Digital TV developments
One of out U3A members. Jack Luxon, has written a very informative article on this subject and it is reproduced below. If you find it too long to read on screen we suggest that you highlight and copy it. You can then paste it into a Word document and print it out. At the same time you can if you wish increase the size of the print to make it easier to read. (If you do not know how to do any of these things you should perhaps be a member of our Computer Group!)
Times they are a changing.
Anyone who has recently visited a shop dealing in Television and associated equipment can’t have failed to notice that there is quite a lot which is unfamiliar. We are also reminded, when watching, how things are about to change with the forthcoming changeover to digital. Television equipment has become much more reliable over the past few years to the extent that the TV repair man is a virtually extinct species, and when the box in the corner of the room suddenly gives up the ghost many are inclined to think that it’s about time for a new model. There are many silver tongued salespersons ready to make sure that we part with as much money as they can persuade us to, and it is quite likely some of us may spend more than we intended, on goodies we don’t really need. The following will hopefully serve as a guide as to what is happening out there.
Changeover.
It is anticipated that in 2009 analogue TV transmission from the Mendip transmitter will cease. Already Mendip transmits digital TV which will continue after analogue stops. To watch these transmissions the digital signals must pass through a decoder which is currently referred to as a ‘Freeview’ set-top box. This is a bit of a misnomer as new TVs have so little depth that the only thing likely to sit on the top safely is dust. Unfortunately any existing Video tape or DVD recorders also record from the, soon to disappear, analogue signal, so for these to continue to work each will require its own set-top box if one wishes to record a programme other than the one which is being watched. The set-top box with the TV can sometimes be connected to a recorder, but is only useful for recording when not viewing.
It is also possible to receive digital signals from the Sky satellite. Instead of a set-top box one must obtain a Sky decoder coupled to a satellite dish. Normally this will be included in a package which involves paying a subscription to Rupert Murdoch, however it seems that he has reluctantly agreed to waive the subscription if only what are referred to as ‘Free to Air’ channels are required. The package costs £150 to include decoder, dish and installation. The channels are the ones normally available through Freeview plus a couple more including Classic FM radio. Sky would be attractive to those who are unable to receive Freeview from the Mendip transmitter. Again the satellite decoder can be connected to a recorder, but this is only useful to record when not viewing.
Digital signals are available through Cable, however this is not widely available in this area. Any restrictions would be the same as with Rupert’s Sky system.
At this point it is worth bearing in mind that digital broadcasts are in wide screen format, wide screen TVs do not display genuine ‘wide screen’ unless using a cable, satellite or ‘Freeview’ decoder.
What’s new?
The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is being dropped when it comes to family sized TV sets, few will be seen in the showrooms, they have been replaced by those with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Plasma type screens. Invariably wide screen, but with very little front to rear depth such that, in some cases, they can be hung on the wall like a picture. Pundits are saying that provided one does not require a screen size in excess of 32in the CRT gives the better picture, but of course there are not so many of these available. It is said that LCD is preferable for screen sizes up to 40in, those wishing for a larger screen should opt for Plasma. It seems that LCD has a longer life than Plasma and is also more rugged. Both LCD and Plasma sets can be obtained with a built in Freeview tuner which saves having to have a separate set-top box (this is known as an integrated set). Recordings can be made from the tuner to a suitably connected VCR or DVDR, but only the programme being displayed will be recorded, also the TV has to be left switched on to enable recording to take place.
High Definition (HD) is the new technology everyone is expected to go for. Back in 1964 BBC2 was launched using a line standard of 625 compared with existing 405. 625 gave a clearer picture and was quickly adopted as the standard for all TV channels. HD has a line standard of 720 so one can expect even clearer pictures, however before going for a ‘HD Ready’ TV one should bear in mind that HD is only being transmitted by Sky starting Feb 06. Not all programmes are made in HD, a different ‘HD Ready’ Sky box will be required and will come as part of the package. It is unlikely that any HD will be made available on the ‘Free to Air’ channels so a subscription will be required. Freeview have no plans to broadcast HD until after the analogue system has been ended. At that time a different Freeeview box will be required capable of decoding HD. Some HD ready sets are integrated, i.e. contain an inbuilt Freeview tuner, however this does not mean that they will be capable of receiving HD broadcasts when Freeview eventually transmits in HD. The inbuilt tuner simply decodes non-HD signals. HD sets will invariably be fitted with special inputs such that other HD equipment can be hooked up, new HD resolution DVD players will come on the market for playing DVDs which have been recorded in the HD format. Most of these LCD or Plasma TVs are mounted on a small pedestal in order that the set can be put on a small table, of course if one needs space for Sky box, Freeview box, PVR, DVDR etc which are usually positioned underneath the TV, the salesperson will be only to happy to sell a proper stand which will accommodate these items.
The quality of picture of these new TVs can be roughly equated to a set of numbers indicating resolution, contrast ratio and brightness. The larger the numbers, the better the picture and also invariably, the higher the number behind the £ sign. It is of course possible to assess picture quality in a showroom, sound is a different matter, some of the bigger sets even come without loudspeakers, one is expected to add on a separate sound system. It is always useful to have a TV with a headphone socket, especially if the speakers remain connected when the headphones are in use.
Recording. Video tape is on the way out and being replaced by DVD, DVD recorders are available but only the ones with an inbuilt Freeview tuner (integrated) will be of use after changeover unless connected to the Sky or Set-top box, and then will only record the channel the box is set to, the one that is being watched. To use one of the analogue VCR or DVDR after changeover to record a different channel to the one being watched, the recorder will need to be connected to its own set-top box. These can be obtained which are able to be programmed to change channels in conjunction with the recorder programme sequence. Some integrated DVDRs come with an inbuilt computer type disc drive, this is useful as one can record on to this disc rather than removable discs provided one is happy to delete the programme after watching. A variation on this has recently been introduced known as a Personal Video Recorder (PVR). Some of these have two inbuilt Freeview tuners plus a computer type disc which enables one to a) record one channel while watching another, b) record two different channels simultaneously while watching a previously recorded programme(!). The disc size usually enables one to record 80 hours worth of programmes. Of course this is of no use if one wants to lend what has been recorded to the people next door, or if one wants to keep the recording for playing again in the future.
The technology is changing rapidly as are prices. Invariably equipment is becoming less expensive, DVD players are available for £25.00 yet when first launched were £200. It would seem that if what you have got is working OK keep it until you are forced to change by the ending of analogue, in the mean time don’t buy any recording equipment that relies on the analogue signal.
