Currently ITV’s HD content is flagged with “Copy Never” codes, which prevent it from being copied by the new Panasonic  Blu-ray recorders from [...]]]> ITV is in talks with freesat and Panasonic regarding its High Definition broadcasts and the ability to record/archive HD  programmes to Blu-ray discs.

Currently ITV’s HD content is flagged with “Copy Never” codes, which prevent it from being copied by the new Panasonic  Blu-ray recorders from the hard disc to Blu-ray.

The BBC allows its HD content to be copied once, from the machine’s hard drive. See this post

ITV is talking to both parties in order to find a suitable solution to the issue for HD content, that will be in line with the broadcaster’s programmed rights contracts.

· Strong sales performance in tough economic climate · Free HD offer driving sales · Live high definition sport on BBC HD and ITV HD proving hugely popular with viewers · Free HD Christmas schedule expected to be biggest ever

High Definition Sales of high definition [...]]]> In a press release today freesat announce details of sales and looks to the future:

· Strong sales performance in tough economic climate
· Free HD offer driving sales
· Live high definition sport on BBC HD and ITV HD proving hugely popular with viewers
· Free HD Christmas schedule expected to be biggest ever

High Definition
Sales of high definition Freesat boxes have been helped by a summer of major sporting events in HD such as Euro 2008, Wimbledon and Olympic Games, as well as the likes of The Proms and movie blockbusters such as King Kong.

With an autumn schedule boasting UEFA Champions League, England World Cup qualifiers and FA Cup football on ITV HD exclusive to Freesat, and first class dramas and entertainment including Heroes and Strictly Come Dancing from BBC HD, strong sales are set to continue.

Emma Scott, MD of Freesat commented, “There’s no denying how much people enjoy watching in high definition once they see it for themselves and the success of Freesat proves that. Unfortunately there are still a lot of people out there who think they’re already watching in HD because they have an HD ready TV – but they aren’t.”

“We want to help everyone understand that HD Ready is not the same thing as HD now. Without an HD digital receiver connected to an HD Ready TV or an integrated TV with Freesat HD built in you can’t watch an HD TV programme. It needn’t be complicated or costly. For those people that already have a satellite dish installed, they may simply be able to take their Freesat digital box or integrated TV home and plug it straight in.”

As well as the range of Freesat HD digital receivers, Freesat standard definition digital boxes are available for under £50 – a cost-effective option for a second room and homes that cannot receive Freeview.

In the future
Looking forward, Freesat is continuing to improve its offer and distribution including:
· Introducing Freesat+, a digital television recorder (DTR), in November
· Increasing its number of manufacturers and retailers
· Launching more exciting new channels and services every month

“We’ve done a great job so far, and we’re delighted that so many people are now satisfied Freesat homes. We look forward to continuing to work with all our partners to build on our success for Christmas and into 2009,” said Scott.

The programme Harley Street was broadcast in HD but was not available to the new ITV regions which were only added after a long delay to the freesat EPG on Tuesday [...]]]> ITV and freesat are investigating the ITV HD broadcast on Thursday night 17/07/08 of the first ITV drama broadcast in high definition exclusively on freesat.

The programme Harley Street was broadcast in HD but was not available to the new ITV regions which were only added after a long delay to the freesat EPG on Tuesday 15/07/08 this was after much fanfare from freesat and ITV advertising the programme in HD.

Viewers were able to watch the programme by retuning to a ITV region postcode which was available from launch on the 6th May ie ITV London.

We would imagine ITV and freesat are extremely embarrassed about this latest failing of ITV HD, the sooner ITV HD gets a dedicated channel rather than an interactive press red to watch in HD the better for everyone.

Set in London’s famous medical district, Harley Street gets behind the facade of suave medics treating celebrity and wealthy patients. The private practice is run by three doctors: Martha Elliot, Robert Fielding and cosmetic surgeon Ekkow Obiang. While [...]]]> Brand new 6-part medical drama, Harley Street, starring Paul Nicholls, Suranne Jones and Shaun Parkes starting 9pm Thursday 17th July 2008

Set in London’s famous medical district, Harley Street gets behind the facade of suave medics treating celebrity and wealthy patients. The private practice is run by three doctors: Martha Elliot, Robert Fielding and cosmetic surgeon Ekkow Obiang. While each has their unique approach to their job, all three medics are outsiders in the closed world of high-end private care dominated by white, privately-educated men.

The ITV Duty office have [...]]]> ITV HD press red on the standard definition channel 103 (freesat) was not to working tonight for all of the first half and interval to transfer you to the ITV HD channel, the HD feed was available just after the start of the 2nd half by changing channel then back again.

The ITV Duty office have now replied to our complaint:

“Thank you for your email.

We are aware of an issue with the HD trigger this evening and we are liaising with Freesat to locate the cause and resolution.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Regards,

Duty Office- EB”

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 [...]]]> ITV HD launched on Saturday broadcasting the Euro 2008 evening game Portugal vs Turkey their first official offering into high definition after several weeks of testing.

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 [...]]]> ITV HD confirm Champions League, FA Cup and England
Internationals in HD, in a press release today ITV HD confirmed coverage through 2008 will encompass an unrivalled range of free-to-air premium football including the new season of UEFA Champions League, The FA Cup, and England internationals – followed later by selected ITV dramas and acquired programming.

ITV HD Press Release 04/06/2008
ITV HD launches for Euro 2008
ITV can today confirm that its high definition television service will launch on Saturday June 7th.

ITV HD will launch with live coverage of the Euro 2008 Championships in Austria and Switzerland and will initially be available to viewers watching on Freesat.

The service will be accessible as a simulcast via the red button, with on-screen prompts directing viewers with Freesat HD boxes that high definition programming is available.

In addition to live coverage of the European Championships, ITV’s HD coverage over the summer will also include a range of top movies.

ITV HD coverage through 2008 will encompass an unrivalled range of free-to-air premium football including the new season of UEFA Champions League, The FA Cup, and England internationals – followed later by selected ITV dramas and acquired programming.

Jonathan Rogers, Director of Operations, ITV Channels, said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch the ITV HD service in time for the European Championships.  Alongside an unrivalled line up of free-to-air premium football, as we move through 2008 ITV HD will offer a range of top movies and drama premieres shown in high definition.”

“Our HD service will be easily accessible by pressing the red button during existing ITV programming – eliminating the need to switch out to a different channel.”

Coverage of Euro 2008 begins on June 7th with live coverage of Portugal v Turkey from 7.15pm on ITV1.  ITV is the joint UK broadcaster of UEFA Euro 2008 alongside the BBC.

ITV [...]]]> ITV today confirmed it will officially launch ITV HD on freesat only on Saturday (07/05/08) night broadcasting a simulcast of the Euro 2008 game Portugal vs Turkey, the program will accessible via ITV1 (103) exclusively on freesat by pressing the red button during the program, you will be then presented with the High Definition broadcast.

ITV HD will not be available on any other platform i.e. SKY, Virgin or Freeview. ITV also confirm they will simulcast other Euro 2008 games as well.