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Old 15-08-2021, 20:21   #4
cheekyangus
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Re: ITV in battle to keep the COM4 Freeview multiplex license

Ta. They are being cheeky with the win-win bit, you could fit 8-10 HD channels on a HD-only multiplex, but that would mean up to 10 streams less, so less selection for viewers.

This calculation is based on equivalent Cable/Satellite multiplexes with newer encoders (Virgin Media currently have 10 HD services on many of its multiplexes where theu updated encoders). As DTT usually requires more error correction that reduces bandwidth, maybe it wouldn't even be that many HD channels. The BBCB/PSB3 multiplex is currently 6 HD streams and 2 SD ones, for example.

However PSB3 is using old encoders so there is potential. It seems STV going regional in HD and BBC Scotland channel launching has seemingly meant newer encoders have been used for them in Scotland. Comparing PSB3 in Scotland to elsewhere in the UK based on the data available on DigitalBitRate, there is more headroom for new services if this change is made on a wider basis. The lower bitrates of STV and BBC Scotland/CBBC streams if copied to the other 4 HD streams would give more space, and cumulatively add up.

There seems to be a preference for more channels over better quality picture among the British public, as there's surprisingly little uproar about the sometimes awful picture on some channels, so I'd doubt they'll be happy about losing channels.

Only if the other multiplexes changed to newer technology too could the current number be maintained, though not in HD.
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