Pace showcases Freeview HD box

Monday, September 14 2009, 11:40 BST

By Andrew Laughlin,

Pace has unveiled its next-generation set top box capable of receiving the DVB-T2 transmission standard for the launch of high definition Freeview.

In June, the BBC confirmed that DVB-T2 transmissions will commence from the Winter Hill transmitter group on December 2. DVB-T2 works by optimising bandwidth in the network to enable broadcasters and service providers to deliver HD content to households over DTT networks.

Yorkshire-based manufacturer Pace is currently demonstrating the Freeview HD receiver at IBC 2009 in Amsterdam. It will officially launch the product on to the market during the first half of 2010, in line with Freeview's target to have 50% UK coverage for Freeview HD in time for the World Cup next year.

Commenting on the development, Pace France president Mathias Hautefort said: "The launch of DVB-T2 represents an important transition for DTT broadcasting in the UK and a hugely exciting step forward for digital consumers.

"Through our partnership with Freeview we are bringing a next-generation set top box to market that will be a key component in unlocking the power of Freeview HD in the home.

"With HD Ready TV penetration at around 12 million homes already in UK and with growing consumer expectations from TV generally, we fully expect that DVB-T2 will help drive widespread HD adoption."

Freeview managing director Ilse Howling added: "As the UK's biggest and fastest growing TV platform, we are on a mission to upgrade Britain to HD and beyond. We're delighted that Pace will be on board to deliver one of the first Freeview HD products to market next year."

Earlier in the month, the Digital TV Group announced that the test and conformance regime for Freeview HD and Freeview+ HD receivers will commence in October.