HOW DOES IT WORK?
Digital
TV is now broadcast by the Australian ‘free to air’ Networks. In Digital TV transmissions there is a
wealth of useful information that is transmitted along with the picture. This additional information includes:
- More information
about the program
- Program synopsis,
ratings, actor and other information
- Start and end times
of each show
- Clearer picture and
wide screen option
- Cinema audio
- Captions (sub
titles for hearing impaired)
- Multiple camera
angles (future)
- On screen TV guides
- Extra TV channel
- Digital Radio
Channels
DVR's take advantage of this
information and use it to make a radically improved TV experience for the
family.
All you
need to do is…
(1) Tell your DVR
about your regular viewing. Eg: Channel 9 news every night, CSI on Tuesday
nights, and the Sunday night movie etc. and it will always automatically record
those programs for you to watch when you are ready.
(2) Then read the TV guide once a week. Knowing that your
regular shows are already recorded, what else is there that you might like to
watch? There are always some gems amongst the monotonous crap. Sometimes a
great old movie is scheduled at 3.00am, or that series that you missed is being
re-run when you are at work etc. So now
highlight the shows you want to record and tell your DVR.
(3) Watch TV. Not
what's on, but what you have recorded or are even still recording (delayed). Now here is the tricky part. If you feel like watching TV and one of your favourite
shows is actually on now - don't watch it! Record it, and watch something else that you have previously
recorded so you can skip the ads. If you really have to watch
it then start recording it and do something else for 15mins and then start watching
it so that you can again fast forward the ads. You will still get to bed at the same
time because you will have missed all the ads and caught up to real time. You’ll love it!
What you need:
The Basics
(1) A
TV with an aerial (a digital aerial is not necessarily required).
(2) Live in a digital TV Area. This can
be checked at www.dba.org.au
Advanced
(1)
TV with SCART connections, S-Video or Component inputs.
(2) Dolby DTS 5.1 Digital sound system.
(3) Access to the internet for personalised TV guide and firmware upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions about Receiving Digital Television (Extract from DBA Site)
Is a new antenna required to receive digital television?
Most people will have excellent digital reception for their digital TV set from their existing antenna provided it is in good repair and is connected with good quality coaxial antenna cabling.
In developing the digital channel plans, the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has given particular attention to ensuring that, as far as possible, consumers would not be required to purchase an additional receive antenna. In some areas, however, this may not be possible.
Therefore it is very likely that when digital transmissions start in a particular area the viewer will be able to receive both the new digital services and their present analog television without the need to upgrade or replace their antenna.
Some very old VHF antennas in metropolitan areas may need to be re-tuned or even replaced to receive digital television on channels 11 and 12.
However, if the viewer currently receives good analog reception there should be no reason to rush out and buy a new antenna.
