Analogue TV signal switch off in 2012 - 2013

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Buzz Bumble
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Analogue TV signal switch off in 2012 - 2013

Post by Buzz Bumble »

According to the brief articles below from yesterday's NZ Herald (Friday, 17 September), the Government has decided to turn off the normal analogue signal by the end of 2013.

That means if you haven't already got a Freeview box, SkyTV box or a TV set with Freeview built-in, you'll need to get one soon-ish. You'll need one of these options for every TV set in your house (unless of course it's only ever used for watching videos / DVDs, or for a games console display, or something like a security camera monitor). You could buy one now before GST goes up and in the current sales, BUT you might instead want to wait and see what "assistance" the Government comes up with.

There are of course a few other alternative options as well:
  • watch TV via the Internet if you have a broadband connection ... but watch out for exceeding your plans data limits!
  • Buy the season DVD sets of shows you like, avoiding the ones you don't as well as all the adverts and silly network on-screen "ghost" logos, interruptions and interferences.
  • Buy a DVD-recorder, or a hard drive recorder and wireless transfer system, to record shows in one location (lounge, friend's house, etc.) and watch them on a TV elsewhere.
Analogue TV Going in Stages
New Zealand's analogue television service will be switched off progressively nationwide between September 2012 and late 2013. Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said 70 per cent of households were already watching digital TV, but the switch would be done progressively, starting in Hawkes Bay and the West Coast in September 2012, followed by the rest of the South Island in April 2013, the lower North Island, Gisborne and Taranaki in September 2013, and the rest of the North Island in November 2013.
"70%" ... yeah, right. No doubt guesswork figures from their latest inaccurate "survey". In reality the only close-to accurate figures they can get is for SkyTV subscribers. :rolleyes:

Freeview Extension
There was relief all around when the Government announced a 2013 switch-off for analogue TV signals - a programme that will deliver into Government funds about $100 million from selling off frequencies to telco [mobile phone] companies. The fear was it would linger on until 2015. Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said about 70 per cent of people were on signal.

He said inevitably there would be some who hadn't shifted over to digital by 2013 and the Government would be coming up with a programme to assist them. Meanwhile, the Government was working with TV networks about extending the reach for terrestrial service Freeview from 75 per cent of the country to 89 per cent.

Coleman expected the extension to include Taupo, Rotorua, Whangarei, Invercargill, Timaru, Nelson, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Gisborne and Taranaki.
If you're one of those people who will be outside that "89% of the country", then you'll also need a satellite dish to receive Freeview signals (when it's not belting down with rain!!), otherwise an appropriate antenna will do - I'm not completely sure, but I think you can get either a roof-top or set-top antenna, although that choice will depend on the signal strength in your location.
Last edited by Buzz Bumble on Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Archon Revuge
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Re: Analogue TV signal switch off in 2012 - 2013

Post by Archon Revuge »

Buzz Bumble wrote:...when it's not belting down with rain!!...
Yeah, is this a big problem for most people? Those I know who have switched over to digital regularly report having problems when the weather turns lousy.
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Buzz Bumble
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Re: Analogue TV signal switch off in 2012 - 2013

Post by Buzz Bumble »

It will depend on the weather where you are. For example we are usually OK here in Auckland, but last Friday(?) night the signal did keep being corrupted during downpours. :(

There's also the "problem" that most new TV sets are widescreen these days, but many shows (especially repeats of old ones of course) even with Freeview are not widescreen format. Even during advert breaks you can get the screen keep switching between "normal" and widescreen modes (not that you see anything except the appearance of the blank borders down each side).
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