New Zealand Freeview HDTV service set for April launch
By Richard Lawler 
posted March 2nd 2008 11:36PM
posted March 2nd 2008 11:36PM
New Zealand doesn't have to be jealous of Australia much longer, as Freeview OTA HD service is on track to launch in April. Call Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin your 'hood? Then you'll probably be able catch Lord of the Rings next time its broadcast in HD and marvel at the beautiful scener...oh, nevermind. Still, we're sure you'll find a good reason to check out TV1, TV2 and TV3, with appropriate digital set-top box and antenna.Read - Freeview readies for main event
Read - Freeview - What's New?
I call Auckland my 'hood, as you say. I'm putting in an order for a DBS-T PC tuner as I type... well after I type, to be precise. This is very good news for NZ, but I'm wondering if they have copies of the American shows (Lost, Dexter, Weeds, etc.) to roll out in HD yet. The aforementioned channels currently air these shows OTA in SD.
Too bad we have nothing good to watch on 1/2/3 to really warrent it, unless you really want to experience the contours of John Campell's face or enjouy Shorty Street's low production values.
We better get an HD feed for the next America's Cup or else.
It's a start in the right direction.
I've been checking out Freeview HD via a little $80 USB 2.0 DVB-T tuner box I bought a few weeks back. And, so far so good. While even the SD stuff looks fantastic on it we do need more HD content for the service to really shine.