High definition TV. Best thing since colour, right? But is it as good as it could be? In the July 2011 issue of What Satellite & Digital TV, we compare the bit rates for the UK's main free-to-air HD channels.
Also in this issue: We've also rounded up the best connected TVs, Technomate's latest Freeview/satellite combi, and Sky's compact multiroom HD receiver on test.
On the small screen, we've got a preview of Spielberg's alien invasion serial Falling Skies and we meet China's international channel, CCTV News.
On test: It does terrestrial and satellite, and easily upgrades to PVR functionality - our lead test is the Technomate TM-8000 HD Combo.
And if you like your Linux receivers compact,you'll enjoy our test of the Golden Media 900 CR HD PVR Spark LX. Sky's HD Digiibox is ful of multiroom promise, Eminent has combined a twin-tuner DTT PVR and media player in the EM7195 hdMedia DVB-T, the Acer Aspire Revo RL100 is the perfect mini media PC, and Freeview goes indoors with the One For All SV9390 antenna.
Our super-size group test for July examines the connected TV platforms available from LG, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.
First impressions: A pre-test look at a Freeview HD Blu-ray and HDD PVR with connected TV - the Panasonic DMR-BWT800, Technomate's TM-2600 Super DiSEqC dish motor, an under £2K 3D-ready Freeview HD plasma TV with the LG P50PZ950T, capture analogue HD with the Avermedia C874, or watch HD in a cinema-styleee on Infocus's SP8604 Full HD projector. Rockdale has a dish in a suitcase, Goodmans and Grundig prepare hybrid Freeview and Freesat receivers, Pioneer brings an amp with Full HD upscaling, voice control comes to Sky Player on the Xbox 360 and Cello puts conncted TVs in the budget marketplace.
UKTV+: ER star Noah Wyle goes from doctor to freedom fighter as he takes on invading aliens in Falling Skies, Steven Spielberg's new sci-fi drama, coming to FX in July. Bouffant rock star astronomer Brian May reveals a love of 3D on Sky 3D, and there's all of the month's best Drama, Entertainment, Factual, Sport and Film hghlights to sift through.
Euro TV+: CCTV News is the subject of this month’s Eutelsat Hot Bird TV Awards for 2010. Arabsat at 26°E is the subject of Footprint and Satellite Search once more highlights the best feed spots of recent weeks. Launch Pad celebrates SpaceX's apparently unstoppable challenge to the traditional rocket industry, and as always you can keep track of what’in orbit already with our indispensable 20 page European frequency guide.
Tech Zone: Barry Fox suspects Connectd TV makers are ducking the question of Britain's creaky broadband in Inside View and Troubleshooter answers more of your burning tech questions.
What Satellite Pro: More advice on filtering signals with Bill Wright in Pro Tips, we highlight another worthy Super Installer and polish up screen cleaners in Pro Kit.
Satellite XS: Chat XS starlet Stacey Lacey likes to do it in character, while Dave Taylor wonders at the own goals of censors and do-gooders.
What Satellite & Digital TV issue 303, July 2011, on sale Thursday, July 7.
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