Australia's Foxtel preps HD+ service, iQ2 HD STB for June launch

For Aussies counting down the days until Foxtel's HD+ service goes live, here's a bit of good news to tide you over. That iQ2 HD set-top box is apparently right on schedule, with company bigwig Kim Williams stating that he was "very confident" that customers would be able to use said unit to access the looming HD+ service "well before June 30." Also of note, ongoing technical trials have been going quite well, with the last of the quirks reportedly ironed out just last week. Mr. Williams also confirmed that Foxtel's immediate plan after the iQ2 launch was to "deliver high-bit-rate, high-contention video (HD channels and HD VOD)," but sadly, he failed to mention specifics.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 3:35AM]

Sadly, this is THE only way to get HD cable in Australia.... and you've GOT to buy THEIR box if you want it.... Each channel costs extra, obviously the box costs you extra....
Pff... I'm happy with normal broadcasts....
Until this monopoly is broken, Australia is going to continue to lag behind the rest of the developed world in terms of entertainment at least....

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 7:37PM]

Sure, cable in Australia is crap, but hey, im over the moon about the iQ2. Its a good step.

[(Unverified) Posted May 2nd 2008 6:46AM]

What a joke - Foxtel have been selling less-than-SD pictures (pre-filtered and compressed to reduce bandwidth) for years and calling it "Digitial". I guess caveat emptor, but the masses seem to suck it up nonetheless. It's only in the last 2 years that people have been buying 42"+ screens have they noticed how bad the picture is - unwatchable compared to free-to-air in discerning viewer's eyes.
Now they're going to sell HD at an even higher cost to Joe Consumer, who will lap it up without complaint, who will be paying so much each month that it would fund a replacement 50" TV every 3 years.
And this from a company that has now intruduced commercials onto pay TV using the rationale that it would "...help to keep the costs down"!

Well done, Foxtel. More power to your business model that rakes in the dosh.
Australians, you're little better than sheep.

[(Unverified) Posted May 19th 2008 6:03PM]

Hello, just wondered if u will be able to get the same analog channels as well as the HD.
brian