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Freeview HD and DVB-T2 (Need new box)
aMIGA_dUDE
Posts: 87 Forumite
There is new broadcasting system coming to Freeview (DVB-T2) and ALL hardware that works on Freeview (DVB-T) today (April 2009) is INCOMPATIBLE to it! This is all and I mean all hardware, even that £5000 new TV set. Ouch!
This is going to be little technician but will try to keep it as simple as possible. It is not time to press big red pain button or sky is not falling down issue. Lets explain few things first.
At the moment (April 2009) all broadcast on Freeview are being broadcast using transmitters that working with high level of error correction data. They could use a more powerful signal but if they did that at this moment in time the signal would give interference with the analogue signal. As they can not have transmitters on a high power setting they have to use a higher amount of error correction to get signal out and viewable. So when there is no analogue signal in that area they will be able to change the settings of the transmitters to operate with a more powerful signal. As such there shouldn't be a need to have error correction working so much and they will be able reduce to amount of error correction data.
They also will be changing the way digital signal on DVB-T is being sent from 16 QAM to 64 QAM. Which will also give them more data on a multiplex.
Alright that is good news, sort of. They sort of closing down transmitter space or as they call it Multiplex's. A Muliplex is a bit like shopping centre where they put lot stores in one big space but here it a lot channels all in the same place. They are going to close down Multiplex B.
Whats is on Mutilplex B:-
BBC Four
Cbeebies
BBC Parliament
Community
All BBC Interactive/Radio services
All in all 19 services from Freeview.
Some them are going on to other Mutilplex that will then have more space. But some might go all together. There is no real conformed news on this at the moment. So you guess is as good as mine (Ofcom).
Mutilplex B will become a DVB-T2 multiplex's. Which you can not at moment buy any hardware that is DVB-T2 compatible as no one selling it at moment. But before end of this year (2009) there will be broadcasts in some area's in DVB-T2 on Multiplex B. The over Multiplex should still be DVB-T. As such you current Freeview box WILL still work even after this. It is just if want HD you need need new box.
On Multiplex B they will be transmitting it believed to HD services using MPEG4, unlike SD that is using MPEG2. It worth noting in France and Spain they are broadcasting HD on DVB-T in MPEG4.
This will only happen when the digital switch over has happened and not course interface with neighbouring area's analogue signal.
If think BBC will not let happen, then will be wrong they are one main organisations behind the R&D of DVB-T2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/digital/hd_on_dtt/ita/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/09/how_to_build_a_dvbt2_modulator.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/01/hd.shtml
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/06/bbcs-dvb-t2-freeview-hd-trials-deemed-a-success/
(Sorry but explaining QAM isn't easy so I going to lazy and not bothered, if want to explain it they go ahead you are wiser then me)
This is going to be little technician but will try to keep it as simple as possible. It is not time to press big red pain button or sky is not falling down issue. Lets explain few things first.
At the moment (April 2009) all broadcast on Freeview are being broadcast using transmitters that working with high level of error correction data. They could use a more powerful signal but if they did that at this moment in time the signal would give interference with the analogue signal. As they can not have transmitters on a high power setting they have to use a higher amount of error correction to get signal out and viewable. So when there is no analogue signal in that area they will be able to change the settings of the transmitters to operate with a more powerful signal. As such there shouldn't be a need to have error correction working so much and they will be able reduce to amount of error correction data.
They also will be changing the way digital signal on DVB-T is being sent from 16 QAM to 64 QAM. Which will also give them more data on a multiplex.
Alright that is good news, sort of. They sort of closing down transmitter space or as they call it Multiplex's. A Muliplex is a bit like shopping centre where they put lot stores in one big space but here it a lot channels all in the same place. They are going to close down Multiplex B.
Whats is on Mutilplex B:-
BBC Four
Cbeebies
BBC Parliament
Community
All BBC Interactive/Radio services
All in all 19 services from Freeview.
Some them are going on to other Mutilplex that will then have more space. But some might go all together. There is no real conformed news on this at the moment. So you guess is as good as mine (Ofcom).
Mutilplex B will become a DVB-T2 multiplex's. Which you can not at moment buy any hardware that is DVB-T2 compatible as no one selling it at moment. But before end of this year (2009) there will be broadcasts in some area's in DVB-T2 on Multiplex B. The over Multiplex should still be DVB-T. As such you current Freeview box WILL still work even after this. It is just if want HD you need need new box.
On Multiplex B they will be transmitting it believed to HD services using MPEG4, unlike SD that is using MPEG2. It worth noting in France and Spain they are broadcasting HD on DVB-T in MPEG4.
This will only happen when the digital switch over has happened and not course interface with neighbouring area's analogue signal.
If think BBC will not let happen, then will be wrong they are one main organisations behind the R&D of DVB-T2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/digital/hd_on_dtt/ita/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/09/how_to_build_a_dvbt2_modulator.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/01/hd.shtml
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/06/bbcs-dvb-t2-freeview-hd-trials-deemed-a-success/
(Sorry but explaining QAM isn't easy so I going to lazy and not bothered, if want to explain it they go ahead you are wiser then me)
0
Comments
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To summarise the above. When HD becomes available on Freeview, those who want it will need to upgrade their Freeview box.0
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I only have Freeview at the moment. My digital set top box works well with the BBC interactive but not the SKY News - press the red button. Can anyone help?0
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Like has been said, when Freeview HD becomes available if you want it you will need a new HD Freeview box. So why would that make any HD TV (£5000 or else) useless and need replacing?0
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Like has been said, when Freeview HD becomes available if you want it you will need a new HD Freeview box. So why would that make any HD TV (£5000 or else) useless and need replacing?
Indeed and if it is as bad as the part time HD output on Freesat, none of us need have any worries.;)0 -
So how does the signal quality for HD programmes compare for currently available systems, and how might that change when Analogue is dropped?
Freeview
Freesat
Freesat from sky
Sky HD
Thanks0 -
I think they will be keeping all existing services, apparently the BBC's multiplex has spare capacity to take them, the BBC can either agree or they could force it onto them.
The reason is that there is no other way to get terrestrial HD before the analogue switch-off in 2012 (it might take a year after that to get it in place), and people want it now.
The only issue is for people wanting free-to-air HD right now - the choice is to buy Freesat HD (from £90) or wait for a Freeview HD boxes, which I expect won't be much cheaper, but will avoid the need for a dish.
The current Freeview receivers are cheap enough that people just wanting standard digital TV needn't delay.0
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