No full-HD for Freeview

News just in folks, that Freeview HD won’t actually be transmitted in 1080p full-HD when it goes live! That’s bad news for everyone who’s bought a full-HD television, and waited for Freeview to start transmitting in HD later this year.

Why is this? Well, regulator Ofcom has decided to go for MPEG 4.0 compression, which is only 1080i, instead of a video codec that supports full HD.

It’s not that surprising a move in all honesty, especially as Sky HD and Freesat don’t actually transmit 1080p broadcasts either. Besides, Ofcom considers the newer full-HD codec as too much of risk, especially when such a small percentage of households actually own a 1080p telly.

Still, at least they’ll be ready for it by the time Ofcom decides to give it to us. But by then of course we’ll all have virtual-3D-reality-toting telly glasses and full-HD will be redundant. Oh well.

(Freeview via Wotsat Blog)

Got an opinion about Ofcom not going with full HD? Get chatting about it on the PriceRunner forums.

Related Articles:

1. iWoot introduces Freeview on the move!Boys’ toys gadgetbox iwoot has just started flogging a tiny portable media player with Freeview built in, but there’s no token antenna squeezed inside: the lil’ gogglebox will keep a signal up to 111mph, so there’s no way you’ll miss Match Of The Day, even tearing down the M1! The iwoot pocket telly, or “3.5 Inch [...]...
2. Freeview HD coming to UK in DecemberThe BBC has confirmed that Freeview HD transmissions will begin on 2 December. The roll out starts with one transmitter, covering two cities, but will then move on rapidly to other areas, with the roll out due to complete by 2012. If you’re lucky enough to live within range of the Winter Hill transmitter, according to [...]...
3. Freeview getting ITV HD this year!Credit crunch killed off your HD dreams? Fear not. ITV HD is making its way to Freeview this year, letting you get your weekly dose of Corrie, not to mention top class football, without having to pay a penny. The move is all down to a deal between the BBC and its commercial rival. Read [...]...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Rate this article