You will now find tests for Channel 4 HD on Sky under the following settings
12.188 H
Symbol Rate: 27.5 (leave as it is)
FEC: 2/3 (leave as it is)
The test channel is called '4mix' and displays a new 4 hd logo with the some Channel 4 music playing
As this isn't in HD maybe its not a test for 4HD. I know thats what the graphics say but maybe those graphics are just there because they need to show something.
It would seem quite pointless to test a HD channel by showing it in SD, wouldn't it?
No idea what that SD "4 Mix" test is for, but the actual 1080i HD test is here:
11.796H
Symbol Rate: 29500
FEC: 3/4
Unfortunately not available via 'Other Channels' on Sky boxes, but it should be on EPG number 140 hopefully next Monday.
You will now find tests for Channel 4 HD on Sky under the following settings
12.188 H
Symbol Rate: 27.5 (leave as it is)
FEC: 2/3 (leave as it is)
The test channel is called '4mix' and displays a new 4 hd logo with the some Channel 4 music playing
As this isn't in HD maybe its not a test for 4HD. I know thats what the graphics say but maybe those graphics are just there because they need to show something.
It would seem quite pointless to test a HD channel by showing it in SD, wouldn't it?
No idea what that SD "4 Mix" test is for, but the actual 1080i HD test is here:
11.796H
Symbol Rate: 29500
FEC: 3/4
Unfortunately not available via 'Other Channels' on Sky boxes, but it should be on EPG number 140 hopefully next Monday.
Thank goodness some people have proper HD boxes ah!
On the question of who is doing the playout, I haven't seen anything official but it does seem like Sky is doing it. The HD test channel previously had some bits of Sky Box Office HD on it, and that SD "4 Mix" thing is on a transponder with Sky Active and Sky News radio.
There are also reports that Sky have asked Voom HD to launch as soon as possible, and Sky will be doing the playout for FX HD, so it seems they 're doing all they can to increase HD content, so if Sky are helping Channel 4 to launch a HD simulcast now, it's probably why the channel won't be on Virgin Media at launch.
Red Bee are likely to be handling the playout of C4HD long term - it was mentioned in the press releases announcing Red Bee getting the C4 playout contract. Not sure if Red Bee are doing it from launch or if there is a temporary solution at Horseferry Road - it would be best if it were co-sited I would expect - as it is a simulcast of C4. Be interesting to know whose transponder capacity they are using.
I don't think thats likely at the moment, don't forget they only just switched to widescreen early this year. However I was reading their news blog and I did notice that they are thinking about that in the future..
Like with widescreen there is little point while the footage coming in is mainly in SD.
Hollyoaks and Skins are the only (UK) things I've heard of confirmed as in HD, while I think Shameless will be from the next series too.
I'd imagine alot of the one-off dramas are filmed in HD too. In fact because C4 only commission a limited amount of home grown drama in comparison to the BBC and ITV I guess there is a much better chance most of it will be in HD.
I do think though they'd have been better opting for a mixed-HD channel like the BBC - giving C4 priority but during non-HD broadcasts screening content from E4 and More4 too. Film4 probably in time will get it's own HD simulcast.
I see though why they've opted for a simulcast - that way HD viewers can just stick to ch140 for C4, rather than having to switch themselves everytime a HD programme comes on.
