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Thread ID: 104800	2009-11-09 01:17:00	Yet another set top box	Hitech (9024)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
828415	2009-11-09 01:17:00	Telstraclear will in february launch there new hi def decoder which will be in 1080p resolution, This will bring the total number of set top boxes to choose from to five how many more do wee need lol. TelstraClear may let customers on its InHome cable networks in Wellington and Christchurch access YouTube on their televisions and says it would be technically possible to show internet sites such as Trade Me or news sites as television channels. The company will start offering personal video recorders (PVRs) to more than 80,000 cable network customers from February. The HomeMedia PVR can be used to access TelstraClear's pay-television service, to which about half its InHome customers subscribe. The pay-TV service is provided by Sky Television and is largely indistinguishable from Sky's own service. Like MySky and TiVo, the PVR will let customers pause and rewind "live" television and record programmes straight from its electronic programming guide (EPG) to a hard drive. But consumer markets head Steve Jackson says it has trumped MySky and TiVo with a device that has 300 gigabytes of storage and delivers "1080P" high-definition. The PVR will cost $499, or $15 a month, plus installation – not including pay-TV subscriptions. Product manager Jeff Doyle says that because its PVRs are based on Java software, it will be easier to add more futuristic functions. "This is a platform on which we are going to build and expand our entertainment services nationwide. There will be several things happening over the next 12 to 24 months. I don't want to commit to what they are at this stage, but video-on-demand plays a key component in that." Mr Jackson says that adding YouTube could be "relatively easily do-able". Mr Doyle says "anything internet-based" is possible, but services would have to be relevant and not conflict with TelstraClear's agreements with Sky and with studios. Mr Jackson confirms speculation that TelstraClear's deal with Sky restricts the content it can independently make available through its pay-TV service. Details of the arrangement are confidential. Broadly, it cannot independently source traditional broadcasting content – the SciFi channel, for example – but could contract with new-media firms. Trade Me chief executive Jon Macdonald says the changing delivery and business models for TV are really interesting, but it has no plans at present for a TV version of Trade Me. "People may start browsing the net more in their living room as better set-top boxes and wireless keyboards improve user experience, but I'm not convinced it will shift people away from watching TV on the couch while tapping away on their laptops." The PVR is being manufactured by Irish company Digisoft. Its optional add-ons include: A service that lets viewers send emails, text and multimedia messages through their televisions. DigiTracker, which lets customers view maps on their televisions showing the location of family members who have GPS-equipped cellphones. www.telstraclear.co.nz	Hitech (9024)
828416	2009-11-09 01:34:00	<snip> But consumer markets head Steve Jackson says it has trumped MySky and TiVo with a device that has 300 gigabytes of storage and delivers "1080P" high-definition. </snip> I believe TiVo's new machine (launched in NZ on Friday) has a 320GB HDD. It is capable of anything from 576P to 1080P, depending on what is transmitted. It's also expandable with the ability to hook up an external drive. The only thing against the TiVo is the price - but it is super easy to set up and use!!!	johcar (6283)
828417	2009-11-09 01:44:00	I have 2 set top boxes, freeview uhf and freeview satellite since the tv only has 3 AV channels I am buggered because I use one for DVD player	prefect (6291)
828418	2009-11-09 02:25:00	I notice it is very hard to tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p i have had two tvs side by side and very hard to tell even though the 1080i is interlace and 1080p is progressive you would have to have x ray vision to spot the difference.	Hitech (9024)
828419	2009-11-09 02:41:00	I was told that TV transmission is only ever 1080p, never 1080i, since the difference in quality is negligible, but the overhead in transmitting 1080i is HUGE in comparison to 1080p.	johcar (6283)
828420	2009-11-09 02:53:00	I was told that TV transmission is only ever 1080p, never 1080i, since the difference in quality is negligible, but the overhead in transmitting 1080i is HUGE in comparison to 1080p. I think you got your p's & i's mixed up... 1080i (en.wikipedia.org)is the lower-bandwidth flavour - transmits half the data per field, much like traditional TV broadcasts. 1080p (en.wikipedia.org)transmits the full frame data per field. The field rate is tied to the mains frequency (so 60 or 50Hz). DV broadcasts & decoders can usually handle either rate.	MushHead (10626)
828421	2009-11-09 03:48:00	I think you're right - thanks MushHead. :) EDIT: At least it wasn't my p's and q's....	johcar (6283)
828422	2009-11-09 03:54:00	They must be future proofing, I don't think anyone transmits 1080p signals. So it may be great havint the ability, but probably won't be able to use it. As far as TC delivery date for the pvr, I wouldn't hold my breath. Tc have been full of broken promises.	plod (107)
828423	2009-11-09 03:57:00	They must be future proofing, I don't think anyone transmits 1080p signals. So it may be great havint the ability, but probably won't be able to use it. As far as TC delivery date for the pvr, I wouldn't hold my breath. Tc have been full of broken promises. One of the US sat networks is transmitting in 1080P but I suspect that the bitrate is no better than 1080i. Guess it's all about bragging rights..	paulw (1826)
828424	2009-11-09 07:26:00	Very true TC promised that hi def tv would be available in september now it's been put back to feb 2010. Everything they promise is always put back they move so very slow to install these things. www.telstraclear.co.nz	Hitech (9024)
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