I am not a duck Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 Freeview At last. Truth in advertising. The video clip looks like the sort of reception that will be available when all these new wonderful channels are crammed into a small pipe. :)
Damon1503559503 Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 (edited) FreeviewAt last. Truth in advertising. The video clip looks like the sort of reception that will be available when all these new wonderful channels are crammed into a small pipe. :) Yep they don't seem to mention the backwards quality step we are going to suffer when they ram another SD channel into the stream. Australia has to be the only country in the world where every year we go backwards on digital TV quality. I remember the days of Ch9 Perth 16mbs 1980x1080i full DD5.1. Lucky for us WIN tookover and started getting us ready for this drop in quality. By the way can anyone see the link for downloading EPGs to Vista Media Center? or any other STB's for that matter? Fight on ICETV rgds Damon Edited November 24, 2008 by Damon
pgdownload Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 By the way can anyone see the link for downloading EPGs to Vista Media Center? or any other STB's for that matter?The EPG would seem to be pretty much what is transmitted now (maybe a bit better quality). They'll be relying on legal avenues to try stop PVR/STB manufacturers from using them on 'unauthorised ' machines.Just a theory though. Peter Gillespie
EvanOnTheGC Posted November 24, 2008 Posted November 24, 2008 You'd think the ad would have been aired in HD on the HD channels. Also, I currently get 17 channels. I wonder which 2 I will lose ;-) (I'll actually end up with 24, not 15) Evan :->
vk2mpj Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) If the picture quality is comparable with that ad clip, then what a waste of money my HD Plasma has been... plus I notice that Regional viewers won't get the ONE HD, rather SC10, SC10SD and SC10HD Edited November 25, 2008 by vk2mpj
191 Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 It is false advertising to suggest that just because the picture is tranmitted in a digital form that it is superior to analogue. This is nonsense. I guarantee that with 3 channels per mux, the picture image with be of lesser quality than standard analogue. Joe six pack will be smart enough to realise that something is not right when this farce comes to pass in 2009.
azure1503559508 Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 (edited) There was a segment about Freeview on Chaanel 9's A Current Affair; Consumers can expect to see 15 additional digital channels, which will be launched by the five free-to-air broadcasters. You'll likely (to) see more programming including sport, news and current affairs, documentaries, dramas and shows from overseas – all in digital sound and picture.. http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=671379 They should have made it a bit clearer. . . . you'll need a HD tuner to receive ALL of the additional channels Edited November 27, 2008 by azure
paulw2 Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 Maybe Freeview Oz will try this Kiwi trick to bump up the number of channels?? http://www.dtvforum.co.nz/forum/showthread.php?t=780
ozdoc Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 FreeviewThe video clip looks like the sort of reception that will be available when all these new wonderful channels are crammed into a small pipe. The clip actually looks suspiciously like the TiVo clip (ie: stacking up of TV images on each other), which suspiciously looked like the orginal Ipod advert. There's obviously nothing new under the sun.
Timmy Downawell Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 Maybe Freeview Oz will try this Kiwi trick to bump up the number of channels??http://www.dtvforum.co.nz/forum/showthread.php?t=780 At least the kiwis know a crock when they see it. Except This is the sort of things I'd expect the Australians to do... Hey! Wait a minute.. They are Feel free to enlighten us all on the +1 FTA channels available in Australia, seeing as you obviously know more than those of us who live here.
Keepleft Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 (edited) I am very excited by Australia's freeview, I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Edited November 26, 2008 by Keepleft
azure1503559508 Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 ....I guarantee that with 3 channels per mux, the picture image with be of lesser quality than standard analogue..... I thought you could only tx one SD service (576i) and one HD service (full 1080i) simultaneously?? and ABC and SBS reduced the resolution of their HD services (576p**) for an extra SD service (ABC 2 & World News). How can TEN and NINE fit an extra SD service without reducing the resolution of the HD service? I gather the maximum is 4 SD services that can tx simultaneously. What will be the new bit rates? ** I know, I know, I regard 576p as "Enhanced Definition" as well.
CoNFooZeD Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 The only thing that is really potentially new in the Freeview anouncement is the reference to the EPG. The Freeview site talks about a new "intuitive EPG". What I still would like to know is: - Will we get a proper EPG of at least 7 days for all channels? - Will the new EPG use a proprietory format that needs special hardware to receive it (which could explain the references to Freeview branding on compatible STBs and PVRs)
DrP Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 When regional Australia get's the extra channels (all of them to all of us!) then the FTA's can crow about their 'Freeview'. Until then (and in all likelyhood even after) I'll continue my 'free viewing' via channel BT.
bindi Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 The only thing that is really potentially new in the Freeview anouncement is the reference to the EPG. The Freeview site talks about a new "intuitive EPG". What I still would like to know is:- Will we get a proper EPG of at least 7 days for all channels? - Will the new EPG use a proprietory format that needs special hardware to receive it (which could explain the references to Freeview branding on compatible STBs and PVRs) apparently we will need a freeview branded product to get the new EPG, i'm not too worried about missing out on this new one, but i am worried that they will discontinue the current EPG in favour of the new one, thus significantly reducing the functionality of my PVR.
dryfry Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 I thought you could only tx one SD service (576i) and one HD service (full 1080i) simultaneously??and ABC and SBS reduced the resolution of their HD services (576p**) for an extra SD service (ABC 2 & World News). How can TEN and NINE fit an extra SD service without reducing the resolution of the HD service? I gather the maximum is 4 SD services that can tx simultaneously. What will be the new bit rates? ** I know, I know, I regard 576p as "Enhanced Definition" as well. ABC does 720p which is High Definition. Planet Earth looked good in 720p. SBS is stuck with 576p But that's another thread.
paulw2 Posted November 27, 2008 Posted November 27, 2008 At least the kiwis know a crock when they see it.Except Feel free to enlighten us all on the +1 FTA channels available in Australia, seeing as you obviously know more than those of us who live here. Mediaworks who own this channel is owned by an Australian company call Ironbridge hense the comment.
azure1503559508 Posted December 15, 2008 Posted December 15, 2008 Poor may get free changeover to digital TV LOW-INCOME households and pensioners could be given a free set-top box to convert analog TVs to receive a digital signal as the Federal Government gears up for the biggest changeover since the introduction of decimal currency. The Government may also consider allowing free-to-air TV networks to show protected sporting events on their new multi-channels to encourage the take-up of digital TV. The Australian Media and Communications Authority estimates there are 19 million TV sets in Australia but only 42 per cent of households have at least one "digital ready" TV. The Government is under pressure to make sure every household is ready when the analog switch-off begins to be phased in region by region from June 2010 to December 2013. "This changeover will touch everybody's lives," the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, told the Herald in an interview. "To get this wrong will deprive people of what they consider to be a basic service. That would be a significant miscalculation and stuff-up." Senator Conroy revealed that handing out digital converters was one option being considered but said TV viewers would receive more than just a voucher and be left to fend for themselves. He plans an advertising campaign to explain technical issues and how to get help. "The concern I have is that I've tested this myself to find out how easy it is to install a set-top box if you are not very technically literate. I've got to tell you it's not that easy. Some people can do it dead easy but for others it's quite a "challenge. In the United States they gave out two vouchers and said you're on your own after that. This has led to a debacle. It is a train wreck waiting to happen in the US in February when they switch off the analog signal nationally on one day," Senator Conroy said. He said he favoured the British approach, where pensioners and low-income households were given assistance. "They've done it region by region, they've provided boxes, assisted people with installation and even had people changing antennas if necessary." The analog switch-off will begin in Mildura, which has the highest digital TV take-up rate in the country of 70 per cent, in June 2010. Albury will change in June 2011, and the analog signal will be turned off for most of regional NSW throughout 2012. In Sydney and Gosford the signal will end on December 31, 2013. Senator Conroy said a set-top box would be enough to convert and receive a digital signal, although it would not be the same picture and sound quality as a high-definition digital TV. The Opposition spokesman on communications, Nick Minchin, has questioned how the Government will measure whether a region is ready for the switch and what safeguards would be in place to ensure there are no blackspots or people left without a TV picture. Senator Conroy promised that the Government would publish progress reports. Next year he will also review the sports anti-siphoning list, which sets out the events that must be shown on free-to-air TV. It includes the Melbourne Cup, the Olympic Games, the AFL grand final, rugby league state of origin and grand final, the Ashes and the Australian Open in tennis and golf. He said the list would remain and there was "no way the national sporting codes will end up exclusively on pay TV". But he did not rule out allowing the commercial free-to-air stations to show some of the protected sports on their new digital channels (which begin broadcasting on January 1) in a bid to attract viewers and advertisers. Pay TV channels oppose this, saying it would be fair only if the anti-siphoning list were scrapped and they could bid for all events. http://www.smh.com.au/news/digital-life/ho...9189456934.html
ozdoc Posted December 16, 2008 Posted December 16, 2008 Poor may get free changeover to digital TVLOW-INCOME households and pensioners could be given a free set-top box to convert analog TVs to receive a digital signal as the Federal Government gears up for the biggest changeover since the introduction of decimal currency. Surely the 'poor' can fund a $40 STB out the $1000+ cash grant the've just been given... What a nanny state we're living in.
CoNFooZeD Posted December 16, 2008 Posted December 16, 2008 Poor may get free changeover to digital TV"The concern I have is that I've tested this myself to find out how easy it is to install a set-top box if you are not very technically literate. I've got to tell you it's not that easy. Some people can do it dead easy but for others it's quite a challenge...." Senator Conroy said. Great. We have a communications minister that is challenged by installing a STB
191 Posted December 16, 2008 Posted December 16, 2008 In the United States they gave out two vouchers and said you're on your own after that. This has led to a debacle. It is a train wreck waiting to happen in the US in February when they switch off the analog signal nationally on one day," Senator Conroy said. Train wreck? Harbinger of doom, yet incapable of plugging in a vcr/stb? I guess you need to create a disaster to be seen as a saviour. He said he favoured the British Big Government approach, where pensioners plebs and low-income households welfare dependent were given assistance. "They've done it region by region, they've provided boxes, assisted people with installation and even had people changing antennas if necessary." Fixed. The number of technically illiterate pensioners (or others) without family help is probably not that big. By all means help these people. I'm not attacking those who need a safety net. Surely as a wider community we can't be this pathetic? If the Americans can cope, surely we can too? Let's see what happens in February before we start making preparations for the mass unwashed.
Deref Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Forgive a newbie's ignorance, but what IS Freeview? I haven't been able to find anything that's even vaguely informative on any of the sites. All I can see is that it's 15 channels, but I can get 19 right now. Will I be losing some of the existing channels, or will there be another 15 in addition to what I've already got? The only new thing that I can detect is an EPG that (purportedly) works.
digitalj Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 they will be the channels you already have (it's a branding campaign)
Deref Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 they will be the channels you already have (it's a branding campaign) Ah - thanks. I figured as much, but somehow I had a childlike faith that even tv stations wouldn't indulge in such grossly misleading advertising. That'll teach me.
Timmy Downawell Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Ah - thanks. I figured as much, but somehow I had a childlike faith that even tv stations wouldn't indulge in such grossly misleading advertising. That'll teach me. Well, we have yet to see how misleading it'll be. The 15 channels they promise would at this stage seem to be: ABC1 ABC2 ABC HD (not a real, new channel, just ABC1 in HD) SBS SBS2 SBS HD (not a real, new channel, just SBS in HD) Seven Seven second SD channel (yet to be announced) Seven HD (mostly Seven in HD with occasional breakaway HD content) Nine Nine second SD channel (yet to be announced) Nine HD (mostly Nine in HD with occasional breakaway HD content) Ten One Sport SD (SD duplicate of One Sport) One Sport HD So for the moment it appears to be 10 actual channels with a few HD breakaway moments. But it's a start.
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