The update offers: HD MHEG performance enhancements and added DDS Support to DVB Subtitles

Model: Foxsat-HD
Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.15
Loader Version: U7.22
System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes:
- HD MHEG Performance enhancements
- Added DDS Support to DVB Subtitles

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.

image courtesy of Trusted Reviews and reghardware

A working model is expect at the IBC show in Amsterdam starting on the 12th September to 16th September.

trustedreviews.com and reghardware have managed to take some pictures which show that the PVR will have a 320gb hard drive, twin tuners and be priced around £300 at launch which is expected before this Christmas.

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, composite and Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVBS2 and DVBS compatible
• Ethernet support
• Full colour, high resolution electronic program guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling of SDTV to HD
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HD

“Electronics manufacturer, Metronic, has signed a deal to produce high definition Freesat digital boxes that will go on sale by the end of the year.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Metronic. They will deliver important extra volumes of affordable and high quality product to meet the demand from retailers and consumers as we enter the peak season,” said Freesat MD Emma Scott.

“Demand has been high since launch and the deal is especially significant given our ever improving line-up of channels and HD programmes. BBC HD and ITV HD have great schedules of drama, documentaries, blockbuster movies and sport planned for the run up to Christmas and, in the case of ITV HD, Freesat will be the only place to see them.”

Freesat is also in discussions with a number of other potential digital box and integrated digital television (IDTV) manufacturers and expects to announce the next wave of partners by the end of the year. Additional distribution channels are also being considered and will form part of an on-going strategy to bring free digital and HD TV to everyone that wants it.

“This new exciting partnership with Freesat will enhance the reputation of Metronic in the UK as a quality provider of digital products. As an established provider of free to air satellite equipment throughout Europe Metronic recognises that its new relationship with Freesat is a major step forward for the brand in the UK,” claimed Dale Heathcote Metronic MD.”

This is obviously good news with more choice of manufacturers coming on board.

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.

Commenting on the Olympics being broadcast in high definition on BBC HD channel, Emma Scott, MD of Freesat said;

“The Olympics is the ultimate global sporting event, and viewers will be astounded by the quality of the BBC’s HD footage; every drop of water falling off the oars of a rower to the sand erupting from the long jump pit will be beautifully clear.

At Freesat, we’re committed to bringing brilliant HD programming to as many UK viewers as possible, for free. The scope of BBC’s HD coverage of the Beijing Olympics is testament to the exciting future of HD broadcasting in this country.”

According to the industry analysts Screen Digest, 41 per cent of households in the UK own a HD Ready television, but only 10 per cent of these homes are connected to a High Definition television service such as freesat, it seems a bit of waste as you could be taking advantage of the High Definition content on your new shiny HD Ready TV which you might have paid a lot of money for and watching all the action from the Olympics in High Definition, sweat and polution included at five times the detail!

Obviously to receive the HD broadcast you will need a HD receiver and satellite dish and a HD ready TV or the new all singing dancing Panasonic Plasma TV with freesat built in, now is the ideal opportunity to purchase a HD freesat set top box as on line retailer Dixons are offering 10% off all freesat receivers until the 29th August click here for more details.

For more details on receiving freesat see our “What is Needed” section.

The program was accessed exclusively on freesat via the normal standard definition channel (channel 103) and as soon as the program started a small banner appeared in the top right hand corner offering to watch in HD to press the red button on your remote, you were then taken to the HD feed.

The time taken to switch from SD to HD was around two seconds and once there the difference in picture quality was quite amazing. When the program switched from the studio to the stadium the picture was even more improved, this gives us the impression that the studio picture were broadcast in standard definition and up-scaled to HD, but still a vast improvement on what was shown for example on analogue and freeview.

The feed from the actual game in terms of picture quality was as sharp as BBC HD had been earlier in the day. The only thing letting down ITV HD was the sound as at times it seemed slightly out of synch and was only broadcast in stereo rather than the 5.1 offering everyone expects, hopefully this will be resolved soon as the BBC HD feed is in 5.1 sound.
Conclusion:
Good start and things look promising lets hope the minor issues get sorted soon and they publish a schedule of HD broadcasts to come as they can not expect people to stay tuned to the SD channel 103 in the hope the banner pops up offering the broadcast in HD.

ITV HD brings you television in stunning high definition.
With an incredibly sharp picture, rich colours and amazing detail, it’s the closest you’ll get to the game – without being there.
ITV HD is a red-button service available exclusively to freesat customers, and select sporting events, movies and dramas are available in HD.

So whenever you’re watching ITV1 and an ITV HD logo pops up at the top of your screen, just press the red button on your remote control to watch it in glorious High Definition.