Know more than the salesperson when buying a Digital Set Top Box in Australia !

Okay if you have read my previous articles you are now aware that the digital TV revolution has been with us for a while. If you still haven't jumped to the Digital TV have now fear.. I shall try to give you all the knowledge you need when you buy your digital set top box from your major retailer and make sure you an informed decision.

Lets begin by distinguishing between the different ways you can get digital TV. Most newer LCD TV now have built in digital tuners, make you ask the salesman for this feature before you buy. Another way to get digital TV is by buying a Digital Set Top Box. (STB), which you can attach to your normal TV. Then theirs the third option which is a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), which is a Set Top Box with recording capabilities to either an internal hard disk, external hard disk or DVD. 

But the fun does not stop their, you then have to look at things like how many channels you can watch at any one time. A STB or PVR with only a SINGLE TUNER means that you can only record one show at any one time. If the unit has a TWIN TUNER, then you can start to appreciate digital TV a bit more, you have the ability to record two shows at the same time, and watch a third pre-recorded show.

Just recently their has been a range of STB and PVRs that have got a FREEVIEW logo on them. What does that logo really mean ?

Freeview as you have probably seen in the ads on TV, is the product of the Major Network in Australia joining forces to provide more channels to the Australian audience. The only new thing you will get from a freeview logo based device is a new Electronic Program Guide Interface. Great more channels is always welcomed I hear you say, but do these freeview range of devices limit your viewing experience ?

YES they do . Here is what freeview devices limit you to do

1. No ad skipping
2. No way of copying your recording from the internal hard disk

Non-freeview branded PVRs will allow you to do both of these giving more power to the consumer.

Also read my previous article about difference between Standard Definition and High Definition Set Top Boxes. 

Well I  hope I have given you some more ammunition when you buy your first or next set top box. 

Futher reading  about freeview

Freeview - the 'new' digital TV

Freeview - the great Aussie TV swindle?

Do you have all the digital channels in Australia ?

Their are two types of digital TV signals.  A Standard Definition (SD) and a High Definition (HD) TV signal. The main difference between them is the resolution (amount of dots and details displayed on your TV) and the sound quality being transmitted .  An SD channel will transmit normal PCM sound, whereas HD channels have the ability of transmitting 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.  

Most people automatically think that you need a brand spanking new High Definition LCD TV to view these sorts of digital TV signals.  Thats not the case, if you have an older TV you can view these signal as long as they have a composite (yellow, white and red) connection.   A composite analogue connection is still able to transmit a digital signal.  

If you have a wide screen LCD TV but see some fat people on your TV, you might not have a digital tuner/set top box built into your TV or you may have to adjust the aspect ratio.  Nows the time to take advantage of the quality of your screen and set aside some money to buy a HD or SD set top box.   I would recommend buying a HD Set top box as it would enable to view the full range of channels available (SD and HD) from the networks. 

If you were to buy a SD Set top box only you would only be able to pickup the Standard Definition channels.  If you already own a set top box but don't know if you have a standard or high definition one, call your manufacturer,  as you might have to re-scan your channels to receive the full channel listing available today.  If your set top box has a HDMI (cable type) output don't assume that you have a HD set top box.  HD channels are identified by the HD tag at the end of the channel name, One HD, SBS HD, etc. 

The newer your TV the more cable connections options you will have available to you.  

Is it time to jump on the Australian digital TV bandwagon yet ?

I believe so. Digital TV transmissions have been around for a couple of years now but it has only been recently that Australian broadcasters have started offering some enticing content to lure people in.  Channel Ten set the bar by bringing out a 24 hours sports channel, ONE HD and ONE SD.  

ABC and SBS have at the moment introduced a multitude of additional content on their additional channels.  If your a gamer your in luck a dedicated gaming show, Good Game, has been available on ABC 2 every Monday night.  

Kids will also love the banquet of cartoons available ABC 2, Nine HD and Seven HD.  Channel 9 has just recently announced its new "nine go channel", fringe fans rejoice, more info on the shows to be shown head here .  Digital TV broadcasts are being transmitted beside analogue transmission, in order to view this digital TV signal you need a device called a "digital set top box". Most new LCD TV have these set top boxes built in, but if you own an older TV you can purchase a stand alone Set top box.  

I believe by the end the year all the TV networks will show us their cards. 

Understanding the changing landscape of TV in Australia

Welcome All !  I hope to create a place where people can come to find easy to read information about digital TV broadcasts  in preparation for official digital TV switch over date of December 31, 2013.  After this date  no analogue free-to-air TV transmissions will be made.   Hopefully you will take the plunge early to benefit from the growing advantages digital TV currently offers.  So sit back and prepare to learn what the fuss is all about.