKY Digital, (freesat uses the same satellites used by SKY digital) all retailers at launch offer installation most starting at £80 for a single feed to one freesat receiver, most retailers/installers offer additional multiple feeds from the same satellite dish to allow freesat receivers in other rooms or dual feeds for future freesat PVR (personal video recorder) which have twin tuners and consequently require two feeds.

If installation is required it can be purchased when buying the receiver and that is the recommended option, you are not obliged to buy installation and you will be able to but the receiver on it’s own. If you are advised it can only be purchased with installation ask to speak to the manger and complain to freest directly or buy elsewhere!, this was an issue at launch but hopefully retail staff have been better trained and this should no longer be a problem.

Installing a dish can be quite tricky especially as you will be working at heights and aligning the dish to the satellite can be tricky but with the right equipment and competence it can successfully achieved, we would recommend a professional install for now.

As freesat is a one of purchase you do not any subscription or contract to receive over 80 channels at launch, freesat is hoping to increase this to over 200 by the end of 2008. This includes HD (High Definition) channels from the BBC & ITV, hopefully Channel 4 HD and Five HD will also follow in the future along with other broadcasters.

I’m sure you can all remember Toshiba backing HD DVD rather than the superior Blu Ray which justifiably won [...]]]> According to the Daily Mirror Toshiba are putting all their eggs in the Freeview HD basket rather than venturing into freesat HD televisions even after the massive success and demand there has been for freesat TV’s from Panasonic.

I’m sure you can all remember Toshiba backing HD DVD rather than the superior Blu Ray which justifiably won one the day, we wonder if they are making the same mistake here? Although we expect Feeeview HD to be a success it will be not be until 2012 when digital switchover is completed that Freeview HD will be available to most then we suspect not everywhere will be able to get HD this way and there will be nowhere near the capacity as HD via satellite can offer, we can’t help wonder what Toshiba are playing at especially as other manufacturers are planning on producing freesat HD TV’s.

You can read the full article here

The high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way [...]]]> freesat have announced the long awaited Humax FOXSAT-HDR PVR will be in the shops for Christmas 2008 and on sale from mid November priced as expected at £299. Latest prices and availability will be published below and on the Price Comparison section when known.

The high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV, as well as access an expanding choice of SD (Standard definition) TV, radio and interactive channels.
The recorder has a large 320GB hard drive that can store up to 80 hours of HD (High Definition) programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing.

If £299 seems expensive consider this, if you go for a new SKY+HD basic package the Humax will have paid for itself after month 7! there is no subscription or contract with freesat, the Humax is technological more advanced than the SKY+ HD box, the SKY box only has a 160GB hard drive against the Humax’s 320GB drive and if you cancel your SKY subscription after month 12 they switch off the recording facility!

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Record 2 channels at the same time
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG-2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI-digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, Composite or Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVB-S2 and DVB-S compatible
• Ethernet Support (for future use)
• Full colour high resolution electronic programme guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling Standard Definition channels
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HDD
• Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 380 x 55 x 252 mm
• Weight: 3.1 kg

Emma Scott, managing director, freesat, commented: “The launch of Freesat+ with the FOXSAT-HDR is an exciting milestone for us. We’re giving viewers the freedom to enjoy all their favourite standard definition shows, as well as the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, UEFA Champions League, England home games and blockbuster movies in HD whenever and however they want – for no subscription and no extra monthly bills.”

Graham North, commercial director, Humax, added: “Humax has developed a reputation for delivering highly functional but easy-to-use digital TV products and we have leveraged this expertise to develop a technologically-advanced digital TV recorder that offers the very best in recording and viewing features for Freesat.”

Panasonic full HD LCD TV with freesat built-in is a [...]]]> Panasonic is to expand its range of Viera TVs with freesat HD built in by adding two new full HD LCD TVs to its already successful PZ81 plasma line up. The LZD81 series, available in two screen sizes: 32” and 37” will be available from October.

Panasonic full HD LCD TV with freesat built-in is a convenient and high quality way to view over 130 digital TV and radio channels including brilliant HD programmes from the BBC and ITV, all for free.* The LZD81 series boasts a high contrast ratio of an incredible 10,000:1 with ISC (Intelligent Scene Controller) ensuring consistent deep black levels and crisp on-screen motion. This new line-up also features V-Real Pro 3 picture technology which perfectly optimises the performance of the display panel to render smooth, crystal clear motion without compromising on delicate colours with rich gradation. The full HD resolution panel beautifully reproduces all High Definition sources including Blu-ray and the freesat HD programming. Plus the V-Real Pro 3 processor also offers up-scaling capabilities, second to none when it comes to reproducing standard definition sources such as DVD or TV programming, where HD is not yet available.

Picture quality is also enhanced with an extra wide colour gamut with x.v.Colour, which produces richer, more vivid colouring from x.v.Colour** signals. Many LCD’s suffer from colour wash-out when not viewed from directly in front, however, Panasonic’s latest generation of IPS Alpha panels have an extra wide 178 degree viewing angle, both horizontally and vertically, meaning the whole family can watch TV from anywhere in the room.

These TV’s come equipped with V-Audio Surround sound for the complete home cinema experience, delivering the best of sound with V-Audio surround and V-Audio technologies which feature Panasonic’s unique digital amplifier and BBE (Bass Boost Enhancement).

For ease of use these LCD’s come equipped with three HDMI connector slots, to connect all your AV equipment, such as a Blu-ray disc player, DVD recorder and camcorders with 24p playback, as well as 2 SCART connectors, SD Card (JPEG) and PC Input. The LZD81’s also feature freesat EPG and Gemstar GUIDEplusâ„¢, 7-day on-screen electronic programme guides with easy to navigate categories for both satellite and terrestrial digital services. They also feature Viera Link, which allows interlinked operation of various Panasonic AV devices using only the remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable.

The LZD81’s also incorporate “Eco Mode,” automatically adjusting the picture settings depending on the ambient lighting conditions. The image brightness changes according to the level of room lighting to achieve an energy-saving operation.

All Panasonic freesat models are supplied with HD & SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services.

Digital reception for the whole UK
In addition to providing access to HD services, freesat also offers a route to other digital TV and radio services for out of coverage areas. With 98% of UK households within the freesat footprint virtually all homes in the UK can enjoy switching to digital right now.

The PVR will not be fully complete or ready for sale at that time but is expected to be completed for the Christmas [...]]]> The eagerly awaited Humax Freesat PVR (Personal Video Recorder) also known as DTR (Digital Television Recorder) will be revealed to the public at the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) show in Amsterdam in September.

The PVR will not be fully complete or ready for sale at that time but is expected to be completed for the Christmas shopping season, the first PVR’s are now in the UK undergoing testing.

The PVR is expected to have a large hard disc to allow HD (High Definition) recording, twin or possibly three to allow tuners recording of two programmes at the same time or watching one and recording another and series link to record a whole series of programmes in one press from the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)

Humax have been quoted as saying: “Humax has promised an ‘innovative IP streaming set-top box’ designed in conjunction with icube, a digital media adapter and a home wireless networking product”

According to the IBC website Humax is exhibiting a range of new set-top boxes, digital television recorders and high definition receivers at this year’s show. In addition they are also showcasing their latest interactive broadband technology, which enables a host of new services for the operator and consumer alike. There is also a selection of their latest LCD TV products on demonstration; some featuring integrated digital television recorders.