Foxtel has revealed details of its new HD service to be released next year which will feature four HD channels and a custom-built box.
It's been almost three years since the original Foxtel iQ came out, and by the middle of 2008 the latest iQHD service should be available.
According to Patrick Delany of Foxtel's blog, the new box will feature a 320GB drive and will be built from scratch by Pace -- which makes the existing Foxtel boxes.
No other specifications have been announced, though the front panel sports what looks suspiciously like a wireless connection indicator plus a message (or even e-mail) light. At the very least we should expect an HDMI port and an Ethernet connection.
Rumoured features of the iQHD include true Video-On-Demand -- and even downloads -- via cable and the recently released Mobile Remote Record for iQ which lets you program the box via your mobile phone or the Internet.
No channels or pricing structure have been announced but it's likely customers will have to pay for the box rather than renting it, as was originally the case with the iQ box. We believe Foxtel is likely to follow the lead of UK pay TV service Sky HD which offers its box for between £199 (AU$460) and £399 (AU$922) depending on your subscription.
At the moment Foxtel appears to have no plans to release a standalone HD STB, so the only way to receive HD would be to invest in the iQHD box.
Foxtel iQHD will feature up to four HD channels.
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guy.donald
13/12/2007 04:52 PM
Foxtel's HD FAQ recommends buying a TV with HDMI - they'd be stupid not to include it! http://hd.foxtel.com.au/whatishd/hdfaqs.php#faq5
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feroza4
29/12/2007 03:37 PM
To kim On June 27, 2007 My IQ was installed by Lada Antennaes - Bunbury, WA. Installation was not complete as additionl points were to be done. I have had contact with Zac at your Bunbury Foxtel kiosk - over many months and he has been guided by Tom Bottrill, is boss. Nothing has happened. Please contact Zac at ( mobile-0488722464) for details re :this transaction as it would take pages to explain - perhaps the new year will bring results. Tony Kurylo
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princecaspian83
22/01/2008 10:54 AM
WHo is gonna pay between $460 and $922 for HD foxtel honestly. I love HD TV ive got my PS3 hooked p to a 106cm plasma viera and its devistatingly good but i really hope foxtel can keep the price withing the realm of the common man or its never ever going to take off
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