The BBC has confirmed that Freeview HD transmissions will begin on 2 December. The roll out starts with one transmitter, covering two cities, but will then move on rapidly to other areas, with the roll out due to complete by 2012.
If you’re lucky enough to live within range of the Winter Hill transmitter, according to Graham Plumb, Head of Distribution Technology, BBC Operations, on the BBC Blog, you’ll be able to watch Freeview HD by Christmas. The Winter Hill transmitter covers Liverpool and Manchester.
Following on from Winter Hill, Freeview HD is set to be installed in Crystal Palace in December, then four other transmitters covering urban areas by spring 2010. But it’s unclear from the post whether these sites will be turned on immediately, despite getting the equipment necessary. For instance, Crystal Palace will be upgraded in December, but London as a whole isn’t due to get Freeview HD until 2012, in time for the Olympics.
Comments made after the BBC blog post point to far worse issues with Freeview HD than simply the roll out schedule. Worst, the new Freeview HD broadcasts won’t work on many existing Freeview boxes – most viewers will need to buy a new TV or a new box.
On top of that, Freeview HD will, for some time, only feature four channels (a fifth is planned for after 2015). In a return to pre-satellite days, those will be BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. And the HD channels will broadcast in 720p resolution
