Digital TV News Round-up

New TV Gadgets
Pay TV on your PC and a digital movie storage box. - 22 January 2008
The digital world is vastly advancing, especially in the TV industry. In the last few years we have seen an increasing number of digital TV channels available, films on demand and pause and rewind live TV. New gadgets have shown the digital advance even more with the Win TV-CI for watching pay TV on your computer and La Cinema movie box which allows movies to be stored for later TV viewings.

Hauppauge Digital has introduced the Win TV-CI, which allows you to now watch pay TV channels on your PC or laptop. This is another step towards everything becoming more mobile and with just one device. It has a card reader module that can be used alongside TV tuner cards. This allows it to receive subscription based TV on your computer. It costs about £80 and can receive pay digital TV channels like Setanta and Top up TV from Freeview. Sky channels cannot be used on this device as it has no third party.

La Cie's are storage specialists and have introduced a movie box that can store digital content in it to later be viewed on TV. It looks like a small PC and has between 500-700GB storage space for downloaded movies. It has a remote control for browsing to content on the screen easily and an out port in order to set up surround sound. The movie box hooks up to a computer where you can drag and drop the content on to the TV. This is a great improvement from usual DVD players and good for those who have a large digital library.

TV Rivals Join Forces for Online TV
BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to launch an on demand service - 28 November 2007
Thousands of hours of current and archive TV programmes will be able to be downloaded from one place soon, as BBC, ITV and Channel 4 join forces to form an on demand online TV service. The combined on demand service will be called Kangaroo. They will set up a Freeview online service that will compete with the likes of YouTube. Once approved by broadcasting boards like the BBC Trust, it should be launched by sometime in 2008.

All three broadcasting companies offer separate on demand services and the BBC and ITV will continue to offer the individual service as well as the conjoined service. Channel 4 will stop the separate service when the combined on demand service is up and running.

The head of the BBC states that this service will provide the very best UK's content and it will be easy to use and great fun at the same time. It has also been stated that by "partnering and sharing expertise is the best way of doing this". TV fans can go to just one site to watch all their favourite programmes or TV programmes that they have missed. The programmes will be available for free download, rental and purchase via the internet site.

BBC HD Gets Final Green Light
After positive customer feedback - 26 November 2007
The BBC has set up a high definition channel for trial to test the market for the improved TV service. The trial started on Sky in September and now will trial on Cable and Satellite TV.

The feedback has been positive and the BBC Trust is "pleased and believe the satisfied public value generated is sufficiently high and it is unlikely to be negative impact on the market." It is believed that High Definition TV is the next generation of TV and become broadcasting standard. The BBC believe HD TV should be set up as soon as possible so customers can get the most out of it and have a chance to get the right electronics to accompany it.

Now that successful trials have been set for Digital, Cable and Satellite, BBC HD will be decided for Freeview in spring 2008.

High Definition TV: Making the most of it
Getting the right display TV to work with HD - 07 November 2007
High Definition is the new must have in TV and it has said to be the biggest thing since colour TV. High definition offers top quality picture with clearer images and vibrant colours. HD offers four times as much picture detail as standard TV.

Sky HD TV brings 5,000 hours of HD movies, sports, entertainment, documentaries and drama programmes for you to enjoy watching TV in the highest quality. Two thirds of Sky One's prime time shows will be in HD by this Christmas; double from last year.

These great HD programmes can only be viewed if your TV is compatible for HD features. Thousands of flat panel screens are not compatible and they are not often visually displayed that they are not in the shops. Only 1.3% of TVs are compatible but soon TV devices will have "HD ready" stickers on them to show their compatibility.

It has been said that by 2010, 20% of homes will have HD features; so it is important to know what the best HD TV is. Research has found that LCD and Plasma displays are the best HD compatible TV's to get. They have found to only have a 3% repairs compared to 18% in other models. The companies that sell low repair rate, HD compatible TV's are Plasma, Panasonic, Pioneer and Samsung.

 

Top Gear and Gran Turismo Join forces
Top gear goes Virtual and Gran Turismo gets its own Digital TV Channel - 24 October 2007

Gran Turismo is the world's most famous racing video game series and has sold 47 million copies of the game. Gran Turismo has also introduced a digital TV channel which is available via the Playstation 3 online network. The TV channel will include news and features about motoring around the world

BBC Two's popular driving series Top gear is going to be a part of this new digital set up. Firstly 40 of Top Gears episodes will be available on the Gran Turismo TV channel. Secondly the show will be made virtual for the Gran Turismo 5th series. The tracks that were used by the Top Gear team will be recreated for the video game. This will put Top Gear and Gran Turismo Fans to the test as they drive the race track in hundreds of cars that have been licensed inside the game.

This combination is showing advanced technology within the digital world. Not only can digital TV be viewed via a Playstation but TV channels can be digitally transformed on to a virtual video game for fans to get involved.

The Digital switchover has started!
Now what will happen with the freed-up airwaves? - 19 October 2007
 The first town in the UK has now switched over to digital broadcasting. As of 2012 the freed up analogue airwaves will be available for use for a completely new service. The new digital broadcasting is six times more efficient than analogue and 112 megahertz have been freed up for other uses, which is 30% of the traditional TV airwaves.

It seems this free airspace has created a lot interest from mobile operators, broadcasters and broadband providers. There will be a fight on their hands as to who gets to use the capacity and range to enhance their service. Mobile operators want the airwaves to add to their existing video service to improve quality. Broadcasters want to keep the airwaves to use for increasing High Definition channels. Internet providers would like to use the airwaves for more wireless broadband services.

It seems that broadband has the best advantage as it is an interactive service, which is where society is moving towards. Broadband is also currently having problems with meeting customer demands for speed and download capacity. Larger space for broadband traffic to travel will be a huge benefit to consumers. Broadcasters and manufacturer companies have joined forces for HD services. However it is unlikely that they will win the space as one in four people already use a digital service and many HD services are already available via those digital channels.

Regulators Ofcom will decide who will get the spectrum, but it is likely to go to the highest bidder unless the government comes in and takes a more ridged approach. It is without a doubt that freed up airspace will be put to good use and will not be wasted. The fight to get this space will be a big one as all the establishments have their own visions to what they will use the space for.

 

 

 

First UK Town prepares for Digital Switch.
Whitehaven will loose analogue signal from October 17th - 16 October 2007
Whitehaven in Cumbria prepares to make a digital switch as it becomes the first town in the UK to loose analogue TV signal. It will begin on October the 17^th 2008 with BBC Two changing in the early hours. The remaining terrestrial channels will switch over on November 14^th. The rest of the UK will not change over until 2012. After the initial change 25,000 people will need to upgrade the TV systems in order to watch TV.

The People in charge of this change want to make it clear to the people of Whitehaven of what they have to do with this change. They have put lots of visual evidence up to inform the residents of the change. This change has caused mixed reviews though. Many people in from Whitehaven are proud to be the town that tests this change and hope it will put the town on the map. Many people have rushed into electrical stores to upgrade to Freeview, Satellite, Cable or broadband to enable them to watch TV. Electrical store Curys state that this is the biggest purchase rush they have seen outside the Christmas period.

There are still 6,000 households yet to upgrade their systems and 2,000 of these households plan to wait until the change has occurred before they switch over. The older generations also express a concern for the change and the new equipment they need. The organisers have stated that over 75's will receive new equipment, installation and support. People with significant disabilities and blind people will also receive help. Assistance with the change over will cost £40 but is free for pensioners, job seekers and people on income support.

This change will start an exciting future for digital access. Whitehaven will be the first to test and experience the digital switch and it open up so many more opportunities for small screen entertainment.

 

 

What is the future for the way we watch TV?
High Definition vs. Mobile TV - 03 October 2007
TV is a great way to be entertained, with new gripping dramas, blockbuster films and current world news being offered to you in the comfort of your own home. Also new and improved technology is constantly being brought out for you to use. There was satellite TV which offered a wider range of TV channels, then there was Digital TV, to watch TV on demand and interactively and now there is High Definition programmes and Mobile TV. Both High Definition TV and Mobile TV offer the latest technology for entertainment viewing but work in the completely opposite direction. They both offer different factors within TV entertainment but which one is the stronger contender to lead the way towards the future of watching TV?

High definition (HD) offers clearer images, more vibrant colours and clearer audio. HD TV can transport its quality easily through digital broadcast, as digital TV uses less bandwidth. HD TV is great for those who like to watch programmes at home like top TV series, live football, films and geographical documentaries.

Mobile TV cannot offer the high quality that HD can, but it can be watched on demand all round the world. Your favourite shows can be downloaded and watched from your mobile phone at any time and from any destination. Mobile TV is great for those who have an on the go life but do not want to miss out on your favourite programmes. Mobile TV could be the future for TV as more and more features are available for use on your mobile phone and more top quality viewings are available for download.

There are a few drawbacks for mobile TV, firstly downloads can take time to downloads, may cost money to download or be possibly illegal to do so. The high demand for downloading could cause problems with the internet as the net was not designed to deliver these high volumes. The other problem is if you are a fan of live TV, you will have to wait for the programme to be available online in order to download them. This will be a main problem for reality programmes lovers, when you need to be up to date with latest going on and with mobile TV by the time you have downloaded and watched the programme; another episode will have gone out with a whole new story to tell.

It seems that the future for TV could go both ways as they both suit two very different markets for TV lovers. High definition is great for those who want top quality viewing in their own home. Mobile TV is for those who are not so bothered about quality but want to have the best entertainment possible for when they are travelling on public transport or don't want to miss out just because they are away from home.

The future of children’s TV.
There is a reduction in the number of shows made in Britain. - 03 October 2007
With digital TV and Freeview offering more channels especially for children there should now be more options of viewing for children. There are now 25 children's TV channels available that offer 113,000 hours of programmes each yeah. This would initially be seen as a positive, as there are more options for children to watch.

This is not the case though as 61% of these programmes and a high percentage of the other programmes are imports from America. The number of home-grown programmes is a very small percentage and media regulators Ofcom and parents have shown their concern towards children's TV in Britain.

Only 1 % of children's programmes is made in Briton and is being showed for the first time. Also from all the British made programmes made only 17% of these were aimed at children. This has occurred as many of the terrestrial channels have cut their investments into making children's programmes.

These concerns expressed by parents and regulators are made because not only are British made programmes for children's the most popular they also hold a cultural learning element. It is important for children to learn about their own culture. If there were more drama and factual children's TV available it will help them learn about their own society, different cultures as well as different viewpoints and opinions.

A recent study taken by asking parents about children's TV, states that parents value the role children's TV plays in society. Less than 50% of the parents believe that children's TV is reaching public service satisfaction and they would like to see more home grown drama and factual programmes for their children to enjoy and learn from.

In order for these desires by parents and regulators to be met, more investment has to be made by British TV companies. At the moment it seems cheaper and more accessible to fill these extra children's channels with imported programmes such as cartoons.

BskyB have been criticised over the purchase of shares in ITV.
It could affect competition and business strategy. - 02 October 2007
Back in November 2006 BskyB purchased a 17.9% share in ITV for £940 million. There are now concerns that BSkyB will now be able to have too much influence on ITV. There is a risk that BSkyB could restrict competition with other TV companies or prevent ITV business progress.

BSkyB and ITV are similar in the sense that they are both media companies that specialise in TV. They are different by Sky being a much bigger corporation and the first of its kind to offer extra TV channels. Sky is a pay TV operator, where as ITV is a free to air TV offer, which will create competition away from Sky. But on the other hand Sky is the biggest shareholder that ITV have so they maybe able to influence strategic decisions like investments or content.

Other TV companies state their concerns of the effect this share holding could have. Virgin is one of the companies that show disagreement of BSkyB purchase. It was said that before BSkyB bought these shares ITV and Virgin TV were set to merge. A Watchdog also shows concerns that they are working against public interest.

On the defence of BSkyB's stake in ITV, it has been said that it will not affect day to day running or the networks and should not bring competition within the areas of advertising and TV news.

High Definition is the future for TV
How will it effect the UK TV market? - 24 September 2007
High Definition TV is the new revolution for TV, brighter vision, clearer sounds to make TV viewing that bit more exciting. HD official started last year by digital services from Sky and Virgin. Now terrestrial broadcasters such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have started creating HD services of their own.

The future for HD on TV screens seems to be quite complicated. The increased quality will need to use up a lot more bandwidth in order to broadcast it. It has to be launched from the best available platform in order to get the true benefits of HD TV. This means digital services will be able to get the High definition service but Freeview is unlikely to get it just yet. Ofcom the media regulation company thinks it may damage the market and the technology that links to the TV is not ready for it.

Some other companies think that the introduction of High definition to TV screens is a good idea as it will increase competition as TV broadcasters will have to fight for bandwidth. BBC state that they have been developing High Definition technology for about 5 years and want to use the technology on their channels. MTV plan to launch a Pan-European channel which combines music shows from MTV and VHM with Children's programmes from Nickelodeon. Advertising companies will probably also want to start doing their work in High Definition. A study has shown that adverts in HD are more noticeable and therefore probably more profitable.

Technology will always be moving forward and with the like of computers, mobile phones and MP3 players constantly bringing out new and improved models, so TV should be no exception. Also with the increasing amount of competition within the digital TV market, they will feel the need to bring out new ideas.

 

Council services through Digital TV
Bracknell Forest Council provide local services via remote controls - 24 September 2007
A new revolution for councils and the community and it starts with Bracknell Forest in Berkshire. There services available are job hunting, bus or train timetables, doctor's appointments and local activities and events that are happening in the area. There is the also the service to look up contacts and opening times for the council and Citizens Advice Bureau.

This service was created for those who do not have access to the internet but do have digital or cable TV in their home. This service is as available through mobile phones with internet assistance. This service will enable residents from the Bracknell area to find out information or book appointments quickly and easily. The service is clearly laid out with step by step directions to find the service you need. This service will help improve the digital inclusion levels in the area. It will also reduce telephone cues on council phone lines.

This service seems to be the way forward, as more and more people have digital TV in their homes and it is a quicker and easy way to find the complete the task you have set out to do. Telephone services will still be available for those who do not have digital TV but the digital service will convenience many others. If the service works for Bracknell council it will not be long before other councils will use this service for their community.

Harvest Housing association has a similar digital TV service, where tenants can pay bills through interactive TV. Each tenant will have their own payment reference which they put into TV service via the remote and the guided steps will take the payment from a credit or debit card.

Digital TV Extends its Reach,
now at 84% of the UK - 24 September 2007

The latest research has suggested that digital TV is now installed in 84% of UK homes, a 13% increase since the last statistics in 2006.

The research was released by Ofcom in preparation for the start of the digital switch over in Cumbria in October.

 

BBC HD channel gets given the go ahead
Media regulators Ofcom say BBC HD can be permanent - 19 September 2007
BBC has been given permission by media Regulation Company for its high definition channel to be broadcast permanently on digital and Freeview TV. The people at Ofcom say it is unlikely to have a significant negative market impact. They have also concluded that BBC HD will have consumer benefit as it will increase the accessibility of HD across the UK. On the other end of the spectrum, there have been concerns to whether the service will be valuable for licence fee payers, as at the moment the service is limited.

The overall conclusion has been positive as at the moment HD programs will play for 3-4 hours a day and by late 2008 it will be increased to 9 hours a day. The programs will be from various genres to suit all customers and allow all programs to be delivered on the internet.

Technology development is being taken into account to deliver the HD services. At the moment broadband infrastructure does not allow HD services to be delivered to a significant number of consumers so that needs development. More development will also be done to allow HD shows to be downloaded by the iplayer service.

High definition TV will allow us to watch TV in a whole new way.

Sky Get the Hatton Fight
and Ricky pockets up to £10 Million - 11 September 2007

Sky Sports have secured the British broadcasting rights for Ricky Hatton's fight against Floyd Mayweather in Vegas. Sky beat the competition by offering £4 for the bout, plus Hatton could earn up to £7 per pay per view subscription over 350,000, which could be worth an extra £2 million based on projections.

This coupled with the money he will get from HBO in the states could make this the most lucrative British fight ever at £10 million, night bad for a nights work.

New HD Films from Sky
13 BFI films get the HD treatment - 11 September 2007

Sky Arts has announced a deal with BFI to transform 13 of their films made between 1930 and 1991 into high definition.

The films include:

Borderline (1930) starring Paul Robeson
London Can Take It! (1940)
Words For Battle (1941)
Fires Were Started (1943)
The Silent Village (1943)
The True Story of Lili Marlene (1944)
Bon Voyage (1944) and Aventure Malgache (1944) by Alfred Hitchcock
A Diary For Timothy (1946)
The Magic Horse (1953)
Jack and the Beanstalk (1955)
Thumbelina (1955)
The Terence Davies Trilogy: Children (1976)
Radio On (1979)
Madonna and Child (1980)
Death and Transfiguration (1983)
Young Soul Rebels (1991)

These will be broadcast for a year every Wednesday starting this month.

Sky Sports on your mobile
24-7 Football - 11 September 2007

Sky Sports is launching a mobile TV service where users will receive goals on their mobile as they happen. 24-7 football will be available to 30 million people regardless of whether they have a Sky subscription.

Available from Sky Sports Mobile will be:

In match goals, goals as the match is being played, this is available from the Premiership and the Champions league for all games apart from kick offs between 2:45 and 5:45.

Highlights, exclusive downloadable highlights from all 380 premiership games, straight after the final whistle.

Archive, watch classic goals, interviews and highlights via your mobile.

 

Apple TV has been Launched in the UK
Download your Favourite shows from iTunes - 29 August 2007

All your favourite TV shows are now available off iTunes and can be played on your new Apple TV. Initially 28 top US series will be available for purchase but more will be available from other countries including the UK. The programs available are from the US TV channels, ABC Studios, Disney Channels, MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount comedy. All the programmes are award winning and prime time shows, including Desperate Housewives, Lost and Ugly Betty. iTunes charge £1.89 per episode and can be kept on the Apple TV hard drive forever. TV downloads from iTunes can also be viewed on your iPod or iPhone and PC. The down loads will be near to DVD quality.

An Apple TV is available in 40GB and 160GB sizes which can hold up to 200hours of video. The Apple TV has a wire free connection between your computer and the Apple TV and automatic downloads will take place from your computer to your Apple TV, ready for viewing. The Apple TV is set up with an easy to use format with an on screen library, so it is easy to choose what to watch. You can also watch your photos in a high definition slideshow or your latest YouTube downloads.

The Apple TV is available for purchase online today from £199 and the TV shows can also be purchased on the website via iTunes.

New Features on PlayStation 3
Digital TV Recording and Instant messaging. - 23 August 2007

 Products and services in the digital world are constantly being upgraded. Sky TV can now record, broadband deals offer phone lines and digital TV with it and now a games console can record digital TV and have an instant messaging service. There is so much to offer and it seems that increasingly more people want these digital features in their house. With many homes having a telephone, internet, computers, game consoles, DVD players and digital TV; a home could get over crowded. It also seems inevitable that these digital features will become combined to accomplish more than one service with just one server.

The PlayStation 3 has a new TV tuner plug which can turn the PlayStation into a video recorder like the Sky Plus feature. The TV tuner should be out early next year to enable you to record TV and movies which can be stored on the PlayStation but enjoyed at any time on your TV. The PlayStation Portable (PSP) also has the potential to use the TV tuner as well. Programs can be transferred by a wireless internet connection to the PSP. It could also be transformed permanently by a USB Cable.

Video chat and instant messaging is also available for the PSP so can you can interact with your gaming buddies. The feature was set up in conjunction with BT and is called "GO Messenger" and should also be out early next year.

Other rival companies are also trying to bring different digital features together, including Microsoft. Their Xbox 360 is set to have platforms for internet TV too.

The digital world has a very exciting future. Will there be a time when Digital TV, video games, telephone and internet all come in one compact box?!

Football Fever with Sky Sports
More live Premiership coverage with Sky Sports - 01 August 2007

With The Premiership football only two short weeks Sky TV are offering some great packages so you can see more Matches live. Sky can already confirm that there are 92 exclusively live Barclays Premier League games, as well as 103 live UEFA Champions League matches.

Sky Sports has 4 channels with over 100 sports to choose from with rivalries and sport on punditry to enjoy.

The other live sporting events available for viewing are: European golf, international cricket, Guinness Premier rugby, Scottish premiership, American football and horse riding events.

Chelsea TV and MUTV are available so you can follow your favourite teams throughout the season with no interruptions. These packages have to be purchased separately, with an exception of the sports extra package where you my choose one with your package.

Just in time for the Premiership to start, Sky are promoting a brilliant offer to suit all your digital Needs. Sky TV, Sky Sports plus and broadband for £35 a month.
Other Sky sport options are 2 Mix + Sky Sports Mix for £35 a month or 6 Mix + Sky Sports Mix + Setanta £47.99 a month. These Prices have been competitively compared with other digital TV companies such as Virgin and with Sky you can save up to £210 in a year. If you would like to sign up to sky today visit there website. www.sky.com

Free Satellite
From the BBC and ITV - 30 April 2007

The BBC and ITV have confirmed that they will be offering Freesat from 2008.

"The BBC's objective in launching Freesat is to support Digital Switchover by providing another way for licence payers to receive digital television channels and radio services, subscription free from the BBC and ITV," said BBC director general Mark Thompson. "Its primary purpose is to drive digital take-up in analogue homes, particularly in those areas which are out of digital terrestrial coverage. Freesat also offers a trusted free-to-view digital upgrade path that gives licence payers all the benefits of digital television (notably high definition capability) guaranteed free of subscription."

Michael Grade from ITV said: "Freesat will build on the success of Freeview by offering viewers a simple and cost effective way of upgrading to digital TV. By filling in the current gaps in Freeview coverage, Freesat will ensure that a free-to-air, no strings attached option for accessing digital TV is available to the whole of the UK ahead of digital switchover. By offering HD capability we will future proof Freesat if, as expected, high definition television continues to capture the imagination of UK viewers."