Can't get HD freeview

[Deleted User]

"PVR style"? It records to USB!

That's definitely a "budget" option at £30!

blisteringblue

Tried some of the budget options and they are frankly poor. To get anywhere near Sky+ style reliability it's only Humax for me. Had a Bush before that to save money and you will end up with so many "missed" recordings you will simply tear your hair out. Ended up getting money back and bought a Humax. I've 2 of them now (Freesats in my case, but the freeviews are just as good), the 2nd being one of the managers specials and it's been perfect.

I think all the bundled Youview boxes have reasonable reliability if you want to get a bundled box with your broadband (eg. TalkTalk or BT)

almillar

Not this again.

Care to enlighten me if I've said something wrong?

Broadwood

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Why do you think it's a "con"? Improvements in signal compression have made it possible for Freeview customers to receive some channels in High Definition. If those customers wants to enjoy that new technology then they have to pay for it. If not, they can continue to enjoy the original SD line-up.

There are no plans to "switch off" the SD signals anytime soon.

Well I've got some bad news for you.

As from next Friday November 21st viewers WITHOUT either an HD box/PVR (DVB-T2) or a tv with an HD tuner (DVB-T2) will no longer be able to receive the Film 4+1 SD channel as it is moving from a DVB multiplex to a DVB-T2 multiplex.

Film 4+1 won't be the last SD channel to migrate. In perhaps 2, 3 or 4 year's time there might only be the 5 main SD channels still available from one DVB multiplex. The other multiplexes meanwhile all having upgraded to DVB-T2 carrying a mixture of SD & HD channels, by which time most viewers will also have upgraded to DVB-T2 boxes and tv's.

Each DVB multiplex can transmit a mix of SD tv, radio & text.

Each DVB-T2 multiplex can transmit a mix of HD tv, SD tv, radio & text.

DVB-T2 receivers also receive DVB multiplexes.

DVB receivers CANNOT receive DVB-T2 multiplexes.

The broadcasters and government will slowly persuade everyone to upgrade again one way or another, just like they did in the run-up to analogue switch off. It's a combination of economics and never-ending technological progress.......DVB-T3 (UltraHD).......DVB-T4 (SuperUltraHD).......;)

[Deleted User]

Broadwood wrote: »

Well I've got some bad news for you.

Channels have joined ( and left) Freeview since it's inception. I still see no evidence of a "con", even though some with an older decoder won't now receive Film4 +1. Film4 was until a few years ago a subscription-only channel!

Freeview decoders cost peanuts in Supermarkets etc and there are no plans to switch off standard definition channels. Most new TVs come with a built-in decoder.

As to the future, there "might" come a time when few standard definition channels remain. I still don't see this as a "con".

Just upgrade when required.

Broadwood

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I still see no evidence of a "con", even though some with an older decoder won't now receive Film4 +1.

Freeview decoders cost peanuts in Supermarkets etc and there are no plans to switch off standard definition channels. Most new TVs come with a built-in decoder.

As to the future, there "might" come a time when few standard definition channels remain. I still don't see this as a "con".

Just upgrade when required.

The majority of Freeview set-top boxes, PVRs and tvs currently on sale still come with ONLY a DVB decoder. NONE of these will be able to receive Film4+1 SD from next Friday.

Only DVB-T2 enabled equipment will be able to receive Film4+1 SD.

A working valve FM radio from the 1950s will still receive current broadcasts between 88-100Mhz. Granted they will be in mono even though stereo and RDS has been added to the transmissions over the years also the band extended up to 108MHz all of which more modern sets can receive. Conversely my original ON Digital DVB box from 1998 stopped being able to receive any current Freeview channels when they changed the transmission mode from 2k to 8k a few years ago. I had to take it to the tip like thousands of others.

The public are being misled (at best) by regular DVB upgrades.

Broadwood

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Just upgrade when required.

Either when you lose too many channels or the screen goes blank completely.

almillar

The majority of Freeview set-top boxes, PVRs and tvs currently on sale still come with ONLY a DVB decoder

Broadwood - this is rubbish. You're telling me that most kit on sale today is Freeview SD, not Freeview HD. Not true. Look through the Argos or Currys websites and get yourself up to date.
I'll accept that there is plenty of DVB (1) kit still being used, AND I accept that it seems unfair for SD viewers to lose an SD channel, but that's down to the broadcasters, and I don't really think you can blame the government - the broadcasters crave bandwidth, and to cram more channels in. DVB2 is more efficient, and allows them to stuff more in.
My question is, how long do you intend to stay in the SD world?

[Deleted User]

almillar wrote: »

I accept that it seems unfair for SD viewers to lose an SD channel

A time-shifted +1 channel is hardly a massive loss.

brewerdave

almillar wrote: »

My question is, how long do you intend to stay in the SD world?

...until my 3* flat screen TVs pack up ?? (all under 5 years old):)