There’s a possible sign that 7TWO is going HD in the state capitals.
7TWO has popped briefly up on channel 256 on Foxtel iq5 set top boxes, including mine in Melbourne. This is significant because the only FTA channels that normally appear in the 200’s range on Foxtel set top boxes are HD channels. So this could mean that they expect 7TWO to switch over to HD soon in at least one mainland state capital. This probably applies to iQ4 set top boxes as well.
Currently there is no 7TWO HD in Melbourne, so 256 was set to 7TWO IP (i.e. via the internet), which is something that Foxtel iQ4 and iQ5 set top boxes can do for all FTA channels.
It’s gone now, but curiously, if you use channel up, it skips over 156 unless you enter the channel number manually.
Original article: Foxtel - #3916 by EMTV
BACKGROUND: On Foxtel iQ4 and iQ5 set top boxes, free to air channels can be set up to be received either via FTA (i.e. an antenna), via satellite (where available and where satellite reception is configured) or via IP (i.e. via the net).
Some channels that were in SD but are now in HD have two channel numbers, e.g. 7MATE has 157 and 257 but the one (SD or HD) that can’t be received by FTA or satellite can only be set to IP. For the other one you have a choice.