Sky were recently slated, following suggestions that its red tape is slowing down the process of getting more channels onto the free-to-air service from Freesat.
Cautious comments from Freesat's Managing Director Emma Scott in an interview were exacerbated by a press release from Freesat published on Joinfreesat.co.uk.
But Sky has pointed out to TechRadar that a lengthy checking process is in place to ensure that having two broadcasters (and two electronic programme guides) on one transponder does not interfere with existing viewers.
"Sky is working to configure a number of free-to-air channels so that they are available in both the Sky and BBC/ITV Freesat EPGs via a single satellite transponder, said a spokesperson for Sky
Freesat data passes through Sky's network
"This means that certain BBC/ITV Freesat data passes through Sky's network, which poses a risk for the operation of both platforms.
"This risk was recognised by the BBC Trust in its approval of the BBC's participation in BBC/ITV Freesat when it stated that the BBC should take "all reasonable steps" to ensure that BBC/ITV Freesat is able to "co-exist with other digital television platforms without impairing their technical operation".
"Sky is therefore focused on minimising the risk of loss of service to the many millions of households already receiving digital television via satellite.
"In managing this risk, Sky and BBC/ITV Freesat have certain agreed processes and procedures in place to ensure a safe and stable environment for the roll-out of more than 200 services."
Response
This came as a direct response to a press release from Freesat that said: "Due to Sky's position in the satellite TV transmission, Freesat's services have to pass through a Sky-controlled stage.
"In order for Freesat services to be acceptable to Sky at this stage in the broadcast chain, Sky requires all Freesat services previously to have passed through another technical process, managed by Sky, called 'configuration'
For the 'configuration' process, Sky have specified limits on:
- the number of services they will configure in a month
- the type of services they will configure
- the grouping of services by transponder, and
- the frequency with which they will work on each transponder.
"Freesat is obliged to plan its forward launch schedule within these requirements."
Response from public
Inevitably the response to this release was hardly positive towards Sky, with the Joinfreesat blog saying: "One things [sic] for sure, putting all technical issues to one side, this is a good way for Sky to control the market and not allowing Freesat to gather pace too quickly."
Sky's response is inevitably measured and matter of fact - but it's probably fair to assume that the company is far from delighted with people drawing the conclusion they are deliberately holding things up.
What Satellite editor, Alex Lane, said: "It makes sense for Freesat to have this arrangement with Sky, but it doesn't look good to consumers who already fear that Sky controls satellite TV. The truth is that Freesat needs a good relationship with Sky, and a public row can't be good."
- Screen: Format - 16:9 / Screen size - 42" (107 cm) / Brightness (in cd/m²) - Not provided / Contrast - 30,000:1 1,000,000:1 in dynamic / Response time (in ms) - The response time of a plasma screen is practically zero. It is only limited by the speed of the video processor. / Resolution (horizontal x vertical - in pixels) - 176 / 176 / Viewing angle (horizontal/vertical - in°) - Not provided
- Audio: Audio Power - 20 W / Noise reduction - 3D digital filter Video noise reduction / Mono/Stereo Sound - Nicam stereo sound V-Audio Ambience sound / Speakers - Yes
- Connectivity: Connectivity - 3 x HDMI PC input Component video input SDHC card port PCMCIA port RCA audio input 2 scart sockets / SCART connectors - 2 / DVI Input - No / HDMI Input - 3 / PC Input - Yes / Audio output - Headphones socket RCA audio output for monitors
- Tuner: Standard - PAL / SECAM / NTSC / Double Tuner - Built-in Pal/Secam/NTSC tuner HD/MPEG4 tuner
- Functions: TV text - 1,500 pages / Other functions - 100 Hz technology x.v. Colour 3D Colour Management Sub Pixel Enhancer
- The PZ81 series are able to achieve a staggering 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio meaning that on screen blacks are true, deep, silky black and not the washed out grey that many other products suffer from. With such a dynamic range of black to white, the viewer will be immersed in the action as a more life-like image is reproduced on screen.
All Panasonic Freesat models are supplied with HD & SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between Freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services. For ease of use, the TVs come with Freesat EPG and Gemstar GUIDEplus, 7-day on-screen electronic programme guides with easy to navigate categories for both satellite and terrestrial digital services. Another easy operation innovation is Enhanced Viera Link, which allows interlinked operation of various Panasonic AV devices using only the Viera remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable. The PZ81 also benefits from 3 HMDI Connectors. great spec, you will not need anymore than this.
All Panasonic Freesat models are supplied with HD & SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between Freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services. - Freesat also offers a route to other digital TV and radio services for out of coverage areas. With 98% of UK households within the Freesat footprint virtually all homes in the UK can enjoy switching to digital right now. Some companies have reduced the VAT charged and this now reflects in the price shown above. Any merchant who has not already reduced the VAT charged will make an adjustment at the checkout.
The PZ81 series also features 100Hz Double Scan to ensure beautiful, flicker-less on-screen motion and an extra wide colour gamut with x.v.Colour, which produces richer, more vivid colouring from x.v.Colour signals The full HD resolution panel of the PZ81 series beautifully reproduces all High Definition sources including Blu-ray and the Freesat HD programming.
Plus the V-Real Pro 3 processor also offers up-scaling capabilities, second to none when it comes to reproducing standard definition sources such as DVD or TV programming, where HD is not yet available. Panasonic Viera Freesat PZ81B ,PZ81 series are able to achieve a staggering 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio meaning that on screen blacks are true, deep, silky black and not the washed out grey that many other products suffer from.
With such a dynamic range of black to white, the viewer will be immersed in the action as a more life-like image is reproduced on screen. All Panasonic Viera Freesat PZ81B models are supplied with HD & SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between Freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services. These sets also come equipped with a LAN Connector for connection to a broadband router, enabling internet connection for future service enhancements. (Suitable broadband router and contract with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) will be required - not supplied). All of Panasonics PZ81 models benefit from an optical output for Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound output for connection to a 5.1 channel amplifier, so that viewers can enjoy a home cinema surround sound experience.
Another easy operation innovation is Enhanced Viera Link, which allows interlinked operation of various Panasonic AV devices using only the Viera remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable.
| 42 Inch Plasma | | 46 Inch Plasma | | 50 Inch Plasma | | Satellite/HDTV | | Sky Response | | Contact Us |
You can check out some of our great deals from Amazon who now have loads of huge price reductions on now!!.Just click on the Amazon banner above
While you're here, why not take a look at some of our 100% trusted sister sites.