All you need you know!
1. What is digital migration?
It is a process of moving from analogue to digital TV broadcast.
2. What is DTT?
It refers to the use of a network of TV transmission towers on earth as opposed to satellites in space to broadcast digitally.
3. What is the difference between DTT and Direct to Home (DTH)
These are simply different ways of broadcasting a signal. Satellite TV broadcasts from a satellite in space from which you receive via your satellite dish. DTT uses transmitters on the ground to broadcast the signal, which is received using a TV aerial and a set-top box (STB). SABC, e.tv and M-Net are analogue signals broadcasting terrestrially. DStv and Top TV are digital signals broadcast from satellite.
4. Why do we need to change from analogue to digital TV?
In keeping with other countries and advancing technological developments worldwide, the government has decided to migrate from analogue TV to digital.
The benefits of digital TV broadcasting include:
- Clearer sound
- More channels
- A digital TV guide that can easily be updated for more accurate schedules
- Excellent picture quality. Picture quality that does not deteriorate with a weaker TV aerial signal. Your TV picture will either be perfect or you will have no picture at all. No more snowy pictures.
- Transmission of high definition (HD) TV pictures.
5. How does South Africa fit into the worldwide broadcasting landscape?
South Africa coordinates its frequency plans with other countries to ensure that there is no interference with other countries’ broadcasting signals. This means that analogue TV broadcasts are currently protected from interference. However, the International Telecommunications Union has mandated that this protection should stop by 2015. Bilateral engagements with neighbouring countries have already resumed to mitigate the challenge.
6. Has this migration been done elsewhere in the world?
Yes. Examples of countries that are advanced in their migration processes include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, the United States, France and Mauritius. Every country has committed to switch to digital TV
7. Will I need three STBs: One for SABC, one for e.tv and one for M-Net?
No, only one. Your STB will be able to receive digital channels from all licensed South African broadcasters. Free-to-air broadcasters will need their own STB and M-Net will also use its own decoder.
8. If I have three TV sets in the house, will I need three STBs?
Only if you want each TV set to show different channels at the same time, otherwise one STB will be able to display the same programme on multiple TV sets.
9. Do I need an HD TV for this switchover to DTT?
HD TV is not required to watch digital broadcasts, but if the programme content was recorded in HD, the user of HD TV will see improved clarity and detail which was never possible on analogue broadcasts