[opendtv] Re: Freeview in new Zealand?
- From: "johnwillkie" <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:55:18 -0700
So, MHEG is "alive" somewhere. It only took, what, 10 years?
Can't wait to see the interactive features on those boxes. If and when .
John Willkie
_____
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Barry Wilkins
Enviado el: Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:31 AM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] Re: Freeview in new Zealand?
Hi Craig
Firstly, this satellite version of Freeview is (believe it or not) actively
advertised during prime time on the analogue channels it is replacing and as
these channels also piggyback on the pay Sky platform, Freeview gets
marketed here as well.
The STBs are available from a range of retail outlets, Dick Smith, Bond and
Bond etc. Typical pricing being NZ $299 to $399. There was an initial
hiccup with a particular brand "Zinwell", that had lockup issues. These
units I believe are being recalled. Only a limited number of brands of STBs
have been "certified" as being fully compliant, i.e. have the full MHEG5
facilities for automatic program/channel update etc although any DVB-S
compliant STB will receive the broadcasts.
Trying to actually see one of these STBs being demonstrated is another
matter. I went into 2 retail outlets, both of which stated they had the
items in stock but not on display, were not in the slightest bit interested
in showing me the items and had nothing positive to say about Freeview.
Well, it is free to air! They will be adding 2 new channels by year end and
for those who do not get adequate analogue reception but do not want to pay
the typical NZ $70 to $100 per month for Sky, it has to be a good deal. As
you can see from the Sky pricing we need some competition!!
I am personally more interested in the DTT version to be introduced next
year which will supposedly have HDTV content and will use H.264.
There is a high level of quality content on the few channels that represent
Freeview at present. Of the upteen channel Sky pay content, there are only
about the same number of "satisfactory" channels in my opinion. With 3 or 4
more quality channels added to Freeview, it should be real competition to
Sky for those who can recognize and separate the wheat from the chaff.
Regards
Barry
On 6/21/07, Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Some input from our friends in New Zealand.
I am getting press releases about the launch of a Freeview service in
New Zealand. Apparently it is now operational via satellite using
DVB-S receivers, and wwill be available via DTT next year, as
indicated in the following release from the Digital TV Group in the
U.K.
Any feedback on public perception and interest in this service?
Regards
Craig
http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?id=1742
New Zealand's FreeView to launch next year
New Zealand is to adopt the UK's Freeview model, with a similar brand
name, for digital terrestrial television (DTT). Free-to-air
broadcaster TVNZ is teaming up with CanWest, Maori TV, The New
Zealand Racing Board, and Radio New Zealand to provide a free-to-air
DTT service from early next year called FreeView. FreeView will be
distributed via DTT to major towns and cities. Satellite transmission
will be used to reach 25% of the population outside those areas.
Transmission services will be provided by Broadcast Communications
Limited, part of the THL Group. The New Zealand government will spend
NZ$25m to get FreeView established, but as in the UK, most of the
cost in setting up FreeView will be met by broadcasters. THL Group
CEO Geoff Hunt said: "For a small up-front investment, viewers will
soon have access to free-to-air, quality programming, interactive TV
guides, wide-screen format and multi-camera viewing. "As a company,
we are pleased with the government's decision to go ahead with DTT,
but we are also excited about the technological and lifestyle leap
this represents for New Zealand." Lovelace Consulting | 19.06.2006
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