Whats involved in UPC offering HD channels.

Mossy Monk · 18-07-2009 06:55PM

I can't imagine it being free anyway.

lensman · 19-07-2009 09:01AM

Mossy Monk wrote: »

I can't imagine it being free anyway.

they may throw a sprat to catch a salmon, give it free for 3 months & then it's pay up time, that's if they launch HD at all.

Cupart · 22-07-2009 08:02AM

fbradyirl wrote: »

Great that they seem to be doing some testing

So does anyone know - will we need to pay extra per month fo HD or will it just be a matter of getting a new box from UPC?

This is hearsay but I have read somewhere it would be around EUR 2.50 extra pr month. Don't know if it's true though, as I could imagine it would be more like the digital+ cost of EUR 5.00 or maybe even EUR 7.50+ :rolleyes:

10000maniacs · 24-07-2009 09:20AM

DingDong wrote: »

The HD DVR is being put through its paces at the moment, and aiming for a launch date around June(Yes 2009 ).

Where did you get this information. Whats the source? Whats the inside info on why it didn't happen?

watty · 24-07-2009 11:58AM

He may have heard it in his Job.

If he does have any more detailed info, he isn't free to post it. UPC bosses DO read these forums.

DingDong · 24-07-2009 12:29PM

Watty right I can't comment on everything. All I will say is HD has been up and running on the network for some time and it does look very nice(the standard picture even looks slightly better on the HD box) and the launch isn't too far off from what I'm told.

RangeR · 27-07-2009 09:29AM

DingDong wrote: »

Watty right I can't comment on everything. All I will say is HD has been up and running on the network for some time and it does look very nice(the standard picture even looks slightly better on the HD box) and the launch isn't too far off from what I'm told.

Nice. Looking forward to this. Don't have Digital+ but HD on top of Digital+ might be enough to push me to spend more. Couple of questions, DD. I understand there may be some you can't answer.

1. Will the HD DVR include Digital+ [make/model?]?
2. HDD size, if any [is it user changeable]?
3. Assuming 720p or 1080i max resolution?
4. What's the interface [If HDMI - Is there a HDMI pass through]?
5. Has there been any pricing announced [even ball park]?
6. Roughly how many non premium [sport/movie] HD channels will there be?

fbradyirl · 27-07-2009 09:40AM

I have another question:

- Will all this extra content coming through the pipes in the form of HD slow down my broadband at all?? I.e. can the pipes handle all of this and will the HD users raise the contention on individual lines?

bk · 27-07-2009 10:15AM

fbradyirl wrote: »

I have another question:

- Will all this extra content coming through the pipes in the form of HD slow down my broadband at all?? I.e. can the pipes handle all of this and will the HD users raise the contention on individual lines?

No, HD will have no effect on broadband or contention.

This is because of the way cable works, broadband is carried on two channels (for DOCSIS 1 and 2, more for 3) while HD would be carried on completely different channels and therefore have no effect on the BB.

fbradyirl · 27-07-2009 10:22AM

Great thanks!

gpjordanf1 · 29-07-2009 09:34AM

will HD be available to MMDS customers? Just curious? Cant get it anyway as my Sony wega theatre 32" CRT refuses to die thank god, so i haven't been caught up in the HD hype. So when it does come out and when i do need a HD TV at least i'll have the latest tech cheaply. Happy days.

Mossy Monk · 29-07-2009 10:07AM

Highly unlikely that you will see HD on MMDS

gpjordanf1 · 29-07-2009 08:33PM

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Highly unlikely that you will see HD on MMDS

Really? Whay is that Mossy? My MMDS area was one of the first areas with Digital +, is it really much different?

29-07-2009 11:54PM

Its a Bandwidth problem, MMDS is fairly limited.

Mossy Monk · 30-07-2009 05:27AM

gpjordanf1 wrote: »

Really? Whay is that Mossy? My MMDS area was one of the first areas with Digital +, is it really much different?

There is no room for it.

watty · 30-07-2009 07:35AM

HD uses x3 the space of existing MPEG2 Digital, x5 the space of MPEG4 Digital. MMDS is full.

They would have to change all the existing channels to MPEG4 to get space, which would mean replacing EVERY box first. Not economical.

EDIT
Transmitting MPEG2 and MPEG4 uses 50% MORE space

gpjordanf1 · 30-07-2009 08:33AM

watty wrote: »

HD uses x3 the space of existing MPEG2 Digital, x5 the space of MPEG4 Digital. MMDS is full.

They would have to change all the existing channels to MPEG4 to get space, which would mean replacing EVERY box first. Not economical.

dont you have to get a new box anyway to get HD? I dont see the problem really? I'm in a MMDS only area, so in theory it shouldn't be a big deal? Can they transmit in both Mpeg2 & 4? I read somewhere if they switch to Mpeg 4, you could have 20 HD channels with 170 SD channels, surely if they are serious about competing with Sky then they have no choice really. Well that's what i think?

RangeR · 30-07-2009 10:02AM

gpjordanf1 wrote: »

dont you have to get a new box anyway to get HD? I dont see the problem really? I'm in a MMDS only area, so in theory it shouldn't be a big deal? Can they transmit in both Mpeg2 & 4? I read somewhere if they switch to Mpeg 4, you could have 20 HD channels with 170 SD channels, surely if they are serious about competing with Sky then they have no choice really. Well that's what i think?

True, but not everyone will take up HD. To change from MPEG2 to MPEG4 would mean changing EVERYBOX, not just 20% or less.

Now do you see the economic problem?

techdiver · 30-07-2009 11:40AM

UPC should get their ass in gear as according to the following article SKY is seeing a significant growth and demand in it's HD service in the UK and this is driving new customer numbers.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/eycwaugbgbau/rss2/

I know this is UK based numbers, but a similar relative scenario could be expected in Ireland. UPC could miss the boat if they don't move soon.

Here's hoping!

tallaghtfornia · 30-07-2009 12:00PM

Sky offers a far better TVservice then UPC by far. UPC have still made no official announcement RE: HDTV and have made no announcement to weather or not they are carrying ESPN and they also still have freeloadeders tapping in there system and making no effort to stop them so they must only be interested in BB and phone, I have the HD pack from SKY and think its great (It’s my treat to myself) and at this stage unless UPC came to me with a super super deal I would not change.

RangeR · 30-07-2009 12:02PM

tallaghtfornia wrote: »

Sky offers a far better TVservice then UPC by far. UPC have still made no official announcement RE: HDTV and have made no announcement to weather or not they are carrying ESPN and they also still have freeloadeders tapping in there system and making no effort to stop them so they must only be interested in BB and phone, I have the HD pack from SKY and think its great (It’s my treat to myself) and at this stage unless UPC came to me with a super super deal I would not change.

As far as I know, they have removed the bulk of free loadersthieves over the past few months. But agree, the UPC TV service leaves a LOT to be desired.

techdiver · 30-07-2009 12:02PM

tallaghtfornia wrote: »

Sky offers a far better TVservice then UPC by far. UPC have still made no official announcement RE: HDTV and have made no announcement to weather or not they are carrying ESPN and they also still have freeloadeders tapping in there system and making no effort to stop them so they must only be interested in BB and phone, I have the HD pack from SKY and think its great (It’s my treat to myself) and at this stage unless UPC came to me with a super super deal I would not change.

Many if not all of the freeloading boxes are not working any more after the new encryption system was rolled out.

I agree that sky is way superior! I only wish as an apartment renter that UPC would catch up!!!!

Whats involved in UPC offering HD channels.

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