Multichoice explains HD-TV requirements

[PeterCH]

So will MultiChoice be offering a trade-in on old decoders for those customers wishing to upgrade to the new Pace decoder?

I doubt it. HD TV in SA will be a luxury commodity for the rich. In line with this expect to be overcharged for the service, the same way a 1GB 1.8Mbps HDSPA internet in SA costs close to R900 pm, while a 7.2Mbps with 10GB
softcap sells for a third of that in Europe.

The big cost however is the TV. While you can now buy a 32 inch full HD set from Samsung in SA for R25.000 (Pcmall.com) you should buy at least
a 50inch full HD set if you have an average living room, unless you're using binoculars to view the picture or sit within 3.5 vertical screen heights of the
glass. If you have a tiny living room maybe you should plug the money into a bigger house?
A 24 inch Dell/HP (full HD) monitor retails for about R7000
so for sitting close HD works there (usual PC screen to user distance), however forget the benefit if you
have a large living room and only a 40inch full HD set, at those distances
the human eye won't resolve the premium pixels - although your bank account will.

Secondly DSTV has done a piss poor job of video compression in the past
giving decent bandwidth to mostly the MovieMagic/Mnet channels.
The picture on most channels becomes blocky with minimal movement,
and with HD (even with H234 codec) the bandwith requirements are huge.

If DSTV is priced too high, why not buy the occasional good movie/Discovery showcase/IMAX movie on BluRay / HD-DVD and enjoy better audio/video with a solid disk to keep. I guess sport fans will
see a benefit from HD but if you primarily keep DSTV for news and
edutainment with occasional sports I don't see the reason to pay a huge
sub and a huge premium for a decoder. Once again for the rich in the begining although the rich can no doubt import anything they want
on BluRay long before it comes out on DSTV.

Overseas (EU) HD services are usually not more expensive than ordinary services and if they are it's by a small margin on a already cheap service.
My Paris residing cousin pays 26 Euro pm for the telephone, cable internet and cable TV in total.

Finally just because you can see a wart on an actor in great quality, it doesn't mean that the movie will be any more interesting. Higher resolution doesn't mean better screenplay or photography. A good movie will engage
you even on a 20 inch B&W CRT TV. It's all just eye-candy.

 

[ldmelsa]

The big cost however is the TV.

I think the big cost is the subscription. Think about it: R500pm x 5years = R30,000. Prices of TVs will keep coming down.

While you can now buy a 32 inch full HD set from Samsung in SA for R25.000 (Pcmall.com)

I have a 37inch HDTV and I payed R15k. That was a while back. I got it because it as good bang for buck.

you should buy at least a 50inch full HD set if you have an average living room

How big is your living room?

and with HD (even with H234 codec) the bandwith requirements are huge.

It's not that big with h264. I have seen 720p50 with lots of fast motion running at a mere 7Mbps. Although I must admit that 1080i will take up alot more bandwidth.



I the the end, Peter, I think that we are talking about something that is subjective. I think it has to to with what your budget is, and what you think looks good. People like you and me will just have to pony up the dough or be unhappy.

 

[Skeptik]

I'm a bit puzzled as to why a new LNB is required to get HD. Also, a 90cm dish is better for reception reliability (and IMHO we should have that as standard with such a weak signal from Multichoice), but what does that have to do with HD again??

 

[diabolus]

Lovely! New TV, New decoder, New LNB....what's left - the cable from the decoder to the LNB, and the bracket with the dish on the wall!!!

You'll most probably need new HDMI cabling too . New larger dish might mean new bracket lol

I think i'll wait at least a year AFTER all this is opened to public before i'll even consider buying ANY of these components related to Multichoice. Looks like it might be cheaper to skip the satelite-decoder and just get a PS3 [blueray] and buy the movies .

 

[ripclaw]

I also won't be an early adopter. There have been (and will be) numerous problems with the HDMI connectors and the HDMI standard itself.

 

[NoADSLyet]

It's all just eye-candy.

Thats why people pay so much for their cars and toys. For eyecandy and just to be better than the Jones's

 

[ripclaw]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if I have 2 HD-capable television sets (either LCD, plasma, projector), one in my lounge and another in an entertainment room, will I be able to send HD capable video to the 2nd set? If so, how would I do this? The Pace decoder does not have a 2nd HDMI output. Will the normal RF cable be able to transmit 720p video AND audio? I have my doubts.

 

[Nod]

RF Cable (coax), won't be able to handle HD. You will need a HDMI splitter-type box in order to do it. I might be wrong, but this is what makes sense.

 

[ldmelsa]

yeah you can get a splitter

 

[duderoo]

What resolution will they be broadcasting in, 720p or higher?

 

[vodacom3g]

I believe this is the new decoder:

CUTTING EDGE HD PVR TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HOME

Watch and record high definition video with a Pace TDS850 HD PVR set-top box.

The next stage in HD set-top box technology, the TDS850 comes with H.264 compression and triple tuners for the ultimate HD experience.
Dual DVB-S2 tuners enable the user to watch one channel while recording another or record two channels while watching stored content. The third
tuner is DVB-S compliant to enable a dedicated push-VOD service and enhanced electronic programming guide (EPG).

The 250Gb hard drive allows up to 60 hours of HD – or 120 hours of standard definition – content to be stored, with optional upgrades available.
HDCP is used for secure transfer of digital signals to the display via HDMI, while the auto set-up function enables easy and quick configuration with most display types.

SUMMARY:
• High definition H.264 personal video recorder
• Triple tuners – two DVB-S2 and one DVB-S
• Supports push-VOD
• 250Gb hard drive for 60-120 hours of stored content
• Watch one channel and record another
• Record two and watch one stored programme

SOFTWARE:
• DiSEqC 2.0 compatible
• Range of middleware, CA and customisation options available
• Picture-in-picture capabilities
• Software download via satellite into FLASH memory supported

CONNECTIVITY:
• RF Inputs (IEC169-24 F-type, female)
• HDMI with HDCP
• TV SCART (IEC60807-9)
• VCR SCART (IEC60807-9)
• Mains Input (IEC60320)
• Telephone Line Socket (RJ11)
• USB 2.0 (Type A)
• Ethernet (RJ45 Female)
• RS232 (9 Pin D-type)
• Analogue Audio (RCA Phono/Cinch)
• Optical SPDIF (TOSLINK)
• S-Video Connector (Mini-DIN)
• Composite Video (RCA Phono/Cinch)
• Component Video (RCA Phono/Cinch)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION:
• DiSEqC 2.0
• Two DVB-S2 tuners
• Additional DVB-S tuner
• Dolby Digital 5.1 mixdown processing and digital audio output
• 576i25, 720p50, 1080i25
• MPEG-2 MP@ML, MPEG-2 MP@HL
• MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 HP@L4.0
• AC3 (Dolby Digital Stereo), MPEG-4 (AAC-HE)
• Audio MPEG-1 layers 1, 2, 3 (MP3)
• Macrovision copy protection

MEMORY:
• 256MB SDRAM
• 32MB FLASH
• 256Kb EEPROM NVRAM
• 250Gb Hard Disk Drive – optional upgrade

POWER:
• Mains supply voltage 195-265V, 50-60Hz
• Consumption <30W typical including LNB control

MECHANICAL:
• Dimensions 389mm x 265mm x 55mm
• Weight <3kg

 

[ldmelsa]

http://www.pacemicro.com/media/generic/products/large/tds850.jpg

 

[Perdition]

If the above specs are correct that is one sweet piece of equipment... and probably very expensive

 

[PeterCH]

Thats why people pay so much for their cars and toys. For eyecandy and just to be better than the Jones's

Well if a movie is good it's good on a crappy 12 inch B&W screen.
If a movie's junk, it'll suck in 2 megapixel 120inch crisp technicolor.

Buying hardware you can't watch much on, is silly. If you're loaded
with cash, sure go ahead, but you'll only be fooling yourself at the end.

 

[PeterCH]

I believe this is the new decoder:

CUTTING EDGE HD PVR TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HOME

Cutting edge?

> HDCP

er... no thank you.


> Macrovision

er ... no thank you.

What no 1080p24???
But it shows interlaced video only? THE HORROR!!!

So not so cutting edge. Just an overpriced crippled set to box which will be obsolete very soon.



Matsu****a is releasing a DVD recorder which can record full HD H.264-AVC-MPEG4 video on a normal double layered DVD-R. They had a thing on /. about it.
Panasonic > Pace any day.

 

[ldmelsa]

What no 1080p24???
But it shows interlaced video only? THE HORROR!!!

It does not only show interlace video. It will show 720p.
It will do the two HDTV formats: ie. 720p & 1080i. What more did you expect?

 

[ldmelsa]

set to box which will be obsolete very soon.

 

[vodacom3g]

Cutting edge?

> HDCP

er... no thank you.


> Macrovision

er ... no thank you.

What no 1080p24???
But it shows interlaced video only? THE HORROR!!!

So not so cutting edge. Just an overpriced crippled set to box which will be obsolete very soon.



Matsu****a is releasing a DVD recorder which can record full HD H.264-AVC-MPEG4 video on a normal double layered DVD-R. They had a thing on /. about it.
Panasonic > Pace any day.

Where are you going to find a commercial decoder that won't support the copyright standards?

 

[ldmelsa]

Where are you going to find a commercial decoder that won't support the copyright standards?

If it does not support it you won't be able to see the broadcast.

 

[ldmelsa]

Matsu****a is releasing a DVD recorder which can record full HD H.264-AVC-MPEG4 video on a normal double layered DVD-R. They had a thing on /. about it.

Cool

This Matsushіta recorder sounds cool. What is the name?