Freeview digital only by 2013 (DSO)

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Evolbob

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Topic # 76731 5-Feb-2011 09:12
I see that it will only be possible to get a digital signal after mid to late 2013. I think this could be a very bad move, as most receiving devices like TVs, DVDs, VCRs and any with an analog tuner will cease to work! At least in respect in recording TV broadcasts. I know the new ones will probably have them built-in, but most are not, most TV recording devices still use analog tuners! I have one Sky decoder, and one Freeview receiver, this means from the several TV programs available, I can record only 2 that clash if shown at the same time? For the 3rd program I'd have to watch it or get another Freeview receiver, or most likely miss it. With many different viewing tastes, most retire to their own TV to watch what they wish to see. At peak viewing times I see a lot of problems arising. I would think it would be reasonable to ask the general public first before doing this. There are a lot of TV sets that are going to be of no use in a few years, at least not without another digital tunning device attached. I see no reason why such an amazingly better service (Digital Broadcast) needs to be pushed. As it is so good it should be adopted quickly, and there is no need to force it down our throat. Either way you don't push, as that is rude.

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 435598 5-Feb-2011 09:31
First off I think you mean ASO nut DSO. Maintaining two broadcast platforms makes no sence from a financial point of view. There are massive costs maintaining the analogue network due to the huge numbers of transmission sites around, both primary transmitters and translators. Most of this gear is now well past it's use by data and will start failing without a significant upgrade, an upgrade that once again makes no sence. With over 65% of homes having digital, analogue viewers are the minority, and we also had an extremely long timeframe from commencement of digital until the actual ASO date. Many countries that rolled out DVB-T platforms after NZ are already in the process of shutting down their analogue networks. There are things that should be being done now, and should have been since ASO was formally announced. Every product without a digital tuner, ie DVD recorders, VCR's and TV's should be marked with a big red sticker warning people that it will be obsolete from late 2012 onward (depending on your location). *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

DjShadow

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Reply # 435603 5-Feb-2011 09:49
Thing is also, ok yes its still possible to buy recorders/tv's with analogue tuners but there is going to have to be a cut over point at sometime. Just because NZ is going to be digital only in 2013 does not mean they should stop selling them now as there is some demand still for these devices. Also Analogue itself is at the end of its life where it can not be expanded anymore, e.g one of the big reasons Sky shut down the UHF network (going off what was in the papers) is that getting parts for their transmitter network was not easy and with a lot of countries switching to digital there is no demand for UHF transmitters. TAB Trackside has recently joined freeview and they indicate off their press release they will shut down UHF transmission in May this year. No word on Prime TV but I'd assume they would shut down UHF at the same time as everyone else. Also the spectrum itself is needed for 4G mobile services

sbiddle

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Reply # 435604 5-Feb-2011 09:59
DjShadow: Also the spectrum itself is needed for 4G mobile services Not quite correct. 4G services such as the RBI proposal from Vodafone/Telecom use LTE in the 700MHz band. The bulk of TV services in NZ are VHF. Once ASO occurs and Trackside, Maori TV and Prime stop transmitting on UHF there will be changes made nationwide to existing Freeview\|HD MUX frequencies to bring them all down below 700MHz so the 700MHz + band can be reallocated. The existing VHF low band frequencies (~50MHz-60MHz) will remain unused, parts of the VHF Hi hand (180MHz - 230MHz) would be used for DAB+ digital radio if a decision is made to deploy that in NZ. Right now that's not possible due to a lack of nationwide spectrum. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

hdinsider

427 posts

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Reply # 435605 5-Feb-2011 10:11
sbiddle: First off I think you mean ASO nut DSO. It's being promoted as DSO "Digital Switch Over" rather than the negative sounding analog switch off. Confusing to many.... don't mess with me.... i'm the hd insider....

ajw

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Reply # 435673 5-Feb-2011 15:25
This website will give you more details concerning Analogue switch off. http://www.goingdigital.co.nz/

cyril7

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Reply # 435676 5-Feb-2011 15:38
Hi, there will be resist knicks, only today I got a call from someone who was complaining about their TV1/2 reception which had turned to custard, but their TV3/Prime/Trackside was all good. I remember installing a UHF antenna for them a couple of years back. My phoneside diagnosis was the very antique VHF antenna (for Ch1,3) was dying probably due to 30odd yrs of life 400m from the beach. When asked how much to replace it, I recommended that they didnt but instead just got a new TV or STB for FreeView (the UHF antenna I installed had good DTT reception). That recommendation was met with a rather angry response as though I was on drugs and pulling their leg. The fact that this person has two 20yr old CRT's that are well overdue for replacement was it seemed, totally of no consequence. I mentioned that turn off was in a couple of years, she didnt believe me. Cyril

old3eyes

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Reply # 435681 5-Feb-2011 15:54
Unfortunately the Luddites in the community will complain and argue that analog should be left on for years to come as there will be someone out there with an old analog set. Same will happen next year when Telecom announces a switch off date for CDMA.. I'm surprised anyone in GZ would be advocating leaving the analog TV system running past 2013.. Regards, Old3eyes

ajw

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Reply # 435682 5-Feb-2011 15:57
old3eyes: Unfortunately the Luddites in the community will complain and argue that analog should be left on for years to come as there will be someone out there with an old analog set. Same will happen next year when Telecom announces a switch off date for CDMA.. I'm surprised anyone in GZ would be advocating leaving the analog TV system running past 2013.. And expect a free STB, UHF aerial, or sat dish installed at no cost.

Flippikat

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Reply # 435694 5-Feb-2011 17:06
The REAL battle here is getting Freeview HD out to as many sites as possible. As far as the typical analogue viewer is concerned, it's far less cost and effort to switch to a terrestial digital service than a satellite service. if the signal strength is reasonable, you can even get DTT off "rabbit ears" i know there's probably a fair bit of set-up cost involved for the broadcasters, but once a transmission tower is up and running, does it save money to broadcast digitally? (I'd think at least the power costs wouldbe lower, is that right?) The two things I'd focus on is are: * Getting Freeview HD out to more centres (as many as logistically possible) before the Rugby World Cup to encourage uptake.. When else will people get the chance to see free rugby in HD?? * Putting across the message that although Freeview HD can give you HD. Channels for free, you don't HAVE to get a new HD TV to view it. (I think there's still some confusion about this)

sbiddle

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Reply # 435703 5-Feb-2011 17:59
Flippikat: The REAL battle here is getting Freeview HD out to as many sites as possible. * Getting Freeview HD out to more centres (as many as logistically possible) before the Rugby World Cup to encourage uptake.. When else will people get the chance to see free rugby in HD?? The 87% population expansion that was proposed when Freeview\|HD was rolled out is scheduled to be complete by mid year in time for the world cup. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

Behodar

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Reply # 435717 5-Feb-2011 18:50
Regarding coverage expansion, apparently (according to Going Digital email support) they plan to announce a finalised list of transmitters next week. There is currently a partial list on the Going Digital site (I'm currently using my phone so can't easily provide a link).

Flippikat

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Reply # 435730 5-Feb-2011 19:48
sbiddle: Flippikat: The REAL battle here is getting Freeview HD out to as many sites as possible. * Getting Freeview HD out to more centres (as many as logistically possible) before the Rugby World Cup to encourage uptake.. When else will people get the chance to see free rugby in HD?? The 87% population expansion that was proposed when Freeview\|HD was rolled out is scheduled to be complete by mid year in time for the world cup. That's good news.. It will help getting people off analogue, for sure.. I think the restructuring of channels on Freeview in the next few weeks will help too. Wonder if there's anywhere in the remaining 13% of coverage that would be worth extending Freeview HD to?

bfginger

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Reply # 435736 5-Feb-2011 20:03
The average viewer understands next to nothing about television technology and doesn't want to know. The biggest marketing error made by Freeview was the "Freeview\|HD" brand. People don't understand that Freeview\|HD is broadcast terrestrially like analogue and they don't understand that their standard definition televisions can receive Freeview\|HD. All kinds of statements are made like they want "standard" Freeview and even Noel Lemming did an advertisement in AKL encouraging people to buy a satellite receiver for the ASO. I keep seeing people in the Freeview\|HD broadcast area with bigscreen TVs plugged into satellite receivers via RCA cables. Try to tell them they're doing it wrong and they'll just become annoyed or confused. Pretty much any CRT still in service can be adapted to connect to Freeview\|HD. The quality will be much better than analogue so long as it's new enough to have connectors. Many will rush out and buy a new LCD on hire purchase in September 2013 instead when they find their "broken" TV doesn't work.

DjShadow

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Reply # 435742 5-Feb-2011 20:20
Anyone know when TV/Radio advertising is to begin to advertise the fact analogue tv is being closed in 2013?

trig42

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Reply # 435745 5-Feb-2011 20:55
DjShadow: Anyone know when TV/Radio advertising is to begin to advertise the fact analogue tv is being closed in 2013? About 6 months before it happens will be my guess. Then the retailers will start pushing it and confuse everybody some more.

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