DVB-T in NZ?

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MattD

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#7439 15-Apr-2006 06:02

We will be moving from Sydney to Christchurch in July, and wanted to know if NZ currently operates DVB-T for free-to-air.
We currently have a digital STB for lounge and an EyeTV401 for the mac, which we get all SD & HD TV signals.
Keen to understand what is available, whether I need to sell equipment before I come over.
I have heard about DVB-C through TCL, but I am looking for terrestial not cable.

MattD

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#33031 15-Apr-2006 07:09

Hmm after some digging, it looks like the news is grim.
Govt holdups and policy decision on how and when the country's broadcasters move to digital TV delivery. IF APPROVED the service could be on the air by LATE 2007 or early 2008.
is this a sign of things to come?

Latest
Free-to-air services likely to go ahead

The New Zealand government is expected to give the green light to proposals for a DTT service moulded on the UK's Freeview according to a recent article on Digital Spy.
The proposals are being developed by TVNZ, the countries public broadcaster and is likely to be presented for approval next month. The plan would allow NZ consumers to be able to access a number of free digital terrestrial channels just by purchasing a Set Top Box.
Digital Spy goes on to say that a point of contention is the funding required to establish the new network. This is estimated at £100-200 million. Other terrestrial broadcasters have backed the idea but Sky the dominant satellite service are said to be against the planned free service. If approved the service could be on the air by late 2007 or early 2008.

Source: Digital Spy

Item added: 6th March 2006

Just a comparison on volum of Digital TV sales from other side of ditch

Digital TV sales in excess of 1.3 million units

As of December 31st 2005 the estimated number of digital television set top box receivers and integrated digital TV sets sold to retailers and installers was 1,304,000 units, with 49% (642,000 units) of the total being sold during 2005.

sbiddle

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#33032 15-Apr-2006 08:46

DVB-T has been trialled in Auckland for the past year or so and anybody with a DVB-T receiver can view it. As far as I am aware it's still being transmitted.

Up until very recently it was believed that the government would give the big tick to rolling out DVB-T on a larger scale however the announcement a couple of weeks ago that Canwest & TVNZ (the 2 main FTA networks in NZ) have joined forces to transmit on the new Optus D1 satellite could have implications for this rollout. From what I understand we will probably see DVB-T in at least Wellington and Christchurch within the next year but it may not end up anywhere else due to the fact FTA satellite is be a far more cost effective way of delivering channels than terrestrial.

MattD

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#33037 15-Apr-2006 11:25

Thanks for the prompt response. Looks like I should find a buyer in Sydney for all STB and the EyeTV 410.

Further info at:
http://www.bclnz.com/index.php/ps_pagename/mediarelease/pi_mediareleaseid/57

DVB-S maybe more cost effective for the transmission, but I would have through for the consumer there is increased costs: satelite dish etc, less portable etc. I guess this comes with the territory, literally, with smaller populatation spread all over the country.
Thanks again.

maccrazy

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#33043 15-Apr-2006 14:02

While I haven't really investigated the technical details, DVB-T has always looked as though it would be more practical for users than DVB-S. No satellite box is needed, new TVs come with built-in digital tuners it is easier to record one station and watch another without having to buy a seperate decoder or get MySky.

Does anyone know whether they plan to keep transmitting TV One and 2 from the Sky Tower? The equipment is obviously there now so surely it wouldn't cost them much to offer an alternative.

MattD

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#33052 15-Apr-2006 17:11

maccrazy, can't agree more. DVB-T IS the way to go.

With many technologies appeearing first in Auckland, moving to Christchurch I may suffer a culture shock after being used to first cab off rank in Sydney when it comes to national rollouts. As most non-Aucklanders would say, it is not that it is a better place to be... just there are more poeple there.