Digital TV switch-on

[d-_-b]

Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said: “It’s a major shift, equivalent to the shift from black-and-white to colour tTV.

Is that t needed, or just a type?

 

[ldmelsa]

http://www.dtv.gov/DTV_booklet.pdf

FCC?

That's American.

 

[zamicro]

What about the people who watches normal Mnet on the old decoders?
Is Mnet signal also changing? Is the Mnet decoder not Digital???

This is a good question... What will happen to standard MNET?

 

[profpanda]

I know but it explains it quiet well though, and Ivy not doing nothing to help that.Sorry should have stated the obvious.

 

[biltonguy]

The STBs, which will cost R700, will be available at a subsidised price of R210 if citizens can prove that they belong to the “poorest of the poor” segment of South African society.

The “poorest of the poor” struggle to afford food, never mind a R210 decoder which they will see as totally unnecessary!

I can see a roaring trade on the black market for these things, and never mind the fraud thats going to go on!
In the US, everyone, rich or poor, got a discount coupon for a digital box. Why didnt the US try "identify" the poor? Im guessing they realised it would be a complete waste of time and money and turn into a complete circus.

Also, is there only going to one "Ivy Approved" box on sale? Will the other hundreds of other cheaper suppliers be mysteriously unapproved by Icasa and locked out? Who in government has their fingers in this multi-billion rand ditigal box pie?

 

[brixton tower]

What's with all the negativity? For the time being, most analogue tv's will be fine as the STB should be plugged in through the AV's like your bog standard DVD player.

Someone from the Communications Ministry needs to clear up the difference between Standard Definition and High Definition standards.

AFAIK, MNET terrestrial is using analogue signals, so even they will have to change- I suspect they might wanna part of a Pay TV set-up on a terrestrial digital platform.

 

[hoover99]

avr: there is no chance we'll get 1080, no way. HD locally (Mnet) is in 720, even abroad they are struggling to get the infrastructure right for 1080, so forget about it here. best bet for a 1080 source is a blue-ray player.

that said, any proper 1080 set should display 720 content just as well as a 720 set. so if you want to get 1080 then go for it. just don't expect the local networks to broadcast in it for probably another 5 years.

another thing: it might be a good idea to steer away from a HD tv with a built-in tuner. rather use the DSTV decoder/whatever for that, and the tv is just there for the display..

other note: so the goverment is basically rolling out a network where they can communicate to everyone through the tv-set? more of those let's-fill-half-the-friggen-screen-with-a-power-warning moments coming? or something more sinister afoot?

 

[.Froot.]

Well will I be able to watch this "technological marvel" with my brand-new LG HD-Ready TV?

 

[somnambulist]

Why is it R700 ?

Well if most of you guys bothered to find out what this stb is packin'you'd find the price justified for unnecessary features. And for all you guys who have bought digital tv's sorry but technology dose improve (DVB-T2) which means its incompatible so stop bitchin'! Well its HD Ready (hdmi/hdcp) , has a DVB-T2 tuner, a WiMax module for e-government services, GPS module to make sure you live in RSA to receive broadcasts, a smartcard slot cmon you'd expect the sabc keep track of you for to pay up. Why will it only be available in June ? Simple Mass production takes time & sentech shud fine tune the network. Now look at other stb's around the world none of them have the added junk ! Now we know why sentech has WiMax spectrum ! Sigh so much for hopes for their 4G network .

 

[CathJ]

What about the people who watches normal Mnet on the old decoders?
Is Mnet signal also changing? Is the Mnet decoder not Digital???

This is a good question... What will happen to standard MNET?

Standard MNet will probably fall away - already, you can't subscribe to just MNet (as a new subscriber), you have to get dstv.

 

[Just_Ice]

What about the people who watches normal Mnet on the old decoders?
Is Mnet signal also changing? Is the Mnet decoder not Digital???

The mnet signal isnt changing and it is digital but I dont know if you will be able to use your standard mnet decoder for the new digital signals. ANyone know. I couldnt care less about the extra cherries

 

[somnambulist]

Why are yall crying for just two channels ?

Well I know that multichoice in Nambia changed there terristal broadcasts to digital last year but pay tv operaters aren't catered for on the Digital tv migration plans as multichoice uses a different encryption (irdeto) then sentech. So Multichoice shud either change these & migrate this minority to a dstv package (Why wud they keep paying Sentech) ... but hey its only shuting off in 2011 so dontcha fret. But with DStv decoders going for R300 makes you wonder why you dying for only two channels.

 

[ToxicBunny]

somnambulist : I would like to know where you got your specs for the STB from?

WiMAX? GPS? etc????

Sorry for you but the guavamint can stick their STB, I'll stick to DSTV since the content is marginally better, and I doubt the guavamint will ever be able to get its e-services off the ground, let alone working properly.

 

[Ivork]

somnambulist : I would like to know where you got your specs for the STB from?

WiMAX? GPS? etc???? .

Why from dear Ivy of course, if her demented cluelessness is to be believed it will have to pack such features

.

 

[-toady-]

avr: other note: so the goverment is basically rolling out a network where they can communicate to everyone through the tv-set? more of those let's-fill-half-the-friggen-screen-with-a-power-warning moments coming? or something more sinister afoot?

*gets out it's Sunday-best tinfoil hat.... and what about the Neotel 'devices'..? Something smells truly rank in the state of denmark pfft....

 

[somnambulist]

I want whatever Ivy's smoking !

somnambulist : I would like to know where you got your specs for the STB from?

WiMAX? GPS? etc????

Sorry for you but the guavamint can stick their STB, I'll stick to DSTV since the content is marginally better, and I doubt the guavamint will ever be able to get its e-services off the ground, let alone working properly.

lol read up requirements for Ivy's digital dzonga , business day had an article & it helps if you have an insider at uec. I knw its ridiculous, but remember this is all fancyfull nonsense just to impress. A later revision of the STB should be released. Do yall realise how many companies benefit off this ? Everything from your arial to cabling has to change. Next DAB+ ooh a shinny new R700 radio anyone ?

 

[dabbler]

The mnet signal isnt changing and it is digital but I dont know if you will be able to use your standard mnet decoder for the new digital signals. ANyone know. I couldnt care less about the extra cherries

MNET terrestrial transmissions aren't digital...only the sound is...and I'd also like to know whether MNET is going to be included in the DTT channels, as, apparently, DTT can multiplex at least 5 or 6 different programs.

MNET via satellite (dstv) IS digital...that I know.

 

[chris54]

Any audio channels included like with dstv ?

 

[supersunbird]

lol read up requirements for Ivy's digital dzonga , business day had an article & it helps if you have an insider at uec. I knw its ridiculous, but remember this is all fancyfull nonsense just to impress. A later revision of the STB should be released. Do yall realise how many companies benefit off this ? Everything from your arial to cabling has to change. Next DAB+ ooh a shinny new R700 radio anyone ?

New arial and cabling? What kind of arial? Would I need one on a pole outside still?

Might as well just get the cheap R220 a year DSTV sabc thing and dish and all that

 

[The_Unbeliever]

STB = sexually transmitted b*ll*cs?