Cape Town TV (CTV)

Robinski

Robinski

Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
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Location
Cape Town
I can't believe the technical incompetence of the government regulators for licensing CTV to broadcast on UHF channel 36 or 38. These frequencies are the default output for most video (VCR) machines.

Since CTV went on the air with their test signal I get a very bad picture on my TV set when watching my VCR. I am seeing my VCR and CTV at the same time. I have 4 TV sets and 3 VCR machines in the house which I will have to retune. One VCR is so old that it only has a channel 36 output which means that I will have to replace that unit. Fortunately for me, I am technically capable to retune the output channel of my VCR, then retune my TV set to the new channel but how many people have ever had to retune their VCR output channels before?

I surely hope that CTV did not request that specific channel from the regulators to ensure that everyone in Cape Town will be sure to find their signal. It would be very selfish and inconsiderate of them if that was the case. I notice that neither channel 36 or 38 are licensed to any other TV stations in the because of it's potential for causing interference of this nature.
 
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I didn't realize that people still used VCRs? This probably only bothers you and maybe one other person in Cape Town.
 
Not only that but his got 3 VCRs!
 
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I know some VCR's that don't need to be used on channel 36. Can't you change yours? Perhaps even use another connection like a RCA instead of RF?
 
Please contact Victor Grootboom 011-566 3209 at ICASA. The more complaints we log the better the chance of getting the matter resolved.

Regards
 
VCR is that machine that eats those big black things that sit in your parents (or your) tv unit and take up space and gather dust......
 
Recently a local TV station started broadcasting in Cape Town, Cape TV. They are broadcasting on the same frequencies as some VCR’s. This results in interference with the VCR, rendering the VCR useless unless you unplug the antenna cable to you VCR. I contacted ICASA and they are busy investigating this problem. But ICASA only received 2 other complaints. Even thou I found several news paper clippings of people complaining about the same problem. So if you have the same problem please contact Victor Grootboom at ICASA. His number is 011-566 3209.
 
Robinski said:
I surely hope that CTV did not request that specific channel from the regulators to ensure that everyone in Cape Town will be sure to find their signal.
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My guess would be that it is the only "open" channel in the center of the Peninsula. From e.g. Parow and especially if you are using a grid antenna (those cover the whole UHF band) you are "in range" of Tygerberg, Table Mountain, Sea Point and Constantia Berg (ok this one only does SABC 3 and E-tv on UHF), and to a lesser extent Grabouw, Paarl, Sea Point and Simonstown transmitters.

CT is a nightmare for the frequency planners due to the topography, same goes for FM. Compare this to Joburg where you have only the one high power Brixton tower covering the whole of Joburg.

(Oh and did I mention the low power transmitters, aka "gap fillers" in Amanda Glen and Aurora near Durbanville?) :rolleyes:
 
Found it last night, but didn't watch to much of it.
What kinda content do they show? The feed seems a bit jerky as well
 
CTV

PseudZ said:
Found it last night, but didn't watch to much of it.
What kinda content do they show? The feed seems a bit jerky as well
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Ok, I know they are still testing, but jeez this is beyond cr@p!!!:eek::eek::eek:
 
ok i think the word for the day here is

VCR

what are you watching on VCR dude
 
From their site:

Cape Town TV provides advertisers with a means of reaching local audiences through low-cost advertising on television.

The channel is aimed primarily at the social and economic sectors that define the bulk of Cape Town's population, these being the mid-to-lower LSMs. Since about 70% of Cape Town's income earning population earn under R2 500 per month*, it is these income categories that provide the channel's key demographics.

Cape Town TV accepts advertising from most enterprises, big and small. The channel has a particular focus on helping Cape Town-based small and medium enterprises to communicate via television and provides advertisers with an affordable option for reaching their markets.

CTV will not allow:

Advertising targeted at children
Advertising for gambling
Any advertising that is sexist, racist, xenophobic, sectarian or culturally demeaning
Certain categories of products will not be advertised during prime time, e.g. alcoholic beverages.

Based on viewership figures from existing broadcasters, the channel has the potential to reach a viewership of up to 1 193 000 in the prime time slot between 8-9pm. The lowest potential viewership is 204 000 from 8-9am.
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Ironic isn't it, if the channel is aimed at R2500* income earners I am sure they have VCR's. As not everyone is prepared to go buy a DVD Recorder or a PVR.

Even if the technology is old it is still a stupid thing to do.
 
Ironic isn't it, if the channel is aimed at R2500* income earners I am sure they have VCR's. As not everyone is prepared to go buy a DVD Recorder or a PVR.

Even if the technology is old it is still a stupid thing to do.
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It might come as a suprisew but even the poorest households in the townships have DVD players- last time I checked they were giving them away for about R299.

The only people still with VCR's are those with massive movie collections on VHS- who couldn't be arsed about moving onto DVD considering their "investment".
 
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