Strictly Come Dancing in FREE HD on Freesat.

SPARKLES, SPINS AND PERFECT TENS – IT’S STRICTLY TIME AGAIN.

Strictly Come Dancing in FREE HD on Freesat.

Live from a living room near you, or so it will seem – the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing waltzes its way back onto our screens in high-definition on the BBC HD channel – available completely subscription-free on Freesat from this Friday 18^th September at 8.30pm.

Clear your diaries and invite your friends round for the ultimate night in because this year’s Strictly Come Dancing promises to be the most exciting yet. What’s more it’s all available in glorious HD without having to pay a penny in monthly subscriptions if you’re with freesat. With 5x the picture quality and 5.1 surround sound, high definition shows up every wardrobe mishap and misstep, so the contestants need to make sure they are on top form for the cameras.

One big change this year is the format of the show, there will be two shows per weekend for the first two weeks giving viewers two opportunities to watch the fantastic new series in HD.

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion and actress Jill Halfpenny comments, ‘It will make such a difference to be able to watch Strictly Come Dancing in HD this year. It helps to make the audience really feel part of the show. It’s a shame we didn’t have high definition when I was on the show – the audience would have been able to see every spangle, twirl and tears to its full effect!”

Strictly Come Dancing continues to grow in popularity, with a finale audience of over 12million at the end of the 6^th series. With exciting big-name celebrities such as Jo Wood, Martina Hingis, Zoe Lucker and Joe Calzaghe, the 7^th series is set to be the most exciting yet.

Other BBC HD highlights available subscription-free on freesat in the coming weeks include That Mitchell and Webb Look, Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey and Dragon’s Den.

PS3 REVIEW OF BBC iPLAYER.

PS3 REVIEW OF BBC iPLAYER.

BBC iPlayer, is it any good? does it run on other multimedia devices? read on for our experience!

All the media hype of BBCiPlayer got us thinking about what multimedia boxes can pick it up and cope with it. On doing our homework we tested the other popular internet TV possibility's such as Demand Five, ITVplayer and channel4 player to see how they too performed.
For todays test we used the latest upgraded "Play Station 3" or as is commonly known the "PS3" from Sony.
The results are via a wireless connection running at U.K. average speed.
First we searched for the channel4 player and tried to view something - actually anything without any success, all we got was gobbledegook! next we tried the ITV player and once again like the channel4 player it showed us gobbledegook, so none of these are compatible at this time with this multimedia player.
We then tried the well touted Demand five from channel five who it has to be added demand monies for some viewing titles - so steering clear of these pay per view programmes we tried the freebie stuff, result; it works although very slowly and at times painfully slow - the picture was watchable,just!
It was then the turn of the well known BBCiPlayer;
we can tell you the "PS3", ticks most of the boxes for speed, sound and choice - the picture has still to be perfected, and assuming this will be our viewing future the Internet BBC iPLAYER is still miles away from HD coverage although compatible with normal terrestrial TV.
We liked the idea of the PS3 making the BBCiPlayer as important as any of the games by showing it in it's own highlighted place after first viewing it.
The iPlayer was extremely easy to set-up via the PS3 after searching for it via the www. search section on the PS3 menu system. From clicking on the iPlayer name tag until viewing took around one minute - we used a wireless set up which requested the network name and also the passkey - very straightforward and once programmed in should not need re-set.
The PS3 is a wonderful family entertainment multimedia centre which is enhanced by adding to the PS3 the BBC iPLayer.

FREESAT TV DELIVERS 600,000 SALES SINCE LAUNCH.

FREESAT TV DELIVERS 600,000 SALES SINCE LAUNCH.

RECORD 50% GROWTH IN LAST QUARTER AS FREESAT BECOMES UK’S 4^TH BIGGEST TV SERVICE

Official Freesat TV press release, from your official freesat blog.

Subscription-free digital satellite TV service, Freesat, has delivered sales of 600,000 in a little over a year.

Despite the economic downturn Freesat has had an excellent summer, increasing sales by fifty percent in the last quarter alone, from 400,000 in May to reach 600,000 sales in September. To put this into context, BT Vision has reached 443,000 customers since launching almost three years ago.

Freesat’s strong performance is more positive news for the UK TV industry despite challenging times. According to a report last month by Thinkbox, the television research and marketing body, TV viewing in the first half of this year was up on the five year average to 26.2 hours a week.

Free-to-air programming is proving especially popular with viewers. BARB figures reveal that nine of the ten top multi-channel programmes between January and June 2009 (non-sport) were available subscription-free on free-to-air TV platforms such as Freesat.

Emma Scott, managing director of Freesat comments, "To achieve this level of sales and viewing in such a short space of time is a fantastic achievement and testament to the ever-growing appeal of Freesat, both to consumers and broadcasters.”

“Great innovations such as high definition TV, Freesat+ (digital recording), and a wide range of programming have previously only been available by paying a subscription and are now proving incredibly popular with viewers. Freesat homes consistently rate the service highly, with over ninety percent saying they would recommend to a friend.”

“We’ve had a brilliant summer and are confident that we’ll continue to report outstanding growth, especially in the run up to the World Cup as we attract viewers that want to watch in high definition but without having to pay a subscription no matter where they live in the UK.”

Freesat is also working with the BBC to launch iPlayer in the near future and will be the first wholly subscription free TV platform to offer the award-winning catch-up TV service.

To get Freesat TV, you can use an existing satellite dish, or a dish can be installed for around £80. Freesat is available from Argos, Currys, Comet, John Lewis, Maplin and many independent retailers.

FREESAT TV SATELLITE DISH INSTALLATION.

FREESAT TV SATELLITE DISH INSTALLATION.

Freesat TV dish erection and installation instructions can be found on the updated website;

http://www.freesattvdish.com

Anyone who is a little bit of a DIY guru will have no problems with the tutorial, information on the website.

FREESAT REVIEW ON THE NIKKAI HQ 5.8GHz VIDEO SENDER KIT.

FREESAT REVIEW ON THE NIKKAI HQ 5.8GHz VIDEO SENDER KIT.

NIKKAI HQ 5.8GHz Video Sender Kit.


Nikkai are no stranger to video senders and testing the 5.8GHz system showed up a few surprises. For those old enough to remember the strong video senders of the past, ie; any old video sender from the past could be plugged in to any old spare socket and send it half way along the street to most of your neighbours - todays video senders are a completely different package which have to conform to legal legislation to avoid local Police and Ambulance interference etc...
The Nikkai was the third recent video sender tested, the other two previous to this simply did not perform and the previous two performed at 2.4GHz.
The 5.8 GHz Video Sender Kit out of the box is simple straightforward and easy to set up. Because of all the different freesat and future freesat box combinations then this video sender has got to be sound buying. The Kit itself is analogue but the benefit of the Kit running at 5.8GHz is you are rewarded with less hassle and no interference from other equipment, such as the Internet, Microwave, etc...
I tested first through my lounge into a bedroom (approx. distance 40 feet) through one brick wall and many furniture obstacles, the result was the picture was as good showing on a 20inch LCD HD ready TV as the original BBC HD coming from my Plasma screen in the lounge.
(yes we do know this opens a floodgate of would be recorders switching into action.)
Testing the signal on the TV next door it again showed no picture difference - this Kit is excellent.
O.K. the Kit is a little bit more expensive than the rest but it is worth while if you have long term plans for other TV or viewing set ups.
The Nikkai Kit has one section which transmits and another section which receives, a small push on power source which converts from the power socket that goes into a normal household three prong plug. Also going into the transmit section you have again a small push in plu that has the small IR remote repeater (for use with remotes) which seems to work on some equipment but not others.
Both the receiver and the transmitter sections have mini square type satellite antenna plates which need to be tweaked for best signal quality while transmitting at distance - if the signal is short these can remain folded down.
The forecasted transmitting range given in the Nikkai directives says up to 100 metres - we got close to this at one point and the picture quality did not degrade. The transmitter and receiver can both be changed by a simple button press over four channels - we tried all four but in our area this made no difference.
Technical;
Frequency range - 5.745 - 5.805 GHz
Connectivity - 3 phono (RCA) sockets on each of the transmitter and the receiver.
Connection to equipment is by Scart. All connectors have readable instructions.
Channl selection - 4 selectable channels.
Antenna type - High Gain Patch Antenna (separate UHF IR Remote antenna)
Supply voltage - DC 9v
IR operating frequency - 433.92 MHz
Transmitter output power - 50mVm@3m
Receiving sensitivity - -85dBm (min)
In the Box;
HQ 5.8GHz video sender
HQ 5.8GHz video receiver
2 x Power supplies
2 x 3phono (RCA) - SCART AV cables
IR remote extender cord

Conclusion;
high end pricing that returns good picture quality - probably one of the best video senders around at the moment.

BBC in Scotland football TV plea

Sky and Setanta have been broadcasting Scotland's matches See the BBC Trust submission here

The BBC has asked the government to guarantee that future Scotland football internationals are broadcast on terrestrial television.

The BBC Trust has made a submission to the Department of Culture Media and Sport, (DCMS) regarding events it would like to be added to the "A-list".

The list included "the live nations home and away qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championships".

The SFA's Gordon Smith has said such a move would kill Scottish football.

The BBC Trust said ring-fencing the matches to make them available to a terrestrial audience "strikes a balance between public sentiment and market impact."

But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith was reported by the Sunday Mail on 25 July to have written to his counterparts at the FA in London on the issue.

Mr Smith said Scottish football could not afford to accept the lower fees which are offered by terrestrial broadcasters.

The paper said his letter stated: "Scottish football cannot afford to lose this amount of money and be expected to continue to exist."

The BBC Audience Council for Scotland said in its annual report 2009 that one of its priorities for 2009/2010 was "to recommend to the DCMS that Scottish national football be listed for free-to-air transmission".

The government is reviewing the listing system for the first time since 1998.

The BBC's additions to the list include home nation football qualifiers for World Cups and European Championships in the respective nations.

Wales Six Nations and autumn rugby internationals are also on the proposed list of protected events.

The government announced an independent review into the events on the free-to-air list last year, with former Football Association chief executive David Davies appointed as the review's chairman.

The review panel's findings are expected to be announced in the autumn.

Story from;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8176591.stm

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT.

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT.

The symphonies, concertos, overtures and fugues of this year’s Proms will be better than ever this year with Freesat bringing viewers this unique summer event in glorious high definition on BBC HD. From the First Night of the Proms on Friday July 17 you can recreate the Proms experience in your own home all summer long, culminating with the renowned Last Night of the Proms celebration on September 12.

No need to compromise on sound or picture quality with Freesat as high definition (HD) gives you five times the quality of normal digital TV. With The Proms in crystal-clear HD, you won’t miss a single stroke of the kettle drum or twitch of the conductor’s baton as the experience bursts out of the TV and into your home.

This summer marks the 115^th year of the Proms, with concerts taking place in famous venues around the country; from the Royal Albert Hall to Cadogan Hall and the popular BBC Proms in the Park events.

As ever, the world’s finest classical talents will be performing, including pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, and well-known conductors William Christie and Valery Gergiev. Enjoy the music and feel the passion as Freesat brings the event to life in glorious high definition.

The Proms on the BBC HD channel will also be available in stunning surround sound for Freesat viewers with home-cinema speakers. So music lovers up and down the country will be able to savour the best in classical music as if they have the best seats in the house.

Other highlights available on BBC HD in the coming weeks include the IAAF World Athletics Championship Berlin 2009, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey and Dragon’s Den.

IAAF World Athletics Championship in HD on Freesat TV.

IAAF World Athletics Championship in HD on Freesat TV.

Reach for your running shoes and sprint to the sofa, because this year’s World Championships in Athletics is coming to Freesat in high definition and subscription free. From Saturday 15^th to Sunday 23^rd August, the 12^th IAAF World Athletics Championship airs on the BBC HD channel.

Olympic Champion Michael Johnson will join the BBC commentary team to report on the nine days of athletics action – disciplines ranging from Relay to Triple Jump and Javelin Throw to 5,000 Metres. Some of this year’s hopefuls include British runner Christine Ohuruogu, as well as American-born Allyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt.

Berlin Olympic Stadium is the host of these prestigious games and for the first time in its history the marathon and walking competitions will take place in Berlin’s city centre - all in brilliant high definition.

HD is perfect for watching all the high-speed athletic action, with a picture that is five times the quality of normal digital TV. This amazing event in pin-sharp HD has a staggering 1,800 athletes, 47 competitions and 24 disciplines, there should be no need for photo finishes. Freesat + also enables you to record, fast forward and rewind live TV, in case you want to re-live any of the best moments.

Other BBC HD highlights include chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and dramas such as Torchwood and Gavin and Stacey.

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

BBC Trust publishes additional information on Project Canvas

24 July 2009

The BBC Trust is currently assessing Project Canvas, the BBC Executive's proposals to form a joint venture partnership to deliver internet protocol television (IPTV). Following the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust asked the BBC Executive to provide more information on the proposals in order to help stakeholders. The Trust is today publishing the Executive’s response and the Trust's timetable for the remainder of the process.

Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee said:

"We are pleased that the BBC Executive has responded positively to our request for more information. We are now giving stakeholders the chance to let us have their comments so that we can give them careful consideration. Over the coming months we will continue to engage with stakeholders to help us make a fully informed judgement."

Additional information

In the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust met over 60 stakeholders and received over 800 submissions to the consultation. It found widespread support for the delivery of IPTV to the home and a large number of stakeholders also recognised the BBC could potentially help both coordinate and accelerate this process. In order to help stakeholders the Trust is today publishing additional information from the BBC Executive on the following areas:

• The choice of technical standards to be adopted by Canvas;
• The proposed way in which the BBC would work with industry bodies;
• Control of the Electronic Programme Guide;
• Governance arrangements for the joint venture;
• The use of editorial controls.

report from the BBC Trust.

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT

The symphonies, concertos, overtures and fugues of this year’s Proms will be better than ever this year with Freesat bringing viewers this unique summer event in glorious high definition on BBC HD. From the First Night of the Proms on Friday July 17 you can recreate the Proms experience in your own home all summer long, culminating with the renowned Last Night of the Proms celebration on September 12.

No need to compromise on sound or picture quality with Freesat as high definition (HD) gives you five times the quality of normal digital TV. With The Proms in crystal-clear HD, you won’t miss a single stroke of the kettle drum or twitch of the conductor’s baton as the experience bursts out of the TV and into your home.

This summer marks the 115^th year of the Proms, with concerts taking place in famous venues around the country; from the Royal Albert Hall to Cadogan Hall and the popular BBC Proms in the Park events.

As ever, the world’s finest classical talents will be performing, including pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, and well-known conductors William Christie and Valery Gergiev. Enjoy the music and feel the passion as Freesat brings the event to life in glorious high definition.

The Proms on the BBC HD channel will also be available in stunning surround sound for Freesat viewers with home-cinema speakers. So music lovers up and down the country will be able to savour the best in classical music as if they have the best seats in the house.

Other highlights available on BBC HD in the coming weeks include the IAAF World Athletics Championship Berlin 2009, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey and Dragon’s Den.

BBC Proms 2009 HD

BBC World Service brings you nine weekends of high quality performances from the UK's greatest classical music festival.

The First Night of the Proms: 18 - 19 July

Prom 8: 800th Anniversary of Cambridge University: 25-26 July

Prom 10: Akiko Suwanai: Virtuoso Violin Works: 01-02 August

Prom 28: Karen Geoghegan: Bassoon Concerto: 08-09 August

Prom 32: Multiple Pianos: 15-16 August

Prom 44: Budapest Festival Orchestra: 22-23 August

Prom 53: Joyce DiDonato: Baroque Arias: 29-30 August

Prom 56: Lang Lang: Chopin: 05-06 September

As has become a tradition, a double bill for the final weekend of the 2009 season:

Prom 61: Magdalena Kožená : French Songs: 12 September

Last Night of the Proms: 12-13 September
12 September: live on digital shortwave (DRM). Highlights on Sunday 13 September

This is an official press release.