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SKY's new High Defination TV Service

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  • 04-03-2005 11:31am
    #1
    TCP/IP
    Subscribers Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭


    From Digitalspy

    t the DVB World conference in Dublin today BSkyB's Chief Operating Officer, Richard Freudenstein revealed that Sky had appointed Thomson as the initial manufacturer of the set top box for its forthcoming High-Definition (HDTV) service. He also revealed that the STB will have similar functionality as Sky+.

    Mr Freudenstein said: "More than 600,000 customers already enjoy the control and flexibility of our Sky+ product. Offering PVR capability as a standard in the HDTV arena will ensure that they can continue to enjoy these benefits in association with our highest-quality programming."

    Confirming that BSkyB was on track to launch HDTV in 2006, Mr Freudenstein added that the step change in picture quality would help BSkyB to achieve its target of 10 million customers in 2010. "Innovation and technology leadership are at the core of the Sky brand," he said. "By introducing HDTV, our ambition is to raise the bar again. We want to re-affirm that the digital satellite platform is the home of the highest-quality viewing experience available."

    Current strong growth in sales of flat-screen television sets indicates rising consumer demand for a high-quality viewing experience in the home. BSkyB expects that sales of “HD Ready” TV sets will accelerate as equipment prices continue to fall and the availability of HDTV programming grows.

    Although BSkyB's HDTV box can be connected to any kind of TV set, customers will require an “HD Ready” TV set with a flat-screen display of 26” or more to enjoy the full benefits of HDTV picture quality. BSkyB estimates that almost two million “HD Ready” sets will have been sold in the UK by the end of 2006.


    About BSkyB's HDTV plans
    · Sky's HDTV channel line-up will include a combination of sports, movies, entertainment and documentary programming. Full details of content and pricing will be announced in due course.

    · Sky's HDTV system will support both 720p and 1080i picture formats. Broadcasters will be able to choose the format which is most appropriate to their individual requirements.

    · Sky will use the advanced compression coding system MPEG-4 for its HDTV broadcasts.

    · BSkyB's HDTV box will be equipped with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) as its primary means of connecting to an HD display. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) will also be required to view BSkyB's HD content using an HDMI connection. HDMI can also be connected to DVI equipped displays that support HDCP using a suitable adapter cable.

    · “HD Ready” is a labelling scheme that is being introduced by the TV manufacturer's organisation EICTA. The “HD Ready” logo will appear on an increasing number of TV displays in shops over the coming months. Any TV set that carries the “HD Ready” label will work with Sky's HDTV service.


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