Digital 4 Free

The BBC has commenced DVB-T2 test transmissions in preparation for the launch of high definition services on Freeview.

The tests, which are being conducted from the Guildford transmitter, follows the approval by the DVB Project of the DVB-T2 specification, an improved version of the DVB-T standard currently used for digital terrestrial transmissions in the UK designed to increase capacity and thus permit the carriage of high definition services on the platform.

Plans announced in April by broadcasting regulator Ofcom will see multiplex B cleared of its current standard definition services, converted to use the DVB-T2 standard to increase its total capacity, and used for the carriage of BBC HD and other public service broadcasting offerings by the end of 2009.

BBC Research and Innovation is conducting the test transmissions in partnership with National Grid Wireless and Arqiva. It is also developing a modem compliant with the newly-ratified DVB-T2 standard.

Justin Mitchell, who leads the DVB-T2 modem development team for BBC Research and Innovation, said:

“We are delighted that our team in collaboration with our partners has been able to deliver such a key piece of technology in such a short timescale. This is a big step forward in enabling the introduction of full HD terrestrial on Freeview by the end of 2009.”

written by Andrew \\ tags: bbc, digital, DVB-T, Freeview, freeviewHD, HDTV, high definition

ITV’s high definition television service, ITV HD, launched exclusively on freesat this Saturday, 7th June at 7.15pm.

The first programme on ITV HD was live coverage of the Portugal versus Turkey football match from the Euro 2008 Championships.

Further HD coverage of the Euro 2008 Championships will follow on ITV HD. Both BBC and ITV will be showing Euro 2008 games in HD on freesat.

ITV HD will be available through the ‘red button’.

Viewers with Freesat HD digital boxes or freesat integrated HDTV watching ITV1 will see an on-screen prompt asking them to press the red button to watch in HD. After pressing the red button they will go into the HD service.

To view in HD viewers will need a freesat HD digital box connected to an HD-ready television via an HDMI cable or a freesat integrated HD TV (available soon).

The ITV HD service will be available to freesat homes in England and Wales from launch. It is hoped that SMG (STV / Grampian) and UTV will take the service from ITV at some point in the future.

Later in the year ITV will add top movies and ITV drama premieres to their HD service, alongside other football including Champions League, UEFA Cup, The FA Cup and England Internationals – including 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

written by Andrew \\ tags: euro 2008, Freesat, hd tv, itv, itv hd, itvhd, launched

Here is a comprehensive list of Free-To-Air channels that are available on Freesat as of the launch.

Entertainment (101-199)

BBC One (101)
BBC Two (102)
ITV1 (103)
C4 / S4C in Wales (104)
BBC Three (106)
BBC Four (107)
BBC HD (108)
ITV2 (113)
ITV3 (115)
ITV3+1 (116)
ITV4 (117)
S4C Digidol / C4 in Wales (120)
E4 (122)
More4 (124)
Zone Romantica (135)
Zone Thriller (137)

Continue reading »

written by Andrew \\ tags: bbc, digital, Freesat, freesat channels, FTA, hd tv, itv, launch, satellite

Freesat, the UK’s latest package of free-to-air TV channels, transmitted from a satellite, has now gone live, allowing comsumers access to standard-definition and HD (high-definition) broadcasting for a single, one-off payment.

Freesat is brought to us by BBC and ITV and currently features a package of over 80 digital channels, including some HD channels (although we are promised more soon!).

Freesat’s Highlights:-

written by Andrew \\ tags: argos, bbc, currys, digital, digital tv, Freesat, hd tv, high definition, itv, john lewis, launched, radio channels, satellite, tv channels