CommonwealthGames
Latest
International HD news roundup
Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days, let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, Auf Wiederhören! Read - Primacom starts offering HDTV services (Germany) Read - Freesat to show high-definition 2010 Winter Olympics (UK) Read - Malaysian Bloggers Get HD treat From Astro B.YOND! Read - 3D broadcasts 'inevitable' in NZ, but 'not tomorrow': Sky TV Read - France witnesses showcase of Discovery HD January 26 Read - ANGA criticises broadcasters' HD policy (Germany) Read - South Korean channel Tele-Novela HD, first to provide programmes in High Definition Read - Ofcom opens debate on Freeview HD DRM to punters Read - Tele Columbus to work in HD format (Germany) Read - KabelKiosk to Launch HD Channels with RTL HD and VOX HD (Germany) Read - UK broadcast firm, Doordarshan iron out differences over Games coverage
Foxtel's HD+ hits Australia in mid-2008
Australians have another HD provider to look forward to, as Foxtel has announced its HD+ service, launching mid-2008. Slated to start with four full time HD channels, featuring content from BBC HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, Fox Sports HD and ESPN HD, Foxtel calls it the most expansive HD offering in Australia, more than the Seven and Ten networks. Plans call for more channels after another satellite goes up in 2009, meanwhile the company is rolling the service out with a new iQ2 set-top DVR box complete with 320GB HD for recordings and On Demand content downloaded either via cable or satellite. Most importantly, customers can expect to catch the 2010 Commonwealth Games in HD, and check out a very trippy animated representation of HD's pixels on Foxtel's website and blog. Frankly, we're not sure the blog is a good idea, with only 20% of customers estimated to have an HDTV, who would really read daily updates on high definition related issues? Read - Announcing Foxtel HD+ Read - Meet the Pixels
Australia's Ten network to show 2010 Commonwealth Games in HD
Nary a month after hearing that the Australia / India Twenty20 match would be aired in 1080i, we're now learning that the 2010 Commonwealth Games (to be held in Delhi, India) will also be broadcast in HD Down Under. It's said that Seven, Nine and Ten all placed bids for airing rights, but it was the latter that came out victorious. Purportedly, the network is also teaming up with Foxtel and "agreeing to sell the subscription television as well as internet, mobile and digital video rights to the pay TV provider." Essentially, both will share equal broadcast rights to all events save for the opening and closing ceremonies, both of which will only be seen on Ten. 'Tis aways until the games get cranked up, sure, but at least you won't have to wonder if your favorite events will be beamed out in pitiful 480i 576i.[Image courtesy of AP / Herald Sun]
India's Prasar Bharati plans for HDTV in 2010
The digital broadcasting changeover continues worldwide, this time it's India's national broadcaster, Prasar Bharati planning to introduce HDTV by 2010, and go all-digital by 2015. The target event is the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, while other nations focus on readying themselves for the Olympics or World Cup. The report indicates the country's information & broadcasting ministry is already behind in phase one of its digitization plans, but hopefully they'll have things ready in the next 1050 days.
