Freeview HD roll out starting 2 December

The Winter Hill transmitter is set to kick of the HD Freeviewing on this date, serving the lucky folk of Manchester and Liverpool.

Other cities will follow, with the full roll out set to complete in 2012, according to a blog written by Graham Plumb, Head of Distribution Technology at the BBC.

The Crystal Palace transmitter is next in line for the upgrade, followed by four more main ones during the first half of 2010.

However, while upgrading the equipment is a positive move, it’s not clear when these transmitters will actually be given the switch.

Plumb has said the Beeb is planning an upgrade to the Digital UK postcode database, so viewers can find out when their transmitter will be to be upgraded to Freeview HD.

Currently the HD Freeview channels signed up for 720p broadcasting are the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Channel 5.

Despite the positive spin put on the whole story, it seems many people are concerned at what this will do to standard definition programmes, and the cost for upgrading to compatible equipment.

We’ll keep you updated with anything we hear on this story, but leave your two pennies below.

Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home