Digital TV here in April 2010

[Creag]

There is space for plenty more channels than 16. The SABC will have something like 8 channels, and etv will be allowed 8 channels as well. (or something to that effect). But there is plenty of space for more channels in future.

Question: SABC cannot afford to run the 3 they have; just how do they plan to run 8? Okay, okay, I won't push for answers on this one!

I would be curious to see what kind of stuff they churn out here, and hope its not more of the same.

Do we need a set top box per TV? We have 2 TV's at home & many other people will have more than that. It will become quite expensive to convert.

I really hope its not one per TV - my wife will kill me!

 

[stephenm]

stephenm

Can some one please tell me how it is possible for multichoice to decide who may or who may not use a decoder for they paid in any way they choose
away with dstv

 

[yavahn]

I'm officially poor....hai wena..

 

[ld13]

I really hope its not one per TV - my wife will kill me!

http://www.godigitalsa.co.za/godigitalsa/faq#IYHFTV

If I have five TV sets in the house, will I need five Set-Top Boxes?

Yes, if you want each individual TV set to view a different channel. Other models of Set-Top Boxes with functionality that allows you to connect more than one TV to a single Set-Top Box may be developed and made available at a later stage. This STB will however be more expensive.

 

[bwana]

Looking at http://www.godigitalsa.co.za/godigitalsa/faq#IYHFTV it seems that later models would be able to handle multiple TV sets.

May be able to handle multiple TVs.

 

[iceblue]

Etv will have about 5 channels. SABC will have about 8. The remaining channels I think are for community stations or future use. Not too sure.

Yes, every TV will need its own STB.

"Encryption" and "free-to-air" are two totally different things. Free to air simply means you do not pay to receive it. But that does not mean that the signal is not encrypted. Encryption can be used similarly to digital right management (DRM) to prevent copying or recording of programs. It could also be used to prevent people in neighbouring countries from receiving our broadcasts.

Oh, there is a draft of the STB specs on the Go Digital website:
http://www.godigitalsa.co.za/files/Technical/Draft SABS standards for Set Top Boxes Feb 2009.pdf (236KB)

 

[Tns]

i emailed godigital


Good Afternoon
>
> Thank you for sending us your query.

Once the analogue signal is switched off by 2013, you will be required to purchase a Set Top Box in order to view digital TV

When the analogue signal is switched off what signal is there to
receive because it will be digital?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: 23 July 2009 15:04

> Re: set top box
>
> Good Afternoon ,
>
>
> Thank you for sending us your query.
>
>
> Please be advised that so far as you have a television, you will have
> to pay tv license.
>
>
> Please do not hesitate to contact us again either telephonically,
> e-mail or fax for any clarifications or information’s.
>
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Go Digital Contact Centre
>
> Toll Free: 0800 463 444
>
> Fax: 011 399 6023
>

> Web: www.godigitalsa.co.za
>
>
If i do not purchase a set top box and do not own dstv, do i still
need to pay a tv license?

 

[chubster]

Now if you go to a shop and buy a new modern tv with a digital tuner. What is the point? Since when it goes "digital" it will be encrypted and rendered useless. Shouldn't we then be reimbursed for the useless digital tuner that cannot view the encrypted (all tv)?

 

[ld13]

"Encryption" and "free-to-air" are two totally different things. Free to air simply means you do not pay to receive it. But that does not mean that the signal is not encrypted. Encryption can be used similarly to digital right management (DRM) to prevent copying or recording of programs. It could also be used to prevent people in neighbouring countries from receiving our broadcasts.

You dear sir are correct, I was wrong. My definition I had in my head described FTA as something with nada encryption.

Due to security and piracy reason, all set-top boxes which do not pass the conformance test and certified in South Africa will not be able to unscramble the digital signal which will be broadcasted. Yes, the signal will be encrypted / scrambled.

Presently, the broadcasters have not provided any information's as to what technology will be used to prevent "Non-Godigital" set-top boxes from receiving the signal as well as any conditional access. We will recommend you frequently visit our web site for any updates related to this query.

Go Digital Centre

I guess I'm not buying that DVB-T PCI Tuner I was thinking of buying anymore...

Now if you go to a shop and buy a new modern tv with a digital tuner. What is the point? Since when it goes "digital" it will be encrypted and rendered useless. Shouldn't we then be reimbursed for the useless digital tuner that cannot view the encrypted (all tv)?

I've yet to see a TV with a digital tuner in the shops and in any case these TVs will probably be clearly marked to be DTT capable/certified imo.

 

[sidai]

According to News24 report:

"At launch, we can expect about eight to 10 channels from the SABC, six to eight from e.tv, and five to six from M-Net."

 

[xplora]

Will broadcasts be in widescreen? No good having a smart 42" LCD Widescreen TV and you have a stretched 4:3 picture which looks weird.