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**Chris** · 29-06-2009, 16:42

Another thought on this, in the light of the Freeview HD thread that's going on elsewhere...

Remember that Freeview cannot ever provide the same quantity or quality of HD that Freesat can. There simply isn't enough bandwidth. You can thank Ofcom for that; they are determined to flog off the analogue UHF spectrum to the highest bidder after 2012, rather than releasing it for new digital muxes carrying HD channels.

They are now trying to cover this indefensible decision by re-jigging the existing digital spectrum to accommodate some HD channels. As a result, the existing SD channels on Freeview will get their bitrates cut, the new HD channels will broadcast at lower bitrates than those with Sky have come to expect, and they will be limited to 720p. Granted that only sports and movies tend to get the full 1080 at the moment, but the technology is there for top-quality drama to be made and broadcast in 1080p in future should the broadcasters wish to utilise it. Only they will never be able to bradcast it on Freeview HD.

Freesat, on the other hand, has vastly more bandwidth available. Ask yourself where British TV broadcasting is going to be in 10 years when most if not all of our original programming is made in HD and there is no longer any need for specialist channels like BBC-HD and 4HD. What will the BBC do when it simply wants to broadcast HD versions of all its channels? It will not be able to do that on Freeview.

I think that long term, the writing's on the wall for terrestrial broadcasting in the UK. We are going to end up with satellite as the default platform for FTA TV. Look how keen manufacturers are to develop integrated Freesat TVs - they can see which way things are going. Panasonic and LG are already on the market and Sony is expected to join them in time for Christmas.

29-06-2009, 16:42	#4
Chris Trollsplatter Cable Forum Team Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North of Watford Services: Humane elimination of all common Internet pests Posts: 36,993	Re: Freesat HD, greedy for more... Another thought on this, in the light of the Freeview HD thread that's going on elsewhere... Remember that Freeview cannot ever provide the same quantity or quality of HD that Freesat can. There simply isn't enough bandwidth. You can thank Ofcom for that; they are determined to flog off the analogue UHF spectrum to the highest bidder after 2012, rather than releasing it for new digital muxes carrying HD channels. They are now trying to cover this indefensible decision by re-jigging the existing digital spectrum to accommodate some HD channels. As a result, the existing SD channels on Freeview will get their bitrates cut, the new HD channels will broadcast at lower bitrates than those with Sky have come to expect, and they will be limited to 720p. Granted that only sports and movies tend to get the full 1080 at the moment, but the technology is there for top-quality drama to be made and broadcast in 1080p in future should the broadcasters wish to utilise it. Only they will never be able to bradcast it on Freeview HD. Freesat, on the other hand, has vastly more bandwidth available. Ask yourself where British TV broadcasting is going to be in 10 years when most if not all of our original programming is made in HD and there is no longer any need for specialist channels like BBC-HD and 4HD. What will the BBC do when it simply wants to broadcast HD versions of all its channels? It will not be able to do that on Freeview. I think that long term, the writing's on the wall for terrestrial broadcasting in the UK. We are going to end up with satellite as the default platform for FTA TV. Look how keen manufacturers are to develop integrated Freesat TVs - they can see which way things are going. Panasonic and LG are already on the market and Sony is expected to join them in time for Christmas.