Freeview in New Zealand - What PC Tuner Card?

[Chopmeister]

I currently have a PC with a tuner card in it, but my system is tottering on its last legs and in urgent need of replacement. I hope to order the new system in the next few weeks, which will be built to order. I want to put a TV tuner in the new system.

Here in New Zealand, Freeview is about to launch its Hi Definition Freeview service (early next year). I want to ensure that the new tuner is (if possible) HD Freeview capable. I can find little information about the freeview format and whether (for example) cards that work with the aussie and/or British digital broadcast system will be compatible with it. Emails to the Freeview consortium here using their “contact us” window are not being answered. As far as I can figure out from what has been in the media, the format will be 720p, broadcast in MPEG-4, via a terrestrial signal in the UHF band, with the programme data in MHEG5, and presumably with the video in PAL format. However, I haven’t been able to unambiguously confirm all of this. There has also been comment that the set-top boxes will have to connect using HDMI with HDCP so that the "content providers don’t get their content stolen”, [BAH!] so I don’t know if this means that the signal itself will be encrypted?

Do any of the experts out there have any more accurate information about NZ Freeview and the type(s)/model(s) of tuner cards that I ought to be looking at to have the best chance of capturing this signal?

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our digitaltv section as it's free to air DIGITAL tv. .

[Richard_G]

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=search&subclass=new%20zealand&id=2727

Looks free to air to me.....

[Chopmeister]

Yes, I'm aware that its free to air. My questions were essentially:

1. What tuner card (if any) can I buy to capture the signal - it's MPEG-4 broadcast digitally over terrestrial UHF, as far as I can figure out most other jurisdictions use MPEG-2, and I want to buy the right tuner card to record in high definition

2. The guide data is apparently MHEG5, which is (I gather) a bit different to the format for programme data in most other countries - are there any tuner cards/software that will handle this.

3. While it is free to air, the consortium has made explicit statements (eg the article in the Dominion Post a fortnight ago) that the content providers don't want people recording off it, and the set top boxes will use HDMI/HDCP to output high definition to foil this. Thus, if I connect a set top box to a recorder, I can only record in standard definition. Does anyone have any inside knowledge on whether the package they will roll out will include any "features" to prevent recording in high definition using a tuner card.

Cheers

[Kiwifrog]

Hi there!

Is there anyone in Kiwiland using a PCI Sat tuner like the Pinnacle one?

Cheers

[edDV]

Yes, I'm aware that its free to air. My questions were essentially:

1. What tuner card (if any) can I buy to capture the signal - it's MPEG-4 broadcast digitally over terrestrial UHF, as far as I can figure out most other jurisdictions use MPEG-2, and I want to buy the right tuner card to record in high definition

2. The guide data is apparently MHEG5, which is (I gather) a bit different to the format for programme data in most other countries - are there any tuner cards/software that will handle this.

Are you sure they plan to encrypt all broadcasts or just certain programs?

If I were you I would wait until everything is clear including locations and power of terrestrial digital transmitters so you end with working equipment for your location.

There is no benefit to buying early. New technololgy is making large improvement each year and prices drop with each new generation.

Last I read New Zealand isn't planning to shut off analog service anytime soon so your analog tuners will have longer life than ours.

[mikesbytes]

What you have described is not compatible with Aussie digital TV. Australia is using MPEG2. A pity as you would of been able to get a TV tuner for next to nothing and now you have to buy one specific and pay $$$ at a guess.

[edDV]

3. While it is free to air, the consortium has made explicit statements (eg the article in the Dominion Post a fortnight ago) that the content providers don't want people recording off it, and the set top boxes will use HDMI/HDCP to output high definition to foil this. Thus, if I connect a set top box to a recorder, I can only record in standard definition. Does anyone have any inside knowledge on whether the package they will roll out will include any "features" to prevent recording in high definition using a tuner card.

If they are adopting the draconian "broadcast flag" plan Hollywood is trying to push through our Congress then forget PC playback in HD unless you have compatible software, a DVI/HDMI port with working HDCP and an HDTV set or computer monitor that supports HDCP. My assumption is you will be able to record the encrypted multiplexed stream but monitoring or playback requires full active HDCP handshake.

Here the plan they want is to flag certain broadcasts to prevent recording or viewing in HD unless all the encryption keys match with frequent checks to prevent re-connections.

Google HDCP.

[Chopmeister]

Tottering system finally collapsed, so I have sprung for the new box without a tuner as the need for a working PC became imperative. However, I still want a tuner when free-to-air digital terrestrial broadcasts start next year - so far this luddite country has no HD broadcasts at all.

I have recieved advice that the Hauppage HDV-4000 ought to do what I want - decoding both satellite and terrestrial signals and capable of handling MP4 hi def broadcasts. Howvere, it remains to be seen whether they will encrypt and prevent this route to recording broadcasts in HD - next year will tell. There have, however, been more statements in the media from the NZ Freeview Consortium which tend to suggest that they want to lock down the system to prevent anything other than straightforward viewing (ie no recording at all) for HD material. And it's my tax dollars paying for this nonsense - the major backer is the State-owned broadcaster - sigh!

[mikesbytes]

So are you just going to get a repeat of what is on TV1 / TV2 in HD, or are they going to give you different content?

[Chopmeister]

Don't know what we will get in HD. Have sent a couple of emails, but all I get is automated responses and not much else.

I must say I am getting very frustrated with the lack of information and the DRM-poisoned systems that are being foisted on consumers - I actually have a decent chunk of cash set aside to upgrade my home entertainment infrastructure (want a new TV, HD PC Tuner card, new set-top DVD recorder and new sound system etc), but am holding off until I can have reasonable certainty that the equipment I buy will actually work - and will work together. All I want to do is hand over a chunk of change and buy a pleasurable movie watching experience - you would think that they don't actually want to make sales.

/Rant On

Note to studios - I don't pirate. I have been a damn good customer of your wares. But if I can't have certainty then I don't buy the hardware, so the retailers and the hardware makers lose money they would have got. If I don't buy the hardware then I don't need the software, so no recurring revenues from monthly HD subscriptions (when Sky finally launches this) or revenues from HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray from expansion and upgrades of my (multiple hundred disc) movie library, so you lose money as well. To what end? Also, I have pretty much stopped buying DVDs until I see what format will replace them and at what cost, so you lose the revenue you were previously getting from a good customer and don't replace it. I get stuck with a crappy un-upgraded system. Basicallty the hardware makers lose, I lose, and you lose as well. Who is gaining from this nonsense?


/Rant Off