Freesat launches! Finally free HD content (UK)

[Penski]

http://www.freesat.co.uk/

Finally..after years of waiting Freesat is launched. BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7384928.stm)

Freesat also carries high definition channels (this is a first in the UK excluding the pay channels from Sky and VM) currently from ITV and BBC more both more channels and programming expected soon.

Now - does anybody know if PlayTV is compatible with this? Is it possible to use the feed from a satellite dish and connect it up to the PlayTV?

[Tony Hoyle]

No, the PlayTV receives terrestrial signals (DVB-T) only. It's unlikely to ever be compatible with HD broadcasts unless the BBC decide to broadcast an interim service over DVB-T (which was mooted as a possibility as one point) - the full HD will use DVB-T2 which requires different hardware.

This isn't new - BBC HD have been broadcasting FTA for over a year now. The new part is setting up their own EPG rather than being tied to the proprietary Sky one (hence the channels numbers on freesat are different to the ones on sky, even though it's the same transmitter). The upshot of this is it's now possible to sell satellite equipment in the UK that isn't Sky branded & doesn't use Sky software. (Tivo, you listening? :p).

Whether they have any chance of breaking the Murdoch monopoly... I'm sceptical. It'll drive prices down though, and if they get a good range of channels on there I'd jump (Give my Scifi+Paramount Comedy+all the freeview ones and I could cancel my sky sub and lose nothing).

[Penski]

Ok..so if Sony turned around and told us that PlayTV would be compatible with DVB-T2 we would be able to use PlayTV with the FreeSat feed?

I thought the DVB-T2 thing was only concerned with Freeview (and Freeview HD), not FreeSat which is a satellite platform.

[The Barron]

FreeSat is a completely different platform afaik, and won't accept the feed from the sat input and is bound to the Uk Digital Aerials

so PlayTV will be purely an aerial signal,i think, anyone wanna correct me?

[mcav]

No you are right. Well I'm very sure you are anyway.

The Play TV input will not accept the sat input, but a normal aerial coax lead.

But these free to air HD channels WILL be coming to freeview terrestrial. It's already on trial in a few places in the UK. Play TV will be able to receive these channels.

[Penski]

No you are right. Well I'm very sure you are anyway.

The Play TV input will not accept the sat input, but a normal aerial coax lead.

But these free to air HD channels WILL be coming to freeview terrestrial. It's already on trial in a few places in the UK.
'Four HD channels on freeview by 2013'.. at the earliest..and we know what Ofcom/DTT are like when it comes to keeping their dates - it never happens, and things are in fact delayed by years.

Play TV will be able to receive these channels.

Also..am I missing something..arent these Freeview HD channels going to use DVB-T2 (http://www.savefreeviewhd.com/page/savefreeviewhd?entry=next_generation_freeview_on_t he) - meaning that Play TV wont in fact be able to receive these channels?