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BBC Trust approves mixed-genre HD channel
Just a month after we heard that the BBC was mulling the decision to add a dedicated HD channel comes word that the BBC Trust has given the all-important thumbs-up to the idea. Reportedly, the "mixed genre" channel will show programs from across all of the BBC's stations and will air on cable / satellite "as soon as possible." Additionally, the channel should launch on Freesat just as soon as that goes live, but proposals for viewing it via Freeview were put on hold "because viewers might have been required to buy two new set-top boxes to receive the channel." So, for all you Brits out there, let us know how splendid the channel is when it becomes available -- hopefully your patience will pay off.[Via Guardian]
BBC still deciding if they need a dedicated HD station
The BBC have been testing a dedicated high-def station, which should end in November '07, to determine if they need a dedication high-def station -- hellz yeah, they do. BBC HD seems to have a mash-up lineup similar to Discovery HD Theater with shows from other BBC channels all merged into one dedicated mega-channel. Currently, BBC is taking 50% of their content from BBC One, 30% from BBC Two and the other 20% is coming from BBC's other digital channels making up the high definition station that will launch in 2012. The programming seems to be there and we sure know people want HDTV, so why the wait for the British digital switch-over in 2012? It doesn't sound like BBC HD needs more testing, cut through the red tape and just launch the channel to high-def starved Brits already.
BBC, ITV to launch free satellite HDTV in UK by 2008
Although there's a lot of grumbling in the UK about that £135 ($270) yearly television license fee (only $87 for a black and white set!), it's hard to complain that the BBC doesn't try to use all that money in cool ways. Adding to their already-ambitious plans to distribute HDTV through torrent, datacasting, and IPTV, the Beeb announced today that, after years of delays, they've been approved to pair up with ITV and launch a free 200-channel HD-capable satellite service called Freesat in the spring of 2008. The move is designed to provide digital service to the estimated 25% of the British public that can't get the successful Freeview DVB-T service, but it'll also be free to any license payer who ponys up for one of the several available interactive receivers. Hmm, that's an interesting version of "free," must be the British spelling.[Via TechDigest]
Planet Earth HD DVD and Blu-ray review
High-Def Digest just released their review of both the HD DVD and Blu-ray version of Planet Earth. The video quality and audio quality sections of the review for both are identical, because both discs use the same VC1 encode and DD 5.1 audio (488kbps). According to Hi-Def Digest this is a must owned demo disc for both formats and that other than the normal low light artifacts that video is known for, the video quality is some of the best they have seen for either format. The audio on the other hand leaves something to be desired, but isn't bad. The good news is that neither format showed the type of compression artifacts that we have some to live with from sat or cable and that both versions outshine the broadcast version you may have already seen.Read HD DVD reviewRead Blu-ray review
No HD Doctor Who for BBC watchers
This one goes out to all of our peeps across the pond who receive BBC HD. It doesn't look like you will be getting Doctor Who in high-def anytime soon. The producers are blaming the amount of special effects found in each episode as the reason. We can kind of understand where they are coming from 'cause all those sci-fi staples like glowing laser beams and random teleportation sure look fancy so they must cost a bunch. We feel for our British HDTV-loving brethren every Sunday night when Battlestar Galactic comes on good 'ol SDTV.
BBC Video releasing Planet Earth to Blu-ray, DVD & HD DVD April 24
Just that fast, BBC Video has followed up on the announcement that its $25 million Planet Earth documentary is coming to the U.S. via Discovery HD Theater in March, by saying that it will also be its first release on Blu-ray, HD DVD and DVD April 24th. The set spans four discs on the HD format of your choice or 5 discs on SD version, and will retail for $99.98 and $79.98, respectively. Those who were disappointed to learn that Sir David Attenborough from the original BBC airing had been replaced by Sigourney Weaver should be thrilled to learn it will contain the original narration and editing. The MSRP is a bit steep, but you'll be able to look at all 11 one hour episodes on the air before deciding to buy, so we'll keep an eye out this spring.
Planet Earth coming to Discovery HD Theater in March
Discovery Channel is bringing its 11-part natural history series, Planet Earth, from the BBC to the U.S. Premiering on March 25, the series promises to bring viewers into some of the hardest to observe regions of our planet using unprecedented high definition production techniques. Hopefully you're not completely tired of checking out animal behaviors and stunning landscapes in high def because when this simulcasts on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD Theater, viewers will be able to observe them via new innovations like the Cineflex heligimble, a powerful camera lens attached to a helicopter observing animals from long range. From the good people who brought you Blue Planet, the series is narrated by Sigourney Weaver and will run from the 25th until April 22.
BT Vision quietly launches V-Box, IPTV services
Although it's likely being overshadowed by the Queen's recent HDTV spending spree, the UK's BT Vision has quietly launched its own set-top box (dubbed V-Box) and IPTV service in hopes of carefully gauging response during the first few months. The company asserted that it wanted to avoid the manufacturing backlogs and "embarrassing supply delays," so it was waiting until "next Spring" to hit the ad campaign in full force. Nevertheless, the V-Box and its subsequent services are live and ready to go, and the pricing structure is quite desirable indeed. The IPTV package brings the entire suite of Freeview channels to the viewer at no cost, and the V-Box (capable of holding "about 80 hours" of content) is also delivered gratis save for £90 ($178) of connection / installation fees. The business model relies on users not being satisfied with the free programming at their disposal, and instead indulging in the plethora of on-demand movies, music videos, sports, and TV shows / replays at their fingertips. While we doubt this launch will steal too many customers away from Sky and NTL (soon to be Virgin Media), this price is most definitely right if you're content with free.
Freeview HD trial a resounding success story
It's no secret that Americans can't get enough of that HD goodness once its graced their eyes, and apparently the Brits feel the same way in their own homeland. Following a six month trial in London which broadcasted HD content over Freeview, surveys showed that a vast majority of individuals adored the service and are now chomping at the bit to get more. BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 all reported positive results, as a whopping 98-percent of the 450 partakers felt that "OTA HD service should be available now." Moreover, 90-percent of the trialists felt "the public broadcasters should be responsible for HD development," and desired to have "at least" seven HD channels available to them. Of course, there's always the critics, and a paltry five-percent of participants felt that the HD experience didn't exactly live up to their lofty expectations, but considering some broadcasters apparently compressed the feeds to squeeze more channels into their limited bandwidth, we can't exactly blame them.
Astra promises 20 additional HD channels for Europe, Spain
While receiving new HD channels on American soil is certainly exciting news, we get extra giddy each time an overseas destination gets struck by HD goodness. While Poland just received another boost to its HD lineup, Europe and Spain are now set to receive 20 additional HD channels of their own. According to Ferdinand Kayser, president and general manager of Astra, Europeans will receive a bevy of new HD channels such as "Discovery, ProSieben, BBC, Sky, SAT 1, Premiere, Canal Sat and Anixe" before the year's end. While dates aren't as certain on the Spanish front, Astra still plans to deliver these same channels to Spain in the near future, and also stated that the Spanish High Definition Forum is alive and well within their country. Now, when can we North American chaps expect a similar announcement?
BBC HD increasing amount of high-def programming
BBC is smack-dab in the middle of the HDTV trails over in London but that isn't stopping them from adding to their high-def lineup. The plan is to simulcast recently launched programs such as Robin Hood, The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, and Torchwood along with the SD broadcast. The station is adding additional HD programming later in the year as well but we won't run down the entire long list which should suffice to say there is a bunch of new HD shows coming. Apparently the trial is going well otherwise we don't think the BBC would be dropping more cash for additional programming.
