Loading ...Feb 14 2013
Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers:
1 added – 206 Russia Today HD (RT HD)
0 deleted –
2 changed – 400 Showcase, 401 Information TV (frequency changes)
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February 14th, 2013 at 11:54 am
And a 6th HD channel is live, that’s now two ahead of freeview’s offerings!
NeilQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Good now lets have more like film 4 and channel 5.
RobQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Channel 5 is a possibility in the future, Film 4, sadly not as it appears C4 have sold out to Sky once more. We’ve got more chance of seeing ITV’s 2-4HD now than anything other than 4Seven HD from C4 in the medium term.
NeilQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
I bet their being sick into their boots at Sky News as they have just realise their missing out not being on Freesat, launch on Freesat in SD that must of had their board pulling their hair for the passed few years whether to or not to and now they are going to have to start all over deciding whether to launch the HD version or get left behind again.
I think CNN may be next to turn up the heat.
ChrisKQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@2 & @3 I asked C5 about HD on Freesat, this is their reply.
Date: 12th February 2013
Dear John
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding Channel 5 HD.
While we do not have any current plans to launch this channel on Freesat, we are keeping the option under review for the future and your interest in seeing it made available on this platform has been noted in our Viewer Enquiries Report. This is circulated throughout the company and seen by all relevant personnel.
Thank you for your interest in Channel 5.
Yours sincerely
Steven
VIEWER ADVISOR
John NaylorQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Excellent news. I’m guessing that we’ll see another foreign English language news channel in HD before long as they are in competition with each other.
Kevin McFarlaneQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
For the day that’s in it…
From Russia, with Love..
BobQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Good call admin, I was just about to cuss you for misinformation, and well done to freesat we nearly missed out on this one.
Soul4realQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
How dare you doubt me
adminQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
What’s the rights issues with Sky News HD? None really. It should be available across continental Europe free to air on Astra 2′s pan european beam much as the SD service is. If I was in charge of Sky News I would make the HD version free-to-air on Astra 2 pan european beam, remix the theme music 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, pan stereo left and right presenters and interviewees in studio, cover news stories in stereo with a stereo mic and record voiceovers centrestage (Dolby Surround 2.0 as 5.1 would be a headache for reports), and cover live outdoor broadcasts with FULL 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.
AnthonyQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Perhaps everyone needs to get emailing Channel 5 so Mr Desmond can see the interest for 5HD rather than it being behind Sky FTV encryption. I’m sure they have future plans they won’t reveal as it won’t stay FTV forever, probably will join the platform once it joins Freeview.
If Sky decided to offer such delightful sound they’d only let their beloved HD customers experience it!
As I’ve said before, the only chance of Sky News HD going FTA is if BBC News goes HD, that in itself is probably very unlikely to happen for a long time and even if it does, and Sky News HD goes FTA, then they’ll never add it to Freesat. Lets not forget that Sky News wasn’t added out of Sky’s choice, they had their hands tied by the BBC and ITV in return for their on-demand services on Sky’s platform. Next time Sky want something out of the PSB’s they should tell them to give +1′s of Pick and Challenge in return!
Indeed, at least the Russians can offer us something UK broadcasters won’t!
NeilQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Sky News HD was testing fta on 28E last week – I saw it with my own eyes. There was an issue with the audio though – on many rx’s all you got was an occasional burst of sound.
Before everyone gets excited its ceased now.
RoscoQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Good news that we have another HD channel and the even better news is that is a true 16:9 channel utilising the whole screen.
We shouldnt have to cater to the tiny minority with 4:3 TVs by having everything crammed into the middle of the screen. RT are streets ahead of the BBC in catering to their viewers.
SLQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Thank you RT.
I didn’t expect to see Sky News on Freesat so it must be possible that they will broadcast in HD, and I expect it will be before the BBC.
Keith CobbyQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
I also had the same response from channel 5. ITV said that their other 3 HD channels were in a fairly long term contract exclusive to sky, meaning it wouldn’t be on Free TV or Virgin anytime soon.
DanielQuote
February 14th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Another one for FS to chase up admin
True Entertainment +1 is now full testing
11307V 27500 2/3 if anyone wants to have a looky
Picture quality is nothing to write home about though – thats about 18 services crammed onto that tp now!!
RoscoQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 8:39 am
Interesting breaking news this morning about a Meteorite on RT this morning when I woke up – not the one expected tonight, this is another which has hit earth over Russia – not a whisker of this on any other news channel but RT has some breathtaking amateur video footage.
Is it me or do the western media not want to show this as it’s a precursor to tonight’s ‘near miss’ and will scare the living daylights out of people!! This is why you need to absorb news media from a variety of sources!
NeilQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 8:46 am
Any news on Arise HD?
Richard CrichtonQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 8:55 am
I read an article earlier this week in an interview with their owners that the soft launch has already happened and will ramp up to be a 24hr operation by mid March to early April. I guess they’ll launch the HD channel once it’s running 24hrs, they also plan an entertainment based SD channel later in the year. Whether the HD channel will have an SD simulcast or the Sky SD slot reserved for their other channel I don’t know.
NeilQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 8:59 am
Thanks. The reason I asked is because the HD test card was gone last night.
Richard CrichtonQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 11:36 am
It’s moved to 12523H, still labelled as 54068 but the SID is actually different (55013). Globecast are doing a fair bit of reshuffling at the moment so it may move again, possibly to 11224V with all the other HD services. It is now at higher bitrate than before but still showing the test card with a 1kHz tone.
NeilQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
@17, “This is why you need to absorb news media from a variety of sources!”
I agree. You often get interesting items on RT. A mix of views that I both agree with and disagree with but either way, different from the BBC.
Kevin McFarlaneQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
RT couldnt have timed the HD switchover any better. Im watching it for the 1st time now. Its interesting to watch a foreign based news channel for the 1st time.
I might try watching it for a different POV when any world events take place.
SLQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Looks like Showcase 2 will be lauching on freesat Channel 402 in late Feburary.
sources:
http://information.tv/HowToReceiveInformationTV/
KarraQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Great stuff! I have this in my non-freesat list as like the Landscape programming on there.
NeilQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
My EPG isn’t populating. Anyone else with this problem?
Richard CrichtonQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
If its a Humax, do a channel scan and dont save the results. This bug has been around for years and affects me about once a week.
SLQuote
February 15th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
I had to do a Freesat retune.
TerryQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 10:04 am
It’s a Manhattan. First time I’ve had that problem since new over a year ago. Rebooted and it’s ok.
Richard CrichtonQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
it says that channels 400/401 have changed frequency what is it so i can get them back
allanQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Both 12607V 27500 2/3
RoscoQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
i have a bush box —-the frequency section only allows 5 digits cant get the V
in because it goes back to begining any thoughts
allanQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
hi,
sorry worked out the V stands for vertical but it stills says no signal when i go to channels.
when i scan– it says no services added
allanQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
There are six channels on 12607V……
Anyway you shouldnt need to add the frequency – thats the whole point of Sky & Freesat epgs – the channels are auto mapped.
RoscoQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
thanks,
any idea why ive lost these 2 channels as i had them before
i watch the greyhounds on 401 every thurs. fri. sat. this is why i got freesat
many thanks
allanQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Can you get The Active Channel on 408 or has that gone too? Sounds like a possible dish panning issue if your STB won’t lock. Absolute Radio and Absolute 80′s are also on this TP.
NeilQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Got a new dect phone by any chance?? If so unplug it, and unplug all the base units.
RoscoQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
hi,
your right i cant get these channels either unplugged everthing gave 5 mins.
to see what happens still the same (nothing has been changed or added lately) and was fine upto latest scan on 14th
ALLAN
allanQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Probably a dish alignment issue in that case.
RoscoQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
would you still say it could be dish when signal says 100%
ALLAN
allanQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 12:28 am
Not all transponders are on the same power level. 12607V is high up the Ku band, close to the upper limit so could be a linearity issue with your LNB. Try scanning 12643V or look at the Pitch World shopping channel to see if this works.
NeilQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 10:34 am
Very impressed with the picture quality of RT HD and the general presentation.
Wake up BBC.
Keith CobbyQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
hi,
tried scanning 12643v still the same NO SERVICES ADDED tried pitch world shopping still the same NO SIGNAL what do you think.
many thanks ALLAN
allanQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Duff lnb, water in the cable, kink in the cable blocking the higher frequencies, badly aligned dish.
Or something else.
Take your pick
RoscoQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Yes watched it today, and was very impressed with pic and sound quality. Nothing could better.
AnthonyQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Yep, as Rosco says it looks like you’ve got a water ingress, cable or failed LNB in the High Band frequencies. Perhaps the 22k switching isn’t working from the set top box?
Firstly, if you can disconnect the box and try it on a friend’s dish (be it a Sky or freesat installation, both will be ok to check), re-scan and does it then work? If so then it’s the LNB not switching to High Band, or the LNB/cable itself at fault, if not then it could be the set top box not sending the High/Low band switching command.
Try these channels and tell me if they work: S4C 120, CNN 207, RT HD 206, NHK 209, QVC 800. They are all at different frequencies across the Ku Satellite band so will be a test to prove the High/Low band switching.
An installer with a meter could test within seconds if it’s the dish, feeder cable or Set Top Box, it could be either. Let us know the outcome.
NeilQuote
February 17th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
hi,
209 not there
120 not working
207 not working
206 working
800 working
ALLAN
allanQuote
February 18th, 2013 at 5:58 am
All those channels are spread across the spectrum, 206 (RT HD) and 209 (NHK) are actually on the same transponder – 11224V, so surprised your getting one but not the other? This sounds like a general dish alignment issue to me.
NeilQuote
February 18th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
HI,
FITTED NEW LNB–FINGERS CROSSED SEEMS TO BE OK–
ONLY CHANNEL YOU MENTIONED THAT I CANT GET IS 209 ITS STILL NOT THERE BUT I CAN LIVE WITH THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & TROUBLE—AND KNOWLEDGE
MANY THANKS
ALLAN
allanQuote
February 18th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Hi Allan, looks like it was probably your LNB. Is it an SD or HD Bush Set Top Box you’ve got? If it’s an SD one then you’ll not see channels 206 and 209 as they are HD only. Glad you got it all sorted though.
NeilQuote
February 18th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
hi NEIL,
yes its an SD box
thanks once more,
ALLAN
allanQuote
February 19th, 2013 at 12:51 am
No worries Allan, glad you’ve sorted it.
————————
A new radio service, NKWA Radio, has appeared on the Freesat Home transponder. Not heard it myself but think it might be an African station, I also noticed that the amount of data taken up by EPG apps on the FS Home Txp has gone up considerably since freetime launched. There used to be around 6MB/s but now it’s over 13.5MB/s.
NeilQuote
February 19th, 2013 at 11:07 am
Looks like Showcase 2 will be launching late Feb on Freesat.
Source (about half way down):
http://information.tv/HowToReceiveInformationTV/
JoeQuote
February 19th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
BBC Two HD to launch 26th March at 6am:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/21506411
Sadly, this means we’ll loose HD content from BBC Three or Four until such a time the beeb pull their finger out and give us these channels in HD too.
NeilQuote
February 19th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
TVC News from Nigeria is now full testing on 28E
Transmitting fta in English
12607H 27500 2/3 tagged as 55275
RoscoQuote
February 20th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
PQ looked good on the news footage yesterday, there is no Dolby D audio though so you’ll have to manually select the second soundtrack.
NeilQuote
February 20th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
You think so? The bitrate is pathetic – about 1500kbps Last night during an item where there were a lot of flags being waved there was major pixellation.
RoscoQuote
February 20th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Sorry mate, I was getting confused with Arise News, yep TVC does look crap I’ll fully agree on that! The quality of journalism and presentation leaves a bit to be desired too!
NeilQuote
March 5th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Looks like Travel Channel will be launching on Freesat 26th March.
Source:
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?p=64604564#post64604564
JoeQuote