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Hauppauge reveals WinTV Nova-S USB2 Freesat tuner
For those in the UK looking for a travel-friendly way to pick up free-to-air satellite TV (including Freesat), Hauppauge has just the thing. The not-exactly-cute WinTV Nova-S USB2 gives users the ability to watch full-screen programming on their laptop or PC, and better still, it can be "linked to a card reader [the optional WinTV-CI, we assume] to give access to subscription channels." Per usual, users will be able to pause, rewind and record live TV for watching back later, and considering that a remote and WinTV software are already bundled in, you should be all set right out of the £79.99 ($158) box.[Via PC Advisor]
Freeview HDTV service goes live in New Zealand
Right on cue, Television New Zealand (TVNZ) -- the nation's largest free-to-air broadcaster -- has gone live with the country's first ever HD digital service. By utilizing DiviCom Electra 7000 high-definition encoders, the new Freeview digital terrestrial television (DTT) service was launched this week and is currently available to "approximately 75 percent of homes nationwide." Of course, what we want to know is: how does the quality rate? Drop us a note below and make us all envious of where you call home.
Freeview going HD in the UK
It's official: HD aficionados in the UK will soon be able to get their fix via Freeview. If you'll recall, the Freeview HD trial that took place in 2006 went over quite well, and according to Ofcom, up to four free HD channels will be broadcast. Unfortunately, users looking forward to such niceties will be forced to wait until analog is switched off in their neck of the woods, and of course they'll also need an HD-ready TV and a new set-top-box. We've already heard that BBC will be one of the four channels, and ITV, Channel 4, Five and Welsh network S4C have all been "invited to bid for [the other] three slots in which they can broadcast high-definition TV or other new services." On the upside, the whole of the country should be digital by 2012, just in time for the London Olympics -- and for those lucky souls in and around Whitehaven, you'll get the spoils first.[Thanks, Kieran and Andy]
TV3's opening HD salvo announced
You can't do much better than William Shatner to launch a nation into its HD future, and that's exactly who New Zealand will get. TV3 is making its HD debut with Boston Legal, and has ten other shows lined up to round out the roster. We're a little confused on the timing of things, since the press release says the curtain falls on April 1, but the underlying Freeview HDTV platform isn't slated for takeoff until April 2. Opening night mixups or cruel April Fool's joke aside, click on through for the full TV3 lineup -- things look pretty good with HD faves in the mix like CSI, My Name is Earl and NCIS.[Via Mike's View]
NZ's Freeview launch date set: April 2
Kiwis, clear your calendars, OTA HDTV hits April 2. Freeview HD won't need very much of the April window earlier given for its launch, with TVOne, TV2 and TV3 all broadcasting in HD covering an estimated 75-percent of New Zealand homes, with set-top boxes expected on sale the same day. The big media event doesn't take place until the 14th, but why wait?
Topfield's latest HD STB, HD DVR land in New Zealand
Considering that the rest of the globe seems to be chiming in with its own tidbits of HD news, we're not surprised to see New Zealand getting in on the fun, too. Apparently, a pair of new Topfield HD devices are on sale now for folks residing in the aforementioned nation, the first of which is the TF7710HSCI HDMI Digital Satellite Receiver. Aside from the HDMI / component outputs along with digital audio support, the $388 unit sports dual CI slots to pull in Freeview transmissions and encrypted / pay TV channels. As for the $714.79 TF6000PVR ES HDMI Digital Satellite Receiver / PVR, you'll find many of the same features along with 320GB of recording space, a USB 2.0 port and an Ethernet jack for transferring shows to one's PC. Hit up the read links below for much more information on the pair.Read - TF7710HSCI Read - TF6000PVR ES
Turf war down under: Seven's TiVo getting muscled out by Nine and Ten?
If you thought it was hard to keep track of the network players in the US, check out the roster in Australia. Seven Networks has been representing for TiVo for less than a year, but is now getting competition from Channels Nine and Ten. New markets don't just develop overnight, so the competition coming in the form of FreeView is no small thing. No knock on TiVo, which gets lots of love here in the US, but FreeView has a wide range of OEM and broadcaster support. And that broadcaster support may push things in FreeView's favor, forcing Seven to abandon plans to make TiVo a centerpiece of an Australian TV platform. Sad to think that the TiVo bleeps and bloops down under could go silent, eh?
New Zealand Freeview HDTV service set for April launch
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 eventRead - Freeview - What's New?
Currys, Dixons to stop selling analog TVs in Europe
DSG International, the parent company to Currys, Dixons and PC World stores across Europe, has announced that it will no longer be stocking analog sets (sound familiar?). Granted, only 10-percent of the remaining TVs it sold were of the analog flavor, but it looks as if even those units will soon be gone. Reportedly, the chains are looking to further promote units with integrated digital Freeview tuners, and considering that some parts of Europe have already begun the analog-to-digital switchover, we suppose that follows logic precisely. Also of note, these same retailers will halt sales of DVD recorders with only analog tuners within, but on the real, we can't say we'll miss 'em.[Image courtesy of Waltondale, thanks CMC]
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]
Elonex unveils Freeview-equipped LNXpf7 digital picture frame
It seems that U.K. PC manufacturer Elonex's new management has, at the very least, encouraged some out-of-the-box thinking since purchasing the firm last year, with the result being some new products that only a Brit could love -- literally: like the Cube Play boombox we recently saw, the new LNXpf7 digital picture frame sports a Freeview tuner for OTA TV goodness. Besides impromptu viewing sessions on your night stand, the 7-inch, 720 x 480 frame can also lets you enjoy MP3, MPEG-1/2/4, and DivX files, and even tosses in an alarm clock and calendar to boot. This £99 ($206) wonder is available immediately.[Via Stuff]
Babel TV set-top-box weds Freeview, PVR, and internet
We've never been much for using one's television as their primary web surfing display -- after all, how do you expect to get any work done with last week's episode of The Office drawing your attention away from that oh-so-critical PowerPoint -- but for those who'd enjoy access every now and then without having to attach a dedicated computer, Babel TV could be just the thing. Available solely in the UK, this multifaceted set-top-box enables users to tune into and record Freeview broadcasts, stream video clips / programming from the web and even make VoIP calls. Furthermore, the box is "managed remotely by Babel TV's technical team," and copies of all your files can be automatically stored at a secure location (for a price, we presume). Reportedly, the unit should be available early next month for £295 ($602), and yes, that does include a wireless keyboard and pointer to keep you firmly planted on the sofa.[Via TechDigest]
Sony's RDR-HXD870 HDD / DVD recorder gets reviewed
Granted, Sony's RDR-HXD870 will attract the most attention in Freeview-capable territories, but this fairly well-spec'd digital recorder managed to lure the reviewers at TrustedReviews over to give it a whirl. Packing a 160GB HDD, HDMI output, 1080p upscaling capability, a digital TV tuner, Electronic Program Guide, FireWire, and the ability to burn content to just about every standard DVD format known to man (save for DVD-RAM), this stylish machine managed to impress with its Series Recording function, vast amount of connections, "staggering array of recording and editing features," and the "intelligently designed user interface and remote." Potentially more important, onlookers were "blown away" by the image quality when hooked up to a 1080p-capable Hitachi plasma, and while we're always a bit skeptical when there's literally no major quibbles, it sounds like Sony has a real winner on its hands with the reasonably priced HXD870.
TVonics environmentally friendly DVR-250 offers up Freeview tuning
It wasn't too long ago that the Aussies got special treatment with the Australia-centric Beyonwiz DP-S1, and now the Brits in attendance can stop pouting and perk up a bit thanks to the sleek TVonics DVR-250. The UK-friendly digital video recorder sports a stylish black enclosure, a 250GB hard drive, built-in Freeview tuner, one-touch recording, an additional tuner for watching one program whilst recording another, eight-day EPG, and a universal remote to control your AV setup from the comforts of your sofa. Additionally, this device boasts "reduced power consumption" in comparison to its competitors, and claims to be "environmentally friendly" due to the carefully selected components used in construction. Nevertheless, the DVR-250 can be snapped up now for £189.99 ($376) by those looking for OTA recording abilities across the pond.[Via TechDigest]
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]
Toshiba to release two Regza-series LCDs for Europe
What with Sony announcing two new Bravia series LCDs for the European market to go with the new PlayStation 3s, Toshiba had to jump in with two new lines of their own -- for connecting to HD DVD players, naturally. The X-series will start off at 40- or 46-inch sizes, and have three HDMI and two SCART interfaces. Moving up to the higher-end Z-series will add 100Hz Active Vision M100 refresh rates, and a wider range of sizes, from 37 to 57 inches. Both model lines support 1080p and built-in Freeview tuning. As with Sony's sets, prices and exact release dates are forthcoming.
Hauppauge intros WinTV HVR-3000 tri-mode TV tuner
Hauppauge has busted out a new TV tuner in PCI card form for those who prefer to keep such things out of sight, this one packing three separate tuners to meet your compulsive viewing needs -- although just how many of those you'll be able to take advantage of will depend on where you live. Running an even £100 (or a not-so-even $195), the WinTV HVR-3000 will let you snag DVB-S digital satellite, DVB-T digital terrestrial (à la Freeview), and plain old analog cable TV signals, working the usual PVR magic on each. To sweeten the deal, Hauppauge has also managed to squeeze an FM tuner onto the card and, of course, will throw in the requisite remote control so you can get your couch potato on.[Via Tech Digest]
Evesham releases iplayer IPTV set-top box
UK firm Evesham has released the iplayer high-definition media center for £299 (584 USD), which can tune in over the air HD signals as well as download podcasts, IPTV, and pay-per-view Top Up content from the internet. The 80GB hard drive provides PVR functionality with recording and playback for timeshifting your media, and Media Player Connect for streaming to any PCs on the network. It also upscales any standard-def content up to 1080i using the built-in HDMI port. The iplayer includes the usual audio and video media viewers, as well as an email client and web browser which you can use via the included remote or a USB keyboard. The Inquirer thinks that it's a capable alternative to Sky for viewing both Freeview TV and media online and offline, at just a bit of a price premium.[Via The Inquirer]
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.
CBC declares HDTV to have "no business model"
While we've seen plenty of HD expansion in our northern extension, it seems that Robert Rabinovich -- president of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation -- feels that broadcasters are getting the short straw. Contrary to the UK's Freeview system, which gives the public a bevy of cost-free SD channels and is seeing a mutual, unforced push to go HD, we here in North America tend to let content guardians keep a tighter grip on how things are done. Essentially, the prez stated that HDTV "has no business model," claiming a complete lack of motivation for advertisers to pay more to have their plugs shown during an HD show verses an SD show. Apparently his feathers are all ruffled because advertisers are saying that the choice to broadcast HD is "none of their business," leaving broadcasters that do pump out that HD goodness no actual way to recoup the costs. Although we can (kind of) see where ole Robert is coming from, claiming that HD doesn't influence the amount of viewers (which advertisers certainly are interested in) is a tad absurd, and if more companies would actually offer up HD commercials, we might actually slow down and pay attention. [Warning: Read link requires subscription][Via Slashdot]
