Digital Vision are a UK firm behind the unique Freeview STB, the DTR1 originally released in 2009, which includes 3 USB ports for recording and playback of programmes on ordinary USB memory keys or external hard drives. Since our first report of this original single tuner version last year, the product duly arrived on major high street shelves, and was also accredited and updated to the Freeview+ standard by the DTG.

Today the UK company is in the process of adding the finishing touches to a twin tuner variant, the DTR2, which will now allow consumers the ability to record one channel whilst watching any other channel. The STB has 3 USB ports where recording schedules or recorded programme libraries can be managed or moved from one USB to another. The beauty of the product is being able to transfer recordings of your favourite TV or radio programmes very easily from STB to PC and to watch on the go. The machine has also has a Series Record feature that allows the recording of an entire series with ease directly from the EPG.

As you can see from the picture, Digital Vision is making further improvements to the DTR2 remote control together with a change in design to the handset.

In addition to the update to twin tuners and the new remote control handset, Digital Vision are also developing a variant with a built in hard drive. The DTR2 look identical and will retain the unique 3x USB port features, whilst adding additional circuitry on the main board to accommodate a SATA interface and 2.5″ hard drive under the lid. Being a twin tuner already, the hard drive variant will have the ability to dual record; that is, the ability to record two programmes on different channels at the same time.

Digital Vision expect the new DTR2 twin tuner Freeview+ set top boxes, including those variants with bult in hard drives to hit the shelves this July. Retailers will confirm pricing although PVRJUNCTION understand the new twin tuner models will remain price competitive which is good news for customers.

A little further along this year’s roadmap, Digital Vision have plans for FreeviewHD products, which PVRJUNCTION will expand on in the coming months. Certainly in the short term, the set top box manufacturer will be releasing a FreeviewHD certified T2 version of the single tuner 3 port USB product we have today. The hardware in the lab has recording features and based on Fujitsu’s new T2 decoder. Digital Vision say this in turn will allow for a much richer user experience. Expect the T2 to be available in the second half of 2010.

On Wednesday 30 September improvements are being made to the Freeview service to pave the way for the digital TV switchover. You will need to re-tune your Freeview TV or box (including BT Vision and Top Up TV) from lunchtime onwards to ensure you continue to receive your available channels, including Channel Five and a number of other Freeview channels. Satellite, cable and analogue viewers will not be affected.

The re-tune will allow Channel Five to become as widely available on Freeview as the other terrestrial channels at digital television switchover. Technical preparations for future improvements to the Freeview service (such as Freeview HD) are being made. Freeview are set to confirm further details about the new Freeview HD service soon.

tvretune.co.uk have created a video (seee below) to illustrate how a retune is carried out on most freeview recorders and set top boxes. The pricess is very easy, however if you would prefer more specific help, there are also retune guides for popular makes of Freeview PVRs and other freeview equipment held centrally at www.tvretune.co.uk/productmanuals/. You can also contact the manufacturer for guidance on your specific model.

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.

TV personality Keith Chegwin will host the Freeview VCR Swap Shop this Saturday, 5 September at Comet in Manchester Fort Shopping Park on Cheetham Hill Road. He’ll be swapping 50 old VCRs for 50 brand new Freeview+ digital TV recorders.

You may already be sorted with a digital TV or Freeview box, but do you still own a VCR? After the digital switchover, VCRs internal tuners will not pick up TV channels to record, although it will record the channel you are watching if it is connected to a digital TV. As this defeats the object of a VCR, you might want to swap it for a Freeview+ box instead. This will allow you to watch and record digital TV after the switchover.

In two months’ time Manchester and other parts of the country will be switching over. It’s been a long time coming (and at points it seemed like it was never coming) but the date of Wednesday 4 November for the BBC2 analogue switch-off in the Granada region is fast approaching. The remaining channels will follow suit on Wednesday 2 December.

Starting at 10am, customers can bring their old VCRs into the store and be entered into the Freeview Swap Shop prize draw. Cheggers will then select 50 winners at 2pm, who will each receive a stylish Humax Freeview+ digital TV recorder worth over £125.

The Humax PVR-9150T Freeview+ box can record over 100 hours of TV onto its 160Gb hard drive. It also allows viewers to pause and rewind live TV, and record their favourite telly series. General information about Freeview and the digital switchover will also be available on the day.

Speaking to PVRJunction, Director of Communications at Harvard International PLC, John Edwards took the opportunity to discuss their plans for Freesat+ and FreeviewHD PVRs.

Last month PVRJunction broke the news of a new Goodmans branded 320GB Freesat+ PVR, the GFSDTR320HD and the 500GB Goodmans GFSDTR500HD. Argos followed soon after with live product listings, but as the new Freesat+ PVRs haven’t even been launched as yet we’re interested to know how development was progressing. John says

Yes this was a little premature, but what it did do is announce our intention to have a PVR. We do have a PVR; it’s in final testing with industry bodies at this time. So we are close to manufacture and close to release in the UK.

With the Humax exclusivity deal on the sale of Freesat+ PVRs effectively over since around the end of last year, one might have expected more PVR manufacturers unleashing a stockpile of Freesat+ recorders in the new year. But it’s been strangely quiet on PVR scene until recently. We asked Harvard if there is much longer to wait for affordable competition in the Freesat PVR market. John says

We will release ASAP. These particular hardware items are nothing if not complex. Then the testing is extremely laborious. This is done not only by ourselves but also by the DTG (Digital Television Group). When that testing is going to be finally complete I really couldn’t say but if I were to give PVRJunction some sort of steer on it, I would expect the product to be in the market by next month.

The industry is currently hard at work on the Freeview platform too; busy working towards the provision of high definition channels on DTT (digital terrestrial television). The working title is T2 (DVB-T2), and together with most other key hardware suppliers Harvard are watching developments extremely closely on T2. According to John Edwards there will be no significant announcement yet because this has got to come through Freeview, as its going to become FreeviewHD. The industry is looking to have some sort of start to HD broadcasting by the end of the year, with broadcasts happening both in the Granada region, and also in the metropolitan London region. The scope of those broadcasts hasn’t yet been defined and most of the industry is awaiting a fuller announcement by Freeview themselves. Hardware-wise John says

As far as hardware goes I think it’s probably unlikely in that timescale. Whilst you may have one or two token pieces of hardware by the end of the year, in terms of anything like a significant volume I think you’ve really got to have a look at Q1/ Q2 next year.

It seems too early to talk about the hardware and obtain some sort of scope but talking to manufacturers over the last few weeks its clear many of them are yet to get their hands on the silicon needed for DVB-T2, and probably will not do until the latter part of the year. Launch products will likely be thin on the ground – perhaps set top boxes rather than PVRs. We asked John if Harvard will be releasing a FreeviewHD PVR for early next year

Yes. I wouldn’t claim that we’re going to be right in the lead. I would claim that we are going to be close followers. I expect there is going to be hardware around by Easter; there should be broadcast coverage in HD up to 48% of the current DTT coverage before the world cup which is June next year.

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The sixth annual Communications Market Report has just been released by Ofcom, and reveals just how much the  appetite among consumers is growing for recording broadcast programmes for playback later. Nearly 9 million PVRs have been sold since 2000, helped in large part by the move to digital broadcasting. Here we set out key metrics on the take-up and use of PVR products and identify trends in consumer attitudes towards PVR use.

Key findings:

• More than a quarter of consumers (27%) claimed to use a PVR at the end of March 2009, equivalent to 7 million homes, according to Ofcom research. This rose to nearly a third of consumers (31%) in multichannel television homes.
• These figures are a little lower than those for operator and sales data, which suggest that nearly 9 million PVRs had been sold in the UK at the end of March 2009. The five million Sky+ boxes (launched in September 2001) made up the majority of the UK PVR universe at the end of Q1 2009, followed by Freeview+ and Freesat+ and Top Up TV devices, which together accounted for around 2.6 million devices.
• 15% of viewing across the five main PSB channels in 2008 was of programmes recorded using a PVR, according to data from BARB, the television industry’s audience measurement organisation. In Sky+ homes this rose to 19%.
• Adults aged 16-34 are the group most likely to watch programmes recorded on a PVR; 19% of viewing among this age group was on a recorded basis in 2008 according to BARB, compared to 11% for viewers aged 55 and over.
• High-definition programmes are among those most viewed after their initial broadcast in Sky+ homes, according to viewing data from the SkyView panel. A third of viewing of Drama serials and series in Sky+ homes is recorded.
• 42% of consumers said that they watched a greater variety of programmes since owning a PVR, although a third (33%) disagreed with this. Eighty per cent of consumers believe that they watch more programmes that they enjoy because they have a PVR.
• PVRs are becoming increasingly advanced, offering viewers search functionality and ‘push’ video-on-demand, where programmes are downloaded to the hard disk drive, for example. Hard drives are also increasing in size; some PVRs offer up to 250 hours of recording, up markedly from the 40 hours available on early generations of devices.
• The average retail price of PVRs for the Freeview market had fallen to £106 at the end of March 2009, down from £172 in March 2005, according to GfK sales data. Similarly, the costs of DVRs from the main pay-TV operators have fallen.
• Consumers are using a range of services to ‘catch up’ on television programmes including online catch-up TV and TV-based video-on-demand.

The report shows around a fifth (19 per cent) of viewing in Sky+ homes is timeshifted, more than for subscribers to Virgin Media’s V+ service who timeshifted 12 per cent of viewing; and some 9 per cent of viewing in Freeview PVR homes was time-shifted programmes. Ofcoms research also suggests that PVR owners enjoy a better TV experience, where 8 out of 10 TV viewers with a PVR say that they watched more programmes that they enjoy, and over 40 per cent said that they watched a greater variety of programmes since getting a PVR.

Source: Ofcom August 2009

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Digital Vision, the design and manufacturer of digital TV products, have released details of the DV-DTR1, a single tuner Digital TV Recorder for Freeview. It is designed to complement your television and make it simple connect to your TV and your aerial, and use the remote to select the programmes you wish to record over the next week. The aim here is to help UK households change to digital TV; at the same time replace their VCR, without having to spend a fortune in the process.

Your programmes, say Digital Vision, are recorded onto compact and convenient USB drives, the worlds favourite recording media. “Just like audio cassettes, video tapes will be phased out, to be replaced by either recordable DVDs or new highly compact, solid state USB “flash” drives.” With no moving parts to wear out, USB flash drives are a convenient way to record your favourite digital TV and Radio shows. When you playback your recordings, they are just as good as live TV and they take up less space than bulky tapes. This unique technology is patent protected (patents pending) and exclusive in today’s market.

If you still have a VCR for recording TV, replacing it with the DV-DTR1 will make it so much easier. Using the constantly updated on-screen 8 day programme guide, just select the programmes you wish to record, and the DV-DTR1 will wake up from standby on the day/time the programme is broadcast to record it for you in full digital quality. Then when you are ready to watch your recordings, use the on-screen recording list to select, and press play. What could be simpler?

There are no less than three USB slots you can use to plug USB drives. This convenient feature lets you incrementally add more storage to the DV-DTR1 while still being able to access your existing recordings. You can also copy recordings from one USB drive to another without needing to use a computer. This feature is very useful for transferring recordings to watch on another DVDTR1 or to a high capacity USB hard drive. It sounds nice and simple. You can also transfer recordings to your computer. That’s the other really great feature of the DV-DTR1. Simply unplug the USB drive and insert it into the USB socket on your computer. You can then either play the recordings back from the USB drive or copy them to your computer hard disk so you can make more room for new recordings on your USB drive. If you have a laptop computer, you could watch your recordings on a train or on a plane. Maybe you just want to watch your recorded programme while other members of the family are using the main TV.

If you’re not quite ready to give up on your video tapes, don’t worry. Simply connect your VCR to the DV-DTR1 and press Play on your VCR. The DV-DTR1 will automatically route the output of your VCR to your TV. You could even record to VHS tape, the digital channel that your DV-DTR1 is currently tuned or the USB recorded programme it is playing back. This feature would let you or another family member watch the recording later on another VCR elsewhere.

In summary, a simple to use, feature packed STB. With user friendly GUI, compact and stylish design. Record and playback digital TV; Copy from one device to another; Schedule recordings from the EPG onto 3 separate devices – the 3 USB ports on its front panel allow a richer user experience with a wide range of functionalities. Prices are expected to be under £70.

A twin tuner version is expected towards the end of the year, which will include a 2.5″ built in hard disk drive, as well as retaining the innovative 3 port USB features of the DV-DTR1. Stay tuned as we bring you hands-on information regarding the the finer details, together with our usual mix of photos and video shortly.

Click the above picture for the Digital Vision Website

Latest research from Ofcom reveals that more viewers are taking greater control over the way they watch television as the total number of digital video recorders sold reaches almost nine million (8.9 million).

Its Digital Progress Report for the first quarter of 2009 showed that the number of digital recording devices which allow viewers the ability to pause, store and rewind live programmes had increased by nearly one million on the quarter. This includes:

• Some five million Sky customers with a Sky+ service;
• More than 2.6 million Freeview digital video recorders, such as Freeview +;
• Around 600,000 Virgin Media subscribers with a V+ service; and
• A further 600,000 homes with BT Vision and Top Up TV.

Viewers are also choosing more sophisticated ways of enjoying television, with nearly two million (1.9 million) households in the UK with access to high definition (HD) channels.

The report also shows that the total number of digital households reached 89.2 per cent with digital switchover now underway in the West Country, Border and Isle of Man.

DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION (DTT)

• The total number of households with a DTT device on any set reached 18.0 million, up from 17.7 million during the quarter

• Since Freeview launched in 2002, the total sales of DTT devices reached over 43 million units, with over 23 million set-top boxes and nearly 20 million Integrated Digital TVs (IDTV)

DIGITAL SATELLITE SERVICES (Pay TV services)

• BSkyB reported that its customer base grew by 80,000 to over 9.3 million households in the UK and Ireland during the quarter. This is up by 430,000 subscribers year-on-year.

• Some 19 per cent of its customers (1.77 million) have at least one extra set connected to Sky through its Multiroom service, an increase of 46,000 on the quarter

DIGITAL SATELLITE SERVICES (Free services)

• By March 2009 the BBC/ITV Freesat service reported that sales had reached 350,000 up from 230,000 sales in the previous quarter. Of these almost three-quarters of sales were HD ready receivers (263,000)

• According to the latest consumer research there were around 500,000 households with free satellite services down around 100,000 on the previous quarter

CABLE (Virgin Media subscribers)

• The total number of cable TV customers reached its highest ever figure with 3.65 million subscribers, up by almost 137,000 in twelve months
• Over half (53 per cent) of its customers were using its video on demand (VoD) service

The full report can be found here http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/tv/reports/dtv/dtu_2009_01/

This is the new Freeview+ PVR from Pace which is currently being branded here by Philips, called the DTR7510. It’s an attractive unit which looks better in the flesh than the squarer looking pictures found online. It’s also smaller than we were expecting, with a width of just 240mm and a depth of 145mm. The front flap feels a tad flimsy and the plastic buttons are a little clicky/clunky in a cheap way – but hey not many people will be using those in any case. The money is much better saved for the addition of a card slot for Pay TV which saves the expense of needing a CAM as well.
Please note ESPN has taken over the encrypted channel 34 from Setanta and is broadcasting without subscription for the time being. Contact TUTV to arrange viewing or for further details.

Click for larger picture

The package includes 2x AA batteries for the hefty remote control. OK it’s not the largest remote control we own but its still quite long and heavy, and I fear one handed operation may be out of the window. But it does carry controls for operating not only the PVR but our TV, VCR, DVD and amplifier. The buttons are also laid out such that learning the location of the most used buttons, without having to look down at the remote, or in a darkened room will be easier.

At the back of the unit there are connectors for both SCART (SCART cable provided) and HDMI (HDMI cable not provided), and under the front flap is a USB socket where you can connect a USB drive. USB drives containing your pictures and music can be loaded on and viewed from the PVR to you TV screen. Rumour has it that this unit will store and play Divx movies, although the use of moving video to or from the DTR7510 has been removed from the user manual. We’ll certainly have a play and let you know what it can do in due course.

The installation and set up procedure is quite quick and straight forward. The PVR contains a 160GB hard drive which is good enough for about 90 hours of TV recording. The machine can buffer up 3 hours of TV which you can use to rewind live TV (this is configurable). You can even choose via the menus to disable the hard drive completely, which when we tried had the effect of reducing noise levels from the rather clicky hard drive. 

A quick look at the menus shows options for manually controlling channel search operations; the ability to switch off MHEG interactivity (in case there is an interactive stream being broadcast that is freezing the box); and a chapter skip button that can be configured from 1 minute jumps (useful for skipping through an ad break) to 5 or 10 minute forward skips. The EPG button takes you to ‘Now and Next programme information, but from there you can go into the 7 day EPG view. We would have preferred the guide button to go straight to the 7 day EPG.

A more comprehensive list of features will be added to the Freeview PVR comparison tables at PVR Junction; however our first impressions on the feature set are positive although not in the same league as a Topfield for example. A good mix of features with ‘ease of use’ can be a tricky balance and we’ll be looking for your comments about the DTR7510.

Both Pace and Philips trademarks are on the packaging and the PVR itself, however the two companies are transitioning set-top-box and PVR operations solely back into Pace. We are told the branding of these particular PVRs will revert back to Pace from around September 2009. Support for these machine will continue to be provided by Philips, which has been extended at least to September or until Pace take over.

The Philips DTR7510 is currently available from Argos and Tesco stores for under £150.

Freeview today announced that sales of Freeview+ boxes have reached over 900,000, up 118% compared to December last year.

26% of all sales were achieved in a record final quarter. Throughout December, more than two Freeview+ boxes were bought every minute!

Take-up of Freeview, the UK’s most popular digital TV service, continues to grow indicating that the ability to deliver quality, subscription-free TV is of huge value to consumers particularly in the current economic downturn. More than 17.2 million homes are enjoying the benefits of viewing 13 of the 15 most-watched channels without having to pay more and Freeview+ saves viewers more than £200 in the first year alone compared to the subscription alternatives.

This growth is expected to continue as consumers rein in their expenditure in 2009 – recent research highlighted one in five plans to curtail spending on pay TV channels – and as another five million homes go through digital switchover in the next twelve months, with Freeview+ providing the most cost-effective recording solution for a digital age.

Freeview+ was given a boost with a national TV ad campaign that launched in November 2008. Throughout the campaign period, sales increased by an average of 150% year-on-year and Freeview’s website traffic increased by 80% during the first month alone. The ads celebrated the functionality of Freeview+ and featured a host of British TV talent including Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton, Jennie McAlpine and Tupele Dorgu, comedian Alan Carr and Chef Gordon Ramsay. Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview, said:

The popularity of Freeview+ isn’t surprising given that it offers outstanding value – giving the same experience as ‘+’ recorders from other providers, the only difference is it’s free from subscription.

During a downturn, TV viewing naturally increases as people choose to stay in and watch TV as a form of free entertainment. We know that Freeview is an extremely compelling proposition of high quality, subscription free, digital TV, but Freeview+ is adding a new dimension to people’s viewing experience, allowing them to take control of what they watch and when they watch it. More than half of Freeview+ users tell us they can’t live without it.

According to Freeview there are over 60 models to choose from, including boxes with integrated DVD recorders/players and Freeview+ built into digital TVs. We know that Freeview+ offers the biggest range of digital TV recorders available today. Viewers can pause, record and rewind their favourite TV shows without having to pay a monthly subscription.

In the first of Freeview’s new channel launches in 2009, CNN International is now available on channel 84 bringing viewers world news, every night from 9pm to 1am. Discovery Networks UK also plans to launch a new channel in the coming months.  Howling concludes,

These new additions to the Freeview channel portfolio, coupled with the roll out of Freeview HD across the UK from the end of 2009 is an exciting prospect for Freeview viewers and gives them even more value in the tough climate.

Today sees the launch of Freeview’s first national television ad campaign to promote Freeview+, the platforms digital TV recorders, featuring a stellar cast of British TV talent.

The campaign, created by Beattie McGuiness Bungay (BMB), acts out Freeview+ functionality within much-loved Freeview programming. 4Creative and ITVCreative collaborated on the activity. The line-up includes Antony Cotton, Jennie McAlpine and Tupele Dorgu of Coronation Street fame; comedian, Alan Carr; chef, Gordon Ramsay; football pundits, Steve Rider and Andy Townsend; not to mention an African cheetah and her cubs, and an entire period drama cast.

[youtube:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tkcmoMbj4Gs&fmt=18 285 234][youtube:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gQJBomqRFlg&fmt=18 285 234][youtube:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4A0F8tPazKk&fmt=18 285 234]

In one execution, a big match kick-off at Wembley is held up until Mike in Cirencester has finished his bath and dried his hair. In another, Gordon Ramsay is repeatedly rewound, and wound up, because Helen in Swansea hasn’t been able to catch his rapid-fire recipe. And in another, an early 19th century Ball at Hampton Court is suspended until Zoe in Godalming is back from Barbados and ready to watch them off series record.

Freeview+ not only provides quality digital television, including 13 of the 15 most-watched channels, it also lets viewers pause, rewind and record their favourite shows without monthly bills or a contract, unlike other ‘+’ services on the market. It could save viewers £200 in the first year alone.

The TV ads break on 6th November and run into the New Year. They are supported by online creative and a revamped Freeview website, developed by Grand Union, and by retail that incorporates a new look and feel by 999 Design. Freeview+ advertorials are also featuring in titles such as The Daily Express, The Daily Star and OK magazine.

Rob Farmer, Director of Marketing Communications at Freeview, says:

There are no monthly bills with Freeview+, you can just enjoy the control it gives you of the telly you love. This campaign celebrates the functionality from the public’s perspective, rather than the TV personality’s. We’re aiming to make the power shift itself a source of entertainment.

Other marketing activity is focused on conversions to Freeview at the Digital Switchover in Border. In addition to on-the-ground initiatives driving awareness of the value and quality of Freeview, a promotion with Tesco has been created whereby customers get a free Technika Freeview box if they buy a Techwood Freeview+ box for £69.97*; a saving of approximately £300 in the first year alone compared to subscription alternatives.

Farmer concludes

Freeview’s proposition is as relevant today as it’s ever been. With a new Discovery channel and, later, HD coming next year, we’re confident in Freeview’s continued ability to deliver the quality TV people want, without the bills they don’t want.

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/

Conceptronics has recently released details of a new twin tuner PVR heading for DTT countries across Europe. Its already been given an impressive model name by Conceptronics: the ‘Media Titan’; so we spoke to the manufacturer this week to find out more. We are not supposed to reveal pricing details just yet but until we get the go ahead here is the low down on the forthcoming PVR.

Conceptronic are presenting the Media Titan as a wireless 300 Mbps 11n HD media player and hard disk recorder with twin DVB-T tuners inside. With this Media Titan Conceptronic anticipates on the growing market of free to air DVB-T with media player in several countries. The dual digital tuner allows consumers to record a movie or TV program on one channel and watch a different program on another channel at the same time. The media Titan supports movie format up to HD 1080p.

For Conceptronics usability is key. The Media Titan distinguishes itself by a simple design and a unique remote control with scroll wheel and 11 buttons only, to make navigation fast and simple. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) offers a clear overview of what programs are on or scheduled on different channels. Just scroll over the program you would like to record and it’s listed for recording.

Compatibility has certainly been optimised. Besides recording, it plays XviD, WMV9, MPEG 1/2/4, AVI, ISO & VOB movies files, but also 1080p HD movies like H.264 MKV. For photo and music files it supports i.e. BMP, GIFF, JPEG, PNG, MP3, OGG, WAV & WMA (VBR). The content can be played locally from the hard disk or from the network. The Media Titan is DLNA 1.5 compliant and features a UPnP AV client. This means that any user can stream and copy photos, music or movies from a PC or NAS storage device with UPnP AV server over the network; wired or wireless!

The tech specs are as follows:
· TV format: PAL/NTSC
· Built-in twin DVB-T tuners with signal pass-through
· HDMI and Composite video outputs
· Analog and Optical digital audio output (SPDIF)
· 10/100 Mbps ethernet port
· Built in wireless 300 Mbps 11n wireless network adapter with integrated antennas
· Supported formats: H.264 MKV, XviD, WMV9, MOV, M2TS, TS, ISO, MPEG 1/2/4, AVI, SVCD, VCD, BMP, GIFF, JPEG, PNG, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, (VBR)
· USB 2.0 port (to connect directly to your computer)
· 3x USB 2.0 host port (to connect your USB sticks/drives/dongles)
· DLNA 1.5 and UPnP AV compliant
· Measurements: 27,5 x 24 x 4,5 cm (WxLxH)
· Compatible with Windows 2000/XP & Vista™

Humax’s hugely popular Freeview PVR has recently undergone a hardware transplant to offer HDMI output, and the lowest standby power consumption we know of in a PVR. Consequently the model number has changed slightly to PVR-9300t, and a 320GB hard drive is now fitted as standard. The changes are hoped to satisfy current UK consumer demand until Humax can unveil its all new ‘signing and dancing’ high definition PVR when Freeview HD arrives late next year.

But despite its best buy status for UK PVR’s, it seems there is one issue a number of users have feedback to the company: a noisy fan. Ordinarily the fan is turned off during standby; however if the PVR is left on when the TV is switched off, many customers have reported hearing the sound of the fan.

During our conversations with Humax today we took the opportunity to ask them about the fan fitted to their PVR-9300t and PVR-9150t model; and its good news. Humax UK have already asked its engineering division to look into the issue, and as a result a new version of the PVR software has been readied for testing. The changes are designed such that the PVR can control the power feeding the fan while the machine is on.

In house testing will continue together with more beta testers in order to check there will be no adverse effects on the long term reliability of the PVR. If this goes as planned the software will be rolling out to all PVR-9300t and PVR-9150t receivers via an over the air download sometime in the next six or so weeks.

If you own an LCD or Plasma TV the chances are it has a slot on the side or back. Neotion has just announced a credit card sized PVR that simply goes into that slot, enabling you to pause and rewind live TV, or record TV programmes. Neotion claims this is the smallest digital recorder in the world (size: 11x5x1.2cm, weight: 45grams). It even comes with LAN port so you can transfer recording to your PC via Ethernet cable or using your wireless/power-line adaptor. The miniature PVR uses the popular SD-Cards for memory, which range in cost from about £10 (4GB) to £60 (32GB).

With the SD-Card memory inserted into the miniature PVR, users can then pause live TV, with the programme being temporarily stored on the card. Playback can then be resumed from that point, or navigate through it via fast forward and rewind trick modes, or simply return viewing to the live TV point. The functions are basic, which isn’t a bad thing – using your own TVs remote control to record, to store, to watch and erase TV programes on the SD-Card using what Neotion say is an easy, intuitive, but efficient, navigation menu.

With the LAN port connection, it is possible to turn the TV into a Media Centre with this device. Using the TVs remote control you can access a networked PC in your home. The Neotion Pocket Recorder is bundled with Neotion TV Medial Player to connect one or more PCs on your network to the TV using a straight ethernet cable, a wireless WIFI device or Power Line (Home Plug) adaptor. From there one can enjoy all of the multimedia contents remotely stored on their PC – be it photos, music, video, Web TV/radio, and other online video services. Recordings can also be transfered to the remote PC for storage or later viewing, editing or burning to DVD. We’ll be sure to bring you more news on when and where to buy.

Street price: c. £75