Comments on: C4HD Satellite Capacity Delays Launch

By: Russ

Russ — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:25:36 +0000

The fact that BBC has launched BBC1 HD on Freesat is proof that the lack of space issue that CH4 keep using is just an excuse. At least ITV were honest about it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:00:44 +0000

There are some ways in which space can be made. Here are my ideas…
If the BBC, ITV and C4 can’t remove the regional variants, why not have BBC1, ITV and C4 England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland like BBC2? Also, Teachers TV is leaving very, very soon this month. If all this happens, around 30 channels will be removed, making space for more. Teletext is just a waste of space now because you can only use Teletext Holidays, however, jobsite is available on Teletext now.
What do you think? Please do correct me if I’m wrong about anything…

By: Freesat Fred

Freesat Fred — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:14:51 +0000

There are two main issues in play here.

1: Regional Variations

Since Digital Sattelite launched in late 1997, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have been broadcasting regional variations of their channels on the narrow-beam sat. They broadcast an entire channel for what amounts to a few hours of regional programming a week. While it might have made sense somehow in 1997 when bandwidth on Astra 2D was plentiful, today this practice is utterly ludicrous and an enourmous waste of bandwidth.

The broadcasters and Freesat need to take a close look at how they provide regional programming on FTA as the current system is madness, especially as viewers already receive their own regional channels via Freeview.

Removing these regional variations would allow at least a dozen HD channels to occupy the freed-up transponders.

2: Sky broadcasting encrypted channels on Astra 2D.

While the Satellite is partially owned by Sky they do have the right to do this, but really OFCOM should step in and demand they move all encrypted channels to a wider-band sat, on which there is more than enough available bandwidth to house their channels.

Sky removing all encrypted channels from 2D would free up enough bandwidth for dozens of HD channels.

Sadly Sky are just too big to be pushed around, so problem 1 is the most viable to fix.

By: Spare Slots Appear On Astra2D Transponder | Join Freesat

Spare Slots Appear On Astra2D Transponder | Join Freesat — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:18:00 +0000

[...] For those not aware, UK broadcasters wishing to broadcast ‘in the clear’ (i.e. FTA) must allocate their channels a slot on the Astra2D beam which is more UK focused to limit access outside the UK; a previous post on this subject can be found here. [...]

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:13:53 +0000

Is there no further news from Freesat or Channel 4 about this ‘problem’.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:45:38 +0000

One of the biggest selling points of Freesat is that you can’t get any of the Disney Channels, with their non stop pre-teen American crap. These are encrypted, kick them off!!!!!

By: Dean smith

Dean smith — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:48:12 +0000

We have to remeber that diffrent programs in hd were sometimes bad and some times great . Its just the prgrams that differ as one program could be set in darker lits rooms eg the tuders.But if you watch wild life with the bright colours ,you see a big differents . Watch blu-rays and see how they differ.

I agree with freeview sd channels are better, itv is the worse on freesat.
Its a fact that freeview has better bit rates as in the home cinema mag they did a report into it with compared the two in a table.

Why is freesat always a waiting game and we get to the date and its still waiting game.

On a happy note i love the bbc hd channel and well done to them for this service i have not notice any drop in quality as watching on pionneer plasma. May show up more on cheaper brands of tv.

By: Dan Reed

Dan Reed — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:15:15 +0000

David Tutton – Well said indeed!!

By: Denis

Denis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:33:02 +0000

David Tutton – Well said, my sentiments exactly.

By: David Tutton

David Tutton — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:38:09 +0000

I enjoy watching the regional ITV news items on Freesat and my Grundig box gives excellent HD pictures on BBC HD and ITV HD (especially the footie). Although I live in Granadaland I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Meridian South and seeing a fantastic traction engine rally at Blandford Forum in Dorset. All this on a box that cost only £99. I could spend that in 2 months on SKY!
Freesat is a great platform and I am very happy with it at present and anticipate it will get better as time goes on. Stop knocking Freesat. Together with Freeview we have an abundance of channels and my Freeview PVR is great too. TV has never been so good and so varied.