The UK Office Of Communications (Ofcom) had made proposals to upgrade the capacity of digital terrestrial television in the UK, which will potentially enable HDTV services to hit Freeview as early as 2009.  Viewers will need a HD capable set-top box and a HDTV set.  It is likely that it will use the Next Generation DVB-T2 signalling, which if the case would mean that a new DVB-T2 capable receiver will be required to pickup the Freeview HD services on a PC.

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have so far agreed to deliver HD channels on Freeview, signing a "non-binding memorandum of understanding" pledging to launch HD services sometime between 2009 and 2012.  The main thing that is holding back the HD services on terrestrial at present is the limited capacity currently available until the Analogue TV services are finally turned off.

At present, the BBC currently has a trial HD service running free to air on Satellite and on cable.  BBC HD can be picked up on HD satellite receivers and most DVB-S cards (such as the Skystar2) with a fairly powerful PC, within Ireland, the UK and a few other countries close-by where people are located within the tight Astra 2D satellite footprint.  Channel 4 for is set to launch its own satellite service next month.

Feel free to discuss about receiving High Definition broadcasts in our new HDTV forum.