PlayTV 2 - HD?

[yobrenoops]

Does anyone know, or have we heard of a new version of Play TV for DVB-T2 in the UK?

Can we hope for Freeview HD?

[Shin-Ra]

I haven't heard of updated PlayTV hardware for DVB-T2 and only just now discovered public service has already begun for BBC HD and ITV1 HD with Channel 4 HD [along with an S4C channel in HD in Wales] coming soon. Five HD aims to launch on Freeview HD in late 2010.

http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Services/Freeview-HD
http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/S...s/Freeview-HD2

The first Freeview HD boxes will be available in February 2010. Freeview HD TVs will be available from March and Freeview+ HD recorders will be available later in Spring 2010. You can choose from a range of manufacturers, prices and product features. But they all come with 'just-like-real-life' picture quality and 'hear-a-pin-drop' sound from Dolby.

After dragging their feet it's suddenly crept up on me. Good news for the greater shift to HD!

Hopefully an upgraded PlayTV would adopt torne's hardware aesthetic.

[Maximus]

Sadly for us we won't get Freeview HD until 2012 when Analogue is turned off in London and South East.

[Shin-Ra]

The Freeview site suggests otherwise but maybe they're oversimplifying the rollout.

[Maximus]

Not sure where they'll get the bandwidth from, but whatever. If they say March then that'll be awesome.

[Shin-Ra]

Found this January announcement:

Sony Commercialises World’s First*1 Demodulator LSI for “DVB-T2”*2

07 January 2010
Sony Corporation today announced the commercialization of the world’s first demodulator LSI for high-definition television use conforming to the “DVB-T2”*2 (Digital Video Broadcasting –Terrestrial 2) terrestrial digital broadcast standard adopted in the UK.

“DVB-T2” is a new terrestrial digital broadcast standard which improves on the current “DVB-T”*3 terrestrial digital broadcast standard adopted in Europe and various other countries and regions around the world. “DVB-T2” significantly increases data transmission capacity compared to “DVB-T”, and optimizes use of band frequencies to enhance the quality of high definition broadcasts. The first “DVB-T2” standard terrestrial digital broadcasts commenced in the UK in December, 2009.

This “DVB-T2” specification demodulator LSI incorporates Sony’s proprietary reception algorithms and error correction circuits to achieve highly sensitive reception, even within weak electric fields, and stable reception within multipath environments, while also reducing power consumption. It is also compatible with the current “DVB-T” standard, as well as the “DVB-C”*4 cable broadcast standard, providing flexibility for “DVB-T2” set designs, while contributing to miniaturization and a reduction in the number of components.

With adoption of the “DVB-T2” expected to expand to various countries across Europe and around the world, Sony will actively promote the use of this new LSI to manufacturers of large-screen TVs, set top boxes and other applicable products.

This LSI is to be used in UK models of Sony’s “BRAVIA” LCD TVs which are scheduled to be released in 2010.

Major features

- World’s first*1 demodulator LSI for “DVB-T2”, compatible with three standards (“DVB-T2”, “DVB-T“ and “DVB-C”) contributing to product miniaturization and reduction of components.

- Sony’s proprietary reception algorithms and error correction circuits ensure high sensitivity reception, even within weak electric fields (CNR of 19.2 dB required for DTG109 transmit parameter broadcasts in the UK) and stable reception within multipath environments.

- Low power consumption of 700mW (typical consumption when LDPC decoder operating at maximum level).

- Supports multiple-PLP*5

Notes to editors

*1 Based on Sony research (as of January, 2010)

*2 DVB-T2: Second generation terrestrial digital broadcast standard “ETSI EN302 755”. This is the improved version of the first generation “DVB-T”. Digital sound and video signals are transmitted using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) digital modulation. Using a time interleaver and LDPC code (a kind of error correction system) improves the transmission efficiency by approximately 50% compared with “DVB-T”.

*3 DVB-T: First generation terrestrial digital broadcast standard “ETSI EN300 744”. This standard is adopted in various countries and regions around the world including Europe. Digital sound and video signals are transmitted using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) digital modulation.

*4 DVB-C: Cable digital broadcast standard “ETSI EN300 429”. This standard is adopted in various countries and regions around the world including Europe. Digital sound and video signals are transmitted using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) digital modulation.

*5 Multiple-PLP: Technology which multiplexes plural transport streams adopted in “DVB-T2” in a physical layer. This LSI conforms to DTG400, DTG401, DTG402, DTG403, DTG404 and other parameters.

edit: Bit more here.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Still nothing on when this will hit the US?