MediaCorp TV HD5
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| MediaCorp TV HD5 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | June 18, 2006 |
| Network | MediaCorp TV |
| Owned by | MediaCorp |
| Picture format | 1080i50(HDTV) 16:9 H.264 |
| Country |  Singapore |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Caldecott Broadcasting Centre |
| Replaced | MediaCorp HDTV |
| Sister channel(s) | Channel 5, Digital 5 |
| Website | HD5 |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Digital (DVB-T) | Channel 38 (610 MHz) |
| IPTV over ADSL | |
| mio TV | Channel 8 |
MediaCorp TV HD5 is Singapore's first over-the-air HDTV channel, simulcasting HD version of Channel 5 programming when available. It is the first terrestrial broadcast HD channel in South-East Asia and also first in the world to use MPEG4/AVC compression.
There are about 7 hours of True HD programmes shown on HD5 every week. The types of programmes include movies, dramas and local productions.
At other times, HD5 shows simulcast of upconverted Channel 5 broadcast.
On 11 November 2007, MediaCorp had officially roll out its HD5 television signal.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
November 2005
- The Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lee Boon Yang announced Singapore to begin trial HDTV services by mid 2006.
It is part of the efforts by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) to speed up the deployment and adoption of HD technology nationwide as the local media and entertainment industry shifts to digital technology.
1000 participants, 10 community clubs and various retail stores were selected for the trial. It was initially expected to last for six months.
18th June 2006
- The trial channel, named MediaCorp HDTV, was launched with the movie premiere of "[Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers]" shown on the first day of broadcast.
1st April 2007
- The channel was renamed HD5.
6th July 2007
- MediaCorp announced its plan for the official launch of HD5 during the last quarter of 2007.
It will have 7 hours of HD programming and 11 hours of upconverted non-HD local and foreign programmes. It also plans to broadcast all its channels in HD by 2012.
21st July 2007
- Subscribers of mio TV are able to receive HD5 via its HD Set-Top box.
4th October 2007
- HD5 starts broadcasting 24 hours a day.
13th / 14th October 2007
- "HD5 LIFTOFF", an HD5 channel showcasing event, was held at Suntec City Hall 401.
Various HDTV manufacturers were also at the event to promote their HD products. HD5 broadcast various foreign and local HD productions for its channel showcase for that 2 days. The programming on that day include Life Story 2, Lifeline, National Day Parade 2007 and Smallville.
11th November 2007
- MediaCorp officially rolled out its HD5 television signal. The number of True HD programmes shown every week is increased to 7 hours.
[edit] Trial Era
An average of 14 hours of HD content per week was telecasted during primetime hours of 7 pm and 11 pm. The rest of the programming hours consists of mainly program repeats, trailers and upconverted resolution Channel 5 simulcast. The name of the channel in the broadcast data was MediaCorp HD1 during the trial era.
[edit] End of Trial
Though the trial was expected to end at December 2006 initially, it was extended to 31 March 2007. The channel was then renamed HD5 on the following day.
According to Mr Chang Long Jong, Mediacorp Deputy CEO (Television), trial users gave "favourable" feedback on HD movies, 'live' events, sports and dramas.
[edit] Present situation
HD5 now broadcast 24 hours daily.
Apart from the 7-8 hours of programmes weekly that are in True HD, the rest of the broadcasting hours are up converted simulcast of Channel 5.
With the launch of mio TV, a subscription based IPTV service from SingTel, subscribers can receive HD5 for free (though mio TV's minimum monthly charges apply) and along with other MediaCorp TV and TV12 channels.
[edit] Methods of receiving HD5
There are several options of receiving HD5.
[edit] HD DVB-T MPEG-4 AVC Set-Top Box
These set-top boxes receive HD5's signal through a roof-top or indoor UHF antenna, decodes the MPEG-4 AVC signal and outputs to HDTV via HDMI or component cables. Such boxes can be purchased at major home appliance retail stores like Best Denki, Courts and Harvey Norman.
[edit] HDTV with integrated MPEG-4 AVC decoder
Similar to the above, but the decoder is integrated right into the HDTV itself, therefore saving the need to purchase an external set-top box. Currently ,only [Samsung's] HDTV model IDTV M8 provides this feature. Another not much known brand, Palladine, has an integrated DVB-T tuner, but it is unknown if it supports MPEG-4 AVC compression.
[edit] mio TV's HD Set-Top Box
Using IPTV service from Singtel, mio TV's set-top box can output HD5 to a HDTV via a HDMI cable without the need of an antenna. Viewing of HD5 channel itself is free but a minimum monthly charge of S$16.05 to subscribers apply.
[edit] PC with a DVB-T TV card
With a DVB-T TV Tuner card/external box installed, it is possible to receive and watch HD5 with a PC, effectively making the PC a set-top box if the video is output to a HDTV.
Due to the complexity of MPEG-4 AVC(H.264) video compression, a relatively powerful combination of PC hardware and software is needed to decode HD5's program stream properly without video lag and shutter.
Tested configuration includes :
- CPU
- AMD Athlon X2 (AM2) series
- Intel Core 2 T7200
- Graphics card (GPU needed for Hardware Acceleration decoding by software)
- Nvidia 7900GS
- ATI X1400
- Software
- Cyberlink PowerCinema 5.1.3627
- WinFast PVR2 + Registry Modifications + Cyberlink PowerDVD ver 7.0.1725.0
[edit] Programmes currently shown in True HD
[edit] Daily 1900HRS - 0000HRS
| 1930 | 2000 | 2030 | 2100 | 2130 | 2200 | 2230 | 2300 | 2330 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Prison Break III | |||||||||
| Tuesday | Behind Closed Doors | |||||||||
| Wednesday | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Dirty Sexy Money | ||||||||
| Thursday | The Contender Asia | |||||||||
| Friday | Supernatural II | |||||||||
| Saturday | Stay Home Saturday Movie | |||||||||
| Sunday | Box Office Showcase # | Incredible Tales 5 | Pushing Daisies | |||||||
[edit] Weekend 1200HRS - 1700HRS
| 1530 | 1600 | 1630 | 1700 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Makansutra Raw | Prison Break III | ||
| Colour Code | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Upconverted Channel 5 simulcast | Drama | Infotainment/Variety | Movie |
| '#' only selected movies available in True HD | |||
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/305467/1/.html MediaCorp to launch high definition channel 'HD5' in Nov , Channel NewsAsia, October 13, 2007
[edit] External links
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