[SonomaSearcher]

Previous threads have discussed Euro1080, the new HD startup that launches January 1, 2004. Recent developments:


It is pre-launching September 13 (Saturday), with the signal available via satellite September 12 thru 16 (per the PDF flyer found on the website).


Question: Is there any way for someone with a C-Band (or other specialty dish) in the U.S. to pick this up? Technical specs aren't available right now on the website but there is a page reserved for them.


It looks like both the pre-launch and the launch will be unencrypted for those with the requisite dish.


One page on the site has a listing of a bunch of HD content already recorded in Europe.


Also interesting is the reference to exchange of programming with HD providers from other countries, including the US:

Quote:

Part of the content will be acquired through an exchange pool with other HDTV channels around the world (Japan, USA, Brazil, Korea, Australia, etc.)

Another interesting couple of paragraphs:

Quote:

There are High Definition Television (HDTV) broadcast channels all over the world: in Asia (all Japanese TV channels, Korean Broadcasting, CCTV China), in Australia and in the Americas (channels in the USA including ‘HD net’, ‘TV Azteca-Mexico’, ‘TV Globo-Brasil’). Already now, for major European events such as Euro2004 or Athens 2004, several broadcasters (NBC, Network Seven, Channel 10, NHK, TV Globo, CCTV, etc.) have requested the acquisition and distribution of HD signals for their home market.

Here is the website. It looks like a lot of info. has been added since the last thread on this topic: Euro1080 HDTV


The parent company seems to be a production company with lots of HD mobile units. For example, it appears it shot the Olympics in HD from Salt Lake City and World Cup Soccer in HD from Korea/Japan, and it will be involved in the HD production of Athens 2004 and Euro. Champ. Soccer 2004:

Alfacam


Can't wait for that exchange pool to get going and see some of their material show up over here...

 

[TheRedknight]

Wow Euro2004 in HD, who's picking that up ? International soccer in Hd would be very nice.


Would be cool if one of the North American providers would pick this up.


From another forum:


HDTV channel in ASTRA 19.2E:


Transp: 12168-V-27500

Name: MPEG2 HD

Video: 1920 X 1088__16/9__25Fps__24Mb/s__interlaced Audios: 384Kbps_2ch__English/French

 

[mhdiab]

Quote:

Would be cool if one of the North American providers would pick this up.

HDNet is doing MLS and would surely be interested - this would most definately be enough for me to spend the money on getting D* - so far TW is more than great, but this would be a must see for me - especially since I was in Holland for Euro 2000

 

[HD-plasma123]

I hope this leads to Athens Olympics in HD in the U.S., or somewhere.

I'll go to this somewhere to watch it. Anything is better than the NBC "human stories" interrupted by a million commercials.

 

[CKNA]

Quote:

The parent company seems to be a production company with lots of HD trucks. For example, it appears it produced Olympics in HD from Salt Lake City and World Cup Soccer in HD from Korea/Japan, and it will be involved in the HD production of Athens 2004 and Euro. Champ. Soccer 2004:

The only have one truck which they bought from NHK and did not produce World Cup Soccer which was done by NHK and Korean TV. Salt Lake Olympics were done done by HDNET for NBC and NHK. That company only bought rights for rebroadcast.

Nobody can receive Euro1080 here as it is on a satellite which is only visible in Europe, no matter how big is the dish. Besides they use 50Hz so no equipment here would probably dispaly it anyway.

 

[SonomaSearcher]

Quote:

Originally posted by CKNA They only have one truck which they bought from NHK and did not produce World Cup Soccer which was done by NHK and Korean TV. Salt Lake Olympics were done done by HDNET for NBC and NHK. That company only bought rights for rebroadcast.

They have two HD trucks. And one of their trucks did go to Salt Lake City. Maybe it was just taping stuff in HD for future use but it was there. Or perhaps it was assisitng HDNet and NHK, giving them an extra truck.


Plus, they have four of what they call "vans" which are around 39 feet (12m) in length, all HD equipped.


And, 3 smaller vans of about 33 feet, 26 feet and 22 feet, all HD equipped.


As to the World Cup, they sent a 39 footer and the 22 footer to Japan. They sent another 39 footer to Korea. So they were there-- maybe not the producers for Japanese and Korean HD but shooting HD nonetheless.

 

[mhdiab]

Quote:

I hope this leads to Athens Olympics in HD in the U.S., or somewhere

NBC already stated Athens will be in HD - now if there is a European market for HD at that time then of course they will save money and can use other companies feeds and still transmitt that in HD.


The European company stated that they have enough HD trucks to do all of Euro2004 in HD so they surely have more than one.........

 

[CKNA]

SonomaSearcher


I never saw the link to Alfacam so I never seen it. They only talk about one truck on Euro1080 website.

 

[HDTV888]

Quote:

Originally posted by mhdiab NBC already stated Athens will be in HD - now if there is a European market for HD at that time then of course they will save money and can use other companies feeds and still transmitt that in HD.

Can you please point out where it was announced that NBC will have HD for Athens? OTA hd? or some special channel? delayed like the Salt Lake games?

I did a search but can't find much.


I seriously doubt if NBC is capable of it. They can barely do a simple Kentucky Derby, imagine the logistics of transmitting live from Greece !!! Even HDnet will have difficulty doing it if Europe is still SD by next summer.

 

[Ken H]

Quote:

Originally posted by HDTV888 Can you please point out where it was announced that NBC will have HD for Athens? OTA hd? or some special channel? delayed like the Salt Lake games? I did a search but can't find much.

See the HDTV Programming Synopsis, in the NBC Cable & Bravo HD+ sections.

 

[NoUDont]

Euro 2004 in HD in the U.S. would be beyond great for me personally. It looks like they could possibly be the link HDNet needs to find their new niche since the big boys are taking the American sports from them.


Formula 1 and Soccer.

 

[Ovidiu O]

Formula 1 and Soccer in HD?! That's beyond dreaming

 

[WanMan]

Ok, I'm a little confused (News Flash!) ...


Euro HD, is this a DBS provider, an HD content producer, or something else?

 

[SonomaSearcher]

Its parent company provides HD (and SD) production services in Europe (and occasionally elsewhere), and may produce some of it's own HD on tape for future use in Europe or sale to HD capable broadcasters in other countries.


Euro1080 is a startup that is, in essence, trying to be the HDNet of Europe-- the first HD only broadcaster. In fact, the first Euro programming provider that does ANY HD whatsoever.


Since there is extremely little in home HD capability in Europe, it is first focusing on HD transmissions to cinemas, sports bars, and other open to the public venues. It will all be via satellite, unencrypted. (Definitely no OTA.) They are launching in January 2004 with five hours per night of programming in HD.

 

[taupi]

I went to the pre-launch of Euro1080 on September 13.

It was very cool.


We had HD transmission from Antartica (first live HD transmission from antartica !), some Athletics from Monaco and the final night of the Prom's in London. This was projected on a 60 feet screen with a big DLP projector from Barco. stunning pictures.


The concept is simple. Alfacam has already 6 HD trucks. They are doing a lot of HD production today like (soccer, concerts,...). They are offering very low fees for the SD production and they keep the rights for the HD transmission.


They will broadcast 4h a day. It will be scrambled but it will be possible to buy a SIM card or STB to receive the signal in US.


The euro 2004 will be available in HD trough euro 1080 the agreement has been signed in September. For the Olympics in 2004, they are providing 16 truckes to the AOB (Athens Olympic broadcast) but the Hd rights is going trough standard broadcasters at this stage.


RE : production of Salt Lake and World cup 2002.

In Salt Lake, they had 2 trucks doing the production for ISB (host broadcaster of the international signal). In Japan and Korea they were doing the coverage for the german broadcasters ARD-ZDF. They were not associated to the host broadcaster (HBS).


taupi

 

[CKNA]

Quote:

They will broadcast 4h a day. It will be scrambled but it will be possible to buy a SIM card or STB to receive the signal in US.

What satellite will it be available in US?. You can't pick up European sats in here. Signal has to be on either on one of the Atlantic satellites or Conus.

 

[HDTV888]

Just wondering.......

Who in Europe will be able to pick up any HD signals?

Are they selling HDTV's and STB's in Europe yet? ...... It took the U.S. nearly 4 years to have HD penetration of barely 1 or 2%.

It's almost unthinkable that NBC can manage to broadcast the 2004 Athens games in HD back to the U.S. It may be too great a task even for CBS or HDnet. NBC needs a lot of help. Any updates from anyone???

 

[irkuck]

Quote:

Originally posted by HDTV888 Just wondering....... Who in Europe will be able to pick up any HD signals? Are they selling HDTV's and STB's in Europe yet? ...... It took the U.S. nearly 4 years to have HD penetration of barely 1 or 2%.

First, let's emphasize that promo transmission of HDTV over Europe

is going on from the Astra 1H satellite, frequency 12168V

http://www.lyngsat.com/astra1h.shtml


It thus seems certain that regular transmission will start on

January 1st as promised.


Now, who will be able to pick any HD signal? This is chicken and egg problem.

HD was seen uneconomical and unnecessary in Europe. This is changing because

of the appearance of large flat displays which should become affordable in

relatively near future. Also, production side of TV is moving to HD.


The present launch of HD in Europe is done with extremely small investment.

It is not manadated, no public money, one can say it is driven by (forecasting) market forces. So if it fails, no problem.


It is certainly addressing very-early-adopter market, but since the satellite covers something like 350 mln heads there is no doubt the market potential is there. The HD launch is done in agreement with manufacturers. One can thus expect that HD STB's will come to the market next year. One can also bet that some satellite providers like Sky will launch HD service in a near future.


What is already happening in Europe is that enthusiastic souls with PC receiver cards are getting HD to their PC's and admiring stunning picture quality on their PC monitors.

 

[Elliot]

A few of us enthusiasts have been watching HD via material sent over from you guys and are in love already


I now also know of a handful of people who have been watching the test HD streams from Euro1080i and very nice they look to.


Bring on the football i say !!!!, oh hang on....


Bring on the Soccer

 

[irkuck]

We got it today. The HD promo from Astra. We received it with PC receiver

card and used PC for display on big screen via 1280x1024 projector.

Very good PQ. People will be rushing for it !