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NTL Dublin HDTV Plans

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  • 12-10-2005 9:05am
    #1
    10000maniacs
    Registered Users Posts: 4,797 ✭✭✭


    What if any plans do NTL Dublin have to supply the new Sky HDTV channels
    in full resolution to customers. How much bandwidth is left in the NTL network for this functionality? Initially Sky are going to broadcast a couple of sports channels, a couple of movie channels and Sky One in HD. Also the BBC are going HD on all of their entertainment channels.


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    #2
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,457 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    I'm sure they will move to HD at some stage, however it will likely be well after Sky goes HD, probably not for at least 2 years. There really isn't that much demand for HD at the moment.

    In terms of bandwidth, it looks like the NTL network currently goes up to 550Mhz (I'm sure it is higher in newer areas), they would probably need to upgrade all of the network to 750 - 850 Mhz or else shut down the Analogue service (unlikely) to make room for HD.

    They would also need to move to MPEG4 (not a bad thing) and send new MPEG4 decoder boxes to customers. So it would be a major undertaking. I'd say BB and VoIP services are of a higher priority at the moment.


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    #3
    paulm17781
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,858 ✭✭✭paulm17781


    What compression do they currently use if not Mpeg4?


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    #4
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,457 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    paulm17781 wrote:
    What compression do they currently use if not Mpeg4?

    AFAIK MPEG2 at the moment, same as DVD, but definitely not the same bitrates as DVD.

    BTW MPEG4 is actually a standard and it actually includes lots of different things such as streaming protocols, audio codecs, video codecs, etc.

    MPEG4 actually defines two different video codecs, MPEG4 Part 2 is used in Divx and Xvid, MPEG4 Part 10 is Advanced Video Coding (H.264) which is one of the two codecs (the other being Microsofts VC-1 codec) to be used in Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG4


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    #5
    Mossy Monk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    apparently UPC are rolling HD out across its networks on the continent next year so who knows what will happen


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    #6
    10000maniacs
    Registered Users Posts: 4,797 ✭✭✭10000maniacs


    I suppose the only HDTV option is the Sky box in the short term.


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    #7
    Mossy Monk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    yes, looking that way


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    #8
    frankdrebin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35 ✭frankdrebin


    Guys

    You seem to know what you are talking about there. I have a slightly legal question. I live in an apartment and have NTL. However, I also have a 37 inch LCD HD TV and want to watch the Premiership in HD. The gimps at NTL have said I cannot get the HD but expect to roll it our in 6 to 12 months (yeah right).

    I want to switch to SKY but there is a clause in my lease that says satellite dishes are not permitted. Is there any way around this? The fact that this is in my lease means that I HAVE to chose NTL. Is this anti-competitive?

    Any comments appreciated


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    #9
    ro2
    Registered Users Posts: 562 ✭✭✭ro2


    http://www.ddelec.com/digiglobe.htm


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    #10
    Rosser
    Registered Users Posts: 591 ✭✭✭Rosser


    there was a guy from UPC on the Newstalk 'Down to Business' show who said they are currently developing a HD set top box but didn't give specifics.
    Strikes me that all the people who buy HDTVs with their SSIA money will switch to Sky if UPC don't get their ass in gear, hope the new box is also a PVR


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    #11
    JDxtra
    Registered Users Posts: 5,867 ✭✭✭JDxtra


    ...but from what I see most people buying these big LCD TVs don't even realise they need Sky HD (or similar) to get the most out of it! :)


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