Hook Technologies Ltd DVB News

17/08/09

Prime now on Freeview
Today Freeview announced that Prime is now available on both platforms of Freeview. The digital terrestrial service Freeview|HD as well as the Freeview satellite service now have Prime. All existing receivers will be able to be retuned to have Prime and all new receivers will have Prime available. The 7 day Freeview EPG now has Prime included allowing booking of recorded programmes on Prime direct from the EPG on both satellite and terrestrial PVRs.

19/06/09

New DishTV HDMI Satellite PVR

HTL have today announced the new DishTV S7050PVR with HDMI, USB PVR, card reader and media player functions. More info here.

05/06/09

TVNZ Sports Extra - gone from satellite

TVNZ have notified Freeview that TVNZ Sports Extra, the occasional sport channel on Freeview, is now available only on the Freeview|HD platform. The part-time channel will remain operational on the Freeview|HD service until after Wimbledon in July.

We expect that the reason for this is due to TVNZ needing more bandwidth via the satellite for the new regional services. See the next item for more information.

05/06/09

TVNZ Channels via satellite degraded

You may also have noticed the TVNZ channels on the satellite have recently been very low video quality and tend to pixellate regularly. Some customers have thought that their receiver was faulty or that their dish was suffering from bad rainfade.

However the reason for it is that TVNZ has reduced the quality to allow for regional programming. That is multiple broadcasts with advertising focussed on different regions of the country. This of course uses up far more bandwidth and reducing the quality of the broadcast is one of the easier ways to deal with this.

Another method is to remove one channel, which we feel sure is why TVNZ Sports Extra is no longer available via satellite.

While Freeview do not control what each broadcaster does with their channels, Freeview would like to hear your comments on the video quality of the TVNZ channels. Please contact Freeview via their website www.freeviewnz.tv

We also would like to hear your comments via our contact us page and we can pass those on to Freeview directly if you wish.

01/02/09

HTL announce a new 4 satellite multiswitch

Multi

New for Feb 2009 is the 4 satellite multiswitch.

01/01/09

HTL announce a new satellite meter from Trimax

New for 2009 is the SM-2500 satellite meter from Trimax. The SM-2500 features a full spectrum analyzer, as well as a built in satellite receiver and TV so that you can be certain of having the correct satellite and having the dish properly aligned before getting down from the roof.

HTL are the authorised distributors for Trimax meters in New Zealand.

04/12/08

Freeview announce the new MyFreeview service

The MyFreeview service is the brand name given to the Freeview approved PVRs. These PVRs will have all the features of MySky with a few more bundled in, depending on the manufacturer. Like MySky the MyFreeview will allow you to series link, meaning all the episodes in a series will be recorded. Like all good PVRs the MyFreeview allows you to record two channels while watching a third pre-recorded programme. Topfield, Haute and Visione are all releasing PVRs for the Freeview|HD service very soon.

01/12/08

HTL announce the arrival of the Haute HD3000 Freeview approved Freeview|HD receiver

The HD3000 is the latest product offered from HTL and is a Freeview approved Freeview|HD receiver for the Freeview|HD service. The HD3000 offers Freeview MHEG5, Hi Definition video via HDMI and a host of other options including scart output. See our products page for more info.

30/09/08

Chinese Television Joins Freeview

New Zealand viewers are set to benefit from the arrival of ChineseTV8 on Freeview|HD_TMchannel number 28. The channel will launch in early October.

ChineseTV8’s engaging programme line-up includes news and current affairs from mainland , Hong Kong and Taiwan, popular drama series, variety shows of diverse formats, documentaries with an Asian emphasis and a wide range of Asian focused `infotainment'.

Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview says ChineseTV8 is an exciting addition to the current array of content available on Freeview|HD_TM,which was launched in April 2008 and is available to 75% of New Zealand homes.

08/08/08

HTL announce the arrival of the VE4000 DVB-t receiver for the Freeview|HD service

The VE4000 is the latest product offered from HTL and is a 12/240v Digital Terrestrial receiver for the Freeview|HD service. The VE4000 offers MHEG5, Hi Definition video via HDMI or component and a host of other options. See our products page for more info.

20/06/08

TVNZ announces Olympics to be broadcast Free to air

TVNZ announces they will broadcast more than 800 hours of free-to-air Olympics action to New Zealanders this August, with live coverage on TVOne and TVNZ Sports.

Beijing 2008 will also be the first Olympics broadcast in high definition.

19/06/08

TV3 Launchs 5.1 surround sound on Freeview|HD

TV3 will be the first broadcaster in New Zealand to launch 5.1 surround sound, with the new service being available to viewers from this Sunday, June 22, during the screening of the top rated drama NCIS.

The service will give viewers who have installed Freeview|HD an enriched, theatre quality sound reproduction.

12/06/08

CCTV9 Available on Optus D2 FTA

CCTV International (CCTV-9), the English-language 24-hour news channel of China Central Television, was launched on GlobeCast Australia’s Optus D2 platform this week. The channel is dedicated to reporting news and information to its global audience, with a special focus on China. With a team of experienced and committed journalists, CCTV International is China´s contribution to greater diversity and more perspective in the global information flow. The programs can now be seen by 45 million subscribers outside China. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, CCTV International provides viewers with a host of news and feature programs. GlobeCast Australia’s DTH platform is home to major International news channels such as Russia Today, NHK World, Press TV, NDTV 24x7, Al Forat and now CCTV International. Downlink details from Optus D2 – Frequency 12546 | FEC 3/ 4 | Symbol Rate 22500 | Vertical Polarisation For further details contact dth@globecast.com.au

23/04/08

Mpeg-4 HD Satellite to feed HD to Broadcasters

From http://www.arqiva.com/press-office/press-releases/press-releases-2008/ar... Washington, DC Arqiva's Satellite Media Solutions division announced that it is joining forces with SAT-GE, a subsidiary of General Electric, to provide an Asia Pacific satellite-based High Definition (HD) video platform. Collaboration and co-ordination by both parties has already begun on the new platform that will enable broadcasters to distribute and contribute HD and Standard Definition (SD) channels to Asian-Pacific broadcasters and cable head-ends. From Arqiva's Digital Media Centre and teleport facilities in Los Angeles, California, the new HD platform will be uplinked onto GE 23 at 172 degrees East, which is ideally positioned to provide a broad satellite footprint for coverage from the United States into key locations including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. MPEG-4 encoding will be employed in a fully flexible range of bit rates including 12 and 8 megabits per second for HD, and 4 megabits per second for SD. The HD Video platform offers a state-of-the-art and cost-effective solution for customers wishing to reach the Asia Pacific. Andrew Jordan, SAT-GE President & CEO said, "We are excited about working with Arqiva to deliver video services to the growing market. The MPEG-4 technology behind the new platform will enable broadcasters to deliver HD content at an extremely cost-effective price and will encourage SD broadcasters to enter into progressive HD delivery. Arqiva's global infrastructure and international reputation for delivering exceptional levels of reliable connectivity makes them the ideal partner for this project." Simon Thrush, Senior Vice President for Arqiva in the US added: "The Asia Pacific market offers tremendous opportunities for broadcasters, and Arqiva is excited to be facilitating this growth with SAT-GE. The available capacity on GE 23 makes it a particularly attractive proposition for broadcasters with an eye on future expansion, while its extensive footprint provides access to key growth markets including China. The combination of Arqiva's MPEG-4, DVB S2 8PSK technology, and relationship with SAT-GE, will be instrumental in redefining and expanding the HD satellite neighbourhoods in the Asian Pacific marketplace, enabling Arqiva to offer a cost-effective and high-quality service to our customers."

16/04/08

No Freeview|HD for Taranaki at this stage

It seems Freeview are unable, at this time, to provide the Freeview|HD digital terrestrial service to the Taranaki region. Reportedly, retailers in the region, selling thousands of dollars worth of high definition TVs, are angry Taranaki will not be able to access the service. However all they need to tell their customers is that to see Freeview in high definition in the Taranaki area, viewers will have to rely on upscaling technology. This is where a satellite receiver takes the standard definition (SD) Freeview Satellite service and 'upscales' the signal to 1080i HD. Naturally it is not the same as true HD, but then only a small percentage of Freeview|HD is actually true HD at this time, the rest is either SD or it is upscaled before being broadcast.

Topfield has three satellite receivers in New Zealand that upscale SD signals. The TF7700HSCI is actually a true H.264 HD satellite receiver, but it will also take Freeview's SD service and upscale it to a beautiful 1080i HD signal via it's HDMI connector.

The Topfield TF6000PVR ES will also do the same. However it adds in the huge 320gig HDD and two tuners, allowing you to record one or even two channels, while you watch another. Or record those two channels while you watch a pre-recorded programme in upscaled 1080i HD via the HDMI connector.

The third option is the Topfield TF5050CI HDMI receiver. See our products page for more information

14/04/08

Freeview Eclipses 100,000 Milestone

The Rt Hon Prime Minister Helen Clark acknowledges early success with Freeview, the free-to-air digital television and radio platform, today announced that more than 100,000 Freeview capable receivers have been purchased. Speaking at the Freeview|HD launch celebration at Te Papa in Wellington this afternoon, the Prime Minister outlined that the figure represents more than 6% of Kiwi homes - a remarkable achievement and one that not only places Freeview right at the forefront of global broadcasting capability but ahead of most countries in terms of rate of take-up for a free-to-air digital television and radio service. With the recent addition of TVNZ 7, Te Reo and tvCentral the total number of channels broadcasting on Freeview is now 15. In addition, Freeview is set to welcome radio station George FM to the Freeview satellite service.

13/04/08

Three New Channels for Freeview

TVNZ 7 is New Zealand's first advertising free factual channel, screening a range of news, current affairs, documentary and commentary shows with a particular focus on fresh and engaging local content in prime time. Significantly, around 70 percent of the channel's content is locally-produced, including Back Benches, a weekly political review show hosted by Wallace Chapman, and Media7, a multi-media news and commentary series hosted by Russell Brown. In addition, it will feature TVNZ News Now, live on the hour, every hour, coupled with a one hour news bulletin at 8pm, TVNZ News at 8. It launched on Sunday 30th March. Te Reo, a Maori language channel, will initially broadcast three hours a day, seven days a week, during the prime time hours of 8:00pm to 11:00pm on Freeview satellite channel 24. It launched on Friday 28th March. tvCentral will be available on Freeview|HD connecting the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty with coast to coast regional television that is local, entertaining and informative. Its schedule is made up of over 30% local content, alongside national, regional and international programming. As a 'family safe' channel it aims to cater to all age groups and genres.

1/04/08

Topfield Freeview|HD receiver announced

Hook Technologies Ltd have announced that Topfield is also working on Freeview approval for a Freeview|HD digital terrestrial receiver. Those wanting immediate notification of any release dates or prices should join the forum at Topfield New Zealand www.topfield-newzealand.co.nz as announcements will be first emailed to all members.

17/03/08

Freeview|HD Launch date announced

Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview, today announced that Kiwis’ can look forward to HD capable Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) courtesy of the Freeview|HD service from 2nd April 2008. “Freeview|HD is New Zealand’s first high definition capable digital service and has the potential to dramatically alter the way in which Kiwis access and then enjoy television and radio programmes. It will provide crystal clear digital quality pictures and sounds on all channels with the added bonus of TVOne, TV2, and TV3 broadcast in a high definition format,” he says. “The Freeview satellite service made bad reception a thing of the past, delivering crystal clear standard definition pictures to over 80,000 homes since its launch in May 2007. The addition of the Freeview|HD service provides the option to access free-to-air digital television and radio via UHF aerial,” he adds. The Freeview|HD service will be available in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, or approximately 75% of New Zealand homes.

15/03/08

Hook Technologies Ltd release details of their new Freeview|HD Receiver

The Haute HD3000 is specifically designed to meet Freeview NZ standards and approval for Freeview|HD high definition receivers...more

12/03/08

Freeview Names Their DTT Service

Today Freeview NZ announced the name of their new digital terrestrial TV service - Freeview|HD. “We want consumers to know what their choices are for digital television and radio access. The name we’ve chosen clearly does that. It’ll enable consumers to clearly identify the consumer electronics devices that include a Freeview HD capable receiver and provides broadcasters with a platform to showcase high definition programming. The Freeview|HD platform will be operating at the cutting edge of broadcasting innovation,” says Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview. The MyFreeTV HD3000 receiver will be used for this service. See our product range for more details.

27/02/08

Maori TV to launch a new channel

Maori Television’s new reo Maori channel will be officially launched at a dawn ceremony at 5.00 AM on Friday March 28 before its first, live-to-air broadcast from the gala dinner of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference in Auckland later that night. At 8.00 PM, an hour-long live-to-air broadcast will simulcast on both channels from the conference’s closing event at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and will also be streamed on the website www.maoritelevision.com. The new channel – the name of which will be announced on March 10 – will initially broadcast during the prime time hours of 8.00 PM to 11.00 PM seven days a week on Freeview. Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the aim is to better meet the needs of fluent Maori speakers, committed second language learners and those viewers keen to have full immersion Maori language households. All programming will be exclusively in te reo Maori with no advertising or subtitles. There will also be special tribal programming and a particular focus on new programming for the older, fluent audience.

26/02/08

Topfield launches New Zealand's first HD satellite receiver

The Topfield TF7710HSCI is New Zealand's first high definition satellite receiver...more

26/02/08

Topfield launches a new HDMI PVR in New Zealand

The Topfield TF6000PVR ES is the newest of the Topfield PVR range. An HDMI output with upscaling for HD TVs and a 320gig HDD with a LAN ethernet connection make this the best Topfield PVR ever... more

26/02/08

New Freeview channel TVNZ 7

A new channel for Freeview launches on March 30. It is to be a factual channel, made up of 30 percent news bulletins and 70 percent documentaries and current affairs shows. Overall about 70 percent of the content on TVNZ 7 will be produced locally.

Every hour there will be a 10 minute news bulletin and at 8pm a full one hour news broadcast.

"There are two locally commissioned shows - Media 7, a weekly media review show, and Back Benches, a show that makes politics relevant to everyday New Zealanders."

This will bring the channel line-up for Freeview to 11 channels.

19/02/08

So when can New Zealand expect HDTV and what will the specs be?

The launch of Freeview Aerial is set for early/mid 2008. Comprehensive tests are underway now by Kordia, you may have even seen the signals if you happen to be trolling through the UHF band looking for anything different. The tests have been conducted in some of the major cities across New Zealand.

However just because the tests are running, do not be in a hurry to rush out and buy an Australian DTT receiver or anything silly like that.

Firstly the specs of the Australian receivers is totally different to the Freeview Aerial specs. Among other things, the biggest difference is that Australia broadcasts in Mpeg2 only and New Zealand broadcasts in Mpeg4 only. There is no way to convert an Australian DTT receiver to work in New Zealand.

Secondly when you buy your Freeview Aerial receiver you will want an offical Freeview approved model. Why you ask, I thought Freeview Approved receivers were rubbish and expensive? Well that has been true of the Freeview Satellite receivers, they had their problems, they were expensive, you couldn't receive the extra free channels from other broadcasters and they don't have HDMI output with upscaling to 1080i. So for satellite we still recommend the Topfield and DishTV receivers without the Mheg-5 limitations.

However things are completely different with Freeview Aerial. With the HD digital terrestrial broadcasts the Freeview Approved receivers will be the only ones to have the full benefit of the EPG and other multi-view-angle services. Buying a non-approved model will mean you miss out on some of the best features. And if a manufacturer is not willing have Freeview test their receiver, it could be because it just isn't up to scratch, as this time around Freeview is being very fussy with their testing. The approved receivers have to be very good. So don't get caught by buying the wrong receiver.

HTL will have a Freeview Approved Freeview Aerial receiver and as we get closer to the launch we will have the details and specs available on our website. But don't expect to be buying your receiver before the launch. Most likely you will have to wait until 12:01am on the morning of the launch to buy your receiver online via the retailers listed on our Where to Buy page. And although we will have plenty of stock on hand for our retailers, with the rush to get Freeview Aerial, it may well be first in first served for the initial weeks of the launch.

01/02/08

What is digital TV? Can I get it in New Zealand?

Digital TV, often refered to as DVB or Digital Video Broadcast, is available in New Zealand in two ways - via satellite (DVB-s) and via digital terrestrial broadcasts (DVB-t).

DVB-s - you will be most familiar with DVBs from SKYs paytv service. However many people do not realise that there are many other channels that are available FREE!!

How can that be? Well broadcasting via satellite is very similar to broadcasting via a terrestrial (land based) transmitter. In order to make money the broadcasters just sell advertisement time. So you will find that New Zealand's main free to air (FTA) channels are available via satellite, known as Freeview Satellite, along with many other channels, both in English and other languages.

What do I need to receive it? Usually just a working satellite dish (46cm, 60cm or 75cm is fine for NZ) and any one of our satellite receivers listed on our products page.

DVB-t - digital terrestrial is still new to New Zealand and is yet to be launched. Currently the service has only been trialed in major cities around New Zealand, reaching to some of the towns nearby. This service allows perfect digital reception via a standard UHF aerial and a DVB-t receiver. The service will be launched fully in mid 2008. This service will be known as Freeview Aerial.

January 2007
New Topfield PVR launched in New Zealand - Topfield TF6000PVR

This PVR incorporates all the PVR features of its award winning predecessor the Topfield TF5010PVR but in addition they have integrated an IEEE 802.11g WLAN and 160GB HDD for added storage. More here..

December 2006
DTT Trial Finished

TVNZ has announced that the DTT (digital terrestrial) trial in Auckland has now finished. They will launch a full FreeView DTT service in 2008.

February 2006
Topfield's latest receivers in New Zealand!

Topfield's latest FTA satellite and terrestrial receivers have arrived in New Zealand!

Topfield TF6000F - FTA digital satellite receiver. More here..

Topfield TF6000T - FTA digital terrestrial receiver. More here..

November 2005
Digital 'poses threat to TVNZ's survival'
24 November 2005
By ANNA CHALMERS

Television New Zealand and Maori Television face possible extinction if the Government does not step in and help free-to-air broadcasters move to a digital platform.

Briefing papers for Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey warn that New Zealand "cannot avoid" engaging with digital technology, which has dramatically altered broadcasting overseas.

"The Government's policy stance on digital broadcasting will very probably determine if free-to-air television survives in the longer term," briefing papers prepared by Ministry of Culture and Heritage say.

Moves by Sky TV to buy Prime have further stirred concerns that TVNZ's market position is under threat.

If Sky's bid is successful the pay TV operator could block TVNZ's plans for a digital platform, which is currently backed by all free-to-air broadcasters, including Prime.

"If you stand back and look at trends relating to Sky, the outlook for TVNZ is quite worrying – far more so than who bought Judy Bailey's clothes," one analyst said.

Digital transmission enables better quality picture and sound, more channels, and interactive features such as viewers choosing camera angles. Pay TV operator Sky is the only New Zealand broadcaster offering digital transmission.

Briefing papers say the Government must make policy decisions by early 2006.

Key issues include:

* The type of digital platform to support – digital terrestrial, satellite or a mixture.

* Whether to subsidise broadcasters – digital set-up costs vary from $5 million to more than $20 million.

* The cost to consumers – at least $150 for set-top boxes needed to decode digital signals.

* Whether to set an analogue switch-off date, to speed up the process.

TVNZ has been trying to get a digital service off the ground for more than five years. Spokeswoman Megan Richards said TVNZ's latest digital proposal would be submitted to the Government before Christmas. It would include proposals for a digital platform and content.

Without the transmission upgrade – which is likened to the shift from cassettes to CDs – existing services are likely to fall over, Ministry of Culture and Heritage digital broadcasting director Jo Tyndall said in September.

Such technology is essential in the move to high-definition TV and personal video recorders, which enable viewers to "pause" live TV, fast-forward advertisements, and create instant replays. Sky plans to introduce these by December.

From: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3489703a11275,00.html

November 2005
New satellite to watch

AMC 23 is due to be launched 172E in December 2005, with Cband and KU coverage of New Zealand.

More information is available at www.ses-americom.com

November 2005
Review of TF5000PVR

This month we found an interesting, though older, review of the TF5000PVR.
To read the article click here...

October 2005
TF5800PVR has achieved 5 stars

The UK's professional magazine on TVs, DVD & Digital recorders "What Video and Widescreen TV" has published their test report for TF5800PVR. TF5800PVR has acquired 5 stars as a test winner. Moreover, this report shows that TF5800PVR has is an impressive machine that combines superb picture quality with a vast choice of features.

The TF5010PVR is the New Zealand version of this receiver and the basic features are the same.

For more detailed information, please refer to the article here...

September 2005
TF5800PVR has achieved the grade "Gold".

The September issue of the UK's professional magazine "WHAT Satellite and DIGITAL TV" has undertaken a test. TF5800PVR has brought up the grade "Gold" with the best resulted mark (85%). This report shows TF5800PVR's key features in detail and also describes that this product is user-friendly.

The TF5010PVR is the New Zealand version of this receiver and the basic features are the same.

For more detailed information, please refer to the article here...

September 2005
Satellite News Service to the Pacific
From http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00380.htm

From Press Release: New Zealand Government
14 September 2005 Media Statement

$512,000 for news service to the Pacific

The Government will provide $512,000 for a satellite service to South Pacific television broadcasters, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said today.

The service includes ONE news satellite broadcasts to the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga, as well a weekly half-hour programme of Tagata Pasifika.

“Funding of the news service will help strengthen the important linkages between New Zealand and Pacific Island communities," Steve Maharey said.

TVNZ has provided news to the Pacific for a number of years, but recent satellite service technical failures and reception problems have meant that TVNZ has had to consider other options for continuing its broadcasts to the Pacific.

Following a review, the Government decided to fund an interim satellite service while a more permanent long-term solution is found for continuation of TVNZ broadcasting to the Pacific.

TVNZ broadcasts are offered to the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga without charge, as commercial pricing would typically put the content beyond the reach of these countries.

Also from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0509/S00183.htm

Press Release: Television New Zealand
14 September 2005 Press Release

ONE News and Pacific programming assured for South Pacific Broadcasters

TVNZ has welcomed the Government's decision to pick up the tab for an expanded satellite service to South Pacific television broadcasters.

It will ensure the daily satellite transmission of ONE News, and weekly transmission of TV ONE's specialist Pacific programme Tagata Pasifika to Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Islands. The service will begin on Friday.

TVNZ says part of the funding announced by the Government is to provide research to determine the most appropriate satellite transponder for the expanded service, and to make available those New Zealand-made programmes that are of special interest to Pacific nations.

TVNZ has had a longstanding relationship with Pacific broadcasters, and helped establish television stations in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji and other island groups.

Prior to the Government's decision, TVNZ had paid for a daily satellite feed of ONE News, which last year established a new Pacific unit to give greater depth to News coverage of the region. Pacific broadcasters said they wanted TV ONE news in preference to Australian bulletins.

The announcement of New Zealand Government support ensures not only a continuation of the service but an expansion of programming which will be particularly welcomed by the smaller South Pacific broadcasters.

August 2005
Topfield Advertisements in Wares Mag

Wares magazine is the sole independent communication medium between New Zealand's retailers of consumer electronics and appliances and their supplier base. Wares is the medium most relied on by this industry. The August issue featured the TF5000PVR and the TF4000Fi receivers in the Topfield range.

http://www.wares.co.nz/

June 2005
NASA TV

From: http://www.satdirectory.com/--nasa.html

Free-to-air satellite television offers a detailed insight into spaceflight activities including the shuttle missions via NASA Television. NASA TV is an educational media outlet that provides NASA related programing 24 hours per day. During Space Shuttle missions, NASA TV is compelling viewing. For the weeks before the launch the channel broadcasts daily updates, briefings and press conferences of pre-launch activities. However the real action begins the day of the Shuttle blast-off.

Around six hours before the launch the continuous mission coverage commences which extends right through until the mission ends some hours after the Shuttle landing. Viewers are treated to spectacular live video and audio of the controllers and astronauts which when combined with the downloadable resources at www.nasa.gov offers a front row seat to all stages of the space flight.

A schedule of major events in the mission timeline is available from the NASA website. Downloading the mission press-kit will enable you to plan your viewing to ensure you don't miss highlights such as launch, space station docking and landing.

NASA TV is available from Intelsat 701on a 2.4m C band dish.

Update 2006 - Nasa TV is now available via TVNZ broadcasts on Optus B1 with a 65cm dish

June 2005
Topfield TF5010PVR reviewed in Tone Mag

Check out Tone #37 June 2005 for a review on the Topfield TF5010PVR in New Zealand or visit http://www.tone.co.nz/

May 2005
CNET reviews TF5000PVRt

While digital terrestrial is not yet running in New Zealand (tests are being conducted in Auckland City) this review of the TF5000PVRt also shows what its sister receiver, the TF5000PVR satellite receiver, is capable of. Both receivers come with the same features.

cnet.com.au hometheatre digital review

May 2005
TVNZ Preparing for Digital Satellite TV

There have been technical changes made to TVNZ's use of its Optus B1 satellite transponder.

This satellite is now being uplinked from TVNZ's Avalon premises instead of from TelstraClear's facilities at Seaview, Wellington, a change made in the early hours of Friday morning, last.

This means the uplink and the transport stream is now generated and managed entirely by TVNZ within its own premises.

Engineers didn't expect any disruption to viewing but some receivers (STBs) may not have automatically picked up the change and may need a rescan. (Please visit our downloads page for a step by step guide to rescaning these channels)

TVNZ says the move is part of its development of Digital Free-To-Air services. Other preliminary work underway includes discussions with other broadcasters willing to make their channels available from the same satellite. These talks are on going with no date yet agreed for new services.

TVNZ is consulting widely with relevant interested parties in the industry to agree a DVB-S receiver specification. This will ensure New Zealand viewers receive optimum digital Free-To-Air reception including enhanced digital services.

April 2005
Topfield's TF4000Fe & TF5500PVR have won the WHAT satellite test

United Kingdom's prestigious and popular magazine "WHAT satellite AND DIGITAL TV" chose the TF4000Fe as a Best Budget Satellite Receiver. It introduces TF4000Fe as the best balance of price and performance. Moreover, TF5500PVR has achieved Best Satellite Media Server. The TF4000Fi and the TF5010PVR are the New Zealand version of these receivers.

For more detailed information, please refer to the article here...

April 2005
There is an NDS CAM!

For a long time now home theatre junkies have wanted a better satellite receiver than the Pace and Motorola models SKY NZ offers. They are happy to keep paying their monthly fee for their sports and movies, they just want to own their PVR, have faster channel changing times, have optical digital audio out, RGB output and S-Video as standard and any other features that many FTA receivers come with.

And so for all this time they have dreamed that somewhere out there there is a CAM that will accept SKY NZ smart cards. But there isn't...... so far.

You see SKY NZ uses an encryption called NDS. And until recently there hasn't been a CAM for NDS. Now there is! But wait there is a catch.

The NDS CAM is manufactured in Europe and is used for some of the broadcasts over Europe. It was specifically designed for hotel situations that had SMATV systems built in, not for the average home user. So even if you manage to go to all the trouble of getting one of these CAMs, which would be very unlikely unless you own a hotel or at least a SMATV system, as you need to provide the serial number of the system you have, you then still have to get the broadcaster, in this case SKY NZ, to activate the card by matching it to the NDS CAM. And I betcha SKY NZ won't do that for you. Why?

SKY NZ rents their decoders, they provide a good backup and replacement service for these decoders and they like the call back service (telephone line connection) on their receivers. Besides imagine if everyone had a different decoder, how would the help service people know what button you should press? So they won't help you get an NDS CAM.

And besides that? No one seems to know yet whether that NDS CAM from Europe will even support the SKY NZ smart card version.

Sad news. But there might be another way...... http://www.ucascity.com/forums/

March 2005
Comparison test of twin-tuner HDD recorders

One of Finland's most popular magazines "HIFI" has undertaken a comparison test among the six most popular twin-tuner PVR's in Finland. Test competitors were: JVC, Pioneer, Procaster, Handan, Medion and Topfield. The very elaborately test resulted in Topfield's TF5100 PVR as a test winner.

For more detailed information, please refer to the article here...
You may need to use google to translate it.

March 2005
TVNZ prepares satellite service

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3208447a28,00.html

TVNZ says it is holding discussions with other free-to-air broadcasters about setting up a satellite service that would broadcast digital TV channels to households. Head of public affairs Avon Adams says there would be no subscription fees or contracts for viewers to sign, but consumers would have to buy their own "low cost" set-top box from a retailer.

TVNZ has been trialling digital TV and set-top boxes for several months in conjunction with TV3 owner CanWest and Prime TV in several urban and rural locations near Auckland. They have been using a transmission mast in the Waitakere ranges owned by BCL to send out the digital TV signals.

Ms Adams says if the satellite-based initiative goes ahead, other free-to-air broadcasters could be invited to share the system. "The broadcasters would co-operate on technology and other matters, but would compete, as at present, with their services."

Ms Adams says the broadcasters' decision to advance discussions over the launch of a satellite-based transmission service shouldn't be viewed as a "vote of no confidence" in land-based digital terrestrial transmission (DTT). "The digital broadcasting landscape for New Zealand will require more than one distribution system and broadcasters, through the Commercial Broadcasters Association, continue to work positively with the Government and ministers to resolve issues around DTT."

TVNZ has appointed Eric Kearley to the role of digital programme manager, reporting directly to TVNZ head of programming Stephen Smith. He will study the feasibility of TVNZ using digital TV to deliver new content and services. He spent nine years at MTV, most recently as a vice-president of MTV Networks Europe with responsibility for the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon brands in Europe and Africa. He starts work at TVNZ next month.

December 2004
Fiji TV is here in New Zealand

Fiji TV is now up and running with about 8 FTA channels currently. However they only plan on keeping 1 of those FTA - Fiji TV1. The channels are broadcast on Intelsat 701 and can be received in New Zealand on a dish as small as 1.8m. After testing is finished a subscription will be available for the encrypted channels. Fiji TV plans to make these channels available to the islands of the Pacific, specifically mentioning Tonga and the Cook Islands but that may well include New Zealand.

December 2004
NASA Updates TV Coverage of Christmas Delivery to Space Station

From http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=15770

NASA TV (on Intelsat 701) will broadcast live the arrival of the next Russian Progress cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station. The Progress is scheduled to dock at about 6:31 p.m. EST, Dec. 25. NASA TV coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. EST.

The Progress is carrying approximately 5,000 pounds of cargo for Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov. This is the 16th Progress to dock with the Station. The supplies include food, fuel, spare equipment and Christmas gifts. Chiao and Sharipov have been aboard the Station since mid-October.

The NASA Johnson Space Center Newsroom will be open on Christmas during the live coverage of the Progress arrival. The Progress is scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, at 5:19 p.m. EST tomorrow. There will be no television coverage of the launch, but a status report will be issued once the Progress reaches orbit.

November 2004
TVNZ's plans for satellite Free to Air channels

Selected news from ''The Independent''

The TVNZ board has approved plans for a satellite operation delivering free-to-air television channels and radio to the whole of New Zealand. It is understood the satellite platform will carry TVNZ's own channels, Tv1 and Tv2, as well as other key free-to-air channels, including rivals Tv3 and Prime.

TVNZ has booked two transponders on the new Optus satellite being launched in 2006. However it already has enough capacity on the Optus B1 satellite. the same satellite currently used by Sky, to launch the service any time it chooses.

The project has been shrouded by a heavy veil of secrecy under the leadership of former TVNZ current affairs producer William Earl, who is managing the project from TVNZ's Wellington offices.

The Independent discovered TVNZ has registered several trademarks - FREEVIEWTV FREESATTV, FREESAT and FREEVIEW - all names identical to, or similar to, the free free-to-air digital platform established in the UK. The free channels, along with some radio stations, can be received by anyone with a small Sky TV-style dish and a free to air satellite receiver.

It is believed TVNZ has been examining different business models for additional channels on the satellite platform. Among them is a 24-hour news channel. The move would appear to end arguments about whether the future of New Zealand Digital Television should be from satellite or transmitted terrestrially. But getting business models to stack up economically will be a major challenge, especially for the first few years of the platform when audience
numbers will be limited.

At the end of last year, TVNZ's transmission arm BCL Ltd split from the state broadcaster to become a standalone state-owned enterprise. Another option was to use the Sky digital satellite platform. However, the government is believed to be squeamish about the "Murdochisation" of New Zealand television transmission. It is likely to endorse the New Zealand controlled option.

An announcement is expected soon.

September 2004
TVNZ plans satellite television network

From The Independent

TVNZ is expected to soon announce plans for a satellite operation delivering free-to-air television channels and radio to the whole of New Zealand. The system would deliver television signals to homes free of charge, so long as householders have bought an inexpensive set-top box. TVNZ is believed to be modeling its service on the free view system in the UK.

TVNZ has registered the following trademarks: FREEVIEWTV, FREESATTV, FREESAT and FREEVIEW. With the British Freeview, viewers can access around 50 channels and several radio stations free of charge once they have purchased a $150 set-top box.

Last week, TVNZ acquired a half transponder on the Optus B1 satellite, giving it sufficient capacity to launch a multi-channel digital operation to the entire country. It claimed it didn’t know what it planned to use the extra satellite for, leaving market-watchers wondering why the state broadcaster would commit to a multi-million dollar deal without some plan for its use.

TVNZ is believed to have booked two transponders on the new Optus satellite being launched in 2006. This would give the broadcaster capacity to deliver between 15 and 20 channels.

It is expected TVNZ’s competitors will be invited to transmit on the platform alongside TVNZ’s two channels. TVNZ’s business model is also believed to have investigated the creation of new channels for the platform.

But its announcement last week that it had acquired a half transponder on the current Optus satellite means it can launch the new free digital TV platform anytime, without waiting for the new Optus satellites to be launched.

TVNZ’s moves come hard on the heels of Broadcasting Minister, Steve Maharey’s Review of Broadcasting in New Zealand, due at year’s end. A key discussion will be whether New Zealand’s future digital television signals should be transmitted via a terrestrial network or via satellite. One option is to use the Sky digital satellite platform. But industry insiders believe the government is squeamish about the ‘Murdochisation’ of the New Zealand media, alarmed that the Sky platform would deliver News Ltd total control.

The new platform would ensure the government has control over any future free-to-air television delivery. Insiders say the terrestrial option is expensive and a hangover from the early days of television technology when satellites weren’t available.

An earlier plan by TVNZ to launch a satellite pay TV operation in partnership with TelstraClear, and in competition with Sky TV, collapsed in mid-2001 when TelstraClear withdrew from the partnership.

July 2004
Bigger choice in free satellite TV

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ by James Gardiner 31/7/04

Up to eight new free-to-air television channels could be available shortly.

TelstraClear has put up for sale its half of a transponder on the Optus B1 satellite, raising the prospect of digital television broadcasts from a range of small would-be broadcasters hoping to break into the television market.

Secret talks are already underway with a range of large and small broadcasters. An announcement of which company or companies are the successful bidders could come as early as next week.

State-owned Television New Zealand and transmission company BCL, along with private companies TV3 (CanWest) and Sky TV are all believed to be interested, along with smaller players such as Mai TV of Auckland, City TV in Wellington and the Christian channel Shine, which screens on Sky's satellite network.

The attraction for the smaller players is that many have struggled to get bandwidth on the crowded VHF and UHF frequencies.

But there are concerns that one of the big players, such as TVNZ, or Sky, might try to buy the lot to keep out competitors for viewers and advertisers.

Satellite television offers the opportunity to get national coverage to anyone willing to spend about $500 on a small satellite dish and a set-top box, which converts the digital signal to analogue for TV sets.

Industry observers reckon that within a decade analogue television broadcasts will disappear, ushering in an era of high-quality, interactive viewing.

Unlike pay television, the set-up cost to receive free-to-air satellite broadcasts is one-off.

Already Television New Zealand is using the other half of the same transponder on the satellite to broadcast TV1 and TV2 but only an estimated 6000 homes are equipped to receive the satellite signal other than through the Sky decoders. Industry sources say the sale could raise between $3 million and $4 million, or up to $500,000 for each channel.

There would be an ongoing cost for each broadcaster of several thousand dollars a year to get the broadcast up to the satellite because the only link is at TVNZ's Avalon studios in Lower Hutt.

TelstraClear took over ownership of the transponder when TelstraSaturn, a telecommunications and cable TV company, merged with the telco Clear.

Spokesman Mathew Bolland said it had decided to sell now because television broadcasting was not the company's core business.

The company was interested in getting the best price it could for a surplus asset, not which broadcaster should get access to the satellite.

All parties involved have been asked to sign confidentiality agreements.

City TV managing director Jim Cross, who plans to set up a cable channel in the Wellington region next year, said "we're interested and we're in negotiations".

March 2004
More Arabic channels.

The satellite Asiasat 3 now has 7 free to air Arabic channels available. This satellite requires a 2.4m C-Band dish to receive from. However reportedly, these same channels will soon become available on the satellite Optus B3, which is receiveable on a dish as small as 65cm. The same source reports that these channels will remain free to air and will soon expand to 10 channels. This will mean that these channels will be available to anyone who has a dish and receiver like those found here. Below are some links for the these Arabic channels.

Oman TV http://www.oman-tv.gov.om/
Qatar TV http://qtv.iscool.net/
Sudan TV http://www.sudantv.tv/
Syria Satellite http://www.rtv.gov.sy/
Libya TV http://www.ljbc.net/

March 28, 2004
Maori TV

The fabled, long awaited Maori TV finally arrived and launched. Available free to air on the satellite Optus B1, it is readily available to anyone who wants it. While many may not be able to understand the Maori language and others will not even be interested, the broadcast promises to show many Maori actors in English language programs. Perhaps the one most keenly awaited is 'The Billy T James Show', though many more are likely to be offered.

February 2004
Fiji TV for New Zealand?

Fiji Television plans to invest F$6 million in extending satellite coverage to the outer islands of the archipelago and to nearby countries, according to a report by Pacific Media Watch. Speaking at the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) conference in Nadi, Fiji TV chief executive officer Ken Clark said the new service was expected to begin from July 1. The satellite transmission will beam the free-to-air channel Fiji One and six pay-TV channels. For the first time, Fiji's outer islands and other countries within the region will receive Fiji Television broadcasts. The pay-TV service will be increased to six or more channels, said Clark. The satellite broadcast will cover Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Niue and parts of New Zealand and Australia. However, Fiji TV expects some transmission problems, particularly during poor weather. "Using KU Band (satellite feed) there's always something called rain-fade' and while we expect to be 99.6 per cent efficient, during some periods of the year, the signal will disappear for a little while," Clark said.

December 2003
ABC gone??

It appears that ABC has gone permanently from Optus B1. It seems that rather then use the satellite link, ABC is now linked via a fibre optic cable. Unless problems are encountered, it would be unlikely that it will return to the vertical transponder that was allowing us here in NZ to view it.

October 2003
Now three satellites from one dish??

We have recently developed a means of mounting 3 LNBs on one 90cm dish. This enables you to receive C1, B1 and B3 with one dish. Full details here.

October 2003
Topfields New PVR

TF5000PVR. See here for full details.

September 2003
Two Satellites from one dish??

Receive from Optus C1 and B1 with one dish.
See here for full details.

May 2003
More FTA programs after June 2003?

ImpacTV have released more news on their website www.impactv.co.nz that indicates a lot more programming options on the new Optus C1 satellite launched in June, however it will be a short wait for the channels to come onto air.

BVN - Dutch TV

As of April 30th 2003 BVN-TV, the international TV service of the Dutch and Flemish public broadcasters, will broadcast to Asia, Australia and New Zealand. BVN-TV will be received free-to-air in many parts of Asia and Africa via the Thaicom 3-satellite, and in Australia and New Zealand via the Optus B3-satellite. BVN-TV is a cooperative venture of the Dutch Public Broadcasting System, Belgium's VRT and Radio Netherlands. BVN-TV allows Dutch speakers abroad to receive programmes from the Dutch and Flemish public broadcasters.

Internet - http://www.bvn.nl

NZ Govt looks ahead to FTA satellite services?

From the record of Executive Government - for the current Adminstration - "If significant viewer uptake of satellite reception on a free to air basis occurs, the present role of NZ on Air in subsidising remote area analogue transmission costs would need to be reviewed. Arguably, funding might be re-targeted towards broadening the range of content available on free to air satellite services".

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