Picture Perfect Aerial Installations

New View on Digital TV Change-Over
(27 July 2007)

AUSTRALIA's peak communications body will take a fresh look at whether or not the country's television viewers are finally warming to digital TV.
A huge proportion of those without digital TV aren't interested in the technology
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has kicked off a new round of research into digital TV uptake with the results expected to be released early next year.
The research will update previous studies carried in 2005 and 2006 – published in the reports Digital media in Australian homes and Digital media in Australian homes 2006 - that found domestic response to the broadcasting technology had been tepid.
It comes ahead of a transition to digital-only broadcasting early next decade.
"One of the strategic objectives of this research is to establish reference points for key indicators in the transition from analogue to digital television in Australia," ACMA executives wrote in tender documents seeking a research leader.
"Research conducted by ACMA might be expected to be a valuable resource for government, the public, industry and the media in the context of the federal government's Digital Action Plan."
Previous ACMA-led digital TV studies found that Australians had few compulsions to move to the new formant.
Only 30 per cent of viewers had adopted digital TV in 2006, up from 13 per cent in 2005, and 14 per cent of non-adopters were not even aware that digital free-to-air television existed at all.
A massive 71 per cent of non-adopters were not interested or not sure if they were interested in digital free-to-air TV last year, up from 61 per cent in 2005.
The studies also showed that TV broadcasters and communications authorities were failing in their efforts to promote digital television.
In 2006, 25 per cent of non-adopters said the main reason they were not interested in digital free-to-air TV was because they did not know enough about in or had not thought about it.
Tenders for the 2007 digital TV research project close on August 24 and the new survey will be carried out in November.

Source: www.australianit.news.com.au

LG Software upgrade
(21 March 2007)

LG Electronics Australia has identified the need for a minor software upgrade with selected digital TVs.

Over the past 48 hours LG has conducted in-lab tests and established the cause to be a software issue, whereby selected LG digital TVs can intermittently lock-up or freeze under certain signal transmissions.
LG is working with free to air networks to ensure that no further disruptions are experienced by viewers.
We regret any incovenience and are now taking appropriate action by notifying LG customers of the issue and the free, in-home software upgrade to ensure that affected TV units are operating at the optimal level.
Customers with the following TV model numbers, purchased after August 2006, are encouraged to register for the free, in-home software update by visiting www.lghdtv.com.au/softwareupdate

LCD TV's with integrated digital tuners

32LC2D, 37LC2D, 42LC2D, 42LC2DR
Plasma TV's with integrated digital tuners
42PC1DV, 42PC1DG, 42PX4DV, 50PC1D, 50PC3D, 50PB2DR, 60PC1D, 60PY2D
Rear Projection TV's with integrated digital tuners
56DC1D, 62DC1D, 62DC1DA, 71SA1D
CRT TV's with integrated digital tuners
32FS4D

Only models purchased after August 2006 with serial numbers beginning with 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 701, 702 or 703 only are affected. Models with serial numbers not beginning with these numbers do not require the update.

In the unlikely event (prior to the software upgrade) that a customer experiences a further TV 'freeze', simply turn the power off, unplug the TV at the wall power socket (leaving for approximately 20 minutes) and allow the unit to completely power down
LG Electronics would like to apologise for any incovenience caused to customers.

Source: www.dba.org.au

THE MASTERS: First Time on Ten, First Time in High Definition
(1 February 2007)

Network Ten today announced that for the first time it had secured the Australian broadcast rights to The Masters to be played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia from 5 – 8 April, 2007.
In a further significant announcement, TEN also confirmed that its telecast of The Masters will be delivered in High Definition Digital making The 2007 Masters the first major international sporting event to be broadcast in Australia in High Definition.

TEN will broadcast all four days of The 71st Masters Tournament live from Augusta National Golf Club. TEN will host its broadcast on location at Augusta National as well as file daily stories from Augusta for its news bulletins and Sports Tonight.
Network Ten's general manager – sport, David White, said "We are delighted to have acquired the Australian broadcast rights to The Masters in 2007 and we are especially proud to be telecasting the tournament in High Definition.

In addition to broadcasting The Masters in High Definition, TEN will also telecast all of its prime time AFL matches in HD as well as all its matches of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Source: Network Ten

Updated: range of digital tv receivers in Australian market
There are currently 25 DBA member companies supplying 180 digital TV receiver models in Australia. This wide range of available digital TV receivers, with very competitive pricing, provides consumers with a number of options for the transition to free to view digital tv. The table below lists the options:

Receiver Type------------Brands-----Models-----RRP
SD-STB-------------------------19-------------37---------$99-$299
HD-STB-------------------------19-------------32---------$299-$899
SD-PVR-------------------------11-------------25---------$299-$1,249
SD-DVD/Combo units-------4---------------5----------$349-$999
HD-PVR--------------------------4---------------6----------from $1,249
SDTV (integrated)-------------7---------------24--------from $1,099
HDTV (integrated)-------------7---------------45--------from $2,799
SDTV with PVR----------------2----------------6---------from $1,999

Source: Digital Broadcasting Australia

SBS provides enhanced broadcast of 2006/07 UEFA Champions League
(15 September 2006)

Digital television viewers of SBS’s coverage of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League are set to benefit from the addition of extra features on the SBS digital enhancement channel. Viewers with access to free to view digital television will be able to access instant highlights of match play, game statistics and player profiles broadcast on SBS Digital Channel 31.
The UEFA Champions League kicks off LIVE on SBS Television on Wednesday 13 September at 04:30 AEST when reigning champions Barcelona play their Matchday One fixture at home against Bulgarian debutants Levski Sofia, with SBS’s David Basheer providing commentary. The LIVE action continues on Thursday 14 September at 04:30 AEST when Manchester United hosts Scottish Premier League champions, Celtic – with commentary from Gary Bloom.
Audiences will also be able to see web highlights from these and other games in a new ten-minute highlights package available on-demand through the SBS Video Player on www.sbs.com.au. A highlights segment will be available for each day’s play.

Source: Digital Broadcasting Australia

Free to view digital television sales exceed 1.74 Million
(10 August 2006)

As at the end of June 2006 the estimated number of free to view digital television receivers sold to retailers and installers in the Australian market was in excess of 1,740,000 units; an total of 229,000 units for the April to June 2006 quarter.
The average monthly sales volume of digital television receivers to retailers and installers during the April to June 2006 quarter was 76,600 units. This exceeds the previous high reported for the December 2005 quarter of 72,600 and compares to a monthly average of 48,000 units for the same quarter in 2005. Of the 229,000 units sold to retailers and installers during the June 2006 quarter, 40% were High Definition receivers. Retail demand for integrated digital televisions (televisions or display panels incorporating a digital television tuner) rose dramatically during the quarter with reported sales to retailers and installers in excess of 53,000 units.
DBA has assumed that at the present time around 90,000 free-to-view digital television homes have more than one free-to-view digital TV receiver.
Putting these figures together based on the cumulative sales figures reported to June 2006, the estimated home take-up or penetration of free to view digital television has reached a mark of 1.57 million or around 20% of Australia's 7.6 million homes.

Source: Digital Broadcasting Australia

ABC and Triple J launch jtv
(27 July 2006)

From July 28, ABC TV and ABC2 will premiere a range of new music, interviews, youth current affairs, documentaries and comedy programs that takes triple j’s irreverence, independence, authority and attitude and brings it to life as jtv.

At jtv's launch last night in Sydney, ABC managing director Mark Scott stated that the launch of jtv was a historic moment for the national broadcaster.

He said the ABC would embrace new technology advancements to reach out and remain relevant to its audience wherever they went.

Free to view digital television viewers with access to ABC2 also stand to benefit from access to an Extra Large serving of jtv to be broadcast, Tuesday nights at 9:00pm on ABC2. jtv xl will an omnibus of never seen before jtv interviews, performances, short films, animations and music news. And each week at 9:30pm jtv will provide viewers access to an act from its XL concert series filmed from festivals around the globe.

jtv xl's first episode, will feature an interview and performance from Death Cab For Cutie; and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performing 2 tracks from their latest album. It will also feature a Profile story on a world record holding DJ, a story from Steve Cannane for Hack and some great Australian produced clips and short films.

And to kick off the jtv xl concert series, ABC will broadcast a jtv live concert performance by one of Australia's favourite rock bands, You Am I. Presented by Robbie Buck, this is the concert that launched their new album 'Convicts', filmed outdoors in the grounds of The Mint in Sydney.

Background: ABC2 is the ABC's digital-only, free-to-air television channel. ABC2 features a broad range of new and time-shifted ABC programming -- children's, regional, arts, public policy, social commentary, international news, music and information. ABC2 can be accessed on Channel 21 and is available wherever ABC has commenced digital television broadcasts.

Sourcce: DBA

Digital TV Switch Off 2010 Official
(14 July 2006 )

The Federal Government yesterday formally admitted that the planned 2008 switchover date to digital television in Australia cannot be met, and has officially changed the date to 2010- 2012. It also flagged a new regime for services like mobile television.

"There is insufficient digital take-up to meet the current switchover date of December 31 2008 in metropolitan areas," said Communications and IT Minister Helen Coonan. The Minister also raised the possibility of setting up a new organisation to oversee the change to digital telly. Coonan's decision about digital switchover was part of the Federal Government's new framework for media reform in Australia, released yesterday.

As anticipated, reforms include the scrapping of cross-media ownership restrictions in favour of a regime of proposed safeguards to ensure no fewer than five independent operators ("voices" in pollie jargon) remain in metropolitan markets and four in regional markets. Coonan said there will be a requirement for public disclosure when a media outlet reports on the activities of a cross-held entity.
"This package of reforms will allow the Australian media sector to move from the old analogue-based regime into the dynamic new world of digital content, where traditional media co-exist and compete with new delivery platforms," the Minister said yesterday.

"It is clear to the Government and to much of the industry that the media landscape is changing rapidly, and a flexible system is needed to allow media companies to adapt and prosper in the new digital environment.
Other elements of the framework include:
- A "digital action" plan to drive take-up of digital ;
- Opening up two reserved digital channels for new digital services like mobile ;
- A high-definition multi-channel permitted by the removal of simulcast requirements on high-definition programming;
- Anti-siphoning scheme to be wound down through a "use it or lose it" approach from January 1 next year;
- Retaining media as a "sensitive sector" under foreign investment policy; and
- New powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Legislation to introduce the new framework is expected next year. Coonan did not say which part of 2007 would see the new laws imposed.

Source: Smarthouse

Free to view digital television sales top 1.5 Million
(13 June 2006)

As at the end of March 2006 the estimated number of free to view digital television receivers sold to retailers and installers in the Australian market was in excess of 1,515,000 units; an increase of 211,000 for the January to March 2006 quarter. These figures include the sales of set top boxes, personal video recorders and integrated digital television sets but not other types of digital television receivers such as receiver cards for personal computers.

The average monthly sales volume of digital television receivers to retailers and installers during the January to March 2006 quarter was 70,300 units. This is just below the figure reported for the December 2005 quarter (72,600) and compares to a monthly average of 38,700 units for the same period in 2004. Of the 211,000 units sold to retailers and installers in the March 2006 quarter, 38% had High Definition receivers. Demand for integrated digital televisions continued to rise during the quarter with reported sales to retailers and installers of 32,500 units.

DBA assumes that at the present time around 75,000 free-to-view digital television homes have more than one free-to-view digital TV receiver.

Putting these figures together, the estimated home take-up or penetration of free to view digital television, based on the cumulative sales figures reported to March 2006 is close to 1.36 million or around 17.9% of Australia's 7.6 million homes.

Source: DBA

dig tv on ABC2
(1 June 2006)

From Monday June 5, 2006, dig tv will be launching on the screens of ABC2, taking the established digit digital radio concept to another audience.

dig tv is a half hour music program hosted by James Reyne and Tracee Hutchison, built around the wide-ranging, high quality music programming that is synonymous with dig music services.

Blues, soul, country, roots, world music, jazz and rock – with an emphasis on the contemporary – all get a look-in on this engaging new music program on ABC2.
dig tv incorporates interviews, performances, feature segments, comedic poetry and clips, alongside some of ABC TV’s rich musical archives. dig tv is a show where artists get the chance to perform and talk about their experiences.

The dig tv website www.abc.net.au/dig will be the place to access bonus content like extended music interviews, video downloads, MP3s and information about each episode as well as a place to give your feedback. The site will be launched approximately two weeks prior to the first broadcast.