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We now have a database of regional motorised satellite dish installers who carry out fixed dish, Multi-LNB and DiSEqC Motor installations.
In addition, the site contains some useful information, installation tips and resources for DIY installations.
In association with aerial-installers-support-forum.co.uk and fixmyaerial.com
Without doubt the most impressive AV product at CES 2012
Meet the most impressive TV on the planet
OLED TVs were the big story of CES – and the LG 55EM960V was OLED’s crowning glory
Although TVs using Organic LED technology have gone on sale before, they’ve all been puny in size and ridiculously expensive.
But the biggest TV story from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was that big-screen OLED TVs are finally coming to market.
And on the evidence of LG’s 55EM960V, they can’t arrive soon enough.
The 55EM960V has a 55-inch screen (built, astonishingly, onto the front of a mere 4mm of rear depth), meaning that really for the first time the world has got the chance to appreciate just what OLED is truly capable of, rather than having to squint admiringly at 11-inch or 15-inch screens.
LG 55em960v oled tv
The results truly are jaw-dropping.
Even in the less than friendly viewing environment of a crowded show floor there’s so much good stuff about the 55EM960V’s pictures that it’s hard to know where to start.
While showing some footage of Vancouver by night, the screen’s contrast is quite astonishing. At one end of the light spectrum the screen presents black colours of a richness, intensity and purity that just hasn’t been seen before on a flat-panel TV – not even Pioneer’s legendary KURO plasmas.
LG 55em960v oled tv
Yet within the same frame you’ve got ultra-pure, perfectly defined whites and a dizzying array of colour tones in between.
Shifting to more colourful daylight footage, the screen’s remarkable colour response is even more spectacularly obvious, revealing outstanding subtlety and range as well as explosive vibrancy that punches through the CES showfloor lighting as if it’s not even turned on.
Then there’s the image’s sharpness. The HD footage on show actually looks more akin to 4k-resolution fare so pure its presentation; so free is it of LCD’s usual motion blur; and so incredibly rich are the set’s shadow detail levels.
LG 55em960v oled tv
Dark areas look completely consistent in tone too, with no backlight clouding, and the image holds up much better from a wide viewing angle than typical LCD TVs.
The only flaw with the 2D image was a faint horizontal ‘seam’ across the screen about half an inch down from its top edge. Though there seems little reason to suspect that this will appear on final production samples when the TV goes on sale for an as yet unconfirmed price.
Some 3D enthusiasts might be concerned to learn that the 55EM960V uses passive 3D technology rather than full HD active 3D. And it is indeed true that you can occasionally see faint horizontal line structure from the filter when you’re watching 3D.
But the lack of crosstalk, rich colours and high brightness of the 55EM960V’s 3D images still make it a very compelling 3D proposition.
The 55EM960V isn’t going to be cheap when it finally comes out. But so far as many people who witnessed it in action at the CES, the fact that it’s not going to go on sale until the latter part of 2012 is good news, as it just means they’ve got longer to save up for what was arguably the show’s single most impressive AV product.
The younger people of today will find it difficult to believe that just a couple of decades ago, home viewing entertainment consisted of a clumpy CRT television with just four or five channels to choose from. These days, viewers have not only the option of hundreds of channels that come with cable or satellite TV, but also the ability to stream programmes direct to their HDTV sets, PCs and mobile devices – something that many people are taking advantage of if a recent poll is to be believed.
BBC iPlayer on iPad
Online streamed TV gains popularity in the UK
According to the latest KPMG Media & Entertainment Barometer, streamed TV in the UK is become more and more popular, with younger people in particular flocking to use services such as ITV Player, BBC iPlayer and 4oD. British viewers are able to enjoy plenty of choice with these services, as well as watch their favourite shows wherever and whenever they want.
The greatest awareness when it came to these video streaming services was of BBC iPlayer, as 90 percent of people had heard of this streaming service. This was closely followed by ITV Player and LoveFilm. KPMG said that streaming TV has become more mainstream across the United Kingdom, with more and more people willing to pay for the privilege of enjoying streamed content.
The survey results showed that a rising number of Brits are happy to pay for these services. Of those polled, 64 percent said that they would pay for movies online, which was an increase from 60 percent in March 2011. There has also been an increase in consumer appetite for paid TV services, with 28 percent willing to pay back in September 2010, rising to 28 percent in March 2011, and then up again to 30 percent by October of 2011.
Getting your home ready
1. How many TVs do you have in your home?
Consider every TV set that you want to continue watching. Any TV left unconverted will not work after switchover. Find out more about converting equipment.
2. Do you like to record TV programmes?
Video and DVD recorders will still play back and record but most won’t be able to record one channel while you watch another. If you enjoy recording, consider getting a digital TV recorder that will also convert your TV. Find out more about recording after switchover.
3. Your TV aerial
Most rooftop aerials and some set-top aerials will be fine after switchover. If you decide to get a service like Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV you can check your aerial by visiting the aerial test on Teletext page 284. If you decide to get your digital TV service from Sky TV, Virgin Media, Freesat from Sky or freesat on all the TV sets in your home, you won’t need an aerial.
4.What to consider with a satellite service
If you choose a digital satellite service and live in a listed building or conservation area, you may need planning permission.
5.Will switchover affect my radio?
Your radio equipment will not be affected by switchover.
2011 was a record year for singles and digital album sales – but neither could hide yet another annual decline in the overall UK recorded music market.
New Official Charts Company figures released by the BPI confirm that combined sales of digital and physical albums fell overall by 5.6% to 113.2m in 2011.
Digital album sales rose 26.6% to 26.6m, while sales of albums on CD declined 12.6% year-on-year to 86.2m in total.
The CD remains the favoured format for UK album buyers in 2011, accounting for 76.1% of total sales compared to a 23.5% market share for digital and 0.3% for vinyl.
Digital album downloads continued to grow, with 15 albums selling more than 100,000 digital copies in the year.
Sales of vinyl LPs rose by well over a third (43.7%) during 2011 to 337,000, their highest tally since 2005.
The UK singles market smashed all-time records for the fourth straight year in succession. Total singles sales increased 10.0% overall to 177.9m in 2011, 99.3% of which were sold as digital tracks and bundles.
1.1m CD singles were sold in 2011, representing just 0.6% of the total. All of the top 20 best-selling singles of 2011 sold more than 500,000 copies each.
As Music Week revealed last night, 1.0m albums and 5.7m singles were downloaded in the last week of 2011 alone – the biggest week ever for digital sales of both formats.
Discussing the numbers, Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive, criticised the UK government’s lack of action on piracy.
“British artists continue to produce incredible music that resonates at home and around the world,” he said.
“But while other countries take positive steps to protect their creative sector, our Government is taking too long to act on piracy, while weakening copyright to the benefit of US tech giants. The UK has already fallen behind Germany as a music market. Unless decisive action is taken in 2012, investment in music could fall again – a creative crunch that will destroy jobs and mean the next Adele may not get her chance to shine on the world stage.â€
2011 in numbers (Official Charts Company data)
ALBUMS
Total albums
2010 – 119.9m
2011 – 113.2m (-5.6%)
CD Albums
2010 – 98.5m
2011 – 86.2m (-12.6%)
Digital Albums
2010 – 21m
2011 – 26.6m (+23.5%)
SINGLES
Total Singles
2010 – 161.8m
2011 – 177.9m (+10%
)
Digital
2010 – 158.6m
2011 – 175.1m (+10.4%)
CD
2010 – 1.9mm
2011 – 1.1m (-40.5%)
Toshiba 55ZL2 Glasses-Free 3D TV To Hit UK In December 2011
By Vincent Teoh
Toshiba has launched the world’s first large-screen glasses-free 3D TV in the form of the 55ZL2 at the IFA 2011 consumer electronics trade show in Berlin today. Unlike the 55ZL1 which never made it to the United Kingdom, the Toshiba 55ZL2 has been scheduled to be released onto the UK market come December this year.
Toshiba 55ZL2 glasses-free 3D TV
Toshiba 55ZL2 glasses-free 3D TV
To create tri-dimensional effects without the use of 3D eyewear, an array of lenticular lenslets is deployed in front of the LCD screen, which sends slightly offset images to the left and right eyes. The Japanese TV manufacturer claims that up to nine viewers can sit in different positions to simultaneously enjoy 3D content on the 55ZL2 without needing to wear 3D glasses. To make this work, the 55-inch panel is blessed with a native pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160 (Quad Full HD), and is driven by the company’s powerful CEVO video processing engine.
The 3D-capable HDTV also features facial tracking technology – apparently at the touch of a button the ZL2 can detect the positions of viewers, and automatically adjust the lenslets to optimise the viewing zones. 2D-to-3D conversion is delivered via the CEVO engine; users are also granted control over the depth of 3D renditions. Other specifications include the TV maker’s Resolution+ upscaling algorithm, auto-calibration functionality (requires separate purchase of the TPA1 colour analyser), integrated Freeview HD tuner, built-in WiFi and DLNA connectivity, USB-HDD recording, as well as the Toshiba Places internet-connected platform that contains some of the most popular apps like BBC iPlayer, Facebook and Youtube.
This is not the first time Toshiba is venturing into the glasses-free (also technically known as autostereoscopic) 3D realm. The manufacturer previously launched the 12GL1 and 20GL1 glasses-free 3DTV displays in its home country of Japan, although consumer response was poor due to their small screen sizes and high prices. It remains to be seen whether the Toshiba 55ZL2 – boasting a much bigger screen (and probably an expensive price tag) – will fare better in Britain.
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Software updates and launches for early December
Dear Humax user,
Please find below the schedule of software updates for the early part of this month
Software updates
Repeat software updates for standard definition Freeview models
PVR-9300T version 1.00.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 05/12/2011 @ 11am
Ending: 07/12/2011 @ 11am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.
PVR-9150T version 1.00.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 07/12/2011 @ 11am
Ending: 09/12/2011 @ 11am
Info provided by HUMAX
http://www.digitalvision-uk.tv
Closure of DSat 3 / Astra tp.38
What’s happening?
On the 7th October the BBC’s contracts for the uplink & capacity for the transponder known as
DSat 3 come up for renewal and we have decided not to carry this platform forward. This
decision is primarily due to the current funding pressure the BBC is under.
Thankfully we will be able to retain all linear services but will need to reduce the number of
ETV streams we provide for Red Button services.
In order to be able to close the transponder, we need to move some services around and
close a few of the Red Button video streams:
• BBC News, BBC Parliament and BBC Alba will move onto different transponders
allowing us to make more efficient use of our satellite capacity.
• At the moment we broadcast seven ‘Enhanced TV’ (ETV) video feeds, which are
used to provide enhanced coverage of BBC programmes (for example, sporting and
music events). But outside of busy periods the streams are not all fully utilised. Going
forward, the number of ETV channels on satellite and, consequently, cable will
reduce to either 4 or 5, I’ll let you know exactly which when we are absolutely sure
how many we can fit in.
• We will also be closing one of the mosaic video feeds used to provide embedded
content in some Red Button applications.
What action will viewers need to take?
• Sky viewers should not notice any difference because Sky boxes should update
automatically. If you do experience problems, Sky will be best placed to help and can
be contacted on 08442 411 653.
• Freesat viewers in most cases will not need to take any action, although depending
on your specific make and model of digital TV or box it might be necessary to turn
your device off and back on again, or possibly do a retune. If you have any scheduled
recordings for BBC News, BBC Parliament or BBC Alba you may need to check
these after the change, so please be especially vigilant. If you experience difficulty
with a Freesat box or integrated receiver it would be best to contact Freesat on 08450
990 990 or the receiver manufacturer.
• If you have another kind of satellite receiver, you will need to retune it in order to
continue to receive the affected services. Since we are just moving services around
our existing transponders, there should not be any problems . However, if you have
scheduled recordings on BBC News, BBC Parliament or BBC Alba you may need to
check these after the change, so please be especially vigilant.
• Virgin Media uses satellite as the source for BBC standard definition TV channels.
Virgin Media will therefore need to make a few technical changes, but its viewers
should not notice any difference.
How will the channels be re-organised?
In September we will be making two sets of changes, the dates listed here are provisional and
subject to adjustment. These dates have not been circulated to the general public at this
stage:
Phase 1: Move BBC News, BBC Parliament & BBC Alba away from DSat7/tp13
• BBC News will move to DSat2/tp.47
• BBC Parliament will move to DSat5/tp.46
• BBC Alba will move to DSat6/tp.48
The services will be available in their new locations (as well as the old) on the 20th September
with new service IDs – this is called a period of dual-illumination. The EPG tuning information
will be updated as follows:
• 22nd September – Freesat will change their channel lists to point to the new location
• 22nd September – Virgin Media will update their platform
• 26th September – Sky will update their channel listings
Once Sky has updated their channel list on the 26th September, the dual-illumination period
will end and these services will no longer be available at their old locations.
Phase 2: Move all ETV streams to DSat7.tp13
On 28th September a second period of dual-illumination will begin with the new ETV streams
being available on DSat7. EPG tuning information will be updated as follows:
• 28th September – Virgin Media will change their platform
• 29th September – Freesat will change their channel lists to point to the new location
• 3rd October – Sky will update their channel lists
The tuning details for our remaining transponders will stay the same and these details can be
found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/sat_frequencies.shtml
We will be updating this page with the new service line-up once we have completed the
changes.
I will confirm nearer the time the final number of ETV streams which will remain. It will either
be 4 or 5 depending on the results of some further testing.
How is this change being communicated?
In several ways:
• The BBC will be putting up a blog post on the Internet blog explaining what is
happening and why. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/ A direct link to the post
will only be available once it goes live.
• This FAQ will be available to bodies with call centres that handle queries from the
public both platform and manufacturer.
• We are in contact with the CAI to attempt to get the information out into the installer
community
• We are in discussion with the affected channels (BBC News, BBC Parliament & BBC
Alba) to discuss whether they see a need to make reference to this move on-air. This
however is an editorial matter for the channels in question.