HD Freeview trial - what hardware?

stephentw · 25-03-2008, 5:52 PM

I'm curious as to what is needed to view HD freeview (when it arrives outside of London that is). As far as I'm aware nothing on the market allows this yet e.g. topfield or humax pvr's. So how exactly are those few in London recieving it, have the bbc sent out something to allow them to view? Or have they bought their own equipment?

nwhitfield · 25-03-2008, 6:13 PM

They're not; the trial ended last year, around six months ago (possibly longer).

The triallists were all provided with boxes; some were given a Humax box, based on the satellite HDCI2000, modified with terrestrial tuners, and some were given something else, though I can't remember the brand now.

It was also possible to pick it up on the Evesham iPlayer HD.

There's no guarantee that any of the equipment used for the trial will work with any future full service, and a high likelihood that it won't.

Nigel.

Ben · 25-03-2008, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephentw

So how exactly are those few in London recieving it, have the bbc sent out something to allow them to view? Or have they bought their own equipment?

Most of them were supplied a Humax HDCI-2000T.

stephentw · 25-03-2008, 6:36 PM

Oh right I see. I've been asked by someone if it's worth holding off getting a PVR because of HDTV broadcasts that are possibly coming at the end of next year. I told them no. There's nothing on the market thats as futureproof as to incorporate it yet.

nwhitfield · 25-03-2008, 9:47 PM

Indeed not; Ofcom is keen (and so are other interested parties) to launch HD using the new DVB-T2 standard, rather than first change to MPEG4 and then change to DVB-T2 later, so people just buy one bit of kit which will last a long time.

But DVB-T2 isn't yet a published standard - that's due this spring. And then people have to develop the kit for it; I think end of next year is possibly quite optimistic.

stephentw · 25-03-2008, 10:13 PM

My thoughts too, so I've advised them to get a PVR now then when HD comes in properly the hardware etc will be around so they can probably sell their current PVR to someone not bothered about HD (there'll still be a lot when it first comes out) and get an HD box then if they want it. Sound like a plan?

nwhitfield · 26-03-2008, 8:21 AM

Yep; buy a PVR now if you want one. You'll be waiting 18 months or so for an HD service, if you're lucky, and probably longer. And even when one starts, a current PVR won't be obsolete, since there are no plans to switch off transmissions using the current standard for many years - well after DSO, and quite possibly more than a decade after that. Current kit simply won't get the HD stuff.

aekostas · 27-03-2008, 1:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwhitfield

They're not; the trial ended last year, around six months ago (possibly longer).

The triallists were all provided with boxes; some were given a Humax box, based on the satellite HDCI2000, modified with terrestrial tuners, and some were given something else, though I can't remember the brand now.

It was also possible to pick it up on the Evesham iPlayer HD.

There's no guarantee that any of the equipment used for the trial will work with any future full service, and a high likelihood that it won't.

Nigel.

Interesting. The description of BBC programs on my Toppy EPG say (on occasion) "Also available on HD". I have seen this as recently as last weekend. Is that for a different system?

Broadz · 27-03-2008, 1:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aekostas

Interesting. The description of BBC programs on my Toppy EPG say (on occasion) "Also available on HD". I have seen this as recently as last weekend. Is that for a different system?

Probably BBC HD. Which is available via cable and satellite.

nwhitfield · 27-03-2008, 2:18 PM

Yes; it's for the simulcasts on the launched channel, which you can pick up with a box like the Humax HDCI-2000 satellite receiver. I have a handy search set up for 'Also in HD' so I can see when I might want to switch over.