FREESAT AND DVB INFORMATION.

FREESAT AND DVB INFORMATION.

FREESAT AND DVB INFORMATION answers a number of questions which has been confusing to those new to freesat and DVB and as one caller put it; reading most of the forums has been very confusing. We hope this little information thread will enlighten and clear up confusion and uncertainty.
DVB stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - DVB works by turning analogue T.V. pictures into a digital data-stream. This data stream is then compressed using digital techniques based on the industry standard MPEG 2. Several digital channels are then combined into a much larger data stream called a multiplex.
Digital compression allows many digital channels to be transmitted on the same frequency band as just one analogue T.V. channel.
The exact figure depends on the type of programme being transmitted - sport, movies, news, cartoons etc... but on average roughly eight (8) to ten (10) digital channels can be transmitted in the place of one (1) analogue channel.
In technical terms, a single satellite transponder has a bandwidth of, typically, 33 MHz. This bandwidth can be used for a single analogue T.V. channel.
Using the same bandwidth digitally can deliver a data rate of twenty (20) to thirty (30) Megabits per second (Mb/s) or even more, depending on the exact parameters used by the broadcasters. Since DVB can compress a T.V. channel to as little as 2 Mb/s, this means that many more digital channels can be transmitted on the same transponder.
Freesat - digital T.V. - DVB - thus vastly increases the choice of viewing and also opens the way for a whole new range of exciting interactive services which will very soon be adopted by freesat T.V. and be possible to the majority of U.K. homes via satellite.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

FREESAT ADD MORE CHANNELS 28th OCTOBER 2008.

FREESAT ADD MORE CHANNELS.

FREESAT ADD MORE CHANNELS today the 28th October 2008. one extra channel was added with some being moved or shifted to prepair for future channels.
Channel 5 is yet to appear on the horizon and the media are having a great time filling columns with positive and negative comments when it will appear on freesat listings.
We have been led to believe that channel 5 will join the freesat platform inside the next four weeks. This makes perfect sense to us as we know of four other channels still to be added before Christmas time which we will report when we have been given the go-ahead.
To add an answer for Andrew from a well known but spurious forum ;
The Grundig Gufsat, Bush BFsat (exclusive to Argos) and the Goodmans GFsat can be bought in SD boxes as well as HD boxes.
We would suggest before buying your chosen HD or SD to ask your retailer to loop through the box to see if the loop through works.
We have not went into the technical details but we have found certain brand and type of freesat boxes will loop which is ideal for multi room single cable freesat distribution, especially as you do not wish to install sky. Certain updates on some boxes have caused loop through problems, which seems to have been dodged by the SD boxes. There is no loop through on the Humax box.
You said you do not wish to install the system yourself but you wanted as little wiring as possible so we would suggest horizontal and vertical polarity can be handled by your LNB within your satellite dish which can be advised by your chosen installer.
You will need this, for example;
your lounge is showing freesat T.V. is showing a channel with horizontal polarity (handled by your LNB). In your bedroom freesat T.V. is showing a channel with vertical polarity (handled by your LNB).
The proper LNB will handle both horizontal and vertical at the same time. A quad LNB has four coax connection points which should have an identical signal so this could also be possible with four coax cables lengths going to seperate rooms which in theory is one single wire in each room coming from a drilled point or moused down an inside cavity space for example.
We recommend an LNB of whatever kind to be as low a noise figure as possible; for example the figure .02 is ideal for sharper clearer pictures which you may want from transmitted HD.
You need the proper LNB chosen by your professional installer - we recommend you select your installer listed here... and nowhere else.
If your local authority allows, consider fitting a 1mtre dish also which over time will allow modification to your dish; extra LNB's etc... remember your dish can pick up a signal if your dish has clear line of sight (the full dish face can see the satellite with no trees or rising tree sap) from ground level upwards. There is no need if you have clear line of sight for your dish to be above ground level.
The ideal dish height is; place your dish out of reach of the kids, kids footballs, and high enough you can reach it with a brush to clear off snow. We do realize some viewers will need it lashed to the chimney.

OFCOM TV PROMOTION RULES.

27|10|08

The rules about TV promotions

TV broadcasters can promote their programmes and channels in advertising breaks without these promotions being considered adverts.

They’re allowed to do this under something called the Cross Promotion Code, which is regulated by Ofcom.

Effectively, it means that such promotions are not included in the amount of advertising a broadcaster is allowed to screen each hour.

But there are rules which govern these promotions, particularly when the adverts in question refer to rival broadcasters.

broadcast Bulletin

This month’s Broadcast Bulletin includes one such case when viewers complained about promotions screened by Sky.

You can read more about our ruling and other adjudications by clicking on this link to the Broadcast Bulletin.

read full story...

HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR.

HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR.

HUMAX FOXSATHDR320 PVR will be released very soon.
The Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR promises to be one of the best possible personal video recorders out there.
The spec from day one of the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR has set the T.V. engineers and techie fraternity all hot and bothered.
We won't go into boring techie details, but report as Mr couch potato who wants everything that's T.V. possible.
What do we know about it;?
The Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR is future proofed so should really be good for a few years.
You will be able to record 320Gb of programmes and with the promise of possible external USB working connections, the hard drive could have been a fraction of the reported 320gb.
The idea of being able to record two different channels and watch one you have already recorded is a likeable gimmick or should that be function? We are sure this gimmick/function would baffle around 80% of the average T.V. viewer trying to set it up.
We like the idea of the CI slot which opens up the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR like no other satellite set top box has ever been opened.
We live in hope that because the Humax Foxsat HDR320 PVR is connected to the freesat baby there will not be too many restrictions similar to the freesat FoxsatHD set top box where you have to enter a completely seperate menu to access out of freesat channels.
We have no doubt that the Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR will be top quality and with all the promised functions will historically be copied by other manufacturers who will attempt to better it.
Knowing Humax and having owned their satellite receivers for many years, we believe even before release the Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR will be worth owning even although the freesat Humax FoxsatHDR320 PVR is the first of it's kind.

Updates can be found here after release?
http://www.foxsathdr.co.uk

Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION.

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION.

INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION is out to remove all these website nasties from our internet.
Policing the internet was always going to happen. To consider the removal of all these offensive websites from our internet is long overdue.
We did report back in April on our forum that there was over 3,000 child abuse websites with over 80% of them being commercial, this is not acceptable in any form and should be eradicated from the internet.
Our top five type of websites we would remove first!
1/Anything to do with child abuse.
2/Anything to do with terrorism.
3/Anything to do with terrorist coercion.
4/Anything to do with making weapons of any kind.
5/Anything to do with criminal activity.

24|10|08

IWF Awareness Day

Ofcom is today joining forces with internet service providers, mobile phone companies, charities and government departments to highlight the work of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

The IWF is an independent non-profit organisation set up to address the problem of illegal material on the internet.

It works with ISPs and law enforcement agencies to tackle images of child abuse worldwide.

Offensive content

The IWF can also take action against criminally obscene or racist material if this is held on internet servers physically based within the UK.

Today’s campaign is to highlight the IWF ‘Hotline’ so people are in no doubt where they need to go to report offensive online content.

IWF Chief Executive Peter Robbins said: ‘The UK has a very proactive approach to tackling child sexual abuse content online but we could do even more with the public’s help.

‘That is why so many organisations are taking part in this campaign today to reach millions of people and raise awareness of our ‘Hotline’ service.’

Websites

He added: ‘Internet consumers should know that if they do stumble across these images then it’s vital to report them to the IWF; we have international partnerships in place to get these websites removed.

‘The IWF members and supporters who are united in their efforts to try to eradicate these terrible images on the internet deserve all our thanks.’

Ofcom Head of Media Literacy Robin Blake said: 'Ofcom's work to promote media literacy includes a remit to help people manage their activity on the internet.

'We fully support the work of the IWF in making the UK one of the safest places for children to enjoy the benefits of using the internet.’

If you have seen something on the internet which you believe could be illegal, you can contact the IWF ‘Hotline’.

read the full story...

BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT.

BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT.

BBC TRUST OVERSIGHT is so open to abuse we cannot believe they have missed it.
The BBC Trust is usually so articulate in every fine detail then surely this has to be classed as one big oversight?
Below you can read part of a particular section on "Who needs a T.V. licence?"

Who needs a TV licence?(BBC Trust help files)

If you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV, you need a TV licence

* You need a TV licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a television set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.
* If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
* 98% of UK homes have a TV
* People aged 75 or over can apply for a free TV licence
* People who are registered blind or severely sight impaired quality for a 50% concession on the cost of a TV licence
* People living in residential care under certain conditions may qualify for a concessionary TV licence of £7.50 a year
**************
The section that reads;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
this simple phrase conjures up all sorts of problems for those attempting to enforce laws on licence fee dodgers and it is difficult to make any sense of it.
There is software out there at the moment that can record anything that can be shown on ANY screen and to seperate this from normal recording is fanciful and can be played upon in all sort of ways; for example, hand - helds, mobiles, notebooks, PC's. As most PC's today have T.V. cards already fitted if you want the all singing - all dancing version this would mean only a percentage of PC owners would be paying a T.V. licence for their PC - is this a can of worms or what?
The last T.V. licence I read suggested you only need receiving equipment to be liable for a T.V. licence fee - the staus quo has been changed? Surely it's not because from next year onward we will have the overwhelming choice of T.V. channels from Europe? which we can expect to pick up first on our mobile phones!
The word ambiguous jumps to mind as part of the suggestion says, quote;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
and yet a simple monitor may have no PC card or T.V. connection it still has the ability to accept and receive T.V. signals which in fact automatically rules out the above phrase;
If you are only watching on-demand services, after programmes have already been broadcast (e.g. BBC iPlayer), you will not need a TV licence
The BBC Trust needs to review this section as they have now given the licence fee dodger another hundred and one excuses not to pay their licence fee.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

OFCOM CHIEF EXECUTIVE ED RICHARDS BRUSSELS SPEECH.

20|10|08

Speed up regulation

Moves to reform the way communications industries are regulated across Europe need to be speeded-up so that consumers can benefit, Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards warned today.

Negotiations on the proposals to reform the EU regulatory Framework for communications have gone on for more than a year.

But Ed Richards said today that without significant commitment and openness to compromise there was a danger the reform could suffer undue delay.

The proposed reform would further open up to competition the communications markets across Europe.

Laudable proposals

This type of liberalisation of the markets – which has been underway since 2002 - has already provided enormous benefits, with consumers now enjoying better choice and services, and cheaper bills.

Speaking in Brussels today, Ed Richards said the reform contained a host of ‘self-evidently sensible and laudable proposals’.

He said any delay would prevent some important improvements from benefiting customers and industry.

He also cautioned against those who would cite the recent global financial problems as an excuse for not opening up the communications markets further.

read full story...

SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS 15 -10 -2008.

SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BBC TRUST.

SPEACH BY SIR MICHAEL LYONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BBC TRUST important speach about the future plans covering the BBC and other channels being one day public owned is one of the better ideas in recent years which may one day come to fruition.
Part of the speach reads;

So, you want to know what’s my initial view on Ofcom’s Phase II document and the path it charts?

I think there’s much in the report to praise. Ofcom is making a brave attempt to air some difficult issues that many might prefer not to have to address. But overall, I think the document demonstrates there are questions still to ask and there is much more to be done to encourage ambition amongst the broadcasters themselves.

Let me be clear. I recognise the commercial PSBs are facing real financial pressures – along with many other businesses. But their immediate challenges should not be all which determines the future of broadcasting in this country. Hasty moves to dismantle structures which have taken decades to mature in return for a quick financial gain might look tempting at first glance, but they have a habit of coming back with a bite. Just ask those banks which used to be mutual building societies.

I am pleased that Ofcom now acknowledges ITV’s heritage and value as a regional broadcaster. But I am sceptical about any suggestion that Channel 4 can suddenly take its place either in terms of its structure or in the public’s hearts. Indeed, I question the scale of expectations being placed on Channel 4 full-stop.

We should all be concerned to safeguard that which makes Channel 4 special – not keep egging it on to do more. I think its move last week to withdraw from DAB was very difficult and disappointing for them and the future of digital radio, but it showed responsibility by their board.

I question the thinking behind a proposal to gift BBC Worldwide to Channel 4. Put aside for a moment whether this is actually legal, State Aid issues, and the merits of removing £100m a year of dividends back to the public via new BBC programmes. In what way might this make business sense for BBC Worldwide or Channel 4? I can see there could be some commercial deals that Channel 4 and Worldwide could do to the benefit of both, but Worldwide primarily exists to exploit the secondary rights of BBC public service programmes, not Channel 4. And besides, WW belongs to licence fee payers not Ofcom and not the government either.

I do worry that Ofcom has misunderstood the public’s view of the licence fee. I’ve said before that my experience of the public’s attitude to compulsory levies underlines two things: people don’t much like to pay, but when they have to, they want to know what it’s for and who’s responsible for doing the spending.

Ofcom’s own research shows that 87% of people recognise that the licence fee pays for the BBC in some form. Believe me, I know that is a very high recognition rate – and is a reason why the public has such high expectations from the BBC.
read the full story...

FREESAT FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS.

15|10|08

Digital switchover

All care home residents are now to get help switching to digital TV.

There is already a nationwide scheme in place to help millions of older and disabled people with the digital switchover.

To be eligible for the scheme you have to be aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or eligible for certain disability benefits.

The Government has now extended the scheme to cover people in care homes.

Scottish borders

The Scottish borders will be the next region to switchover next month and arrangements are in place to contact all care homes in the area.

In each region the Switchover Help Scheme chooses a standard digital TV option.

The offer in the ITV Border area is a Sky satellite system and eligible viewers can have one installed for £40, or for free if they also get income benefits.

However, the standard choice for viewers in the West Country area – which is switching in 2010 - is a Freeview set top box.

Digital options

Those in that area unable to receive television through an aerial will be offered the satellite service Freesat instead.

All those who are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme can also choose from other digital options, but some of these will cost extra.

Story source; Ofcom
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/carehomes

OFCOM CHAIRMAN DAVID CURRIE'S KEYNOTE SPEACH.

15|10|08

Currie on communications

Ofcom Chairman David Currie made a keynote speech today in which he highlighted the major changes in the communications sector during his time in office.

David, who is stepping down next year, said that intensive competition had led to many success stories across the industry.

These included massive growth in the number of homes with broadband, as well as falling telecoms prices.

But, speaking at the Ofcom Annual Lecture, he said this competition between rival firms had not always been good news for the consumer.

Slamming

It had led to problems such as mis-selling and slamming in telecoms, while consumer satisfaction in the communication sector was not as high as it should be.

But he said there had been success in tackling scams, such as dodgy mobile cashback offers and last year’s high profile phone-in competition problems.

David added: ‘Several broadcasters, who ought to have known better, came close to...read full story!

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS.

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS.

FREESAT SLINGBOX POSSIBLE CONNECTORS are thin on the ground unless you are very determined and either make up the cabling yourself or get an enterprising electrical shop wizard to make cabling up for you.
The Slingbox in it's various forms have attempted to somewhat fill the gap to connect all things video and audio.
At first glance at the graphics you really could'nt be faulted for thinking buyers in the U.K. are not getting what their American buyers of the Slingbox are getting, that is until you have a second look at the connections and you will in fact realise that the U.S. equivilant is getting a Slingbox which can connect and control three video sources.
You can click on the graphic to enlarge it.
The U.K. market are getting a Slingbox which can connect and control four video sources. So who is getting the best deal?
We reckon the U.K. are getting a better deal with the extra video control capability and the Slingbox dongle which comes with the Slingbox, and if the dongle connection is a true HD(there seems to be some confussion about this?) connection it opens all sorts of cans and worms.
While there is still a smouldering from some modern TV owners who do not have an HDMI socket or two the Slingbox and the Slingbox dongle this could possibly allow them complete integration with their freesat boxes.
The bottom graphic is another clever little box from the same camp which is called the SlingCatcher and rather than describe this also you can read the full story...

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE.

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE.

BT LAUNCHES NEW LOW COST PHONE which is lower than existing packages. The difference is customers need to be in one of three select categories and is designed for those on low income.

06|10|08

Low-cost phone

A new cheaper phone package has been launched to help people on low incomes keep in touch with friends and family.

Ofcom has worked closely with BT to develop the new low-cost BT Basic service.

It costs £13.50 a quarter – including an allowance of £4.50 to spend on calls - and is open to both new and existing BT customers.

It’s available to people who claim Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Guaranteed Pension Credit.

Direct debit

Customers can pay using any existing payment methods, including at a post office, by cheque or direct debit.

And, unlike some tariffs, you won’t be charged extra if you don’t want to pay by direct debit.

The £4.50 call allowance covers local, national and international landline calls but not premium rate, mobile phones or 0845/0870 numbers.

If you go over this allowance then you’ll pay the standard 10p a minute (plus 3p for each phone call) for all normal UK calls.

Ofcom review

Customers interested in signing up can call the freephone number 0800 800 864 to get a booklet and application form.

BT has to provide special tariff schemes for low income customers as part of its Universal Service Obligation.

Read the full story...

BBC PHONE-IN COMPETITIONS.

08|10|08

Phone-in competitions

The BBC has launched a new department to oversee all of its interactive services, including phone-in competitions.

It says the move is part of a comprehensive plan to tackle problems that arose last year involving interactive votes, competitions and the use of premium rate phone numbers.

In July Ofcom issued the BBC with a record £400,000 fine for deceiving its audience by faking winners on eight television and radio competitions.

Competitions

That investigation found that in some cases the production team had decided to broadcast competitions and encourage listeners to enter in the full knowledge that the audience stood no chance of winning.

In other cases, programmes faced with technical problems made up the names of winners.

The BBC says the new department will work with production teams on all programmes that use telephone competitions, votes, awards and donations. It will also deal with contestant application lines.

Read the full story...

TV ADVERTISING REGULATIONS.

TV ADVERTISING REGULATIONS.

TV ADVERTISING REGULATIONS are a minefield of confussion for anyone trying to work out, which effects both advertiser and viewer.
Ofcom want you to contact them for your opinions.
Click on the graphic above for a clearer view.
We have all got opinions on advertising, from volume increase during programme breaks to far too much time on advertising etc, etc...
If you are one of the many who hate the way advertising is distributed then make your voice heard by contacting Ofcom or read the latest press releases...
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

OFCOM TV ADVERTISING CONSULTATION.

07|10|08

Consultation on the amount and frequency of TV advertising

Ofcom today published a consultation on stage two of its Review of Television Advertising Regulation which is part of a comprehensive analysis of the rules on the amount and scheduling of advertising. The review outlines a broad range of options covering the amount of advertising on television, the number and length of advertising breaks, and the amount of teleshopping.

Following stage one of the Review, which dealt mainly with scheduling issues, Ofcom published a new Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising (COSTA) - PDF, 73Kb.

Amount of advertising

Many stakeholder groups, including viewers, broadcasters, advertising agencies and advertisers, have expressed opposition to the suggestion of more advertising (now permissible under new European legislation). Ofcom’s initial preference is for no change to the overall amount of advertising on television, but it will consider alternative views on the range of other options carefully before making any decision.

Peak-time advertising

Ofcom is also seeking views on whether there should be changes to the rules on peak-time advertising on the main commercial public service channels – ITV1, Channel 4, five and S4C. We are inviting views on whether public service channels should be able to allocate the total weekly allowance flexibly, so that they could show more on one day than another.

Number of advertising breaks

Ofcom does not accept as some broadcasters have proposed, that there should be no rules on the number of advertising breaks within programmes. We are therefore consulting on what those rules should be. We are also asking whether exceptions should be made for programmes comprising separate parts (such as magazine-style programmes).

Read the full story...

FREE SATELLITE IN 900,000 U.K. HOMES.

03|10|08

Free satellite in 900,000 UK households as Selkirk prepares for Switchover

A month before Selkirk in the Scottish borders becomes the first region in the UK to switch to an all digital service, the latest figures from Ofcom reveal that there are over 900,000 households with a free satellite service in the UK.

The Communications Market: Digital Progress Report for the second quarter of 2008 shows around 840,000 homes were using free satellite - from BSkyB, BBC/ITV or other retailers - on their main television set. This was an increase of around 120,000 on the previous quarter.

In addition, between June and September BBC/ITV freesat sold a further 60,000 units, meaning that the total number of households using a free satellite service is now around 900,000.

The report also shows that 88 per cent of households now have digital TV on their main set. The second quarter of 2008 showed that households remain focussed on switching their secondary television sets to digital as well. Over half (19.1 million) of the 35 million secondary sets have now been converted to digital.

Key trends for the second quarter of 2008 include:

DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION (DTT) – Freeview services

• The total number of households with DTT reached 16.7 million in the second quarter of 2008.
• Read the full story...
  

RTL CLEAR TO BID FOR ITV 6th OCTOBER 2008.

RTL gets green light to put in offer for ITV

RTL, the Luxembourg-based media group and owner of Five, is understood to have been given the all-clear to bid for ITV by its German parent Bertelsmann.

The Mohn family, which controls Bertelsmann, is said to have set aside a £1bn-plus war chest for RTL head Gerhard Zeiler to use for European acquisitions.

The shift in Bertelsmann's position comes after it sold its 50 per cent stake in music venture Sony BMG to Sony in August for more than £600m.

ITV is top of Zeiler's shopping list, but a move is still thought to be some time away. He will need to borrow to fund a bid for the UK commercial broadcaster, which is valued on the London Stock Exchange at £1.7bn. With credit markets still seized up, that could prove difficult even if RTL were prepared to inject 60 per cent of ITV's equity value.

Takeover speculation surrounding ITV flared up again last week, when BSkyB failed in its attempt to retain its controversial 17.9 per cent stake. The buyer of the Sky holding is expected to use it as a platform for a full takeover. There have been rumours that RTL would be prepared to hand BSkyB Five in return for its ITV stake.

But a change of ownership may be delayed as BSkyB is considering another appeal, further lengthening a process that began with the decision of then chief executive James Murdoch to buy shares to block a planned bid for ITV by Virgin Media in November 2006.
Story from "The Observer", Sunday October 5th 2008.
reported on Page three of the business section.
This is not as bad as it first seems for U.K. viewers considering the vast influance RTL have on European TV programming and at this time we can report that RTL Television will exclusively broadcast up to 18 matches from the FIFA World Cup 2010 on German Free-To-Air T.V.
QUOTE from this report above;
There have been rumours that RTL would be prepared to hand BSkyB Five in return for its ITV stake.QUOTE
This would be disaster for the British T.V. viewer who rely on channels similar to channel 5 for being middle of the road viewers mix and this is why the channel 5 family are so popular. If these rumours about RTL giving away channel 5 are even remotely true then RTL advisers need to take some reality medicine starting with the U.K. viewers.

CHANNEL 5 RE-LAUNCH 4th OCTOBER 2008.

CHANNEL 5 RE-LAUNCH.

CHANNEL 5 RE-LAUNCH starts tonight with a giant sausage advert. The advert will be screened during the popular X-Factor television show.
Along with the re-launch channel 5 have also a new banner (seen below) which sets off a whole new channel 5 as we know it.
When channel 5 opens on freesat it will bring back into the fold all five original terrestrial channels before satellite tv started.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

TOP SEARCH ENGINE LOOKUP 2nd OCTOBER 2008.

BBC FREESAT HD TV BLOG.: MULTIMEDIA COST AND BT's 21st CENTURY NETWORK PROJECT.

CHANNEL 5 FREESAT LAUNCH.

CHANNEL 5 FREESAT LAUNCH.

CHANNEL 5 FREESAT LAUNCH date is the next big question regarding the freesat channels list.
Channel 5 have played their cards close to their chest about the freesat platform. We were originally informed that next Monday was to be the chosen launch date for freesat to add channel 5 to their bouquet but we are not confident about this date being specific to freesat although next Monday will be another relaunch of the channel 5 campaign.
Channel 5 joining freesat will make such a huge impression especially if they are intending showing live marathon football games the same as last night which must have dragged in every man and his dog. Channel 5 has lots of superb viewing from home and abroad and their efforts for future viewing is to attract a younger audience.
We can expect to see channel 5 very soon and like all freesat channels will cost the viewer nothing.
For readers unsure about how freesat will evolve over the coming weeks/months it's worth pointing out there is no forum or website which is more informed than any other as the nature of the beast with freesat is all forums and websites are at the mercy of timed press releases which everyone gets at exactly the same time.
We do read about certain individuals who, with a wink and a nudge have readers believing they are in a privileged position with respect to information, with respect to freesat; this cannot happen. (this answers james's question)
Channel 5 are expected to cleverly market their flagship starting on Saturday and freesat may well get the attention it deserves.
If you watch the X-Factor on ITV 1 Saturday you can view the giant hotdog advert re-launching channel 5.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

TOP SEARCH ENGINE LOOK UP 1st OCTOBER 2008.

BBC FREESAT HD TV BLOG.: ON-DEMAND SYNDICATION FOR BBC CONTENT.

01|10|08

The BBC and PSB

The BBC has been reassured that it will continue to play a major part in how public service broadcasting (PSB) develops in the UK.

It follows media speculation that Ofcom’s PSB consultation would result in the corporation losing part of its licence fee to fund other broadcasters.

Some commentators said this ‘top-slicing’ would then force the BBC to slash the amount of PSB programming it makes each year.

But Ofcom Partner, Strategy and Market Development, Peter Phillips, says that reducing the BBC’s ability to make PSB programmes is not an option.

'Top-slicing not an option'

Writing in the BBC’s in-house journal Ariel, he says that the broadcaster will continue to be the cornerstone of public service broadcasting in the UK.

But he explains the way the system is funded needs to change and replacement funding will also have to be found.

There are several possible sources of extra funding.

One option is to use part of the licence fee currently earmarked to help fund the switchover to digital TV.

Funding options

Around £130 million of the licence is currently used for this each year – and could be used as replacement PSB funding once the analogue signal is switched off in 2012.

Read full story...

TOP SEARCH ENGINE LOOK UP TUESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2008.

BBC FREESAT HD TV BLOG.: HDTV RESOLUTION GUIDE.

FREESAT CHANNELS 1st OCTOBER 2008.

FREESAT CHANNELS 1st OCTOBER 2008.

FREESAT CHANNELS listed 1st Ocotber 2008 which includes 1 extra channel not listed in Scotland.
For example; using a Scottish postcode will show 132 channels loaded, but if you use somewhere like SW1A 0AA (Houses of Parliament) you can load 133 channels
The benefit of loading the SW1A 0AA is you can view ITV HD as long as your freesat set top box is HD (high definition). Another benefit of loading a London postcode is when regional areas get local and sometimes national football games you don't miss them as you could or would before depending on your geographical TV location in the U.K.

Freesat boxes listing is as follows; Post Code SW1A 0AA loaded.
101 = BBC LONDON
102 = BBC 2 ENGLAND
103 = ITV LONDON
104 = CHANNEL 4
105 = CHANNEL 5 DUE VERY VERY SOON!
106 = BBC THREE
107 = BBC FOUR
108 = BBC HD
110 = BBC ALBA
113 = ITV 2
114 = ITV 2+1
115 = ITV 3
116 = ITV3+1
117 = ITV 4
120 = S4C DIGIDOL
121 = CHANNEL 4+1
122 = E 4
123 = E 4+1
124 = MORE 4
125 = MORE 4+1
135 = ZONE ROMANTICA
136 = ZONE REALITY
137 = ZONE THRILLER
138 = ZONE HORROR
139 = ZONE HORROR+1
140 = BET
200 = BBC NEWS
201 = BBC PARLIAMENT
202 = S4C2
203 = AL JAZEERA ENGLISH
204 = EURONEWS
205 = FRANCE 24
206 = RUSSIA TODAY
251 = TWC FIGHT
300 = FILM 4
301 = FILM 4+1
302 = TRUE MOVIES
303 = TRUE MOVIES 2
304 = MOVIES 4 MEN
306 = MOVIES 4MEN 2
402 = WEDDING TV
406 = INFORMATION TV
411 = O'SEASPROPERTY
450 = MEN AND MOTORS
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Plus many more regional and shopping channels. As can be seen the free channels are growing fast and the listed 133 channels today could well mushroom to the suggested 200 soon.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

DISEqC SATELLITE CONTROL EXPLANATION.

DISEqC SATELLITE CONTROL EXPLANATION.

DISEqC SATELLITE CONTROL EXPLANATION for those with satellite systems that have DISEqC embedded into their satellite receivers.
DISEqC? what is it? what does it do? what is it for? do I need it?
These are only a few of the questions we have been asked so here is an explanation which will help new users and seasoned users alike.
DISEqC - stands for Digital Satellite Equipment Control, and the easy and shortest way to describe the DISEqC firmware is to address the old method first.
Once, when adding an extra LNB to your system to upgrade it to a Dual-Feed it meant running an extra cable plus bracket to contain the extra LNB and if again you wanted clear multi-sat systems you needed yet more extra LNB's and cables to your satellite dish.
The addition of dual and quad LNB's has helped a little with this issue but it does NOT cure the extra dangling cables.
DISEqC controlled equipment has made leaps and bounds into satellite equipment with one single cable, for example the DISEqC Level 2.1 can address 64 different satellite positions in either polarisation( horizontal or vertical) in either band.
Examples of DISEqC in action can be described taking a Humax Foxsat freesat set top box and the Loop-through LNB, the Loop-through LNB has an inbuilt DISEqC switch to control itself and another LNB. The two LNB's can be on different dishes or can be used for dual-feed installations on the same dish fitted with a dual feed arm.
Another example of a similar set up but using a Monobloc LNB which has a Universal LNB that can switch between two feedhorns pointing in slightly different directions, as the Monobloc LNB can be used for example at 6 degree spacing this would take in 13 degrees East and 19 degrees East.
Our main concern on this website is with freesat which most users will be looking to upgrade their existing systems or add it to their existing dishes.
For users wishing to use a PVR or more likely a High Definition Recorder from Humax for example and this is designed to accept one single cable from your LNB (whichever LNB you have fitted) which will enter your PVR and from there go into your freesat set top box.
For users with an existing Sky system who wish to add freesat there seems to be a few options to consider;
If you buy a Humax Foxsat freesat set top box you are restricted to using either a type of splitter connection; for example either a manual or an automatic data transfer switch or another coax cable from your LNB fitted within your satellite dish. The extra cable from the satellite dish can sometimes be fitted if you have for example a quad LNB. A quad LNB has 4 connection outputs with all connections equally powered up so any connection output point should be the same. Quad LNB's have been fitted automatically by Sky box installers as a matter of course when subscribers pay for certain upgrades to their subs. Usually in these quad LNB's two connections remain free unless the buyer has a special multi-sat or multi-room fitting.
For users with Grundig Gufsat, Goodmans GFSat and Bush BFSat set top freesat boxes there is another method which works but only in certain Sky boxes.
Using the Loop-Through or LNB IN and LNB OUT in the Grundig Gufsat, Goodmans GFSat and the Bush BFSat in which these set top box loop-through's were originally designed to accept one single cable and loop through; and this function becomes 100% useable if you use an inbuilt control switch.
The loop through function has been tested using eight boxes, and after this you move into controllers like Single-Home Mini-SMATV or DISEqC Multiswitches.
All DISEqC controllers are also backward compatible so older DISEqC controllers are not a problem. You will find on this website different ways to connect with other satellite boxes and in all cases to avoid costs we advise you to test with either a good neighbour, friend or relation and attempt to mix and match your chosen freesat box and see if it works with their system.
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!