Fransat switching to MPEG-4, adds 4K
December 8, 2014
By Chris Forrester
French FTA broadcasts under its Fransat system will switch from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 in 15-16 months from now, around Spring 2016”.
The decision means that viewers will have to buy a new Fransat HD compatible MPEG-4 receiver from around 40 available on the market.
Boxes will shortly start appearing with MPEG-4 and a logo (“Fransat Connect”) which will mean that the unit is also good for HbbTV interactive services.
Fransat has also promised ultra-HD test transmissions from Eutelsat’s 5 West A satellite. Viewers need a Fransat CI+ set-top box, and a suitable Samsung 4K display. The tests will start on December 16th.