[gaz2810i]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

UKTV uses Red Bee for it's channel playout facilities http://www.redbeemedia.com/news/uktv...-red-bee-media

Same people who do Channel 4's playout

As they already have HD facilities I doubt that the costs would be that much greater than for SD playout

Actually it does! Each channel, or suite of channels has their own setup. For any new HD channels, even those already in existence via SD, a whole new system needs to be installed. For example it is only last week that BBC One @ Redbee media, converted entirely to HD. The channel needed to have two new servers installed, a new automation suite, a new mixer, a whole load of new monitoring suites, Audio server etc etc etc all of which costs money. All this and the BBC HD channels has been launched for ages.

---------- Post added at 20:37 ---------- Previous post was at 20:34 ----------

Originally Posted by zantarous

But they would still need to pay to male use of their HD suites look at Paramount they still won't pay to have Comedy Central or music MTV channels moved to widescreen cable suites even though the play out facility they use has them.

This I would argue is a policy issue rather than a technical or cost one. I have dealt with Widescreen transmission for years and I doubt it would cost much extra if any at all to start transmitting in it. Most programmes will be delivered in a widescreen format, if possible and it would actually cost more to transmit in a different format than it would in its natural one. Each clip would have to go through an Arc that would change the material to 4:3, 14:9 etc

I also might add that most transmission companies cater for each network individually and do not have HD suites per-say but will build in a HD suite into the current set-up.