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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.

Help with Free satellite?
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau1
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?2
What is a CA module?3
My box says "No Satellite signal being received"4
Is there any way I can get free channels via satellite and have the kind of hard5
In this section
Show me the 55 TV channels have moved to the new Astra 2G satellite 1
Good news for Freesat? Astra 2E satellite launched2
No satellite signal? Check your dish for snow!3
New satellite footprints page4
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
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
C
COLIN
7:51 AM

Ive a goodmans freesat hd 500gb recorder it wont record any BBC hd channel even after numerous full re-sets

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COLIN's 8 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:11 AM

Colin I would check all cabling first at the receiver end. If the problem isn't resolved then if possible can you connect to another dish - neighbour or family member? If it works OK from another dish source then it could be faulty LNB or cabling.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:17 AM

P.S.> If you check reception of True Movies or Movies for Men and there is no signal or signal breakup then your dish is not peacked for optimum reception - it may have moved..

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
C
COLIN
8:28 AM

MY BROTHER HAS THE SAME BOX & THE SAME PROBLEM IT STARTED WHEN BBC HD CHANGED THEIR SIGNAL IN EARLY JUNE I RECIEVE ALL BBC HD CHANNELS OK BUT WHEN I TRY & RECORD IT SAYS NO SIGNAL

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COLIN's 8 posts GB flag
C
COLIN
8:38 AM

Im getting signal strength of over 97% on both those movie channels

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COLIN's 8 posts GB flag
B
Barry
7:16 PM

I have a Samsung UE40D6530 TV with built in DVB-S2 tuner based in Barcelona. I have retuned the TV but the BBC HD channels are nowhere to be seen. Any suggestions?

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Barry's 5 posts ES flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:02 PM

Barry: The spec I have seen on this model suggests that it is a Freeview only model and as such will not work outside of the UK's digital terrestrial network, this unlike a Freesat model which would do.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

10:35 PM

Colin - This had been caused by changes to the signal on the transpoder from which the BBC one HD and BBC HD broadcasts are beamed. The Modulation changed from DVB-S to DVD-S2. I assumed wrongly obviously that your receiver would not have the recording issues you describe after the numerous re-sets made.

Normal proceedure is to place the receiver in standby for 30 seconds and then re-start, but if still giving problems to undertake a factory re-configuration to re-generate a FIRST TIME INSTALLATION. Please try this again and if still no joy there is a "Freesat" support team available on 08450 990 990 who will be able to offer further advice with your particular receiver.



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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Les Nicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

10:53 PM

Colin- Just to add there are apparently issues with the Harvard Group receivers and the Goodmans receiver is one of their models where they are unable to manage DVB-S2 modulation. I have just noted that some retail outlets are re-placing same so you also need to check this out You may get more info on this from the number in my previous post.
Hope you get some satisfaction on this one.

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Les Nicol's 991 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
B
Barry
8:56 AM

Hi JB38, others,

The Samsung UE40D6530 is actually the Spanish version and so includes a built in satellite decoder (I think the UK version is different). I get all the UK channels very well in Barcelona except in early June the BBC HD channels disappeared, and even when I retune there is no sign of them.

Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Barry

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Barry's 5 posts ES flag
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