DSTV has no 1080p HD plans

Moklet Kcuf

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dont really see the point in broadcasting in 1080p, 720p is more than adequate. Guys are just being picky, can you imagine what they need to broadcast that signal at? terabytes per sec!

my grip with DSTV is the decoder, lol, I know it will never ever happen, but I'd like for each channel to be independent on the TV.


This is where Terrestrial DTV and the Internet (god knows when) will leap-frog MC.

Unless, MC pops a few more Satellites up there...
 

Moklet Kcuf

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How? Please enlighten us... How will DTT leap-frog Satellite TV?
In regards to HD, Terrestrial DTV can broadcast it more efficiently. I'm no techie, it's just that this seems to be the case.

Satellite and Cable providers in Australia also have very limited HD options. No doubt because they are prioritising their Bandwidth by broadcasting squillions of Channels.
 

asshat99

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1080i... Sorta like 720p...

edit: They must be subscription services too.

NO NOT 1080i it is 1080p which is not like 720p at all. And they are not subscription services, nor do you need to pay a tv license. It is sort of like eTV. The sport commentators are actually fairly intelligent too (unlike the rubbish SABC et al used to drag up...5fm djs haha).

All channels have a HD version (some have 720p as well as 1080p versions for the different tvs), you just tune into the appropriate one.
 
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Moklet Kcuf

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NO NOT 1080i it is 1080p which is not like 720p at all. And they are not subscription services, nor do you need to pay a tv license. It is sort of like eTV. The sport commentators are actually fairly intelligent too (unlike the rubbish SABC et al used to drag up...5fm djs haha).

All channels have a HD version (some have 720p as well as 1080p versions for the different tvs), you just tune into the appropriate one.

Television Networks in Australia operate entirely differently to South Africa. Of the 5 main channels:

-1 is a commercial-free government funded station,ABC. This operates on a similar model to, and is affiliated with BBC.
-3 are fully commercial- 7,9 & 10. Like eTV.
-1 is a Community Network, that is funded by Subscribers and by some advertising- SBS.

All these Networks are highly competitive, and it's this dynamic, I think has positive advatages. Which is seen by the fact that all have leapt onto the HD bandwagon.

A disadvantage I see in South Africa, is that SABC is bastardised. It is supposed to be a government provided network, but it's tarnished by commercial interest and the fact that the network's strength is diluted by the fact it must cover many demographics.
eTV is just sitting pretty.
mNet is just a bizarre side shoot. I mean wtf is the reason people should pay for it? They advertise as ruthlessly as eTV and SABC.
To me it just goes to show that the competitive environment is not dynamic enough. They're all just cash cows.

HD DTV in South Africa? What's the incentive?
 

Quantum Theory

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NO NOT 1080i it is 1080p which is not like 720p at all. And they are not subscription services, nor do you need to pay a tv license. It is sort of like eTV. The sport commentators are actually fairly intelligent too (unlike the rubbish SABC et al used to drag up...5fm djs haha).

All channels have a HD version (some have 720p as well as 1080p versions for the different tvs), you just tune into the appropriate one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_terrestrial_television_in_Australia#High-definition

http://www.cnet.com.au/digital-tv-in-australia-240000380.htm

The maximum resolution that the broadcasters transmit in is 1080i (1080 horizontal lines interlaced)

If you can send me a link where it says 1080p and not 1080i, please do so. I think you don't know what you are talking about...
 

Quantum Theory

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In regards to HD, Terrestrial DTV can broadcast it more efficiently. I'm no techie, it's just that this seems to be the case.

Satellite and Cable providers in Australia also have very limited HD options. No doubt because they are prioritising their Bandwidth by broadcasting squillions of Channels.

DVB-S2 with 8PSK and MPEG4 will solve the bandwith issues on Sat TV. Multichoice actually has quite a bit of bandwith left though, but the new transponders on Intelsat 7 will be DVB-S2 which they are currently testing.
 

Quantum Theory

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No necessarily, I think DSTV should just concentrate on getting more HD channels (whatever resolution) and better content.

That is exactly what they are doing. It is true that we are behind most first world countries. At the same time, we are ahead of most countries which can realistically be compared to us and we are going to be one of the first countries to use DVB-S2 broadcasting standard. At the moment 1080p is really not important. Just be a little patient guys.

On the DTT subject... there is only one organization which can be blamed for the lack of DTT content available. ICASA has made a real mess of things. If the regulator had any organizational skills, we would have had a SABC and DSTV DTT bouquet available in all major cities, right now. DSTV has a DTT bouquet available in Namibia...
 

PeterCH

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That is exactly what they are doing. It is true that we are behind most first world countries. At the same time, we are ahead of most countries which can realistically be compared to us and we are going to be one of the first countries to use DVB-S2 broadcasting standard. At the moment 1080p is really not important. Just be a little patient guys.

On the DTT subject... there is only one organization which can be blamed for the lack of DTT content available. ICASA has made a real mess of things. If the regulator had any organizational skills, we would have had a SABC and DSTV DTT bouquet available in all major cities, right now. DSTV has a DTT bouquet available in Namibia...

First adopters also get screwed. Being the guinea pigs means we'll just be the testers for this new standard and new hardware will have to be bought and paid for by us with no increase in quality.

SA was one of the first countries to get GSM cellular communications, yet look how quickly the rest of the world overtook and surpassed us.
 

Quantum Theory

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First adopters also get screwed. Being the guinea pigs means we'll just be the testers for this new standard and new hardware will have to be bought and paid for by us with no increase in quality.

SA was one of the first countries to get GSM cellular communications, yet look how quickly the rest of the world overtook and surpassed us.

It is currently being tested AFAIK. You won't be the guinea pig this time. That is the reason why you are waiting for the additional HD channels.

edit: Hardware is DVB-S2 ready. Pace and UEC.
 
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PeterCH

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It is currently being tested AFAIK. You won't be the guinea pig this time. That is the reason why you are waiting for the additional HD channels.

edit: Hardware is DVB-S2 ready. Pace and UEC.

The first adopter countries are always guinea pigs. GSM was also tested before it was adopted by Vodacom and MTN in SA in the late 90s but that didn't iron out or solve all the problems.
 

Quantum Theory

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The first adopter countries are always guinea pigs. GSM was also tested before it was adopted by Vodacom and MTN in SA in the late 90s but that didn't iron out or solve all the problems.

Your glass half empty?

You can't really compare the two technologies. DVB-S2 is an improvement on an existing technology. I am very positive about it... Only problems will come from bad quality dishes, cable and installations.
 
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