Freesat release BBC iPlayer to public

Following the successful beta closed trial, Freesat have released the coding required to enable connectivity to the BBC iPlayer service.

The service is now avaliable on Humax Foxsat HD and PVR receivers. Viewers need to connect their Humax receivers to a Broadband service of at least 1Mbps.

Access to the iPlayer is via the “Red Button” service.

It is expected that the roll out to other Freesat HD receivers and TVs will quickly follow. There is over 450 hours of programming available, which will be updated daily.

BBC iPlayer to join Freesat

Freesat have confirmed the roll out of BBC iPlayer to their HD Boxes.

Humax appear to be the first with Software Updates to prep their receivers ready for launch in early 2010. The update was available from early December 2009.

The service will only be avaliable to Freesat HD viewers, as SD boxes do not have the required network socket.

When launched, the service will be seen under the “Red Button” service. There will be approx 450 hours of content released on launch.

All HD receivers, including Freesat TVs from Sony, Panasonic & LG are planned to support the service along with the Freesat+ BluRay Recorders from Panasonic.

Freeview HD Launches – Allegedly

With little fan fair and small “closed door” demo to selected trade insiders and journalists Freeview HD has been launched.

The broadcasts, using the new DVB-T2 standard – are only available from Winter Hill (Granada Region) and Crystal Palace (London) transmitters.

The demo ran on prototype receivers – as no retail boxes are yet being manufactured. It is expected they will be available from Q2 2010.

The initial broadcasts, on the cleared Mux B, are currently broadcasting BBC HD and ITV1 HD. Channel 4 is expected to join before the end of 2010. C5 also have a licence to broadcast on the multiplex, but are unlikely to start broadcasts for the foreseeable future, due to funding restraints.

Sadly, no one can as yet, report on the quality of picture and reliability of reception, as there are no receivers available!

As soon as we receive a working production model, we will test it and post our results here.

Freesat Reaches 600,000 Sales

Freesat, the Free to Air Satellite Service, has reached 600, 000 unit sales since their launch in May 2008.

Following initial shortages of stock, the platform is now increasing sales faster than at anytime since launch, as sales increased 50% during the last quarter.

There is now a wider range of products than ever.

HDTV’s with Built In Freesat from both Panasonic & LG.

Set Top Boxes from Alba, Goodmans, Grundig.

High Definition Receivers from Grundig, Humax & TechniSat.

High Definition PVR from Humax with Grundig to release a new product soon. Panasonic’s excellent PVR with Blu Ray Recorder.

Sony have also just confirmed they are to launch two Freesat Integrated HDTVs  – KDL-40Z5800 & KDL 52Z5800 – 40″ & 52″ Full HD LCD Panels.

For more information on products or installs pls call or mail us via the Contact Us Page.

We are delighted to offer access to the full Panasonic Range from our friends at Aurac in Horsham & Billingshurst

New HD Terrestrial System Approved

OFCOM has agreed to adopt MPEG4 AVC 4.0 (DVB-T2) for Terrestrial High Definition (HD) Broadcast Television in the UK. This is a new version of the current system in use for Digital Television in the UK. The system will allow – after Digital Switch Over – for a maximum of FOUR HD channels, in 1080i to be carried on the Freeview Service. This new system is NOT compatible with any Freeview TVs or Set Top Boxes currently on the market. This service will not be available in the Horsham area until at least 2012!!
Our advice – If you want HD now, go for Freesat or Sky+ HD. More channels, robust reception, and the ‘newer’ satellite system – DVB-S2 – is already applied to all HD Satellite Boxes.