News
Lamberts Aerials - Sheffields digital upgrade specialist.
InView ends 14 day EPG service
Following the termination of the InView data service on Freeview Mux D, a small number of older models of digital TV recorders will no longer function with a 14 day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). Models that are compliant with the UK specification for Digital Terrestrial Television (the DTG D-Book) will revert to the broadcast service information which will provide a standard 7 day EPG.
Carriage of the 7 day standard EPG forms part of the requirement for the Digital Tick certification mark. Certified products which carry the Digital Tick signify to consumers that these products will work with the standard 7 day EPG.
Any product that carries the Digital Tick will have passed the Digital TV Group's rigorous test and conformance regimes. The failure of even a small number of ageing receivers in the market emphasises the need for all manufacturers to co-ordinate their production efforts through the specification and test and conformance procedures of the Digital TV Group to achieve the Digital Tick and Freeview trade mark licence, which are proven indicators that a product is compliant, reliable and robus
Sky Sports News
After eight years of free-to-air broadcasting the Sky Sports News will move to pay only later this year. With the move to Sky satellite, Virgin Media and Talk Talk TV comes the plan to launch a HiDef simulcast of the channel. Freeview will then air timeshift Sky3 +1 in place of the Sport News. Other Changes are also happening with the closure of Sky Real Lives with a shift of focus to Sky1 and Sky2.
BBC unveils new version of iPlayer
The BBC has launched a new beta version of iPlayer with an aim to making the service 'simpler, more personal and connected'. The new version will link with social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, allowing users to share and recommend iPlayer content to friends.
Other key features include a revamped user interface with three discovery areas to ease navigation, separate TV and radio listings, a favourites playlist and a function to channel-hop while watching programmes live.
BBC Director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, said: "The launch of this version of the BBC iPlayer is part of our strategy to do fewer things even better and make it more simple, personal and connected. We must no longer try to do everything online, but focus on delivering genuinely world-class products like BBC iPlayer—which audiences love and which really embodies the BBC's core mission in a digital age.
The BBC has formed a partnership with Microsoft to enable Windows Live Messenger users to log in to their messaging service through BBC iPlayer and invite other contacts to watch programmes at the same time. This feature will be available in beta later in the Summer and may be extended to other instant messaging services if it proves successful, according to the BBC.
Later in the summer, users will also be able to find links to programmes from ITV Player, 4oD, Clic, Demand Five and SeeSaw—as a result of partnership deals with ITV, Channel 4, S4C and Five, and Arqiva.
Erik Huggers added: "As we focus on what public service means in a digital age, we are working to set clear boundaries for BBC Online. We don't want to build a social network, microblogging or instant messaging service.
"But through a greater emphasis on strategic partnerships, we can harness the benefits of the web to enrich the audience's interaction with our content and support other content providers. The new BBC iPlayer reflects public service broadcasting in the digital era."
Shetland goes digital
Shortly after midnight on 19 May, Analogue BBC One, STV, Channel 4 and Five were turned off at the Bressay transmitter group.
Digital UK is advising all residents to re-tune their TV equipment in order to receive extra channels.
The changes also affect existing Freeview viewers who may find some of their channels missing. The services have moved to new frequencies and can be restored by retuning Freeview TVs and boxes.
TIVO TO RETURN TO UK UNDER EXCLUSIVE LICENCE TO VIRGIN MEDIA
Tivo, the makers of the UK's first-ever Personal Video Recorder, has partnered with Virgin Media to provide the software that will power the next phase of their STBs.
Here is the press release.
Virgin Media Selects Tivo For Next Generation Tv Platform
Companies enter mutually exclusive arrangement to develop UK 's most advanced television and broadband offering
ALVISO, Calif., and LONDON — November 24, 2009 — TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), a leader in the creation of television services and advertising solutions for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Virgin Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VMED:LSE:VMED), the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, today announced they have entered into a strategic partnership under which TiVo will develop Virgin Media's next generation TV platform. Under the mutually exclusive agreement, TiVo will develop a converged television and broadband interactive interface to power Virgin Media's next generation, high definition set top boxes. The terms of the deal are not disclosed.
TiVo will become the exclusive provider of middleware and user interface software for Virgin Media's next generation set top boxes. Virgin Media will become the exclusive distributor of TiVo services and technology in the United Kingdom .
Neil Berkett, CEO of Virgin Media said, “TiVo's proven track record of innovation, strength of its patented technology and experience in developing best in class user environments, make it an ideal strategic partner for Virgin Media as we move aggressively to bring our next generation TV service to market. The superiority of our fibre optic network combined with TiVo's capabilities, will allow us to offer consumers the most significantly advanced and compelling TV service available in the UK , and we believe will do to the TV market what Virgin Media has done to the high speed broadband market.”
The next generation platform will offer a superior television viewing experience which will allow Virgin Media customers to search and discover content through major advances in video-on-demand integration and broadband video delivery creating the ultimate one-stop-shop for in-home entertainment.
“This deal underscores TiVo's commitment to expanding its global footprint through strategic alliances with leading international media companies to help them deliver the best in-home entertainment experience for consumers,” said Tom Rogers , president and CEO of TiVo Inc. “We are very excited about this new distribution relationship with the UK's most advanced pay television provider and are particularly proud to have been selected as Virgin Media's core software partner for its next generation DVR-enabled set top boxes and its next generation non-DVR set top boxes. Virgin Media is a true leader in the world of entertainment and their enthusiasm for building the next generation of pay television is an excellent opportunity to put all of TiVo's innovation to work in a product distributed by a world class partner. We believe this international deal affords us a significant subscriber growth opportunity. ”
Virgin Media currently anticipates its first TiVo co-branded product in 2010 .
About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo Inc . (Nasdaq: TIVO - News ) developed the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR). TiVo offers the TiVo service and TiVo DVRs directly to consumers online at www.tivo.com and through third-party retailers. TiVo also distributes its technology and services through solutions tailored for cable, satellite, and broadcasting companies. Since its founding, TiVo has evolved into the ultimate single solution media center by combining its patented DVR technologies and universal cable box capabilities with the ability to aggregate, search, and deliver millions of pieces of broadband, cable, and broadcast content directly to the television. An economical, one-stop-shop for in-home entertainment, TiVo's intuitive functionality and ease of use puts viewers in control by enabling them to effortlessly navigate the best digital entertainment content available through one box, with one remote, and one user interface, delivering the most dynamic user experience on the market today. TiVo also continues to weave itself into the fabric of the media industry by providing interactive advertising solutions and audience research and measurement ratings services to the television industry. www.tivo.com
TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.', Season Pass, WishList, TiVoToGo, Stop||Watch, Power||Watch, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. © 2009 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK 's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.
Virgin Media has the UK 's most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.
The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world's first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.
With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED) and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).
End.
Although this is good news for those who can receive cable, its not so good news for Sky (and for us aerial installers).
In fact it does seem that aerial installs are on a slow decline, despite the switchover approaching us in the north.
V.O.D (video on demand) could be the death knell for aerial installs as we know it. Although rumor has it the broadband infrastructure cannot cope with the millions of downloads that V.O.D will bring.
Freeview HD gets official launch
Freeview has officially launched its new high definition television service. From 31 March, around 4.5 million new homes will come into Freeview HD coverage for the first time, including the cities of Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff which puts Freeview HD coverage on track to reach up to 50% of the UK by the World Cup.
Channel 4 HD is now available on the service alongside the BBC HD channel and ITV1 HD that have been on air since Freeview's technical launch on 2 December. S4C will launch its HD channel Clirlun in Wales on 30 April.
Freeview also announced Freeview+ HD boxes will arrive in shops before the World Cup.
Content available on Freeview HD this year includes the World Cup,the FA Cup, Doctor Who, Wimbledon, The Apprentice, Britains Got Talent, Foyles War, Glee and Desperate Housewives
Later this week, Freeview will launch its largest marketing campaign to date with a series of TV ads carrying the slogan 'It feels good to Freeview'. The £6m campaign combines scenes from everyday TV programmes with backdrops of visuals viewers have come to expect from HD. The first of a series of eight ads will break on 3 April and the campaign will run until the end of the World Cup, returning again at Christmas.
Commenting on the launch, Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview, said: "Freeview is taking the experience of stunning HD to a new level of access and availability. Our high definition service offers many of the UK's favourite shows in glorious high definition and as always with Freeview, you just need to buy the equipment and there's no contract or monthly bills. And with the World Cup just around the corner, there is no better time for viewers to embrace High Definition TV."
Channel 5 HD slot deferred to BBC
Ofcom has announced it will currently not be reserving an HD slot for Channel 5 on Freeview. In June 2009, Ofcom made a provisional decision to reserve a HD slot for Channel 5 to provide new services on Freeview from 2010. This decision was subject to it resolving certain key criteria by the end of 2009. In Ofcom's final decision published today (15 March) the regulator stated that Channel 5 had not been able to resolve the outstanding issues.
The only other applicants for the HD slot, Channel 4 and S4C, were unable to provide Ofcom with confirmation of their ability to launch a service within a defined timescale.
Ofcom has therefore decided not to reserve capacity for either of the applicants at this time.
Any capacity within Multiplex B that is not reserved by Ofcom is available for the BBC to use. This brings forward by around two years the date when it was anticipated that further capacity on Multiplex B would revert to the control of the BBC Trust.
Ofcom said it intends to give the Commercial Public Service Broadcasters another opportunity to apply to provide an additional HD service from 2012 next year.
Humax unveils Freeview HD receiver
Humax unveiled its new Humax HD-FOX T2 Freeview HD set top box at a preview event on 9 December, and announced plans for a range of new services for its freesat and Freeview boxes.
The Humax HD FOX T2 STB is due to be released in the UK market in the first quarter of 2010, according to Commercial Director Graham North. He also highlighted plans to launch a Freeview HD digital TV recorder with a 500GB hard disk drive in Q2 2010, in time for the World Cup.
A beta release of BBC iPlayer on Freesat will be available on Humax receivers in December.It will then rollout to all Freesat HD equipment, including IDTVs, by the end of Q1 2010.
Live demonstrations of the beta service running on the Humax FOXSAT-HD and FOXSAT-HDR freesat boxes were presented and Humax's Chief Technologist, Bob Hannent, also outlined new capabilities for the Freeview and Freesat HD products, including home networking and recording onto a USB stick.
Lamberts Aerials are Sheffield Freesat installers
Why not let us installer your freesat system for you?
iPlayer and ITV Player to join Freesat
During the initial stage of the iPlayer Beta, selected journalists and partners will be able to access the service using a code. Freesat aims to allow as many viewers as possible to access the service by Christmas without the need for a code.
Viewers will need a broadband speed of 1Mbps to watch BBC iPlayer or 2Mbps to watch in high quality. The service can be accessed through the red button.
Emma Scott, Freesat's Managing Director said: "We're delighted to be able to offer BBC iPlayer to our viewers. All the HD receivers that have been bought and will be sold in the run up to Christmas will deliver BBC iPlayer so there'll no need to buy any new receivers.
BBC iPlayer has been fantastically successful online so being able to offer viewers the ability to watch it in their living room on a subscription."
