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BBC HD to switch to DVB-S2 on 6th June 2011

The BBC will switch to the higher-capacity modern modulation scheme for the BBC HD and BBC One HD channels on satellite.

The BBC will switch to the higher-capacity modern modulation sc
published on UK Free TV

The high definition (HD) television channels on satellite require a lot more bandwidth (number of bits per second) than the standard definition (SD) ones, as you might expect.

However the additional capacity required is reduced in two ways. First the MPEG-4 compression system is used (rather than MPEG-2) and generally the DVB-S2 modulation system increases the bandwidth of each satellite transponder.

Generally speaking, around nine SD television channels can be carried on a transponder in DVB-S mode, and four HD channels on one in DVB-S2 mode.

For historical reasons, the BBC's Astra 2D transponder 50 has been providing BBC One HD and BBC HD (and also ITV1 HD Merdian South) in the DVB-S mode, and this has used all the capacity on the transponder, because of the lower bitrate.

The changes

One 6th June 2011, the BBC will switch the transponder to DVB-S2. If you watch using Sky+HD, Virgin Media or Freeview HD you will not have to do anything.

If you use a branded Freesat box (or TV set), you may need to put it into stand-by mode for 30 seconds on 6th June. If that doesn't work, perform a 'first time installation'.

Update: Some Panasonic Freesat boxes are unable to deal with the change - see comments below

If you are using a unbranded Freesat box, you may find that you also have to do a 'first time installation' to get the channels back.

Some older satellite equipment will not support DVB-S2. If you can't watch Channel 4 HD, then you will no longer be able to watch the BBC HD channels.

Sky HD, Freesat HD EPG issues

Currently BBC One HD cannot automatically replace BBC One in the Sky EPG at position 101, because there are 15 regional versions of BBC One, and only a single BBC One HD 'stream' on the satellite.

BBC Two carries four regions for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For a BBC TWO HD to appear in the Sky EPG at position 102, the BBC would need to provide four versions of BBC TWO HD.

All the other BBC channels are national, and have no regional components. BBC Three timeshares with CBBC, BBC FOUR timeshares with CBeebies, plus there is BBC News, BBC Parliament and BBC Alba.

The extra capacity found by moving to DVB-S2 could allow the BBC to provide BBC Three, BBC Four, CBeebies and CBBC channel in HD, and these could be provided in the "usual" EPG slots for Sky HD and Freesat HD users, which would put them on the lower numbered channels nearer the top of the guide.

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BBC satellite changes: radio, BBC ONE HD, Red button reduction 12-15 October 2015
Changes to BBC HD transmissions on Astra satellites on 20 September 20126

Comments
Thursday, 30 June 2011
P
peter
7:15 PM

We have a panasonic dvd recorder DMR-XS350EB,We did a succesfull shipping condition etc. but have lost the clock on the recorder any advice.

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peter's 2 posts GB flag
Friday, 1 July 2011
P
paul
3:32 PM

@peter, turn power saver/ eco mode to off shud do it

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paul's 7 posts GB flag
Saturday, 2 July 2011
S
SAB
1:14 PM

I have a Bush BFSAT01HD I've done every thing I can including numerous first installs and changing frequency , symbol rating, DVB, modualtion etc.etc but I still cannot get BBC1 HD or Channel 4 HD.
Anyone have any ideas?

Wanted to watch Wimbledon on HD

link to this comment
SAB's 1 post GB flag
Monday, 4 July 2011
K
Keith Holderness
10:25 AM

Hi SAB, I have exactly the same problem with my BFSAT01HD. I have tried every thing that has been suggested, but no luck. Any help out there please.

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Keith Holderness's 1 post GB flag
Saturday, 9 July 2011
K
KOL
6:27 PM

LOOKS LIKE WEVE BEEN SHAFTED BY THE BBC. THEIR LIGHT YEARS BEHIND SKY IN HD & 3D YET WERE FORCED TO PAY THEM £145 A YEAR, THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION NEEDS KICK UP THE ARSE

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KOL's 8 posts GB flag
Mark Aberfan Aerials
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:57 PM

Hi KOL,

I cant agree with that,

Im happy to see my money fund a corperation thats the envy of the world & famed for unbiased reporting of the news instead of funding a corperation famed for abusing its monopoly in the uk, pricing sport out of the reach of many, bribing policemen & sponsoring criminal acts.

The BBC have a very small budget for television compared to sky, so its no surprise they dont have as much HD & 3D as sky do ! The BBC also has to spend that smaller budget covering public service programming which sky have no obligation to do.

Mark Aberfan Aerials

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Mark Aberfan Aerials's 1,059 posts GB flag
Mark Aberfan Aerials
sentiment_satisfiedGold

9:27 PM

Hi Sab / Keith,

There is a known issue with some Bush HD freesat boxes which are unable to cope with DVB-S2 transmissions (which is the format used by the BBC & Chan 4), as DVB-S2 is part of the freesat spec the boxes are unfit for the purpose they sold for. You should return the box to the retailer (even out of g'tee) for replacement or refund if they refuse contact trading standards.

Mark Aberfan Aerials

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Mark Aberfan Aerials's 1,059 posts GB flag
Sunday, 10 July 2011
K
KOL
8:38 AM

The BBC shows dross night after night if your happy with them then all i can say is your easily pleased

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KOL's 8 posts GB flag
D
David
sentiment_satisfiedGold

9:21 AM

Mark, it has happened before to me with boxes that changes have been made by broadcasters and boxes failed to opperate afterwards, never have I been able to get a free replacement.
Are you replacing any free you supplied?
Presently with my 2008 Freesat Panasonic TV set I am getting no where with Panasonic over the lack of it getting the BBC i-player.

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David's 306 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

10:32 AM

David: Just purely out of curiosity, what model number of Panasonic Freesat TV are you referring to?

Regarding what Mark has said, most retailers are not really technical people and as such haven't a clue about system specifications, with "trading standards" being the people you should take your complaint to, that said though, even they have to seek technical advice when dealing with any complaints of a nature such as yours, so instant answers are never forthcoming.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
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