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General discussion

Freeview HD broadcast ... firmware upgrade or set top box

by Steve K Aug 29, 2009 7:36AM PDT

Hi
I am thinking about buying one of the LED TVs - probably the UE32B7020 - but I have just found out about UK starting to broadcast HD on freeview for some channels starting "late this year", but probably all across the country by early 2012. Apparently, the format that the HD broadcast will be in (DVB-T2) will be different to the existing format, DVB-T.

Is this just going to be a firmware fix to decode the new format, or will it need a set top box to translate the signal in the first place? If the latter, then how long before Samsung will start to ship the TVs with the new version of tuner installed?

Many thanks
Steve

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2 Posts

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Freeview HD broadcast ... firmware upgrade or set top box ?

by reslfj Aug 29, 2009 10:04PM PDT

A new hardware DVB-T2 chip will be needed - Period .

No firmware update will be possible as DVB-T2 will require much higher procession power in the DVB receiver chip.

Lars

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Freeview HD broadcast ... firmware upgrade or set top box

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Aug 31, 2009 6:25AM PDT

Steve K,

I'm not going to be able to speak any further on this than the above poster (so I'd go with that tentatively). You might try calling the Samsung Customer Service center in your region to see what their take is on the issue. I'm allowed to speak on U.S. products, but as regions vary and technology changes, I just don't have an answer.

--HDTech

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