Because of the changes to Freeview to allow for Freeview HD (the BBC moving from 36Mbs of capacity in 2 muxes to 24Mbs - possibly 28Mbs if a trial proves acceptable - on one mux), the BBC have apparently decided that they have to ditch two interactive streams from Freeview from October 27th (according to Ariel)
I guess this is to prepare for when HD launches in the North West region later this year, and one of the BBC Muxes is switched to HD?
It also looks as if they are ditching one of the two full-screen streams, and the News Interactive quad split, leaving just one stream on Freeview for Press Red video.
(Wasn't sure if this should go in Home or Newsroom. Plumped for Newsroom as it means no News Interactive video on Freeview?)
"The new DVB-T2 technology will deliver an increase in capacity of 67% to the BBC's Multiplex B, efficiently creating the space needed for UK public service broadcasters' HD transmissions."
"The new DVB-T2 technology will deliver an increase in capacity of 67% to the BBC's Multiplex B, efficiently creating the space needed for UK public service broadcasters' HD transmissions."
Yes... They're using 256QAM 32k DVB-T2 rather than the 16QAM 2k and 24k 2k used currently for DVB-T, and the 24k 8k DVB-T that will be used for SD services once HD launches.
However because Mux B (currently carrying 18Mbs of content) is being switched to 36-40Mbs DVB-T2, the BBC have to carry what they currently carry in 36Mbs in a single mux, which even when switched to 64QAM 8k will currently only deliver 24Mbs (though this may be upped to 27-28Mbs if the trials of a proposed change to the modulation scheme has been successful)
(NB 16QAM, 64QAM and 256QAM describe the number of unique states a single carrier symbol can have - 4bits, 6bits and 8bits of data per symbol respectively. 2k, 8k, 32k describe, approximately, the number of carriers in each multiplex. More carriers mean each carrier carries data at a lower bitrate and thus can be more robust. Because ITV Digital was rushed to market - only 2k silicon was available, 8k performs better - but early ITV Digital receivers wouldn't handle it - and won't when the UK changes mode)
And this space is being leased? If so, will there be any decent bidders?
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Five will all gettting HD slots at some point on the BBC B MUX.
Can't say News Multiscreen is something that I'll miss, quarter screen doesn't really do it for me, but I guess there are those who do find it useful if BBC News Channel is showing a programme.
Another blow to Freeview. As we hit DSO we should be seeing more interactive streams, not less, but OFCOM's Freeview HD plans have turned out even worse than I imagined. I've never been in favour of them, but losing a second interactive stream and News Multiscreen, plus a significant number of viewers losing ITV3 and ITV4 just isn't acceptable.
The ironic thing is it's all down to the misguided notion that HD, especially BBC HD, should be available on all platforms - but in doing so they're making the disparity between interactive services on Sky and on Freeview even worse, at a time where the opportunity to bring Freeview's services up to a more comparable level with Sky should have been on the horizon.
And to think if a bit of common sense had been employed and they'd looked to make the HD mux from the three commercial muxes, rather than the three PSB muxes, a lot of problems would have been avoided. 3.5 into 2 was never going to fit, but 3.5 into 3 could easily have been accommodated, with a deal then struck with Arquiva/SDN to convert one of those muxes into the HD mux, leaving 2 SD commercial muxes.
They could, but OFCOM believe selling the spectrum is more important so people can watch videos on 4 inch mobile screens rather than 42 inch plasma screens. The Digital TV Group opposed OFCOM's plans and recommended their own HD plans which would have seen 2 new HD muxes created providing 12-15 channels. OFCOM's approved plan will see just 3-5 channels.
Call me stupid, I don't really know much about the technical side of things, but can they not just 'make' a new multiplex?
You're stupid!
Only joking A multiplex is the digital equivalent of one analogue TV channel so to create a new one would require a whole new set of frequencies and additional transmitting equipment at each site.
Under the current plans all transmitters will have 3 MUXs and the main ones 6. There probably wouldn't be any more frequencies available for a 4th/7th national MUX especially as part of the TV band is being sold off.
What I don't really understand is why there is very limited Red Button content on FreeSat (not Freesat from Sky note, I'm talking about the BBC/ITV FreeSat consortium). BBC News Channel have ditched on-air references to Multiscreen on Freeview, but in order to avoid saying "Sky" are pointing to
"Digital Satellite"
. Call me pedantic but I'd include Sky and FreeSat in
"Digital Satelite"
...
Is it to do with what transponders the BBC leases for the interactive streams? Are they (or some of them) Sky only?
What I don't really understand is why there is very limited Red Button content on FreeSat (not Freesat from Sky note, I'm talking about the BBC/ITV FreeSat consortium). BBC News Channel have ditched on-air references to Multiscreen on Freeview, but in order to avoid saying "Sky" are pointing to
"Digital Satellite"
. Call me pedantic but I'd include Sky and FreeSat in
"Digital Satelite"
...
Is it to do with what transponders the BBC leases for the interactive streams? Are they (or some of them) Sky only?
There's no such thing as 'Sky' and 'Non-Sky' transponders and there shouldn't be any technical difference between the 'streams' - AFAIK they're just normal video channels, even the multi-screens
I think it's something software related, the 'red button' platform being run and the software licensedby Sky.
