I refer to the letter (June 1) referring to an editorial item published in the I-tech supplement of May 27 on Melita's HD service.
Firstly, I-tech was neither rewarded nor commissioned by Melita to review the Melita netbox HD. The article was published as an initiative of the editorial team as an independent review.
The Times rightly described the Melita netbox HD as an interactive mini-computer. Being interactive it requires a two-way communication channel via internet for software upgrades, updates to the electronic programming guide and more importantly, to cater for other applications and services which may be rolled out in the near future.
The Melita netbox HD has the potential to add a variety of new features allowing subscribers to integrate their home entertainment into a single unit. Melita is already looking at the total personalisation of the television experience, such as enjoying Video on Demand and the integration of internet and social networking sites (YouTube, Flickr and others) with the TV set. The Melita netbox HD has the technology required to cater for these applications as they become available in the near future and to transform the home entertainment experience into a fully-integrated one.
These are a few of the reasons why the Melita netbox HD has gained many positive reviews labelling it as "future-proof" and why it requires an internet connection.
Moreover, readers must be informed that no additional expenses apply to the connectivity required to support the HD service. In fact, at the point of installing a Melita netbox HD, Melita will also provide a free modem to support the interactive functions of the HD box. Such modem may also be used for regular internet and telephony services. Of course, in those cases where HD customers already have an appropriate Melita modem, a second modem will not be required.
The option to store favourite channels will be implemented in a few weeks' time during the second phase of the HD service rollout. In the meantime, customers may zap through channels in multiple ways on-screen, through a picture-in-picture menu or also through the advanced electronic programme guide that displays channel and programming information in a simple magazine format.
Incorporating the latest advanced HD technology, the Melita netbox HD also allows customers to pause, record and rewind live television at will and comes with a completely re-designed electronic programme guide and a fully fledged media centre with USB 2.0 together with a large 320 GB in-built hard disk for recording purposes.
The Melita HD service is available in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Melita has obtained TV rights for the live broadcast of all 64 World Cup matches on a dedicated sports channel both in high definition and standard definition with English commentary and with Italian commentary for matches played by the Italian national team.
Melita is also making the World Cup experience accessible to all through the live broadcast of 46 live matches on TVM with Maltese commentary and over 20 live matches on Rai.
Beisdes the HD sports channel, 10 new HD channels have also been added for free to the XL channel line-up - Discovery HD Showcase, Nat Geo HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, Rush HD, iConcerts HD, Eurosport HD, History HD, Luxe TV HD, FTV HD and MTVN HD.
Those who register for the HD service by the end of June 2010, will benefit from free installation of the new Melita netbox HD, a waiver of the monthly rental fee for the set-top box (€10 a month) until October 1 while existing Melita digital TV, subscribers can have their existing digital set-top box installed on another television set for free until December 31.