[Gammy leg]

Chaps,

Can someone tell me what HD content is currently available on Freesat HD?

Also, is this likely to be added to in the near future?

Thanks

Gammy

[Andy98765]

For all your answers Join Freesat
Currently it is BBC HD and ITV HD with CH4 HD following.
Also BBC iPlayer will be available soon which should give some more HD content.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Andy98765

For all your answers Join Freesat
Currently it is BBC HD and ITV HD with CH4 HD following.
Also BBC iPlayer will be available soon which should give some more HD content.

I would not hold up any hope for iplayer to deliver HD. You would need a really fast broadband connection (Buffering to HDD is not going to be available). Luxe Hd is also available using non-freesat mode.

[pdoherty76]

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

I would not hold up any hope for iplayer to deliver HD. You would need a really fast broadband connection (Buffering to HDD is not going to be available). Luxe Hd is also available using non-freesat mode.

You only need about 4meg. I watch iplayer HD on my laptop no problems.

That is one thing I can't fault with sky, their broadband is excellent.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by pdoherty76

You only need about 4meg. I watch iplayer HD on my laptop no problems.

That is one thing I can't fault with sky, their broadband is excellent.

What resolution, frame rate and bitrate can you get over a 4meg connection ?. I would be amazed if it's proper HD. 200mbpps (I know they cant actually get to this speed) homeplug adaptors struggle to keep up with a 1080i50 video stream

[pdoherty76]

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

What resolution, frame rate and bitrate can you get over a 4meg connection ?. I would be amazed if it's proper HD. 200mbpps (I know they cant actually get to this speed) homeplug adaptors struggle to keep up with a 1080i50 video stream

iplayer HD is 1280x720p25 MPEG-4 AVC at 3.2Mbps.

Not good for sports etc, but for drama and natural history it should be fine.

It won't be as good as broadcast HD, but then again how good is BBC HD via satellite anyway.

I have had my laptop connected to my 768p TV watching iplayer and it looks very good indeed.

[grahamlthompson]

Thanks for that info. May be I will connect my HDR to my network now

[derek500]

Originally Posted by Andy98765

CH4 HD following.

C4HD have signed another carriage contract with Sky, don't know how long for, so don't expect to see it on Freesat for a while yet.

Potentially C5 HD may do something similar.

[Gammy leg]

Thanks for all for your help. In essence, not that much HD viewing then. Long term, what is the likelyhood of the free HD service being expanded?

Thanks

Gammy

[Starburst]

Originally Posted by Gammy leg

Thanks for all for your help. In essence, not that much HD viewing then. Long term, what is the likelyhood of the free HD service being expanded?

We can all hope that at the very least the FreeviewHD lineup is mirrored on Dsat but that means a little work on broadcast rights and securing 2D capacity, it's not impossible but requires good will or money changing hands

That aside the fundamental issue of HD costing a broadcaster a ton of cash and more often than not simply moving existing viewers from SD to HD meaning no increase in advertising revenues, not good business especially as the SD channel has to remain operational at the same time. The BBC don't have to worry about this but they have their own issues on how to spend around £4 Billion quid!

There is no secret to why SKY HD is doing so well, the money it generates allows broadcasters to invest and not rely on advertising alone to expand their output.