what is digital tv and how to get it

[Ext User(Dave Turner)]

i know this is a daft question, but what is digital tv and how do you get
it? ive got normal free to air obviously, and also have Foxtel Digital, but
i understand that that isnt the same as digital TV, so what is digital TV
and how do you get it?
Thanks

[mddawson]

i know this is a daft question, but what is digital tv and how do you get
it? ive got normal free to air obviously, and also have Foxtel Digital, but
i understand that that isnt the same as digital TV, so what is digital TV
and how do you get it?
Thanks

Digital free-to-air TV is the regular fta TV channels (SBS, ABC, 7, 9, 10) transmitted via a digital signal rather than an analog signal. The transmission frequencies are still in the normal fta range.

The advantages of digital TV is that it allows the stations to broadcast more than one channel at a higher quality than analog. Therefore you will also get ABC2, SBS news channel (which you may have seen on Foxtel) and if you live in Sydney, you will get several more channels.

It also allows extra features such as dolby 5.1 surround sound, interactive features and TV guides (although all these features are not being used to best effect currently). It is also not prone to problems that affect analog such as ghosting.

To pick it up, you need a digital set-top box hooked up to your TV. For best results you will need an outside antenna.

[Ext User(John Henderson)]

mddawson wrote:

....

> The advantages of digital TV is that it allows the stations to
> broadcast more than one channel at a higher quality than
> analog. Therefore you will also get ABC2, SBS news channel
> (which you may have seen on Foxtel) and if you live in Sydney,
> you will get several more channels.
>
> It also allows extra features such as dolby 5.1 surround
> sound, interactive features and TV guides (although all these
> features are not being used to best effect currently). It is
> also not prone to problems that affect analog such as
> ghosting.
>
> To pick it up, you need a digital set-top box hooked up to
> your TV. For best results you will need an outside antenna.

The Teac LCD221D widescreen LCD TV boasts a "DVB-T Digital
Tuner". I presume it'll do all those things without the need
for a set-top box. Is that correct?

John

[Ext User(Mike)]

John Henderson wrote:

> The Teac LCD221D widescreen LCD TV boasts a "DVB-T Digital
> Tuner". I presume it'll do all those things without the need
> for a set-top box. Is that correct?

Some of them. I googled and see it claims a digital tuner, but no
claim of HD. It probably only has a standard-definition tuner, which
is the same quality as DVD or a good analogue signal (but wide).
A pity, since the panel is much better - 720p.

Also the price was $2999. But prices have been plummeting for LCDs.
You can now buy a 32" HD LCD, plus HD tuner for less than that price,
and its even cheaper in europe, US, asia, ... Anywhere else!
Maybe tourists will soon be coming back to Aus with 999 euro HD-TVs
duty-free.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

mddawson <mddawson.1tlnx2@no-mx.phorums.tk> wrote:
> Dave Turner Wrote:
>> i know this is a daft question, but what is digital tv and how do you
>> get
>> it? ive got normal free to air obviously, and also have Foxtel
>> Digital, but
>> i understand that that isnt the same as digital TV, so what is
>> digital TV
>> and how do you get it?
>> Thanks
>
> Digital free-to-air TV is the regular fta TV channels (SBS, ABC, 7, 9,
> 10) transmitted via a digital signal rather than an analog signal.
> The transmission frequencies are still in the normal fta range.
>
> The advantages of digital TV is that it allows the stations to
> broadcast more than one channel at a higher quality than analog.
> Therefore you will also get ABC2, SBS news channel (which you may have
> seen on Foxtel) and if you live in Sydney, you will get several more
> channels.
>
> It also allows extra features such as dolby 5.1 surround sound,
> interactive features and TV guides (although all these features are
> not being used to best effect currently). It is also not prone to
> problems that affect analog such as ghosting.
>
> To pick it up, you need a digital set-top box hooked up to your TV.

> For best results you will need an outside antenna.

Wrong. Many find they can use rabbit ears when they cant with analog.

[Ext User(Dave Turner)]

thanks for the info guys, i think i get it now. 8)

[Ext User(John Henderson)]

Mike wrote:

> Also the price was $2999. But prices have been plummeting for
> LCDs.

It's $1847 from DSE Powerhouse (just reverified on-line).

John