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Channel 4 HD to start on Freesat

From April 2011, Channel 4 will be broadcast in high definition for Freesat viewers.

From April 2011, Channel 4 will be broadcast in high definition
published on UK Free TV

Channel 4 and Freesat today announced that Freesat HD viewers will soon be able to enjoy Channel 4 HD when the channel launches on the subscription free satellite TV service in April.

Channel 4 HD becomes the fourth HD channel on Freesat joining BBC One HD, BBC HD, and ITV1 HD.

Freesat Managing Director Emma Scott said: "This is fantastic news for Freesat. C4HD is a high quality channel and we're sure it will prove popular with our discerning viewers.

"The addition of a fourth HD channel makes Freesat an even more attractive offer for savvy TV viewers looking for quality TV without monthly bills."



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Comments
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:29 PM

Mike Dimmick: My reasoning is simple - no one, not the BBC, ITV or Sky have ever used DVB-S2 on Astra 2D.

Given the 30% extra capacity gained from doing so leads me to the conclusion that there is a technical reason for it not happening.

Your points are all perfectly correct, I shall see if I can find out a definitive "why" (or, if you are correct "when") from my contacts.

There are clearly two transponders, 50 (BBC HD, BBC One HD) and 56 (ITV1 HD Granada, STV HD), that only have HD services on them and would clearly benefit from DVB-S2.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Thursday, 3 February 2011
DaveCheltenham
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

9:37 AM
Blakeney

Is not part of the arguement that, if you have the transponder on DVB-S2, you cannot mix other configurations with it? Perhaps if broadcasters shared transponders, it would make it worthwhile?

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DaveCheltenham's 35 posts GB flag
DaveCheltenham's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

9:49 AM

Look, the transponder can either be in DVB-S or DVB-S2 mode. One or the other.

It does not matter what audio or video you then use, it can be anything at all.

The only reason for not using DVB-S2 for SD is that the decade old Sky boxes don't work with it.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
DaveCheltenham
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

4:57 PM
Blakeney

That's what I meant with 'other configurations'.

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DaveCheltenham's 35 posts GB flag
DaveCheltenham's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:02 PM

DaveCheltenham: I've been doing some asking and I have been told that Sky+HD boxes can't work with free-to-air HD channels on transponders that are in DVB-S2 mode.

Which is very odd, of course because DVB-S2 does work on Sky+HD boxes perfectly with Sky's 38 HD channels:

- HD - Eurobird 1 & Astra 2A/2B/2D at 28.2°E - LyngSat -




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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:05 PM

The BBC says

"...it is our intention to move to DVB-S2 as it is more data efficient, and all Freesat boxes support this, but I think Sky are having a problem implementing it on their receivers at the moment."

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Friday, 4 February 2011
D
david
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

4:56 PM
Salisbury

will the picture quality be as good as freeview?

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david's 66 posts GB flag
david's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:05 PM

david: It is be identical to Freeview HD.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
P
peter
8:15 PM

Briantist,

The other problem with C4 HD going from DVB-S to DVB-S2 is that those using older (non-Freesat) receivers that are not DVB-S2 compliant will not be able to receive C4 HD.

Freesat HD receivers may be okay with DVB-S2, but for me, using a Blackgold BGT3540 card in a PC (and others with non-Freesat receivers) will not be able to receive C4 HD if it stays DVB-S2 when FTA.

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peter's 18 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

9:40 PM

peter: You'll be having to buy a DVB-S2 card...

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
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