BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

Ben wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:
Yer right, and where is the extra bandwidth going to come from?

Surely this is just the formality of turning BBC HD from a trial into a
proper TV channel? No extra bandwidth required.

Looks like I was wrong
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=579337

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

"Fun Time Frankie" wrote in message
...
BBC unveil free high definition channel

Plans for the country's first free-to-air high definition TV channel
has been unveiled by the BBC.

The new channel will screen for nine hours every evening, broadcasting
a mix of programmes including children's shows, documentaries and
lifestyle programmes as well as big budget dramas, soaps, comedies and
music shows. It will also feature major live sports fixtures, possibly
including parts of the 2012 Olympics.

The proposal promises that repeats will only make up a maximum of 30
per cent of programming initially and that the number of repeats
screened will fall over time.

It is estimated the new service will cost the BBC £21 million per
year. If approved by the BBC Trust, it will start screening for four
hours a day later this year and will be fully operational, providing a
3pm to midnight service, by 2009.

The country already has two high definition packages on Sky and
Telewest, but both attract subscription charges.

High definition TV uses five times as many pixels as standard
definition TV, producing a sharper, clearer image. It also features
surround sound.

The proposed BBC channel will be available on free digital TV as well
as satellite and cable, with viewers only having to pay for a
high-definition TV and set top box or tuner.

BBC bosses yesterday handed details of the plans to the BBC Trust for
approval. The trust, headed by its new chairman, Sir Michael Lyons,
will have to conduct a "public value test" to determine if the channel
is a good use of the licence fee and to test its impact on commercial
competitors.

A consultation among interested parties will close on June 19 and the
trust will publish its initial findings in September.

The plans will then undergo a public consultation, running until
October, and the final decision on the viability of the channel is
expected from the Trust around Nov 21.

If everything runs to schedule the channel could be broadcasting by
Christmas and will be able to screen the 2012 Olympics.

A BBC spokesman said: "By the time the full nine-hour schedule is
achieved, content would come from across the BBC's TV channels. Around
half would come from BBC1, 30 per cent from BBC2 and the rest from
BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies."

ITV, Channel 4 and Five recently took part in closed trials of HD and
their plans are in development.

Okay I'm acting dumb here, playing devil's advocate. What is the point of
buying an existing STB or disc recorder with built-in DTV tuner when it will
be unable to receive HD when it finally becomes available? It's a bit like
buying a B&W receiver after colour was announced.

(kim)

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

"Ben" wrote in message
...
Ben wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:
Yer right, and where is the extra bandwidth going to come from?

Surely this is just the formality of turning BBC HD from a trial into a
proper TV channel? No extra bandwidth required.

Looks like I was wrong
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=579337

So they are planning to deny the vast majority of the public BBC4 through
the night, and it will not be able to show live sports on Freeview.

Why don't the just kick off Cbeebies and mege it with CBBC like CITV have
done, and get rid of the useless interactive channels. In fact who needs
BBC4 anyway. Merge it with BBC3 and there could be HD all day long.

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
In article , Agamemnon
writes
Yer right, and where is the extra bandwidth going to come from?

"Fun Time Frankie" wrote in message
. ..
BBC unveil free high definition channel

Plans for the country's first free-to-air high definition TV channel
has been unveiled by the BBC.

The new channel will screen for nine hours every evening, broadcasting
a mix of programmes including children's shows, documentaries and
lifestyle programmes as well as big budget dramas, soaps, comedies and
music shows. It will also feature major live sports fixtures, possibly
including parts of the 2012 Olympics.

The proposal promises that repeats will only make up a maximum of 30
per cent of programming initially and that the number of repeats
screened will fall over time.

It is estimated the new service will cost the BBC £21 million per
year. If approved by the BBC Trust, it will start screening for four
hours a day later this year and will be fully operational, providing a
3pm to midnight service, by 2009.

The country already has two high definition packages on Sky and
Telewest, but both attract subscription charges.

High definition TV uses five times as many pixels as standard
definition TV, producing a sharper, clearer image. It also features
surround sound.

The proposed BBC channel will be available on free digital TV as well
as satellite and cable, with viewers only having to pay for a
high-definition TV and set top box or tuner.

BBC bosses yesterday handed details of the plans to the BBC Trust for
approval. The trust, headed by its new chairman, Sir Michael Lyons,
will have to conduct a "public value test" to determine if the channel
is a good use of the licence fee and to test its impact on commercial
competitors.

A consultation among interested parties will close on June 19 and the
trust will publish its initial findings in September.

The plans will then undergo a public consultation, running until
October, and the final decision on the viability of the channel is
expected from the Trust around Nov 21.

If everything runs to schedule the channel could be broadcasting by
Christmas and will be able to screen the 2012 Olympics.

A BBC spokesman said: "By the time the full nine-hour schedule is
achieved, content would come from across the BBC's TV channels. Around
half would come from BBC1, 30 per cent from BBC2 and the rest from
BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies."

ITV, Channel 4 and Five recently took part in closed trials of HD and
their plans are in development.


Perhaps from the analogue switch off; you have heard about that, haven't
you?

1) not by Christmas

2) only if they (the BBC) pay extra for it.

tim

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

On Tue, 22 May 2007 19:42:08 +0100, "kim" wrote:

"Fun Time Frankie" wrote in message
.. .
BBC unveil free high definition channel

Plans for the country's first free-to-air high definition TV channel
has been unveiled by the BBC.

The new channel will screen for nine hours every evening, broadcasting
a mix of programmes including children's shows, documentaries and
lifestyle programmes as well as big budget dramas, soaps, comedies and
music shows. It will also feature major live sports fixtures, possibly
including parts of the 2012 Olympics.

The proposal promises that repeats will only make up a maximum of 30
per cent of programming initially and that the number of repeats
screened will fall over time.

It is estimated the new service will cost the BBC £21 million per
year. If approved by the BBC Trust, it will start screening for four
hours a day later this year and will be fully operational, providing a
3pm to midnight service, by 2009.

The country already has two high definition packages on Sky and
Telewest, but both attract subscription charges.

High definition TV uses five times as many pixels as standard
definition TV, producing a sharper, clearer image. It also features
surround sound.

The proposed BBC channel will be available on free digital TV as well
as satellite and cable, with viewers only having to pay for a
high-definition TV and set top box or tuner.

BBC bosses yesterday handed details of the plans to the BBC Trust for
approval. The trust, headed by its new chairman, Sir Michael Lyons,
will have to conduct a "public value test" to determine if the channel
is a good use of the licence fee and to test its impact on commercial
competitors.

A consultation among interested parties will close on June 19 and the
trust will publish its initial findings in September.

The plans will then undergo a public consultation, running until
October, and the final decision on the viability of the channel is
expected from the Trust around Nov 21.

If everything runs to schedule the channel could be broadcasting by
Christmas and will be able to screen the 2012 Olympics.

A BBC spokesman said: "By the time the full nine-hour schedule is
achieved, content would come from across the BBC's TV channels. Around
half would come from BBC1, 30 per cent from BBC2 and the rest from
BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies."

ITV, Channel 4 and Five recently took part in closed trials of HD and
their plans are in development.

Okay I'm acting dumb here, playing devil's advocate. What is the point of
buying an existing STB or disc recorder with built-in DTV tuner when it will
be unable to receive HD when it finally becomes available? It's a bit like
buying a B&W receiver after colour was announced.

(kim)

Will the ordinary Freeview receivers be able to receive the HD service
at normal definition?

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

Scott wrote:
On Tue, 22 May 2007 19:42:08 +0100, "kim" wrote:

"Fun Time Frankie" wrote in message
...
BBC unveil free high definition channel

Plans for the country's first free-to-air high definition TV channel
has been unveiled by the BBC.
ITV, Channel 4 and Five recently took part in closed trials of HD
and their plans are in development.

Okay I'm acting dumb here, playing devil's advocate. What is the
point of buying an existing STB or disc recorder with built-in DTV
tuner when it will be unable to receive HD when it finally becomes
available? It's a bit like buying a B&W receiver after colour was
announced.

(kim)

Will the ordinary Freeview receivers be able to receive the HD service
at normal definition?


No.

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

"Scott" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 May 2007 19:42:08 +0100, "kim" wrote:

"Fun Time Frankie" wrote in message
. ..
BBC unveil free high definition channel

Plans for the country's first free-to-air high definition TV channel
has been unveiled by the BBC.

The new channel will screen for nine hours every evening, broadcasting
a mix of programmes including children's shows, documentaries and
lifestyle programmes as well as big budget dramas, soaps, comedies and
music shows. It will also feature major live sports fixtures, possibly
including parts of the 2012 Olympics.

The proposal promises that repeats will only make up a maximum of 30
per cent of programming initially and that the number of repeats
screened will fall over time.

It is estimated the new service will cost the BBC £21 million per
year. If approved by the BBC Trust, it will start screening for four
hours a day later this year and will be fully operational, providing a
3pm to midnight service, by 2009.

The country already has two high definition packages on Sky and
Telewest, but both attract subscription charges.

High definition TV uses five times as many pixels as standard
definition TV, producing a sharper, clearer image. It also features
surround sound.

The proposed BBC channel will be available on free digital TV as well
as satellite and cable, with viewers only having to pay for a
high-definition TV and set top box or tuner.

BBC bosses yesterday handed details of the plans to the BBC Trust for
approval. The trust, headed by its new chairman, Sir Michael Lyons,
will have to conduct a "public value test" to determine if the channel
is a good use of the licence fee and to test its impact on commercial
competitors.

A consultation among interested parties will close on June 19 and the
trust will publish its initial findings in September.

The plans will then undergo a public consultation, running until
October, and the final decision on the viability of the channel is
expected from the Trust around Nov 21.

If everything runs to schedule the channel could be broadcasting by
Christmas and will be able to screen the 2012 Olympics.

A BBC spokesman said: "By the time the full nine-hour schedule is
achieved, content would come from across the BBC's TV channels. Around
half would come from BBC1, 30 per cent from BBC2 and the rest from
BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies."

ITV, Channel 4 and Five recently took part in closed trials of HD and
their plans are in development.

Okay I'm acting dumb here, playing devil's advocate. What is the point of
buying an existing STB or disc recorder with built-in DTV tuner when it
will
be unable to receive HD when it finally becomes available? It's a bit like
buying a B&W receiver after colour was announced.

(kim)

Will the ordinary Freeview receivers be able to receive the HD service
at normal definition?

From what I've read there won't be anything in HD that isn't already
available already in SD. That's not the point. A friend just purchased a
matching pair of Panasonic DVD recorders with built-in Freeview. He will not
be able to use these to timeshift, record or otherwise view the new HD
programmes. He will have to purchase yet another set top box or disc
recorder instead. As he is on jobseeker's allowance it is money he can
ill-afford to spend and at his age (60) it is unlikely he will ever be
offered full time employment again.

Also what about all those people who have put off buying a DTV receiver of
any kind? They will now say there is no point as existing receivers are
obsolete so they may as wait for HD to arrive. This will slow down the
changeover from analogue to digital. It is even possible the switch-off
dates will be put back even further than they are at present.

(kim)

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

On Tue, 22 May 2007 19:45:20 +0100, "Agamemnon"
wrote:

In fact who needs
BBC4 anyway.

I do, for 'The World', the most intelligent news programme currently
available.

--
Alan White
Mozilla Firefox and Forte Agent.
Twenty-eight miles NW of Glasgow, overlooking Lochs Long and Goil in Argyll, Scotland.
Webcam and weather:- http://windycroft.gt-britain.co.uk/weather

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

"kim" wrote in message
...


From what I've read there won't be anything in HD that isn't already
available already in SD. That's not the point. A friend just purchased a
matching pair of Panasonic DVD recorders with built-in Freeview. He will
not be able to use these to timeshift, record or otherwise view the new HD
programmes. He will have to purchase yet another set top box or disc
recorder instead. As he is on jobseeker's allowance it is money he can
ill-afford to spend and at his age (60) it is unlikely he will ever be
offered full time employment again.



but if the bbc didnt launch the channel, he still wouldnt be able to see bbc
HD - so he wont be any worse off.


--
Gareth.

That fly... is your magic wand.
http://www.last.fm/user/dsbmusic/

BBC unveil free high definition channel
 

On Tue, 22 May 2007 20:36:06 +0100, "kim" wrote:

From what I've read there won't be anything in HD that isn't already
available already in SD. That's not the point. A friend just purchased a
matching pair of Panasonic DVD recorders with built-in Freeview.

Rather poor choice IMO, but whatever turns him on.

He will not
be able to use these to timeshift, record or otherwise view the new HD
programmes. He will have to purchase yet another set top box or disc
recorder instead. As he is on jobseeker's allowance it is money he can
ill-afford to spend and at his age (60) it is unlikely he will ever be
offered full time employment again.

Does he have a HD Ready TV?

Also what about all those people who have put off buying a DTV receiver of
any kind? They will now say there is no point as existing receivers are
obsolete so they may as wait for HD to arrive. This will slow down the
changeover from analogue to digital. It is even possible the switch-off
dates will be put back even further than they are at present.

It won't affect the transition to digital, it may just lead to a few
better informed cost conscious people waiting a bit longer before
buying a HD STB/PVR.
--
Andrew, contact via http://interpleb.googlepages.com
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read downwards,
please don't top post. Trim replies to quote only relevant text.
Check groups.google.com before asking an obvious question.