Home Cinema

looking at the site, the channel range isnt enough to make me move from my 2 mix sky SD deal yet, but if the channel range expands, and more things are broadcast in hd, they may well poach me, depending on what happens with sky.

im still unclear on the hd. is it just 2 channels a few hours a day? If so, whats all this about hd/sd simulcasts? Sorry, i understand so little that im not sure how to put the question.

Initially the HD content will just be a few hours a day from BBC HD - just as currently broadcast via Sky and Virgin's HD services. This will include Euro 2008 football matches, which brings us onto....

...ITV HD, which launches in time to broadcast the ITV-specific fixtures in HD, but will otherwise initially also be a few hours of content, as I understand.

Eventually (no date given), both broadcasters will add more HD content, with the end-goal being simulcasts of HD/SD channels.

This is what currently happens with, for example, Channel 4 HD and Sky One HD, where the same progammes are shown as on the SD versions of the channels, but with the HD shows/movies in high-definition.

So, on Sky One HD you'll get, say, the Simpsons in SD followed by Lost in HD etc.

Thanks! But why wouldnt the simpsons be in sd...? Im sure all this competition is very good for the consumer, but i wont make a move til im convinced its worth it, and its confusing the hell outta me lol! Still, hopefully this signals expansion in leaps n bounds of hd content - and hopefully will have a knock on effect with other providers, just to simplify things in my tiny, overworked (heck, it aint difficult) brain!

BTW, nice bit of 70s retro on that Bush receiver box.

Without a PVR though, I won't be moving to it. Any chance of a PVR before the Euro's kick off do you reckon?

Freesat PVRs are definitely in the offing, professorhat, but all they'll tell me is 'some time this summer'. In time for the footie? Let's hope so. Fingers crossed.

Freesat, this sounds great & their certainly seems to be a lot of hype with a lot more channels.

With digital switchover on the way & 99.9% of tv's having built in digital tuner's, another box won't this just add to the clutter underneath the tv.

Well thats my oppinion anyway.

So what HDTV should you buy now?

The one with the built in Freeview decoder or the inevitable new ones with built in Freesat?

Surely this makes things far more confusing for the consumers wanting to buy a HDTV, especially as the majority will have integrated digital Freeview.

Unfortunately many people including myself, may have to get yet another ugly box to put under the TV if we want the Freesat service, as stated above by slewis.

I certainly wont be replacing my new Samsung F86 HDTV any time soon.

ITV HD is freesat exclusive. Is this all just a prolonged bargaining chip with Sky?

Bit annoying that most HD early-adopters like me won't have access to ITV's channel now that they've finally got around to launching it.

What an earth will Sky do? They must be under a massive threat here??

Will prices tumble? More channels in the basic tariff?

Interesting to hear what their reaction will be?

what would sway it for me would be the streaming broadband on a PVR but it would have to be wireless (at least 802.11n to stop any buffering) and be in HD.

What chance?

I agree with some of the above - there's enough guff on Freeview to make me watch far more films on DVD/HD than I watch telly.  While Freesat is great for folk who live up mountains and can't get freeview, the minimal HD content is not enough to make me switch at the moment.  I may even wait until late 2009 when there will be 4 HD channels over the Freeview multiplex, according to reports.  It's generally a good step in the right direction though.

Professor Hat,

The only PVR I know of is the Humax HDR-9300FS and rumour has it this should be available in July.

Slewis, Sam's Son,

You;re right about this being another box, but face it you're not likely to get a proper HD service on Freeview meaning Freesat is your only option. The problem with Freeview is there isn't enough bandwidth allegedly to offer more than a couple of HD channels AND you'll need a brand new Freeview receiver to get Freeview 's couple of HD channels anyways as I understand the current Freeview receivers don't support the HD compression format.

Also, it was pointed out elsewhere, that in order for Freeview to put those extra few HD channels on, they're going to have to reduce Freeview picture quality by 33%:

www.ukfree.tv/fullstory.php

So for Freeview its buy a new box anyway for HD and a allegedly a 33% reduction in picture quality on existing Freeview SD channels even for non HD customers.

For Freesat, which has lots of spare bandwidth, its high quality all the way and potentially lots of HD content in the future.

Thats why Freesat has become so significant, its the future of UK free tv.

No point buying the box or telly without the PVR. Who,nowadays,has time to watch programmes when they are broadcast (and I'm retired)?

Any news on wether they are going to broadcast a +1 channel like SKY does? ie BBC HD+1, ITV+1. At least that might help if you're late in cos of traffic and missed it?

I live in the Irish Republic, close to the Northern Ireland border. I have perfect digital and analogue reception on all the UK channels via my aerial.  Does anyone know if I'll be able to pick up FreeSat?

I live just outside Belfast - installed a quattro lnb and a 16 output Triax multiswitch so I can get Freesat in all rooms. Got sky to install a "freesat from sky" just to get the dish in and test out the quattro/multiswitch - works perfect. You'll be able to get it fine over the border..

John if you can get Sky Digital in your area you can get Freesat as they use the same satellites - Astra 2d and Eurobird 1 I believe. I'm not sure but you might need one of the larger dish sizes though - best consult an installer.

Just had to add...Clare, youre absolutely gorgeous!! lol

Have you heard anything about a 1080p pvr freesat.

Is Freesat just sending free to Air signals, in otherwords remove your Sky card to see what you might be able to get. On the otherhand how will ITV-HD keep itself off the Sky box if the signals are not encrpypted in anyway. 200 Channels by the end of the year? Um is that the Sales & News channels + a few useful ones. Channel 4 is not there but more 4 is, when will 4 be there?

trevormed - Channel 4 is there on FTA but on a different frequency and not the ones pointed to by the Sky EPG.

If you want to view it without a card on a Sky receiver, use 'Add Channels', 10729, 22000, 5/6 and it is currently identified as 8350 which is Channel 4, London.

Hope this helps.