We'll warn you -- if you venture down to the full story on this one, you'll be wading knee-deep in some fairly technical hoopla. That said, those interested in exactly how Ofcom plans to get Freeview HD
up and rolling when the 2012 digital switchover occurs in the UK will certainly find it of interest. As the story goes, the
first three Freeview HD channels (BBC, ITV and Channel 4) are expected to go live in late 2009 when the Winter Hill transmitter is switched to digital-only. There are a grand total of six multiplexes to work with, and Ofcom has it planned to shuffle things around and use the now-empty PSB3 for high-def content. Sadly, the story ends with you needing a new set-top-box to digest the
new signals, but hey, at least you can keep the same antenna. More technobabble awaits you in the read link.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DrXym @ Dec 18th 2008 5:18AM
I wish plans for HD were coordinated properly across different EU countries. Ireland is already in the position that the 2009 launch of digital services are going to use some weird DVB-T / MPEG-4 AVC hybrid. The rollout will be a bloody disaster when people discover their Freeview / DVB-T branded TVs don't work.
The article suggests it might be possible to create a CAM for MPEG-4, but chances are if it were true, that it would still be an additional expense for users, and probably wouldn't integrate with any of the built-in services of the TV.
KarlW @ Dec 18th 2008 5:53AM
This makes the digital switchover timetable sort of stupid. I'll bet that most HDTVs will be found in London, which switches over to digital (and hence gets HD filling the empty spectrum) last.
Central London should have switched first. If you can find anybody here in W1 with an analogue-only set, I'll send a cup of tea to your door.
Lee B @ Dec 18th 2008 3:44PM
Is HD on freeview really needed since new equipment will be needed and creating the extra space to host the channels will reduce the picture quality on the other channels, after all bandwidth is very limited on freeview and its never going to go beyond 4 HD channels max.
Why not advertise the recently created freesat service more, the equipment is available now for less than £100 for some HD receivers and bandwidth is unlimited.