dragon-za
Member
Cape Town is on channel 38 analogue from Tygerberg and has been going a couple of weeks. Are you also getting the digital test. Iam getting data channels on 586mhz
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Digital TV switch on
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Cape Town is on channel 38 analogue from Tygerberg and has been going a couple of weeks. Are you also getting the digital test. Iam getting data channels on 586mhz
genetic
Honorary Master
Seems interesting, I'll see if I can tune in. What do they display?
EDIT: Question answered, did not see your post Dragon ZA...
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dragon-za
Member
12.30 noon 1st nov and all I am getting are data channels on 586mhz
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What digital transmission!!!!!!
switch-on was supposed to be on the 1st November,I live in the Cape Metro and I've been trying to receive the signal with my DVB-T capable tv card since the 1st November as yet no luck,so I say what digital switch-on???????
switch-on was supposed to be on the 1st November,I live in the Cape Metro and I've been trying to receive the signal with my DVB-T capable tv card since the 1st November as yet no luck,so I say what digital switch-on???????
brixton tower
Expert Member
Dunno why people, not able to get the channels, would get upset...it was clearly stated that the commercial launch would only take place around the middle of next year along with the required STB's which are still to be standardized by the relevant authorities.
It was clearly stated that switchon would be today in the major cities, of which I would assume cape town to be one (what do you think all the fuss and Gov and media hype has been about) which is beginning to appear to be all lies, talk and BS to me!
Commercial launch for STB's is next year yes, this is just a test - so people with digital tuner cards and TV's should get at least something!
Post 2pm - sure everyone at Sentch have gone home so we can forget them switching on later today still - still get this when scanning http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/picture.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1152 and "No Services" http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/album.php?albumid=198&pictureid=1125 when finished.
@ Brixton_Tower - What am I upset about?
Well appart from the fact I would like a better picture and sound and messaround with the EPG and so on, how about the fact that I think I have been lied to, we have been lied to, the nation as a whole, by her poisoness, the DOC, Sentech, ICASA, SABC, and whoever else is involved.....?
But there is still about 9 hrs so we'll see, they never gave us a time like they did when SABC TV first went live - tomorrow I'll be pretty pissed tho!
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The "data" channels on 586 Mhz are the DStv-Mobile's DVB-H trial broadcasts. DVB-H is a subset of DVB-T and thus your DVB-T card is picking up the signal. You won't however be able to view these channels as they are encrypted and are only available to those on the DStv-Mobile trial program.
Although it was stated that switch-on would occur on 1st November 2008, it's also been stated that this did not imply any channels would actually be broadcast from 1st November. Those areas capable of receiving DVB-T channels can consider themselves lucky.
The "Business Day" article entitled "SA begins digital TV trial" is probably the most apt description of the current status, up til now we were in the pilot phase. The article goes on to state that the signal is currently only available in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban and that "Digital coverage will be phased in over the rest of the country". It later goes on to mention "The full commercial launch of digital terrestrial TV would only happen in 16 months’ time" due to "delays in finalising the policy".
Due to the fact that South Africa has adopted "MPEG-4" as the standard for it's DVB-T broadcasts, this renders the majority of foreign "DVB-T" capable TV's and set-top-boxes as useless as very few support MPEG-4 (H.264) (most countries with DVB-T broadcasts do so using MPEG-2 compression). Viewers with DVB-T tuners for the PC have it a little better in that they can get the software to perform the MPEG-4 decompression (e.g. using VLC).
It's worth noting that they gazetted policy regarding DVB-T broadcasts states the set-top-boxes must provide "capabilities to unscramble the encrypted broadcast signal so that only fully compliant STBs made or authorised for use in South Africa can work on the network". Based on comments made in the "SA to switch on digital TV signal" thread it would appear that the broadcast aren't encrypted at this stage but don't expect this to stay that way. When the broadcasts get encrypted, even viewers with DVB-T tuners for the PC will be locked out (using the relevant CAM may work but it appears that there are no plans for distributable smart cards).
You're not likely to see an extended EPG at this point, at best you may get the "Now and Next" information.
Thanks for that TivoZA.
Not sure where you got your info from, but what you are saying is that infact there is no digital "switch on" today so it was all cr@p! Only JHB and Durbs! Lying Bastards! JHB has had it for years already - what was the whole big deal about?
So is it on in Durban? Anyone getting a pic? how does it look?
[edit] i hope alistair otto and other writers on myBB are following this thread and thinking of a article for Monday along the lines of "squat digital signal switch-on on 1 November as promised" !
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Not sure where you got your info from, but what you are saying is that infact there is no digital "switch on" today so it was all cr@p! Only JHB and Durbs! Lying Bastards! JHB has had it for years already - what was the whole big deal about?
So is it on in Durban? Anyone getting a pic? how does it look?
[edit] i hope alistair otto and other writers on myBB are following this thread and thinking of a article for Monday along the lines of "squat digital signal switch-on on 1 November as promised" !
.
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Silent_Bob
Expert Member
You can still use a normal aerial, basically it will connect to the setup box which will decode the signal, thus allowing you to watch the broadcast.
In the UK there are freeview dish's that you can buy, which is more stable and almost always good quality. Basically right now, I have a standard aerial plugged into my Samsung LCD, which has a built in freeview (decoder)
So for people who dont really know what is needed for DTV, here you go:
You need an aerial, you need the setup box (digital box) which will then decode the digital signal and then the setup box to your tv. Nothing really too hectic, its just the initial buy of the decoder, which is a waste cause SABC never has anything good to watch anyways!
I don't know the LCD's in SA, havnt been home for a year now, but the tv's in the UK almost all have freeview decoders built in, thus not needing the setup box.
For those who dont know, DTV is fantastic, you have guide capabilities, can purchase extra channels (like in the UK you can buy Satanta Sports and a bunch of others for your freeview), good picture quality, the list continues! Oh and did I mention DTV allows for HD broadcasts as long as your tv/decoder supports it!
brixton tower
Expert Member
Awesome post, couldn't have said it any better. You're a bit diplomatic but I don't know why people in Cape Town are getting "upset" at not being able to see a digital version of SABC and e.tv.
rwenzori
Honorary Master
Thank you for your ( as usual well-informed ) explanation TivoZA.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Was chatting to the Sentech boys in Cape Town today and they're as perplexed as to what was switched on as they have not even received the transmitters yet.
genetic
Honorary Master
The SABC (unfortunately) has the a broadcasting right under the Broadcasting Act which states that anyone in the possession of a television receiver under their control must have a valid TV licence which permits them to receive television broadcasts in South Africa.
Great! A digital transmitter would help - no wonder we got jack here!
Scanning up and down like an ass all day and there isn't even a frikkin transmitter!
Don't I feel like a right pawpaw lol.
So has ANYONE been switched on anywhere? (appart from JHB)
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dragon-za
Member
I read somewhere that the switch on was the 1st of Nov, but it also went on to say that the broadcasters, sabc, etv would only get involved on Monday. So lets see what happens tomorrow. The data channels are the same as a data stream on one of the satellite transponders on Pas7 at 68.5 east (Same as DSTV etc)11100H S/Rate 5400. One of them is for SAGEM, and if I am not mistaken are the makers of DVB-T set top boxes.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
As I said above, it's going to be difficult to get involved in anything if there is no underlying infrastructure in place.
Digital TV in Cape Town
I have just tried my PC's DVB-T receiver with a bunny ears aerial that would receive signals from Table Mountain or Tygerberg Hill. There was only one channel 35/D35, and it is not carrying any sound or picture (black screen).
Does anyone know if there is a schedule for test broadcasts in Cape Town?
I have just tried my PC's DVB-T receiver with a bunny ears aerial that would receive signals from Table Mountain or Tygerberg Hill. There was only one channel 35/D35, and it is not carrying any sound or picture (black screen).
Does anyone know if there is a schedule for test broadcasts in Cape Town?