We managed to get hold of the latest Freesat+ recorder from the Harvard Group Plc. This a Goodmans branded machine with model number GFSDTR320HD  (watch out for Grundig variants) which we’ve taken home to see how the whole family gets on.

Our first impressions are pleasant from an ease of use point of view. It is a straightforward and easy to operate HD Freesat+ recorder. Alas our first unit suffered from one or two problems; and whilst we are sure this is down to bad luck, we are currently awaiting a properly working replacement. In the mean time here are our first photos and screen shots:

 Click to select image

In the run up to the launch of DVB-T2 services, manufacturers and the broadcast industry have risen to the challenge with the unveiling of market ready DVB-T2 products at this year’s IBC. The launch of DVB-T2 HD services is on schedule to take place later this year in the United Kingdom as Freeview HD, with further launches expected in several other European countries including Finland and Serbia. Numerous other countries are in the process of testing and evaluating the second generation Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmission system for future use.

The DVB-T2 equipment making its debut at the exhibition includes video encoding, signal generators, transmitters, modulators/demodulators and set-top boxes. The live HD DVB-T2 transmission and interoperability demonstrations on the DVB stand features H.264 encoded content provided by the BBC and broadcast from the Alticom TV tower in Amsterdam on Channel 43, Frequency 650MHz. The demo is supported by equipment from Albis Technologies, Arqiva, DekTec, Enensys, Harris, Pace, Rohde & Schwarz, Tandberg, and TeamCast.

Other manufacturers with planned launches of DVB-T2 equipment include CellMetric, Cisco Systems, Digital TV Labs, Humax, NXP Semiconductors, Panasonic, ProTelevision Technologies, Screen Service, SIDSA, Sony, STMicroelectronics and T-VIPS to name a few.

The significance of the strength of market support for the new transmission system is not to be underestimated as the DVB-T2 specification was only ratified by the DVB Steering Board in June 2008 and has just been formally approved as ETSI EN 302 755 by the European Telecommunication Standards Institute. Peter Siebert, Executive Director, DVB Project, says

We are delighted by the support for DVB-T2 and astounded at the speed at which manufacturers have been able to develop and bring to market their products for this second generation digital terrestrial television transmission system. The deployment of DVB-T2 will enable broadcasters to provide an extended multichannel HD service environment as well as see the innovation of new and exciting datacasting opportunities

T2 ready

Building on the foundations of the successful DVB-T system, DVB-T2 work in the UK has shown almost 50% increase in capacity compared to equivalent reception conditions with DVB-T; some 20% more than initially thought. If a single frequency network (SFN) configuration is used, a potential capacity gain of 67% is achieved in comparison with DVB-T using the same absolute guard interval. Broadcasters deploying DVB-T2 will be able to roll out new multiplexes that could offer multichannel HDTV services and create innovative new datacasting opportunities.

DVB-T2 uses OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplex) modulation to deliver a robust signal and offers a range of different modes making it highly flexible. It employs the same LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) error correcting codes used in DVB-S2 for excellent performance in the presence of high noise levels and interference. A significant number of highly innovative features such as Physical Layer Pipes, support of Multiple-Input-Single-Output (MISO) and Rotated Constellations are also included. DVB-T2 has been defined so that the standard can be enhanced in the future in a backwards compatible manner through the use of Future Extension Frames.

Freesat+ owners can now record and watch The Bill in all its high definition glory from ITVHD.

Starting from tomorrow 1st July, The Bill will kick off a brand new 6 part storyline on in its usual slot of Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM.

Freesat+ PVR owners will now be given the option to choose the high definition version of  The Bill when selecting the programme to record in the EPG.

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Football World Cup, Hollyoaks, Lewis and Films to be in HD

Ofcom has today announced its decision to reserve capacity for Channel 4 together with Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, and to Channel 3 licensees (ITV plc, Channel TV, stv and UTV) to broadcast new High Definition (HD) services on digital terrestrial television (DTT).

The announcement follows a tender process and means that these public service broadcasters will join the BBC in launching three HD services on DTT, expected to start with the Granada region from late autumn 2009, with nationwide coverage by the end of digital switchover (DSO) in 2012.

To access the HD programmes and new services on DTT, viewers will need an HD Ready TV set and a new HD set-top box that is capable of receiving the new services.  

Ofcom also believes that a fourth HD service could be launched on DTT as soon as 2010. Ofcom says it expects to outline the process for awarding the licence for that service by the end of this year.

Broadcasters pledge popular programmes in HD

• Channel 4 and S4C

Channel 4 made a joint proposal with Welsh-language broadcaster S4C which involves a simultaneous broadcast of the HD version of the Channel 4 service across the UK. In Wales, viewers will receive an HD version of the S4C Digidol service. This means popular Channel 4 shows such as Hollyoaks, and a third of S4C’s productions will be available in HD.

Channel 4 and S4C have stated that their service will also include:

• a strong film component (4HD expects to broadcast over 150 hours of films in HD during the first twelve months, with the majority shown in peak-time);
• drama, comedy, science programmes and documentaries made in the UK in HD and programmes imported from the US such as Desperate Housewives; and
• viewers of S4C HD will be able to watch Welsh-language programmes such as  children’s programmes and European Cup Rugby games in HD.

In addition, the joint Channel 4 / S4C proposal may offer in future an on demand service or sub-let during overnight hours.

Channel 4 already broadcasts a HD service on Sky.

• Channel 3

ITV plc, Channel TV, stv and UTV have stated that they will simultaneously broadcast the current peak-time (18.00-23.00) ITV1 schedule in HD. This will mean that ITV1’s most popular programmes, such as Lewis, will be available in HD.

The new ITV HD service will also include:

• sport programmes, such as the FA Cup and the 2010 Football World Cup, in HD;
• newly-commissioned drama series such as Miss Marple in HD; and
• programmes about the UK’s nations and regions in place of the early evening and late night regional news services.

In addition, ITV proposes to offer on demand services and sub-let services outside of peak-time hours to allow other broadcasters to offer HD or other services on DTT.

ITV already broadcasts a HD service on the BBC and ITV free satellite service, Freesat.

• BBC

As previously stated in April 2008, the BBC Trust will decide on the service to be carried on one of the three slots currently available. A BBC HD service is currently available on BSkyB, Virgin Media and Freesat which includes programmes such as Torchwood and Strictly Come Dancing.

Availability of HD programmes and switchover

The services will become available across the UK as each region completes digital switchover. We expect that the first region in which the HD services will be made available will be the Granada region in 2009, this will be followed by:

• Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010;
• Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian in 2011; and
• London, Tyne Tees and Ulster by 2012.

As part of their applications the broadcasters have included proposals to ensure that consumers are properly informed about the new services as digital switchover takes place region by region.

Upgrading DTT for HD services

An upgrade of the DTT platform to new and more efficient technologies will allow the broadcasters to free-up capacity in order to offer new HD services.

The upgrade includes using two new broadcasting standards, known as MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 which are not available on current DTT devices. Many of the leading UK and international manufacturers are now developing receivers that include these new standards. Although compatible receivers are not yet available Ofcom have revealed they are aware from discussions with manufacturers that they are now developing suitable equipment with the intention of launching products in time for digital switchover in the Granada region in late 2009.

Digital terrestrial TV programmes are broadcast on six distinct multiplexes (each using a group of radio frequencies). Ofcom will reorganise existing services onto five of the multiplexes, freeing the sixth multiplex to be upgraded to MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 for the new services. This multiplex is currently licenced to BBC Free to View Ltd (known as Multiplex B).

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive said:

This is a significant step forward in the range of choice available in the UK. It will enable viewers to watch some of the very best programmes free-to-air in high definition through their television aerials.

Further information

1. Ofcom will publish its determination for awarding the two HD slots, which includes the reasons for reserving capacity shortly.

2. The decision to upgrade and reorganise the DTT platform was taken by Ofcom following consultation. The statement, which can be found at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dttfuture/statement/ included recommendations which the Government adopted in The Television Multiplex Services (Reservation of Digital Capacity) Order 2008 (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/pdf/uksi_20081420_en.pdf), and which took effect on 2 July 2008.
The tender process inviting applications for the capacity on Multiplex B was also announced on 2 July, and the statutory notice can be found at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dttfuture/ita.pdf.

3. Viewers can currently receive HD services from a variety of providers including:

• BBC/ITV free satellite service, Freesat which includes the BBC and ITV HD services;
• Virgin Media, which includes the BBC HD service, Discovery HD, Sky Movies HD1 and Sky Sports HD1; and
• Sky, which includes BBC and Channel 4 HD services as well as Discovery HD, Sky Arts HD, History HD, Sky Box Office HD1 and Sky Sports HD

4. If you need more advice about High Definition TV follow this link: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/tv/hdtv/

The latest series of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross is the first high definition production to be recorded at BBC Studios’ new HD Studio, Studio Four. The show is returning for an autumn run starting on Friday 5th September 2008 and will go out in standard definition on BBC One and in high definition on BBC HD, the UK’s first free-to-air high definition channel. BBC Studios, part of BBC Resources Ltd, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC, has invested nearly 2 million pounds in HD cameras, lenses, vision and monitoring equipment for Studio Four.

It is the third studio to be upgraded to HD, following the successful conversion of Studio One and Studio Eight. BBC Studios works with a wide variety of production companies and broadcasters. With an increasing demand for HD content, both for transmission and archive purposes, the investment will ensure BBC Studios continues to fulfil the requirements of its customers, whose creative and editorial visions are increasingly in HD. It will also help the BBC achieve its HD aspirations, with all production intended to be HD by 2012.

BBC Studios has installed a Sony MVS-8000 series vision mixer and 8 Sony HDC-1500 cameras. It has also replaced Studio Four’s gallery and lighting gallery monitor stacks and laid new HD fibre links to the central control area. Future BBC Studios’ equipment upgrades will also be to high definition, with an additional focus on 1080p/50. Danielle Nagler, Head of BBC HD says: “BBC HD strives to showcase the best of BBC content and to give audiences a range of the programmes they already love in standard definition. I am delighted that from now on the growing numbers of people able to access BBC HD can watch Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on the channel. Having a third HD studio available at Television Centre I hope will support our ambition to work with both independent and in-house producers to increase the amount of BBC programming we can bring to audiences in HD quality.”