Airtel launches IPTV with HD Channels...experience?

Airtel has launched the IPTV with HD Channels just last month however the biggest setback / disappointment is that the existing customers cannot subscribe to the HD Channels. The scheme is only available for new acquisitions...which is really sad. The cost of a new HD IPTV set top box along with a free wife router is Rs 3500 (installation charges) and the HD plan will cost Rs 599/month (though there are only 12 HD channels at this time...hope they add more soon.)
I was forced to cancel by earlier IPTV + broadband connection and took a new HD IPTV + broadband connection. Received a HD STB (obviously much different than my earlier STB). The picture and sound quality is much better....I guess thanks to the new better STB and HDMI output. The STB menu / interface is really good (not like the old one) and it very responsive and fast (unlike the earlier IPTV which was very sluggish.)
Overall if you really want HD channels along with HDMI output then it is worth the trouble to disconnecting your existing connection and buying a new one for Rs3500/-.....else stick to your existing connection.

Cool. So how many channels on TimeShift?

Which are the HD channels available? and How many HD channels on Timeshift?

What must be the Internet speed in that iptv line ?

🙁
IPTV does not use internet.

But its over DSL right? So the line synchronization would matter. I don't know about Airtel but MTNL's lines would be hard pressed to transmit over 10 mbit/s and I am assuming HD channels are around that bit rate.

IPTV is only available in limited regions as a result. When I had it, it was somewhat like 6mbps dedicated to IPTV port and 2mbps for the broadband. They did not offer 4mbps plans on this line.
HD channels would of course require much more bandwidth. So I am guessing they are offering it in even fewer areas? Not sure. Have little interest in Airtel services today. Everyone I knew who was on IPTV gave up on it long time ago.

IPTV uses existing internet line coming from provider, but it has dedicated speed and session established for IPTV traffic. For SD Video minimum 2 Mbps is needed, while for HD "video only" I guess 6 Mbps speed is needed.

Answers to some of the questions asked above:
1) HD channels - total 12 only
2) HD channels are not on time shift. Time shift has the same channels...total 48 SD channels.
3) Your area should support more than 8MBPS to run HD channels smoothly. I have max 8 mbps offered by Airtel but the HD channels are not coming smoothly.
4) IPTV, Time shift or HD channels do not use up your broadband plan. IPTV requires internet connection but it is on a separate dedicated line / speed which is different from your broadband plan.
Hope above clarifies a few things....;-)

Thanks. Can you please list the HD channels?

Right. Airtel website does not seem to mention HD IPTV service.

Airtel site has this impage

HD Channels

Looks like HD channels are available only in Delhi/NCR region

You should try new airtel iptv...clarity is far better than dth and best part is the startup response. ....I think airtel should do a bombarding in the market..48 timeshift channels....call center is still mum on all thisYes in delhi. ..good startup...doodh ka jala chhach ko bhi fuk fuk kar peeta hai 🙂 but this time, they have done that