SABC through DVB-T2 on HD TV?

[Geoff.D]

One can be fooled by the radius these so-called 'digital antennas' can scan. Some of them say they can scan for channels that are 120 miles away. Presumably, if they were amplified, there is a better chance of getting signal than bunny ears, no? Amazon has digital antennas that ship to SA:

https://www.amazon.com/Latest-Ampli...gital+antenna&qid=1556958902&s=gateway&sr=8-3

As I said a non-active fancy indoor antenna is just a fancy bunny ears. It has to be an active device with its own power source to possibly have any value at all.

Fact:

• Amplifying a lousy incoming signal amplifies the signal AND the background noise!
• Marginal success ONLY IF you have an expensive "tunable" "filter" to restricts the noise level to only that of the bandpass you want to receive.
• The S/N ratio for "a digital" transmission can be a lot lower than with analogue reception.
• The "scanning" means the processor is continually moving a notch filter through the band looking for possible signals to receive and then adjusting the amplification for best Eb/No.
• Only works with an active device.

Might NOT be suitable for SA use if imported. Must check that it is designed to handle the broadcast band available in SA, plus that it is designed for DVBT2 reception.

 

[bobcpt]

Thanks for the info - have bought two and they work very well

Are you able to view HD channels on the AMO receiver? According to the specifications on Amonet's website it supports 576 resolution (SD), but they don't mention anything about HD. Would you recommend it?

 

[Captain Beer]

Are you able to view HD channels on the AMO receiver? According to the specifications on Amonet's website it supports 576 resolution (SD), but they don't mention anything about HD. Would you recommend it?

Mine's picking up 7 HD channels, picture quality is the same as my Explora connected to the same TV.

Would I recommend it? I really don't know. The UI is very low budget, the remote is the same quality as a Xmas cracker gift, USB playback is hit and miss, PVR function works great.
Having said all that, it seems to do it's primary function, DVB-T2 reception, fairly well.

Here's a sample I posted last month:

 

[bobcpt]

Thanks, I took a gamble and ordered one of the receivers on Monday afternoon in order to try it out.

The video quality seems decent to my eyes. If nothing else, it is probably a better solution than running video over rf/antenna cables to a second tv.

 

[genetic]

I see SABC Encore has been added to the channel list - all the old SABC programs from decades ago. Interesting to watch.

 

[DeTector]

I see SABC Encore has been added to the channel list - all the old SABC programs from decades ago. Interesting to watch.

Yes, just a pity the channel is in the 4:3 aspect ratio but guess programming from that channel mostly is 4:3 content

 

[genetic]

Yes, just a pity the channel is in the 4:3 aspect ratio but guess programming from that channel mostly is 4:3 content

Yeah - all that content was waaay before HD existed.

 

[Geoff.D]

The ch 155 (Encore) DStv is also SD.

 

[DeTector]

The ch 155 (Encore) DStv is also SD.

Yes, but was talking about the aspect ratio. Think DSTV decoder forces it to 16:9. But the channel is not natively 16:9

 

[Geoff.D]

Not really an improvement. MC messes around quite a bit with the AR. I prefer them to leave well alone as per the original content, leaving any adjustments to the end user.

 

[genetic]

Yes, but was talking about the aspect ratio. Think DSTV decoder forces it to 16:9. But the channel is not natively 16:9

If you watch via the standard terrestrial DVB, it's 4:3. Multichoice somehow screws the aspect ratio up.

 

[maxoz]

I also pick up from Constantia and have no problems with any channels. Maybe your aerial alignment went out somehow?

Thanks for the assistance. Knowing the signal was there I was able to resolve the issue by manually adding channel 38 to the tuning list, tune to Radio Metro on the TV and then move the ellies amplified set top antenna around till I could hear the music. I then tuned to SABC1 and fine tuned for picture. All channels working well now.

Thanks

 

[DeTector]

Thanks for the assistance. Knowing the signal was there I was able to resolve the issue by manually adding channel 38 to the tuning list, tune to Radio Metro on the TV and then move the ellies amplified set top antenna around till I could hear the music. I then tuned to SABC1 and fine tuned for picture. All channels working well now.

Thanks

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

 

[DeTector]

I see on Openview eReality and eToonz are now in HD. eToonz also in HD on normal DTT as well

 

[Captain Beer]

I see on Openview eReality and eToonz are now in HD. eToonz also in HD on normal DTT as well

I wonder if eReality has taken over eBella's spot. Nothing yet on DTT.

 

[DeTector]

I wonder if eReality has taken over eBella's spot. Nothing yet on DTT.

Don't know. As far as I understand ETV used to have one channel on analogue. Digital it equals to 16 sd channels or 4 hd channels. Looks like they going to make the remaining two hd and call it a day

 

[Captain Beer]

Both Multiplexes seemed to be offline tonight [Grabouw]. Wanted to catch Uncle Squirrel's cabinet announcement.

Sentech has a lot of work to do.

 

[DeTector]

Both Multiplexes seemed to be offline tonight [Grabouw]. Wanted to catch Uncle Squirrel's cabinet announcement.

Sentech has a lot of work to do.

Hi. Is it working again? Never had downtime from constantia

 

[DeTector]

I see they also now changed SABC Encore's aspect ratio to 16:9. Watching this thread? Nah

 

[Captain Beer]

Hi. Is it working again? Never had downtime from constantia

ETV seems stable at the moment. Plenty of freeze frames during the cricket today, although it seems better now.

I'm wondering if it wasn't offline for maintenance. I'm in a bit of a dip here near Sir Lowries so Grabouw is my only option.