Re: Future of TV?
 

The 8 MHz space vacated by each analogue cable TV channel can hold a digital multiplex of 38Mb/s.
I think HDTV is a long way from our screens. I know of one single HDTV channel available to the UK, from Astra 1.

Re: Future of TV?
 

I looked at it using an MPEG analyser at work. I didn't look at the pics as I don't have a HDTV capable reciever or monitor. :cry:

Altho I have just thought of a way I might be able to which I'll try tommorow! ;)

Re: Future of TV?
 

All you really need is a high spec PC monitor capable of either 1280x768 (must be widescreen) or 1280x1024.
Most LCD TVs do that resolution anyway and are 720 HDTV ready.

Re: Future of TV?
 

Yep I'm going to use a laptop with a USB satellite reciever feeding it pictures.

Re: Future of TV?
 

Can we get HDTV via any form of Sky?
If so, I'd seriously consider getting it - my apartment block has the connectors already in place. (and BT! but no NTL... :grind: )

Re: Future of TV?
 

No, the only HDTV transmission available that I know of is on Astra 1H.

Re: Future of TV?
 

I was just hypothosysing about what would be a good selection of launch HDTV channels as PPUTB says Astra only at the mo, and he should know.

Re: Future of TV?
 

No doubt :), shame though...

Re: Future of TV?
 

Quite true, there would have to be a huge investment in the whole broadcast chain to go hi-def. But this is what we pay the licence fees for!

As far as I know the Beeb are already filing some stuff in HD, I think Walking with Dinosours, or Blue Planet or one of these was - so they're already starting to build a library of content.

Re: Future of TV?
 

Those sorts of programmes are shot on film rather than video, AFAIK, so the Master version of the programme will lend itself nicely to a repeat in HD, when the time (eventually) comes.

Re: Future of TV?
 

hmm seems strange them mentioning the need for better compression when it already exists !! normal digital tv in the uk uses upto 8mbit/s and is mpeg-2 as said average is about 4mbit/s
Hdtv in america still uses mpeg-2 and requires around the 20mbit ballpark per channel.
As the switchover to hdtv will require new hardware why dont they go the whole hog and move to mpeg-4 ??? it is far superior in terms of compression and is the basis of the latest, windows media 9, quicktime 6, real 10, as well as divx 5 and xvid.
As microsoft have from there demonstrations the high end hdtv can be done at 6mbit with ease. Which would put it at 1.5x a current channels space. if theye used 720p they could use 4mbit which is the same as a normal tv channel.

Could someone please make the beeb wake up and smell the coffee. Sufficent compression does exist already it can be done NOW.

As for analogue switch off terrestrial will only gain 5-6 channels room. Unsure about cable, and sattelite analogue is already off

K

Edit - and yes there is already a large amount of programs being recorded in high def in order to sell them to the states etc. Things like wimbledon and the snooker etc are all hdtv recorded

Re: Future of TV?
 

I can't remember which one it was, but there was some PR about it being the first BBC programme to be shot in hi-def. I'll do some snooping and let you know.

Re: Future of TV?
 

With higher compression of MPEG-2, you can fit 2 HDTV channels into a 6 MHz slot. HDTV is about 19.5 Mbps compressed, and a 6 MHz slot can support about 40 Mbps.

Re: Future of TV?
 

Has Europe already set its HDTV standards? As such the MP2 route might be set into EU legislation?

Re: Future of TV?
 

*ahem*
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/dirac/overview.shtml :D
http://developers.slashdot.org/artic...id=141&tid=188
and it's Open Source! :eek: