The year 2010 sets down another marker for local TV with the introduction of pay HD TV services. This will be another milestone in local broadcasting history. Other significant dates are the launch of local TV in the early 1960s, the upgrade to colour transmissions in the early 1980s, the introduction of analogue pay TV services in the early 1990s and the introduction of standard digital(SD) pay TV services in the mid-1990s.
To put HD TV in this chain of ground-breaking events one has to try Melita's new HD TV service, the leading HD TV service on the island. It's not just better picture and sound quality, it's a totally new experience, and it is all down to the nifty little black set-top box that brings the service to your home.
i-Tech was given the opportunity to have a sneak peek at Melita's new HD TV service which comes to life with this new set-top box, branded as Melita Netbox HD.
The first impression is that the unit is closer to a personal computer than a traditional TV box. The relevant specifications and the facilities available are, in fact, comparable to those of a PC/media centre rather than the familiar TV couch potato experience.
As with all TV devices there's a remote control, but this is not your everyday point and shoot IR cheapie but a RF omnidirectional unit, individually paired to the set top, removing the need to have to point at the box to change channels or settings. It's here that the fun really begins. The graphical user interface is comparable to the one we are accustomed-to on a computer, closer to a gaming console rather than the more dated text list of channels.
The box is controlled by powerful software that can be updated and customised by Melita at anytime. In fact this interactive unit is connected to Melita's ubiquitous data network. This always on connection allows for the updating of the seven-day electronic programme guide (EPG), which gives information on individual programmes on the TV channels and makes recording your favourite programme or series much easier. It also makes it simple for a customer to switch off the box, say before going on holiday and then switch it back on and get the latest updates without losing any functionality.
For those who want to watch what they want, when they want, this smart little box allows far more control on live programming than previously possible. Other than the record, rewind and pause functions we associate with traditional VCR/DVD units there is now a one touch feature to pause a programme on the fly to continue viewing at your convenience. A programme can also be recorded very easily via the expanded GUIDE function.
Plenty of storage for these recordings is available thanks to the 320 GB internal hard disk drive. These recordings can be viewed through the device at any time and deleted when no longer required. The same drive can be used to store your favourite photos and show them on your big screen TV. And if you have a large music and video library on your computer you can access you media directly from your computer (both Windows and Mac) through UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) on the set top box by setting up a local area network or plug in a USB drive to the netbox, turning it into the home's media centre.
All this allows you to maximise the HD picture quality and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio surround capabilities of the box and your home equipment.
Melita contends that the netbox HD is "future proof" and built with the future in mind, capable to carry video-on-demand and internet applications, which Melita is studying for a potential roll out in the near future.
Parents can also put their mind at rest with the parental control feature, which also allows users to hide channels completely from the line-up.
So far Melita has added a line-up of 10 channels in HD, including Discovery HD Showcase, Eurosport HD, Nat Geo HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, Rush HD, iConcerts HD, HISTORY HD, Luxe TV HD, FTV HD and MTVN HD among others, besides the up-coming 2010 FIFA World Cup matches.
Make sure that your TV set is HD Ready or Full HD in order to enjoy the best picture quality and sound. HD Ready and Full HD are agreed terms set by a group of TV manufacturers covering common TV specifications for better viewing quality. Look for these marks when purchasing a new TV.
Melita HD is already available and it is offering free installation of the new Melita netbox HD and as an early bird offer is also waiving the monthly rental fee of the set top box (€10 a month) until October 1, 2010. Customers who would like to keep their existing digital set-top box can opt to transfer this set-top box to a second TV set for free until next December .
Melita is currently showcasing the new Melita netbox HD and HD channels in its outlets in Paola, Naxxar and Valletta.
www.melita.com/hd