After a bit of time to think and research after the initial excitement of the Freeview announcement last week, I have the following predictions on Freeview and HDTV in New Zealand:

• Freeview set top boxes will be standard definition (MPEG 2, DVD like quality) only initially due the pure cost of the units. HDTV capable receivers are still pretty expensive right now. I will try and get this confirmed from Freeview New Zealand (currently I am questioning TVNZ on Freeviews behalf).
  
• HDTV content and HDTV capable set top boxes will arrive after (probably at least a year after) the initial release of Freeview in New Zealand.
• The introduction of HDTV Freeview in New Zealand will most likely follow the standards being trialled in the UK right now by the BBC which use MPEG4 with H.264.
• Sky New Zealand will no doubt introduce HDTV Sky before Freeview HDTV in a defensive move to keep subscribers.
  

Some interesting links:
Freeview set top boxes in the UK http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeviewreceivers.html
HDTV UK FAQ http://www.burnyourbonus.co.uk/hdtv-faq/faq1.html
New Zealand and Aussie Satellite TV info http://www.apsattv.com/

Things to think about:

• What sort of PVR will eventually replace my Tivo? Vista Media Centre with HDTV support maybe? A proprietary HDTV PVR set top box? Should I still use my Tivo with SD Freeview?
• Will Sky open up there HDTV service to third party PVR solutions? Probably not I would say but it sounds like this might be possible in the UK with SD Sky see http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/onyourpc.html.

I am keen to get a PC DVB-S card and start having a play with receiving the current TVNZ/Freeview trial service on the B1 satellite. If the budget can stretch far enough, I might try and get a MPEG4 H.264 capable card in preparation for HDTV in the future.

I will let you all know how this goes...

- Gabe