UPC Direct to add HD channels

[FileHunter]

UPC Direct to add HD channels
By Chris Dziadul
April 14, 2010 10.17 UK

BUCHAREST BUSINESS BREAKFAST: UPC will introduce HD channels on its UPC Direct service in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on May 1.
However, according to Magnus Ternsjö, MD of UPC Broadband’s DTH business (UPC DTH S.a.r.l, in Luxembourg), it will only do so in Romania on its platform Focus Sat at later date. He also said that UPC has no plans to re-brand Focus Sat as UPC Direct.

UPC is swapping a total of eight transponders, five of which were on Astra, to a total of 10 on Thor and adding simulcrypt of Canal Digital. The platform will be ready on May 1 following a period of dual illumination and UPC expects 90% of customers to be switched in three months, with the last being in September.

Ternsjö in addition said that 10-20 channels will be added to its satellite service, depending on the market.

A new Filmbox premium service will also be made available in most markets, and a new PVR introduced this autumn.

 

[usama2009]

UPC Direct expands HD offer at 8 on Discovery HD and Animal Planet HD

UPC DTH, which operates the Central satellite pay-TV UPC Direct, will be from the beginning to offer a total of eight programs in high definition (HDTV). Subscribers may from 1.5.2010, the service will be formally offered the new position of 0.8 Wed west (satellites Thor Thor 5 and 6), enjoy a wider range of programming in HD than previously planned.

The HD channel package platform not only six programs in high-definition but equal to eight. Such is the current service plan, with the extension of HD offer may not yet final.

Extension offers a platform for HD:

* TV (HD mix CT1, CT2, and CT4)
* Nova HD
* Nova Sport HD
* History HD
* National Geographic Channel HD (Nat Geo HD)
* Rush HD
* Discovery HD
* Animal Planet HD

Originally announced six HD channels added two documentary channels - specifically, Discovery HD and Animal Planet HD. Discovery HD viewers can look forward to an attractive material in the superior technical quality without any disruptive elements such as image captions are burned on a different platform. In the animal world takes the viewers to well-known channel Animal Planet. In addition to the SD version will be available in the platform and the European Animal Planet HD mutation. Like Discovery HD will bring content from different channels in standard definition (SD).

The excellent technical quality of HD programs, which are our subscribers the most part, offered the transponder Scandinavian platform Canal Digital, which began with the UPC DTH cooperation demonstrated by the high bitrates that none of our providers offer satellite television. For comparison, History HD and Nat Geo HD about 16 Mbit / s, Animal Planet HD approx 14.5 Mbit / s and Rush HD about 13 Mbit / s (in all cases it is the video bit rate).

Planned new stations in standard definition (SD):

* Prima COOL
* JOJ Plus
* TV Home
* STV2 (Number Two)
* STV3 (Troika)
* Sport 2
* Sport 5
* CS Movie
* Mini CS
* Nickelodeon
* Click on small / Filmbox Extra
* Filmbox Family
* Cinemax 2
* MTV GB
* Z1
* Fishing and Hunting
* Nat Geo Wild
* DoQ
* Ocko
* AXN Sci-Fi
* AXN Crime

+ Free broadcast programs (FTA):
* Musiq1
* Music Box
* TV Lux
* CETV
* Live TV
* TV8 SK

Warning: Some program services may be due to limitations of television rights available on the territory of another country (the Czech Republic or Slovakia).

Placement programs for various packages will be specified later on, including price.

UPC Direct on 1.5.2010 is launching a new phase in pay-TV. In the summer of last year, the platform operator has decided to extend the contract for transponder capacity with SES Astra, which is currently spreading programs that service, and signed with rival operator Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc). At the new position of 0.8 ° W, where satellites are parked Thor Thor 5 and 6, is already in use 10 transponders UPC Direct for the Czech, Slovak, Hungarian and Romanian market. In this capacity since the end of last month, the technical tests in order to configure different multiplexes, and streaming content. Technical tests are also available to end-viewers who may be a much better technical quality of broadcast stations to convince my own eyes.

Parallel distribution services from the original (Astra) and new (Thor) positions will be approximately 3 to 4 months. During this time there is a parabola with Flip Subscriber services at a new position. Then it will spread to the Astra complete and free up capacity used mainly customers from Western Europe.

Position 0.8°W - 1°W, after the official start of operation of UPC Direct station in this location an important place for the reception of Czech and Slovak programs from the satellite.

UPC Direct signals to the satellites is provided by Thor Techcom satellite operator SES Astra.