HD Televisions

The BBC has started testing tranmission of new HD television services over freeview, now Freesat has been launced.

It has started transmissions using a second-generation DVB-T2 from a transmitter near guildford which, if succesful will see the role out of HD channels on Freeview by Winter 2009. DVB-T2 offers up to 30 percent more capacity than its predecessor DVB-T.

At present, Freeview uses DVB-T but this is around 10 years old. DVB-T2 was developed specifically for when the UK starts to switch off analog transmissions, abd there should be at least one DVB-T2 transmitter by the end of 2009.
This isnt the first time the BBC has trialled HD content over freeview. They unsuccesfully tried a few years agobut were forced to abort due to bandwidth limitations and compatibility issues.

JVC has announced the its latest release of HD TVs boasts an Ipod docking station - amongst usual HD Television features, such as HDMI inputs and full HD resolutions.

The P-Series HD LCD TV consists of 32in, 42in, 47in and 52in models, all of which have a TeleDock flip-down iPod dock included on the base of the stand. Once the Ipod has been docked, both gadgets are controlled through the TVâs remote control, which has a round controller like the one on the iPod.

You will be able to play songs frmo the Ipod music library which will be played through the Televisions speakers, but the dock will also charge the Ipod. You will also be able to play videos straight on the TV, or listen to music while a program is playing. It is expected to support all models of Ipod including the Iphone.

Matsushita has claimed it will be releasing the largest OLED screen within the next 3 years. It claims it wants to be the first maker to release a decent sized OLED TV to the market. Sony is currently selling, at extortionate prices, OLED TVs but they are only 11in.

Matsushita - the parent company of Panasonic, would be keen to enter the OLED marker ahead of its rivals, all of which are releasing their own schedules for releasing OLED TVs to the market. Currently, there are issues with the technology like the life of a set which is giving Sony problems at present. However, OLED is seen as the replacement to Plasma and LCD TV’s so all are likely to release updates before the end of the year.

Sanyo have announced they have released a waterproof 52inch HD Television.

Quite what purpose is serves in the home, im not sure. The flat-panel telly has a “marine grade” anodised aluminium frame and cabinet construction, helping to protect the innards. It could come in very handy for toddlers, parties or clumsy people alike! Sanyo even boasts that the screen’s protection against water is so good that it “can withstand low-pressure jets of water sprayed directly on the front glass”.

Sanyo have said that the TV is targetted towards commercial uses theme parks, railway stations and other open air events, although anyone interested is likely to have to fork out around £7000-£10000 for a new set.

Sharp has announced it is now taking orders its latest, and it claims world largest LCD TV. The set comes in at a whopping 108inches although there is no confirmation on the price range of this beauty as yet.

While still not as large as panasonics plasma TVs it is a step in the right direction from Sharp, who have promised the LB-1085 will ship with a “rich assortment of inputs”, including HDMI and DVI. It also said the screen sports a “low-noise, fanless design” designed “to handle round-the-clock continuous operation.

Picture and Picture (PAP) (commonly referred to as PBP - Picture by Picture) is a related feature showing two programs side-by-side on the screen, with the sound from one program being played through the speakers, and the sound from the other being sent to headphones.

PIP stands for Picture in Picture and is a feature on some Television sets. The Television will display one program or channel (this could be a DVD, a channel from another set top box, or console etc) in full screen and at the same time, show another program as an inset in the other.

Sound is, usually, only available on the main program only.

Picture in Picture requires two independent tuners or signal sources to supply the large and the small picture. Two-tuner PiP TVs have a second tuner built in, but a single-tuner PiP TV requires an external signal source, which may be an external tuner, VCR, DVD player, or a cable box with composite video outputs. Picture in Picture is often used to watch one program while waiting for another to start, or advertisements to finish.

ITV is launching its HD service on Saturday, with the Portugal v Turkey Euro 2008 match at 7.45pm.

The fixture is being shown exclusively on Freesat, a subscription-free, digital satellite TV service from ITV and the BBC.

ITV HD plans to broadcast some blockbuster movies this summer, and after Euro 2008, sports fans will be able to enjoy the UEFA Champions League, The FA Cup, and England internationals.