While visiting the forums this morning, there is someone in Australia that wonders if anyone is watching the Olympics in high definition. From the posts in that thread, it seems that at least in some areas, HD programming is not available just yet. As an alternative solution, if you would like to experience HD, we have an article that will show you how to display it on a PC with a free to air satellite signal. Moderator Seán Byrne has put together a very nice, easy to follow process, that will show you how this can be done, if you have a dish or are thinking about getting one. This particular guide is written for those of us trying to pick up HD programming in Europe. Thanks Seán!
The main HDTV channel operating is called Euro 1080, which is broadcast on the Astra 19.2E Satellite. Unfortunately most set-top satellite receivers cannot handle the channel due to the lack of HDTV support, but most PCI DVB cards* including the Skystar2* will work fine. This thread gives some information on how to pick this channel up using a PC. For viewing on a HDTV set, a suitable common video connection is also required, but any monitor capable of displaying up to 1280 pixels across will be sufficient. Most HDTV sets provide DVI-input at standard thus allowing a connection to a PC's DVI-video out where available. |
Now, for those of you that can't wait and also if you are lucky enough to have a broadband connection, here is something fun to try. I just happened across this DVICO page while doing some research for an AMD multimedia PC I will be constructing in the near future. DVICO manufactures HD television cards for the PC and actually have just introduced one for Aussies, called the FusionHDTV.
But, the best part is, they have a free demo player software for displaying high definition streams that can be downloaded from their website. The purpose is two fold, as you can see if your present system can display the content and the other is a free chance to see what all the fuss is about if it does. The problem is, these five 30 to 60 second clips are up to 170 megabytes each! Some are "only" 70 megs however. I presently have a 2.4 Gz Intel processor with a gig of DDR RAM and a GeForce4 4600Ti video card. This system can run the demo clips without reallly breaking a sweat, in any display size offered by the software. According to task manager, my setup ran at about 30 to 40 percent of CPU load.
On this same computer, I also have a Winfast 2000XP TV card connected to analog cable from Comcast. I USED to think that the picture was great. Now, after viewing these clips, all I can say is wow, this technology is definately the future. The colors are more vibrant, yet realistic and the detail in the clips is stunning. When I turned on my Winfast card afterwards, it was like I needed to reach for my glasses. You simply have to see it to appreciate it. I have posted one severly (cropped and compressed) screenshot in the Satellite Forum and even the compressed jpeg shows some impressive detail. But, just like videogame screenshots, it absolutly does not do it justice. Still, you can see individual strands of this lovely ladies hair and can notice the texture of the cloth in her shirt.
Here is a link to the download page for the 2.7 megabyte demo player and also the demo clips. If you have the bandwidth, If you try it, can give us your thoughts, either here or in the Satellite, HD-TV, Blu-ray and HD-DVD Forum. I just hope you have some fun with this and can get a glimpse of what is in store for home entertainment. If you have a dish for your computer though, you are ready to go now!
Source: The Club CD Freaks
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http://tvt.milfclan.com
Get the HDTV or PDTV versions for the best quality. Worse quality are the VCD ones.
