KDL-40Z5500 has FreeviewHD tuner built in already?

[admin_exported]

Hello,

With all the recent activity from Freeview telling us to re-tune our sets I have been reading the news about the day we will all have free HD Channels BUT apparently the tuner technology that will allow this (DVB-T2 and MPEG4) isn't available yet.

The plan is to switch on the MPEG-4 signal in 2012 (London) then switch off the old MPEG-2 signal... so what will happen to older STB and Freeview TVs? If this is true all our old built in freeview TVs will be redundant because most only have DVB-T and MPEG2.

So I went troubleshooting looking for possible solution and I found this on Sony's own "Support" website.

http://support.sony-europe.com/techspecs/masterspecs/tech_specs.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=KDL-40Z5500 Search: HDTV Tuner (MPEG-4 AVC HD)1)

Could this be true or a mistake on there part because to me it looks like they are saying it has this tech already built in which in my dream scenerio means it's future proof! Or is this information misleading?

I have sent this question to them but as yet no reply...

 

[Andy Clough]

The "second switchoff" of the existing Freeview signal, if it happens, will be a long way off. I can't imagine any government would allow everyone's TVs to become obsolete overnight! As for the Sony 40Z5500 having an MPEG-4 HD tuner, that's intriguing, will have to check it out. Let us know if you hear back from Sony.

 

[Anonymous]

What I'm really excited about is the Z5800 having freesat onboard. no need to wait for freeviewHD. But yes, MPG 2 or 4 is confusing.

Does anyone know if having both Free view AND sat means you can tune all the channels and surf through them at will???

 

[Anonymous]

In France freeview (actually called TNT) was only introduced about 5 years ago. This means that it supports HD already and there are 5 channels! Incidently I don't watch it as I don't have a flat screen telly yet and I have a satellite dish for English TV.

Almost all new flat screen TVs now include the MPEG 4 tuners to give you access to these HD channels. Whether UK spec tellys have the same tuner in them I'm not so sure.

 

[ear]

yes all new sony's have mpeg2 and mpeg4 tuners. except the s5500 if im not mistaken

 

[kev g]

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/218950.aspx

I understand that when Freeview HD is switched on & you only have a standard freeview tv/set top box then you will still receive the signals in standard definition.

Pace & Humax have announced that Freeview HD boxes will be available early 2010

 

[Andy Clough]

Have done a bit more digging around on this. One of the UK multiplexes will be converted to DVB-T2 (an upgrade of the current DVB-T standard) to accommodate high-definition transmissions via digital terrestrial television (DTT, or Freeview).

When Freeview HD broadcasts start later this year in the Granada region, they'll use the DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 AVC standards. So it's not just a question of a TV having an MPEG-4 decoder, it must also include a DVB-T2 tuner to receive Freeview HD.

Obviously existing MPEG-2/DVB-T Freeview transmissions in standard definition will continue for the foreseeable future, as that's what the vast majority of existing TVs and set-top boxes are designed to receive.

 

[Anonymous]

Sony did reply to me and it is just as you pointed out Andy.

It does have MPEG-4 technology for HD formats but will be missing the all important DVB-T2... In fact this hasn't even been finalised and there is no approved standard, so I guess the daren't manufacturer any TVs with it yet.

To make things worse it's assumed to be a hardware issue rather then software so it can't even be patched or upgraded.

So unless they transmit the DVB-T/MPEG-2 and DVB-T2/MPEG-4 signal simultaneously everyone will need a new set top box or new FreeviewHD TV (when they eventually make them) when the switch over happens.

Makes me hesitant to buy any TV at the moment, I suppose the question now is when will this new standard be finalised and manufacturing start?

 

[matthewpiano]

I don't see the SD Freeview services being replaced by the HD ones. It would prompt public outcry and quite rightly so. Many customers have invested in new digital HD Ready TV sets with the intention of being able to use them for at least the next 5 years and the industry has to remain mindful of this.

Rather I think the HD services will supplement the SD ones. Its unlikely that Freeview HD will provide complete channels. Rather I'd expect that special events and selected programmes will be offered in HD as well as SD and that a set-top box or appropriate TV will be required to access the HD versions.

I'd expect to see the first Freeview HD capable sets in Sony's Spring 2010 model refresh but no announcement has been made to this effect so its purely speculation on my part at present.

Its good to see you received a quick and open answer from Sony UK as we've been similarly open with our customers in-store. There are no TVs on the market at present that will be able to receive Freeview HD without some sort of set-top box/decoder and its crucial that any customers purchasing are aware of this.

 

[daveh75]

matthew.bester:To make things worse it's assumed to be a hardware issue rather then software so it can't even be patched or upgraded.It does require new hardware...

mathew.bester:

So unless they transmit the DVB-T/MPEG-2 and DVB-T2/MPEG-4 signal simultaneously everyone will need a new set top box or new FreeviewHD TV (when they eventually make them) when the switch over happens.As Andy stated above,that's what they will be doing.One mux will be converted to the new MPEG-4/DVB-T2 spec for HD transmissions the rest will remain DVB-T/MPEG-2.

You will only need a new stb if you intend to take advantage of the HD programming.

mathew.bester:

I suppose the question now is when will this new standard be finalised and manufacturing start?
AFAIK the DVB-T2 has been finalised, and STB's are supposedly meant to hit the shops by the end of the year....

 

[Anonymous]

I found this website that appears to be the brans behind the technology and there is good news:

http://www.dvb.org/technology/dvbt2/index.xml

Would seem they have known what they will be using for a while so why there arent any products with it yet built in yet I don't know...