Room for 30 UK satellite UHD channels

[Scubbie]

Room for 30 UK satellite UHD channels

As many as 30 Ultra High Definition TV channels could be accommodated for the UK without the need for additional spectrum.

UK regulator Ofcom made the judgment in its Space spectrum strategy document, based on anticipated technology developments.

Ofcom says the demand for higher resolution broadcast content, for some viewers at least, could grow as the price of UHD 4K, and even UKD 8K displays continues to grow.

“Although the rate of growth in demand for UHD services is unclear, we anticipate that it is likely to contribute to growth in demand for satellite capacity for direct-to-home satellite TV,” Ofcom said in its document.

However, with the growth of on demand services, the regulator said it was conceivable that demand for broadcast capacity may fall as viewers turn away from live TV.

It also anticipated capacity would be freed up as broadcasts ceased the simulcast of HD and SD services.

[seawright]

Ofcom says the demand for higher resolution broadcast content, for some viewers at least, could grow as the price of UHD 4K, and even UKD 8K displays continues to grow.

I'm sure that a tipping point will be reached where the price UHD 4K, and eventually UHD 8K displays start to fall which really will stimulate demand. Probably more than that seen during the growth of the 3D TV bubble.

[Scubbie]

hehe... yeah I noticed that typo too.

Now that Samsung have declared that they aren't going to produce as many 3D TVs, I think that sadly it is going to dwindle more and more.

Did you pick up on the comment about freeing up more space as broadcaster cease to show the same channels on both SD and HD?

Does this mean that one day Sky will have to drop the charge for HD?

What does this mean for anyone with a Freesat STB which doesn't support HD or even Freeview?

[seawright]

Not sure why it would effect Freeview. UHD TV could eventually be broadcast from terrestrial transmitters but not, I would guess, in the foreseeable future.

Sky could drop the SD version of their subscription channels without effecting Freesat but until the BBC and ITV have HD channels covering all the regional variations SD will have to live alongside HD.

The HD subscription is more complicated. I would have said that it would have been replaced by a UHD subscription as the new format is introduced but DRX89x set top boxes are unlikely to support UHD.

Sky have already stated that they have no intention to charge extra for UHD reception on Sky Q which does not require a separate HD subscription.

UHD can only accelerate the move to Sky Q suggesting that the HD subscription could be subsumed into the Sports and Movie pack (similar to what happened with the family pack) during a future price review.

The variety pack could be dropped as suggested by an offer I received with £2 per month difference between the original and family pack.

[Scubbie]

I appreciate that it isn't likely that SD channels would be dropped soon in favour of HD versions.

Yes the national broadcasters need to resolve the issue regarding local HD coverage.

Is it time that the main broadcasters started to encourage the remaining people with SD TVs to HD or 4K?

[seawright]

Is it time that the main broadcasters started to encourage the remaining people with SD TVs to HD or 4K?

Think back to digital switchover. Providing that your TV had a scart socket there was no pressure to replace your TV.

A set top box enabled viewers with an analogue only TV to receive all the channels they were accustomed to plus some extra for £20 or less. A similar solution could be employed to downscale HD if SD channels are withdrawn.

[Scubbie]

Certainly that would be an option.

Perhaps with HDMI, Scart and phono connectors, such a box could serve as a good replacement.

[seawright]

As for Freesat from Sky just checked the scart output of a DRX595-L on a none HD CRT TV and it displays ITV & BBC1 HD perfectly so the box must already be capable of down scaling.