Idle thought regarding FreeSat

[admin_exported]

As I understand it there won't be too much in the way of HD material on FreeSat and regular programming (i.e. BBC1 BBC2 ITV C4) will still be in SD. I think that SD can look a bit ropey on even the best flat panels so a couple of questions sprang to mind:

1. Besides the HD channels, will picture quality on Freesat be any better than on Freeview assuming optimal reception?

2. This may be a silly question but if one was to connect up a FreeSat set top box to an upscaling receiver via HDMI would you be able to upscale it before outputting via HDMI to the TV or does upscaling only work on DVD/BluRay feeds?
thanks for any enlightenment!

 

[Clare Newsome]

You've got to remember that Freesat was (before the HD equation emerged) initially aimed at the significant percentage of TV viewers who can't get a strong-enough digital TV signal for Freeview to work well. So, for those households, there should be a major quality improvement!

Re upscaling - yes, an upscaling receiver will upscale the feed from a Freesat box, just as it does from a Sky+ box, PVR or even Sky HD box.

 

[Anonymous]

cheers Clare!

 

[John Duncan]

No no no. BBC1 and ITV1 will be HD on Freesat. Channel 4 will follow in the summer (I think). I think Five have declined for the time being, OTTOMH.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for clearing that up John as it's all a bit confusing and I want to make sure I buy the right kit (I'm after a new TV, blu-ray player and AV receiver) to take full advantage of freesat offerings as well as movies. Currently looking at a Pioneer or Panny 42 inch offering with a new Onkyo 606 before investing in a next generation blu-ray later in the year. I would rather an integrated freesat tuner with the TV but a separate box would appear to give more flexibility.

I was under the impression that there was a separate dedicated BBC channel just for HD. So I guess if all programming on BBC1 and ITV1 will be broadcast in HD then they upscale any non HD programmes at their end?

Another question if I may 🙂

Say I change channels from BBC1 from BBC2 - so HD to SD, will an upscaling amp automatically detect this and upscale and vice versa?

 

[Alec]

i think 5 have to wait until a comtract with sky ends. dont quote me tho.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="Bilbo Boggins"]I was under the impression that there was a separate dedicated BBC channel just for HD. So I guess if all programming on BBC1 and ITV1 will be broadcast in HD then they upscale any non HD programmes at their end?[/quote]

Yes, any SD-filmed programming will be upscaled before broadcast (which should result in better quality than upscaling SD on-the-fly, since broadcasters have the equipment and time to do it better). Note also that I may have misled people (since I misunderstood myself) - on investigating, I don't know whether BBC's Freesat offering will be a BBC1 simulcast, or their BBC HD channel, which is a conglomeration of HD content, which sometimes includes simulcast with BBC1.

[quote user="Bilbo Boggins"]Say I change channels from BBC1 from BBC2 - so HD to SD, will an upscaling amp automatically detect this and upscale and vice versa?[/quote]

I'd have said it'll be your Freesat box that does that, before it gets to the receiver, unless the box has an option to output native resolution - but since I haven't seen one yet, I can't say.

 

[Anonymous]

Well not long to wait now to see what FreeSat has got up it's sleeve I guess so for the time being I'll retire back down my Snobbit Burrow and percolate a while.

 

[Anonymous]

I would imagine that the BBC channel will be much the same as it is now already. You can pick it up clear to air with a range of options, but I wouldn't put it past them to have a BBC1 clone or something up and running like channel 4 do.

As for the decoder issue, I will be waiting for the new Panasonic sets that will have built in freesat, freeview, analogue and I believe will also be able to just decode any other unencrypted sat signals also.

should be out in about 5 weeks I hope...