Is DVB-T2 backward compatible with DVB-T?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Is DVB-T2 backward compatible with DVB-T?

Ti

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#116619 4-May-2013 20:54

ie. will a DVB-T2 decoder work in NZ for Freeview reception
Thanks!

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#811337 4-May-2013 21:01

Yes should do. Igloo boxes decode T2 as well as taking the Freeview signals as T and decoding those signals as well. However do you have a specific device in mind as I guess there is a cost to putting in a T decoder into the firmware so some might skip the licensing.

cyril7

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#811339 4-May-2013 21:02

Hi as Pete says, these standards are fully backward compatible.

Cyril

Ti

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#811358 4-May-2013 21:30

I'm trying to get a small format unit to use in a boat and found a model T210T2 decoder on eBay from an outfit called sinoitproducts. I previously bought a DVB-T unit (there's loads of the little blue box units there too) but that seems to be faulty - no signal, not even a menu - and rather than just buy a replacement, thought the T2 might be a better option.
Any other advice appreciated please!

knoydart

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#811362 4-May-2013 21:40

Do you have a laptop on your boat? If so, suggest a USB DVB-T receiver that could plug in to a spare usb port. Just had a look at the pbtech website for instance and they have a couple listed.

Ti

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#811389 4-May-2013 22:28

I've been that route thanks but the boat is not huge so clutter is an issue and since we have an inbuilt roof-mount tv/DVD unit that has an awesome HD screen, I want to upgrade that with a Freeview feed. I just ordered another DVB-T unit so fingers crossed that one will work.
Thanks!

ubernoob

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#811393 4-May-2013 22:34

Just bought myself a Kaiser Baas TV Stick the other day. USB plugged into the pc, loaded the drivers. Works with the software that came with it and Windows Media Centre. Picks up 20 odd Freeview channels and 3 or 4 Radio channels. I have recorded to external hard drive a couple of programmes, one manually, one "Guide" timer recorded. Works great Full HD.
My only regret is I should have bought a twin tuner as I can only watch and record one channel at a time

B1GGLZ

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#811683 5-May-2013 18:00

Don't forget that any unit, backward compatible or not needs to be compatible with the NZ Freeview platform which is different to most other countries.

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Ti

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#811695 5-May-2013 18:15

Very difficult as a lay-person to understand what is and what in not compatible with NZ Freeview. The only way I can tell is trial & error! :-)

wklie

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#812099 6-May-2013 15:29

1. A DVB-T2 decoder will generally be able to decode DVB-T signals, unless the box restricts the frequency scanning parameters making it incompatible with NZ

2. It is an entirely different matter with MHEG EPG compatibility. MHEG has a region setting that is generally hardcoded into the firmware. MHEG operating for a certain country may or may not work for another country. Then in some places like UK there is MHEG for value added features but not usually used for EPG, so the EPG button on the remote may be mapped to a native EPG function instead of handing over to MHEG engine. If someone try to import a UK T2 box and use it in NZ, I do not expect it to be trouble free for Freeview MHEG EPG.

3. Freeview NZ can choose to do a whitelist checking at the MHEG EPG level and ban non-approved boxes from launching the Freeview MHEG EPG even if the boxes are fully capable to run it.

Ti

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#812110 6-May-2013 15:41

Thanks wklie. I am none-the-wiser! No idea what MHEG etc means :)
I've invested another $20 in a new decoder so will share the results.

trig42

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#812134 6-May-2013 16:27

I don't know how small you need it, but generally if you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys.
DishTV have a nice small unit - the T1000 (And it's got a cool model number!)
http://www.dishtv.co.nz/vmchk/Freeview%7CHD-aerialBox/98-aerialBox-mini-T1000-Freeview%7CHD-single-tuner-USB-PVR/flypage_web2_lite.tpl.htm
Sometimes they have some nice deals on refurbs as well.

Ti

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#812148 6-May-2013 16:52

Thanks Trig42 - Just ordered one and I'll make it fit! :-D

Chrisso43

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#812164 6-May-2013 17:35

In NZ we use an 8 meg wide COFDM carrier, check that the device you are trying to hook up will do this as most overseas TVs/STBs are built to receive a 7 meg carrier only and won't work here.
The other trap is the audio decoding, check that it will AAC HE.
So have a good read of the spec fine print would be my suggestion.

Ti

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#812171 6-May-2013 17:55

Thanks to all who offered advice - much appreciated! I have now ordered one locally so hope to have support with that.
Cheers!

richms

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#812271 6-May-2013 20:19

I thought only aussie had the 7MHz stuff? Certainly the 2 boxes that friends have landed from DX/Alibaba that had dvbt2 capabilities worked without issue here on freeview. Both have issues where rescanning when moving between infill and main coverage doesnt always replace the non working channel with a working one, but deleting all the channels between scans sorts that out.

Richard rich.ms

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