Satellite TV 1985

So that is the same Tech as BSB? who else use that bar the French?

Yes similar standard, the Germans and Nordic countries used it.

Denmark used D2MAC right up till mid 2006.

You have to wonder why we are SO far be hide other countries, in the progress for better telly.

Agreed. When I think we could have had HDTV or even Super HDTV in the late 80's or early 90's...

I take it the Astral Satellite was able to broadcast HDTV,

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/1986-bsb-wins-dbs-franchise-33344/ for more details about Sat tv in the 1980s.

Astra satellites do carry many HDTV services.

Very true but it's a fairly recent innovation. To have had it in the early 1990's would have put us as a huge advantage.

Slight issue being the lack of HD-compatible televisions back in the late 80s/early 90s. However, it could have driven their development and sales.

It seem The whole concept come about when Brian Haynes produced "TV Eye" documentary in which looked in to Ted Turner and his USA satellite broadcasting operations and soon released the Potential of Satellites in Providing a new and Different kind of television.

http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/9491 15/03/1979)

He asked Thames TV, for a set up and refused, he spoke worth the ITC and leading Industry group before setting up SATV in Novmerber 1980.

Yes, HD isn't a new thing - the French had an 819 line system up and running from 1949 and Japan had a 1080 line system in the 80's. I remember seeing HD demonstrated at the BBC stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition when I was a kid. By the time HD MAC was being used DVB was on the horizon so it was a bit late

However just because it was possible doesn't mean it was necessarily practical. It was analogue of course - no digital compression, so it's far more bandwidth heavy than SD.

So if there did introduce HD, I take it way not have the space for CH4? let alone Ch5?