[mythtvnz] FTA digital next year

[Open Media Support]

> On 6/15/06, Craig Box <Craig@itpartners.co.nz> wrote:
>> The long-awaited "free-to-air" digital television plan was unveiled at
>> the Beehive today, heralding the beginning of the end of fuzzy picture=
s
>> for rural residents."
>
> Ha. Instead of fuzzy pictures they can enjoy the wonders of rain fade.
>
> I'm still waiting for details - particularly will they be encrypting
> transmissions? Are they going to use the same satellite as Sky (I
> think they have confirmed this)?

Here are the two big announcements

http://corporate.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz_detail/0,2406,331747-180-245,00.html
http://www.bclnz.com/index.php/ps_pagename/mediarelease/pi_mediareleaseid=
/64

They are going to use Optus D1 which replaces the existing Sky satellite
later this year, plus offer terrestrial digital where possible. No rain
fade with terrestrial, and D1 has higher power beams than B1 & B3 to
prevent/reduce issues with satellite reception.

They have confimed that there will be no encryption (YAY).

Sadly they haven't announced the technology -

SDTV + MPEG2 or
HDTV + H264

Probably SDTV for now like the UK. DTT (Digital Terrestrial TV) boxes
should be about NZ$100-150 based on UK and AU prices. DTH (Direct To Home
Satellite) will be higher due to dish costs and more expensive set top
boxes.

Testing DTT SDTV support with our myPVR units at the moment and it is
excellent compared with analogue.

Once the release the technical details I should be able to confirm full
support and start bringing in the hardware.

Steve

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