digital terrestrial television & tv aerial installers
Expert advice and Installation of Digital Terrestrial Television
frequently asked questions
What is Digital Television?
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Digital technology allows a signal to be compressed into a
smaller bandwidth. This allows more data to be sent in the
same bandwidth thereby allowing for more channels to be
broadcast. For example, 8 new Digital TV channels can be
provided in the same bandwidth as one analogue channel.
An analogue signal can have any number of values. A digital
signal can have only the values zero or one. A digital
signal can be more easily corrected of errors caused by
unwanted electronic noise than can an analogue signal. This
is why an analogue TV picture like SABC becomes gradually
more snowy as the signal weakens whereas a digital TV
picture like DSTV remains perfect while the signal weakens
until a level is reached where the error correction
electronics can no longer function, at which point the
picture freezes.
These are simply different ways of broadcasting a signal.
Satellite television broadcasts from a satellite in space
from which you receive via a satellite dish that is mounted
to your house. Digital Terrestrial Television uses
transmitters on the ground to broadcast the signal which you
then receive using a TV aerial and set-top-box.
This is the process of moving from an analogue to a digital
TV broadcast.
In keeping with other countries and advancing technological
developments worldwide, the government has decided to
migrate from analogue TV to digital. The benefits of digital
TV broadcasting include:
- Excellent picture quality
- Clearer sound
- More channels
- A digital TV guide which can be easily updated for more accurate schedules.
- Interactive services like games or the Weather channel.
- Picture quality which does not deteriorate with a weaker TV aerial signal. Your TV picture will either be perfect or you will have no picture at all. No more snowy pictures.
- Allows transmission of high definition (HD 1080) TV pictures
For most TVs you will need an STB (set-top box) -
which is similar to a decoder - and a TV aerial which could
be indoors or outdoors depending on the signal strength in
your area. Without an STB your TV won’t be able to display
the digital television picture. However the new generation
Smart TVs with built-in digital tuners for the DBV-T2 format
don't need an STB to view DTT channels.
No - Your existing DStv or OpenView or Starsat decoder
receives a satellite signal and will not be affected by
Digital Broadcasting Migration.
In theory you should not need a new tv aerial, but in
practice most existing TV aerials are now old and rusted so
will probably need replacing. Depending on how strong the
DTT signal is in your area it is possible that an indoor
aerial may work.
HD television is not required to watch digital broadcasts,
but if the programme content was recorded in High Definition
the user of HD Television will see improved clarity and
detail which was never possible on analogue broadcasts.
Our expert TV aerial installers will cure your picture problems.
Field trials for DTT started in November 2008. The SABC and
e.tv tested free-to-air digital transmissions while M-Net
tested PayTV digital transmissions on a selected group of
viewers. During 2019 Bloemfontein analogue TV transmitters
were switched off and replaced by new digital DTT
transmitters in the DVB-T2 format. Sentec announced that
digital migration in other areas will follow. In Pretoria a
bouquet of Digital channels is available even while analogue
tv is still broadcast.
The government announced in 2008 that we would be using the
DVB-T format for our digital terrestrial television. Then in
2010, the government called for another review of the ISDB-T
format. This, despite two previous reviews in a consultation
process that began in 2000 and investment of R250 million by
independent broadcasters in the DVB-T system. In January
2011 the minister of communications announced the decision
to use the DVB-T2 format and Sentec subsequently spent
billions on digital TV technology and over 800000 set-top
boxes intended for free distribution to households earning
less than R3200 per month. As usual, the allocation of
contracts to the politically connected caused delays.
Finally in 2019 DTT was operational in Bloemfontein and the
analogue TV transmitters were switched off. Other cities
were expected to follow shortly but this has not happened.
Pretoria for example has 14 Digital TV channels available
for viewing even while analogue TV broadcast continues.
In October 2019, SABC chief executive Madoda Mxakwe
announced that the SABC planned to make use of
direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television technology
to pursue its digital strategy and would rely less on the
DTT system, so now the future of DDT in South Africa seems
very limited.
Set-top boxes suitable for the DVB-T2 format of DTT are
already in South Africa and were distributed from
Bloemfontein post offices for free to households earning
less than R3200 pm. Sentech has approximately 800000 units
in warehouses but for unknown reasons, these are not freely
available for purchase. It is possible to buy a combination
DTT & Satellite set-top box fromtakealot.comand
some specialist suppliers such as TV + Video Doctor
Nothing. The changeover to DTT only affects broadcasts
received on a TV aerial. DSTV and OpenView and Starsat are
received from a satellite dish and are already in digital
format.
No, will you will need to have a TV aerial installed and a
DDT Set Top Box connected to your TV in addition to your
DSTV if you also want to watch DTT programs.
Only if you want each TV set to show different channels at
the same time, otherwise one STB will be able to display the
same program on multiple TV's provided that your TV aerial
wiring is correct.
Channels available on Digital Terrestrial Television
Channel 0007 - SABC Sport HD
For the Love of the Game. Now you can watch international and local sports in High Definition.
Channel 0008 - SABC Encore
This channel covers a variety of genres: Drama, Talk shows, Documentaries, Religion, Youth, and Comedy.
Channel 0002 - SABC 1
Channel 0003 - SABC 2
Channel 0006 - SABC 3
Channel 0005 - SABC News
Channel 00011 - e-Movies
With more than 12 movies playing per day, eMovies is the perfect binge channel.
Channel 00012 - eTV HD
Soapies, News, Variety, Kids and Religious programs like Hillsong are all available on this channel.
Channel 00010 - eTV Extra HD
Programs ranging from Bollywood classics to local Afrikaans for young and old.
Channel 00013 - eToonz
Shows the best kids programs and cartoons.
Channel 0001 - Parliament
See exactly what is being discussed in parliament.
Channel 0009 - Tshwane TV
Offers a wide range of programs including Sport, News, Kids, Soapies, Movies, Drama Series, Life-Style & religion.
Channel 0004 - Go Digital
common abbreviations used in digital tv
Click / Touch the question to see the Definition & Term.
