Whats involved in UPC offering HD channels.

paulm17781 wrote: »

There's no technical reason for this that I can see. The only reason I can think of to do this is double the bandwidth. Does anyone know if this is the reason or what the reason for two co-ax inputs is?

A separate cable is required for each separate receiver in order to listen on two frequencies at the same time. See the wikipedia page on LNBs for details. I guess they could've designed it so that they frequency-multiplexed the two signals onto a single cable, but would be non-standard, and would require the dual-receiver having to address the LNB somehow...
For cable, this isn't an issue - they already multiplex the signal on the wire, and rely on the tuner inside the box to focus on a particular frequency.

The LNB is like a pre-tuner, a waveband switch, It *DOES* do tuning.

Cable or TV aerial has ALL the channels at once. A satellite Coax is not the real signal. That is converted at LNB and can be on high or low band and Vertical or Horizontal Polarisation. Thus the two tuners in a Terrestrial or cable box can share one input socket, but on satellite, there is only a 1:4 chance the 2nd channel (recorded while you watch a different one) are on the same signal settings. Or anothoer way, the LNB at the dish sees ALL the channels, but the coax can only have 1/4 of the channels.

For small installs you get an LNB with two, four or 8 outlets to feed multiple single receivers or PVRs such as Sky+, as you can't split the LNB signal to multiple receivers.

For hotels, Apartments or larger house setups you have a special "Quattro" LNB that has four outlets, none are controlled, they are: low + Vert, low + hor, Hi + vert and Hi +hor. together the four cables have ALL the channels. So you can amplify and split and distribute the signal to up to a 1000 receivers (or 500 Sky+ boxes). Each receiver has to connect to a special switch that combines the 4 coax cables to one in a way that simulates an LNB. Typically a single switch box might have 16 outlets.

I have a 16 outlet "multiswitch" that takes FOUR "quattro" LNBs, the 1st one is pointed at 28.2E (Sky/Freesat), The Sky boxes have no LNB selection feature, so they see the Sky signals. My PCs (3 each with 2 tuners) and other sat boxes can select an LNB via "DISEQC" commands. The "multiswitch" responds and will connect the correct one of 4 LNBs and the correct one of four coax for low + Vert, low + hor, Hi + vert OR Hi +hor of satellites at 28.2E, 13E, 19E, or 23.5E.

Another separate receiver controls a motorised dish. It only has a single outlet LNB as a PVR would need TWO motorised dishes, as the recorded channel might be a separate satellite. The 110cm motorised dish I think receives 22 different satellite positions between 42E and 50W

d8player wrote: »

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/12892/

“UPC continues to invest strongly in providing a high-quality digital TV service, and we look forward to the introduction of our high-definition (HD) TV service over the coming months,” Dunn said.

Unfortunately "over the coming months", in UPC language could mean anything. I may sound overly negative but I've heard this before, such as in the following article in 2006 - http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/11/19/story18995.asp , which contains the following quote: ‘‘We believe in HDTV and we think it’s the future, so yes, we will definitely be launching in the second half of next year.”

The repeated that commitment for the next 2 subsequent years also.

I won't hold my breath.

DingDong wrote: »

The difference between then and now, is back then it was talk, now the physical HD equipment is being put in place and they have a large part of the network capable of receiving HD.

I'm sorry, but once again, I have no reason to believe them as we have heard all this before and when they make a statement in 2006 saying they will "definitely", be rolling out HD in 2007 and then they make no moves for 3 years, their credibility to be believed is shot.

There is no evidence that this is not just talk now also.

belmulletman wrote: »

I know this is the "UPC HD" Thread, but DingDong... any sign at all of Series Link??
Honestly HD is all good and well, but series link is what is really needed! (plus there just isn't enough HD Channels yet to warrant an upgrade!

I suppose it's all about taste. I couldn't give a crap about series link and I really want HD, especially for sport. I suppose each to their own.

techdiver wrote: »

I suppose it's all about taste. I couldn't give a crap about series link and I really want HD, especially for sport. I suppose each to their own.

A man after my own heart. Well said!

What STB is required for HD? And do you subscribe to a HD service, a whole separate platform, for what, maybe 6 channels?

I have an old Pace DC221 - I think thats the modle number - obviously this wouldn't suitable for the HD so I expect they need to provide a new box.

What boxes are we talking about here? HD only or HD PVR? What do they use in the Netherlands?

DingDong wrote: »

I don't know what the hold up is on series link. Although I'm sure its a priority to have it as a function as soon as possible. It will be around 6 HD channels to start with and a nice new HD DVR will be required for the service.

Robert Dunne was on with Matt Cooper on Tuesday and began to talk about series link and dual tuners before Cooper cut him off with his usual annoying style. I'm sure you'll get it on the Today FM website.

He as usual (and rightly) took a lot of heat but did get some 'pro' comments for a change and to be fair he tool some accountability but insisted they're improving.