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Andrew Knight

Listed below are comments made by Andrew Knight between Tuesday, 10th November 2009 and Wednesday, 18th November 2009.

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Points of View and HD Picture Quality: a response 7:46pm on 18 Nov 2009 @ trevorjharris

What is not understandable is whoever in the BBC seems to think fixing the bit-rate is saving money.
With BBC HD being fixed and sharing its 9.7Mb/s capacity with 2 MPEG-2 channels between them they use half the available 33Mb/s capacity. There is enough to unfix the HD channel and launch a HD stream via the red button similar to extra content available with a view to turning it into a second full HD channel when enough content is available and the Trust approves.

The EBU have recently said for DVB-T2, which can equally be applied to DVB-S or DVB-S2 that channels shouldn't be fixed.

''Furthermore, the conclusion can be drawn that broadcasters only benefit from a transition to MPEG-
4 and/or DVB-T2 under the assumption that this application of more frequency-efficient techniques
can be used by them for an improved programme offer in terms of higher quality (HD) and/or a larger
number of programmes.''

http://tech.ebu.ch/docs/techreview/trev_2009-Q4_Spectrum_Brugger.pdf
Page 15.

Ofcom Mode 7 will supply Freeview HD with 40.2Mb/s giving the 3 HD channels 13.4Mb/s, so BBC HD will get 38% more bandwidth.
Even when Freeview HD launches a fourth HD channel codec improvements will mean that channel quality will be maintained.

Interesting to see the France v Ireland match is available in HD, why can't the BBC work with the company providing the coverage to bring French 6 nation matches while working with a similar Italian company.
The costs can be worked out with those who have the rights to the 6 nations.
Points of View and HD Picture Quality: a response 4:38pm on 13 Nov 2009 Freeview HD will have 40.2Mb/s of capacity, as only 3 channels are set to launch that will give BBC HD 13.4Mb/s. As the EBU are telling its members not to fix bit-rates the channel that is in direct contradiction with the decision taken via satellite.

BBC HD on Freeview will have 38% more capacity.

On satellite there is 33Mb/s of capacity, currently with BBC HD fixed and 2 MPEG-2 channels roughly only half of this capacity is being used.

There is enough capacity being wasted to unfix BBC HD and launch a red button HD stream for when events clash.

It's good to see more BBC shows are moving to HD.
Will the BBC finish showing Planet Earth in HD? It stopped abruptly after deserts.

Will QI make the transition to BBC HD? As well as other studio based shows that are now being filmed in HD? Flight of the Conchords is also made in HD.

What can sports viewers expect as well? Will The Winter Olympics be showed and will the BBC cover more Sports like Formula One?

As the number of outside broadcast companies has rapidly increased with HD capabilities can viewers expect more coverage of the 6 nations and events like The Grand National and Autumn Internationals and BDO Darts?

And can the BBC work with other broadcasters to bring 6 nations games in HD and bring coverage of French and Australian Open Tennis and other events in HD when those events are staged in HD.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 01:55am on 13 Nov 2009 @ Matthew Collier

Daneille has always been kind enough to listen to posts, Top Gear will be now shown in HD after listening to the views.

Even the European Broadcasting Union in its latest report shows how channels shouldn't be fixed to get the best out of the latest technology so hopefully posters views will be listened to.

@derek500

It's becoming harder and harder to book a non-HD outside broadcast unit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/10/a_day_in_the_life_of_the_head.html
See posts 141 and 151.

Between several companies they have over 30 outside broadcast units that can handle HD and they aim to replace the rest in the coming future.
Costs will be falling as there is greater competition in the market.

Also events like Australian Open and French Open tennis are provided in HD by other broadcasters.

I have put some comments on the BBC Sport blog.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2009/11/vancouver_lights_the_way_for_l.html
Vancouver lights the way for London 01:53am on 13 Nov 2009 On the subject of BBC HD as well can you also assure viewers who do make the conversion to HD that more Sport will be shown on BBC HD?

The head of Formula One has already said in an interview interest is high from broadcasters who want HD so it would be a shame if they don't work together to tip the scales so viewers can see Formula One in HD from next year.

As Welsh Rugby is rumoured to be put onto the Crown Jewels it seems odd that none of this years Autumn Internationals are on BBC HD despite the BBC having coverage of some 6 nations games in HD.
It is also questionable why the BBC can't work with French and Italian broadcasters to bring 6 nations rugby matches in HD as well as bring 6 nations matches from Ireland in HD as well.

For all sports viewers it would be also great to see coverage of The Open Golf, French and Australian Tennis, The Grand National, BDO Darts and as many other sports that the BBC has the rights to in HD.

Next year many will more will convert to HD to see The Winter Olympics and The World Cup, it would be everyone can see the sport they enjoy in HD.

In previous years a valid argument for HD coverage would have been cost and lack of resources as there was very few resources and they were expensive, but now there are now several major companies and more who will provide HD coverage making it hard not be able to secure coverage of events in HD.
Vancouver lights the way for London 01:27am on 13 Nov 2009 Dear Mr Mosey,

As the Olympic Broadcaster can you please state whether BBC HD will bring viewers non-stop uninterrupted coverage of The Winter Olympics on BBC HD just like it did for The Summer Olympics? And that coverage will be given prominence on BBC1 and BBC2 as well?

Many people in Team GB have trained very hard, it would be a great shame to see coverage shunted to BBC3 or The Red Button service which has already been cut on Freeview. And as BBC so heavily promotes Freesat and will promote Freeview HD when it launches it would be a great shame to see BBC HD not provide continuous coverage.

As Vancouver is 8 hours behind it will mean coverage will be from 4pm-4am which will cause problems for BBC1 and 2 and mean BBC HD will provide nothing but coverage of The Olympics, but it should be worth it for the nation to see its athletes compete for Gold. And as this event takes place only every 4 years it is only a minor inconvenience for viewers of other programming.

As a new list of crown jewels comes out to protect free to air sport including The Winter Olympics it would be a disaster if the BBC takes The Winter Olympics which is on this list and doesn't give it national prominence on BBC1,2 and BBC HD that it deserves.
Not to mention many people have been converting to HD for events next year like The Winter Olympics and The World Cup, not giving unrivalled and equal HD coverage like the BBC did in The Summer Olympics would undermine those who perceive that the BBC treats all of its crown jewels equally.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 6:40pm on 12 Nov 2009 @wednesday83
Freeview HD will used DVB-T2/MPEG-4 with no fixed bitrates, with 40.2Mb/s overall capacity BBC HD will start with an average of 13.4Mb/s of capacity, that is 38% more than BBC HD on 9.7Mb/s. Of course with it being unfixed it could reach up to 20Mb/s for short periods of time when needed so the channel could end up having up to double the capacity of BBC HD on satellite.

There is enough information out there now, even Andy Quested has posted a slide show, see post 85.
It shows how Freeview HD will actually have more capacity than Satellite so BBC HD will if no changes are made look better on Freeview HD.

At least half the satellite transponder that BBC HD is on is being wasted.
BBC HD could be allowed to have the same bandwidth as it will get on Freeview HD and there will still be enough room for a overspill red button HD stream.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 6:20pm on 12 Nov 2009 @NickReynolds Thanks for you message Nick, do you know what the subject matter is please?

The first distinct areas is around bandwidth.

With so much bandwidth being wasted on the satellite transponder BBC HD could unfix its fix and there is still enough for a second HD channel that could be run as a red button stream to carry HD broadcasts where there is a channel clash.

Freeview HD will used DVB-T2/MPEG-4 with no fixed bitrates, with 40.2Mb/s overall capacity BBC HD will start with an average of 13.4Mb/s of capacity, that is 38% more than BBC HD on 9.7Mb/s. Of course with it being unfixed it could reach up to 20Mb/s for short periods of time when needed so the channel could end up having up to double the capacity of BBC HD on satellite.

Even when Five HD joins the platform the MPEG-4 codec will roughtly have been improved another 30%.
That would leave the platform with an effective total rate of 52.2Mb/s so each channel would still have an average of 13.05Mb/s.

Also as the broadcasting industry knows you don't need a low bandwidth to bring various styles of HD, BBC HD should be unfixed so the broadcasts can be shown as they are intended to be, not manipulated by arbitrary bandwidth restrictions.

The second major issue to be addressed is programming.

How is BBC HD going to deal with non-stop coverage of The Winter Olympics from 4pm-4am from February the 12th-28th?
Will there be a red button HD stream to provide programmes like Heroes in HD while BBC HD brings non-stop coverage?

And what about the lack of using the outside broadcast equipment in HD that covers events like Rugby Union, it would be possible for BBC HD to bring both the Wales and Scotland games in HD this weekend.
The Wales game takes place on a Friday evening and won't interrupt any new programming and the Scotland game will take place in the early afternoon on Saturday so it won't cause a problem for BBC HD.
Future Autumn Internationals can also be covered in HD with no problems.

There are few reasons as well with the continued expansion of HD outside broadcast facilities, it's becoming harder and harder to book a non-HD unit as they are being upgraded.
The BBC could send one to Ireland to provide next years 6 nations in HD for UK,French and Italian broadcasters and also work with local French and Italian outside broadcasters to bring those games in HD.

BBC HD could expand its coverage of this years darts without affecting its current schedule.
It could also bring The Grand National in HD and show viewers coverage of French and Australian Open Tennis including matches involving Andy Murray, the semi finals and finals.

It could also bring viewers Formula One which is what many viewers want.

Also there is also studio programming and programming that is now being filmed in HD that isn't going out in HD.

Flight of the Conchords is avaliable to show in HD.
And studios are now ready or soon will be to show QI,The Graham Norton Show,Have I Got News For You and University Challenge.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 11:40pm on 10 Nov 2009 @HD_fan428

The better question is why has the BBC HD satellite feed been reduced by so much which will lead to the BBC HD Freeview feed being significantly better?

The latest EBU report and slide show from Andy Quested show the platform will have a large amount of capacity.

Per channel BBC HD on Freeview HD will have more bandwidth to use and as it isn't fixed it will be in an even better position than BBC HD on satellite.

Currently about half the transponder on satellite is being wasted, there is enough room for a red button HD stream.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 10:23pm on 10 Nov 2009 @ SkyCaddie Post 92

The BBC doesn't need DVB-S2 until it needs to broadcast 4 HD channels.

For now there is enough capacity via DVB-B and the latest MPEG 4 enconders for BBC HD, a red button HD stream for when live sport clashes with strictly come dancing and other programming like extended coverage of The Winter Olympics, The World Cup and The Commonwealth games.
And there is enough space to leave the two MPEG2 channels on the transponder.
BBC HD: Interview with Danielle Nagler on Points of View 10:16pm on 10 Nov 2009 @wednesday83

Danielle reports to Roly Keating who reports to Erik Huggers who is the boss of Andy Quested. Roly and Erik reports to Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision who reports to Mark Thompson.

The FOI release never named who put forward the cut in the bit-rate, see Post 85/86.

Replacing anyone want solve any of the issues you raise, at least the current staff are being informed of why the fixed bitrate isn't needed and why it is wasting so much transponder space. Enough to launch a red button HD stream and unfix BBC HD.

Another industry article that shows that only equipment can produce a filmic look and not bit-rates.

''The second season of Twentieth Century Fox Television’s hour-long thriller, “Dollhouse,” is being shot with the Panasonic VariCam 3700 solid-state P2 HD camcorder.

The AJ-HPX3700 combines VariCam’s filmic-look, variable frame rates and subtle tone control with master-quality, 10-bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra recording as well as dual-link RGB 4:4:4 output. ''

http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/archive/fox-tvs-dollhouse-transitions-1006/

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