BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Michael Chare" wrote in message
You have the classic dilemma:

a) Wait for the Freeview signal to improve.
Won't be till 2012 in my area and by then my 3 year old Humax 8100T PVR will
be well aged so will probably need a new PVR anyway.

b) Buy a new Freesat PVR + dish etc when (and if) they come on the market.
You should get a box with 'Freesat' label so that it supports the EPG,
(and
interactive services).

Because of poor DTT reception here I had intended to move to FreeSat as soon
as it is available in the Spring of 2008. But I would not want to buy a
first generation FreeSat PVR and I guess that FreeSat PVR developments wont
settle down till at least a year after that - say 2009. Digital TV without
PVR is no use to me.

So the decision is between:
- FreeSat with PVR in 2009 (replace all STBs, PVR, install ugly aerial,
replace distribution amp (?), replace distribution co-ax throughout house)

OR

- Improved FreeView in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?


Davy

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Davy wrote:
"Michael Chare" wrote in message
You have the classic dilemma:

a) Wait for the Freeview signal to improve.
Won't be till 2012 in my area and by then my 3 year old Humax 8100T
PVR will be well aged so will probably need a new PVR anyway.

b) Buy a new Freesat PVR + dish etc when (and if) they come on the
market. You should get a box with 'Freesat' label so that it
supports the EPG, (and interactive services).

Because of poor DTT reception here I had intended to move to FreeSat
as soon as it is available in the Spring of 2008. But I would not
want to buy a first generation FreeSat PVR and I guess that FreeSat
PVR developments wont settle down till at least a year after that -
say 2009. Digital TV without PVR is no use to me.

So the decision is between:
- FreeSat with PVR in 2009 (replace all STBs, PVR, install ugly
aerial, replace distribution amp (?), replace distribution co-ax
throughout house)

OR

- Improved FreeView in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?


Davy

The switchover date for Mendip is April 2010, can't remember the name of the
Warminster relay but it must be digital after that date.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 5, 10:45 am, "Adrian A" wrote:
View in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?

Davy

The switchover date for Mendip is April 2010, can't remember the name of the
Warminster relay but it must be digital after that date.

Westwood ? In any case all of Mendip's relays will switch the same
night as Mendip itself, or at least that's the plan !

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Davy" wrote in message
om...

"Michael Chare" wrote in message

- Improved FreeView in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?


See:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

Select 'I am in the aerial installation trade'

or may be:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodec...o49b75ithf2s61


--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

Mark Carver wrote:
On Dec 5, 10:45 am, "Adrian A" wrote:
View in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?

Davy

The switchover date for Mendip is April 2010, can't remember the
name of the Warminster relay but it must be digital after that date.

Westwood ? In any case all of Mendip's relays will switch the same
night as Mendip itself, or at least that's the plan !

Yes, Westwood was the one I was thinking of. I realise it changes at the
same time as Mendip that's why I said it would be digital after that date.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Jukka Aho" wrote in message
i.fi...
Michael Chare wrote:

If the Freesat EPG is somehow non-standard (i.e. does not adhere to
the common DVB standards), but the specifications are openly
available, I guess you could ask the DMM developers add in support
for it. They've pretty responsive, especially if the feature is
reasonable, can be implemented with little effort, and if it is
understood that it is a deal-breaker for some particular market.

What is the best way of approaching them?

Their web forum... (Yes, it's a mixed German + English language forum with
many of the discussions in German. Babelfish can come handy for those
whose German might be a little bit on the rusty side, but who would like
to decipher some of those German messages anyway... Nonetheless, you can
write your messages [and get replies] in English.)

http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/board/

I've tried a post in the English section. I will see if there is any
reaction.

But still, I'm kind of interested in what's the actual _difference_
between the Freesat EPG and the standard DVB EPG... are they incompatible
with each other in some fundamental way?

Freesat will not use the 7 day EPG in the broadcast stream like for example
RTL in Germany.

If you read the threads in this forum you will know as much as I do at the
moment.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/f...play.php?f=142



--
Michael Chare

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

On Dec 5, 12:59 pm, "Adrian A" wrote:
Mark Carver wrote:

Westwood ? In any case all of Mendip's relays will switch the same
night as Mendip itself, or at least that's the plan !

Yes, Westwood was the one I was thinking of. I realise it changes at the
same time as Mendip that's why I said it would be digital after that date.

Yes sorry Adrian, I had a mental block and thought you meant months or
years, rather than what will probably only be hours, by your use of
the word 'after'.

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Michael Chare" wrote in message
...
"Davy" wrote in message
om...

"Michael Chare" wrote in message

- Improved FreeView in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?


See:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

Select 'I am in the aerial installation trade'

thanks Michael, that is a really useful site, especially with the
installation trade tick box.

It shows that the signal from Stockland and Mendip will dramatically improve
after switchover. But due to surrounding hills Rowbridge is the only
transmitter I can use but, sods law, the table shows the Rowbridge service
after but not before switchover - so I cannot tell if it will improve.
However the proposed Rowbridge VP service looks promising - if it ever
happens.

Davy

BBC/ITV Freesat website launched
 

"Adrian A" wrote in message news:VJidnb3kM- So the
decision is between:
- FreeSat with PVR in 2009 (replace all STBs, PVR, install ugly
aerial, replace distribution amp (?), replace distribution co-ax
throughout house)

OR

- Improved FreeView in 2012 (no changes needed). But do I have any
guarantee that the signal WILL be improved in my area BA12 6DG?


Davy

The switchover date for Mendip is April 2010, can't remember the name of
the
Warminster relay but it must be digital after that date.

Adrian,
thanks for that but unfortunately I cannot receive from Mendip cos I am in
the shadow of a local hill and cannot receive Warminster cos the Wiltshire
Downs are in the way.

Davy