subject: 4 Great Things About Digital Tv In Australia [print this page] Planning for digital television began around 1993. Now that it is finally here, available to the masses, and providing significant additional TV content, it is worth investigating exactly what it offers. A good Digital Antenna Installation and the right TV equipment will ensure the viewer can take full advantage.
Picture and Sound Quality
Digital television transmission uses the latest digital techniques, meaning picture and sound quality should improve from that under the analog system. If you have invested in a new High Definition (HD) capable television, then you will notice the remarkable difference in picture quality on high definition channels. CD quality digital stereo sound is also possible with the right TV and speaker equipment.
Video Program Guides
One can now forget about having to pick up a TV guide each week. Much information is now available on-screen about current and upcoming television shows.
No Need for A Set Top Box
Specific equipment is required in order to allow the would be digital TV viewer to appreciate this new experience. Traditionally this role was played out by the trusty set top box. While some people may elect to purchase a set top box separately, many new digital televisions and/or DVD recorders have this technology built in, making the set top box redundant (not to mention the need for one less remote control and a few less cords).
New Channels
With the planned transition to digital television, existing stations were allocated additional spectrum by the Australian government, to launch new channels.
Two of the first channels to be made available (August 2001) via digital television were ABC Kids Channel, and Fly TV, also an ABC channel. Unfortunately most consumers didn't own set top boxes and couldn't watch this programming at that time. Fortunately things have changed dramatically in subsequent years.
Initially, the commercial networks, particularly Seven and Nine had very similar (if not identical) content to their main channel on their additional Standard Definition (SD) and
High Definition (HD) channels.
This has now changed with all major metropolitan networks showing vastly different content on their new channels. The ABC has launched ABC2, with some new content, ABC3, a kid's channel, and now ABC News 24, a 24 hour news channel.
Channel 10 has launched "One", a 24 hour sports channel, however the content provided on One Digital, and One HD is pretty much the same.
7Two is Channel 7s new digital channel. Another channel is also soon to be launched, 7Mate, which is being targeted at 16-49 year old males.
Channel 9s response to 7Mate is in the wings. In the meantime, its second channel, Go! continues to serve up plenty of old time TV favourites.
SBS has expanded the viewing product it has available, by offering a second globally focused channel, SBS2.
Viewers with subscription TV services are already accustomed to having a range of viewing options at their fingertips. Digital TV has brought a range of additional viewing options to the general free-to-air viewing public. Antenna Installation Perth will make sure that citizens in that city fully benefit from all the new TV content now on offer.
