analogue TV switch off

[Ext User(Vote out Brendan Nelson)]

Is the following still current?

Digital TV in Australia

Digital television in Australia

Digital television started in Australia on 1 January 2001 and has been
progressively made available in different areas since then. The
introduction of digital television means that analog television will be
switched off in Australia, similar to the planned switchover to digital
only television in other parts of the world (see below for more
information on what is happening in the UK and USA). In December 2007,
Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
2013.

The former Digital Australia has been changed to a digital taskforce,
set up within the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and
the Digital Economy and this taskforce must report the switchover plan
to the Minister by the third quarter of 2008. This taskforce is being
headed up by Andy Townend (former head of Digital Australia and senior
executive from Digital UK). A copy of the Minister’s media release
announcing the changes can be found here.

Industry has set up an organisation (Digital Broadcasting Australia)
website that provides general information about digital television,
including whether your area has started broadcasts in digital.

[Ext User(bassett)]

"Vote out Brendan Nelson" <vote@out.com> wrote in message
news:47de722d$0$24086$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> Is the following still current?
>
> Digital TV in Australia
>
> Digital television in Australia
>
> Digital television started in Australia on 1 January 2001 and has been
> progressively made available in different areas since then. The
> introduction of digital television means that analog television will be
> switched off in Australia, similar to the planned switchover to digital
> only television in other parts of the world (see below for more
> information on what is happening in the UK and USA). In December 2007,
> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
> 2013.
>
> The former Digital Australia has been changed to a digital taskforce,
> set up within the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and
> the Digital Economy and this taskforce must report the switchover plan
> to the Minister by the third quarter of 2008. This taskforce is being
> headed up by Andy Townend (former head of Digital Australia and senior
> executive from Digital UK). A copy of the Minister’s media release
> announcing the changes can be found here.
>
> Industry has set up an organisation (Digital Broadcasting Australia)
> website that provides general information about digital television,
> including whether your area has started broadcasts in digital.

All very old news.

[Ext User(annily)]

"Vote out Brendan Nelson" <vote@out.com> wrote in message
news:47de722d$0$24086$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> Is the following still current?
>
> Digital TV in Australia
>
In December 2007,
> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
> 2013.
>

That certainly isn't current, the analog switchoff has been extended (by the
new Labor Government, I think) by about 2 years.

[Ext User(dweebken)]

The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
December 2007.

Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
December 2013.

http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2007/003 :see text
below::

"Digital switchover date confirmed

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications
and the Digital Economy, today confirmed that the first firm steps had
been taken on the road to completing switchover by the end of 2013.

Senator Conroy said that the switchover to digital television was
important to all Australians because it offers benefits to viewers such
as improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice. It
will also make spectrum available for alternate uses such as new mobile
services, a fourth television licence and wireless broadband services.

“We are moving quickly to maximise the benefits for all Australians and
keep pace with the rest of the world,” Senator Conroy said.

“Setting a firm date of 2013 for the switchover from analog to digital
television transmission in Australia has given industry the certainty it
needs to drive consumer uptake of digital television.

“Until now, industry has had no declared end date and has been unable to
plan effectively for digital television,”

“I have established a Digital Switchover Taskforce in the Department of
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, to be headed by Andy
Townend, to drive the work necessary to deliver switchover by 2013.

“The Taskforce will work closely with industry and report back to me
with a comprehensive switchover timetable in the third quarter of 2008,”
Senator Conroy said.

The Government has also moved quickly to amend the previous Government’s
date of December 2008 to commence digital-only television transmissions
in metropolitan markets.

“This is clearly an impossible date for both viewers and industry. The
Government has inherited a digital take up rate of approximately 30 per
cent and will now work with industry to ensure that all Australians are
prepared for digital television.

“Accordingly, I have amended the date for commencement of digital only
transmission in metropolitan markets to December 2009. This will allow
time for the Taskforce and industry to develop a detailed switchover
timetable for all of Australia.”

18 December 2007"


Vote out Brendan Nelson wrote:
> Is the following still current?
>
> Digital TV in Australia
>
> Digital television in Australia
>
> Digital television started in Australia on 1 January 2001 and has been
> progressively made available in different areas since then. The
> introduction of digital television means that analog television will be
> switched off in Australia, similar to the planned switchover to digital
> only television in other parts of the world (see below for more
> information on what is happening in the UK and USA). In December 2007,
> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
> 2013.
>
> The former Digital Australia has been changed to a digital taskforce,
> set up within the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and
> the Digital Economy and this taskforce must report the switchover plan
> to the Minister by the third quarter of 2008. This taskforce is being
> headed up by Andy Townend (former head of Digital Australia and senior
> executive from Digital UK). A copy of the Minister’s media release
> announcing the changes can be found here.
>
> Industry has set up an organisation (Digital Broadcasting Australia)
> website that provides general information about digital television,
> including whether your area has started broadcasts in digital.

[Ext User(Vote out Brendan Nelson)]

annily wrote:
>
> "Vote out Brendan Nelson" <vote@out.com> wrote in message
> news:47de722d$0$24086$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> Is the following still current?
>>
>> Digital TV in Australia
>>
> In December 2007,
>> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
>> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
>> 2013.
>>
>
> That certainly isn't current, the analog switchoff has been extended (by
> the new Labor Government, I think) by about 2 years.
Shouldn't operators of that website update their info?

[Ext User(Vote out Brendan Nelson)]

dweebken wrote:
> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
> December 2007.
>
> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
> markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
> December 2013.
>
> http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2007/003 :see text
> below::
>
> "Digital switchover date confirmed
>
> Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications
> and the Digital Economy, today confirmed that the first firm steps had
> been taken on the road to completing switchover by the end of 2013.
>
> Senator Conroy said that the switchover to digital television was
> important to all Australians because it offers benefits to viewers such
> as improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice. It
> will also make spectrum available for alternate uses such as new mobile
> services, a fourth television licence and wireless broadband services.
>
> “We are moving quickly to maximise the benefits for all Australians and
> keep pace with the rest of the world,” Senator Conroy said.
>
> “Setting a firm date of 2013 for the switchover from analog to digital
> television transmission in Australia has given industry the certainty it
> needs to drive consumer uptake of digital television.
>
> “Until now, industry has had no declared end date and has been unable to
> plan effectively for digital television,”
>
> “I have established a Digital Switchover Taskforce in the Department of
> Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, to be headed by Andy
> Townend, to drive the work necessary to deliver switchover by 2013.
>
> “The Taskforce will work closely with industry and report back to me
> with a comprehensive switchover timetable in the third quarter of 2008,”
> Senator Conroy said.
>
> The Government has also moved quickly to amend the previous Government’s
> date of December 2008 to commence digital-only television transmissions
> in metropolitan markets.
>
> “This is clearly an impossible date for both viewers and industry. The
> Government has inherited a digital take up rate of approximately 30 per
> cent and will now work with industry to ensure that all Australians are
> prepared for digital television.
>
> “Accordingly, I have amended the date for commencement of digital only
> transmission in metropolitan markets to December 2009. This will allow
> time for the Taskforce and industry to develop a detailed switchover
> timetable for all of Australia.”
>
> 18 December 2007"
>
>
> Vote out Brendan Nelson wrote:
>> Is the following still current?
>>
>> Digital TV in Australia
>>
>> Digital television in Australia
>>
>> Digital television started in Australia on 1 January 2001 and has been
>> progressively made available in different areas since then. The
>> introduction of digital television means that analog television will be
>> switched off in Australia, similar to the planned switchover to digital
>> only television in other parts of the world (see below for more
>> information on what is happening in the UK and USA). In December 2007,
>> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
>> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
>> 2013.
>>
>> The former Digital Australia has been changed to a digital taskforce,
>> set up within the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and
>> the Digital Economy and this taskforce must report the switchover plan
>> to the Minister by the third quarter of 2008. This taskforce is being
>> headed up by Andy Townend (former head of Digital Australia and senior
>> executive from Digital UK). A copy of the Minister’s media release
>> announcing the changes can be found here.
>>
>> Industry has set up an organisation (Digital Broadcasting Australia)
>> website that provides general information about digital television,
>> including whether your area has started broadcasts in digital.
What going to happen to community TV?

[Ext User(Greg)]

Who gives a shit. I made the switch years ago and haven't looked back. For
me analogue died years ago. Watching analogue tv is like listening to AM
radio in a bad reception area.

The next thing to go will be Analogue radio. Digital radio will officially
begin broadcasting in January 2009.
http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/

"dweebken" <dweebken@NOSPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:47DF6030.9000108@NOSPAM.yahoo.com...
> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
> December 2007.
>
> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
> markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
> December 2013.

[Ext User(Netmask)]

"Vote out Brendan Nelson" <vote@out.com> wrote in message
news:47dfd2d4$0$6277$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> dweebken wrote:
>> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
>> December 2007.
>>
>> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
>> markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
>> December 2013.
>>
>> http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2007/003 :see text
>> below::
>>
>> "Digital switchover date confirmed
>>
>> Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications
>> and the Digital Economy, today confirmed that the first firm steps had
>> been taken on the road to completing switchover by the end of 2013.
>>
>> Senator Conroy said that the switchover to digital television was
>> important to all Australians because it offers benefits to viewers such
>> as improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice. It will
>> also make spectrum available for alternate uses such as new mobile
>> services, a fourth television licence and wireless broadband services.
>>
>> “We are moving quickly to maximise the benefits for all Australians and
>> keep pace with the rest of the world,” Senator Conroy said.
>>
>> “Setting a firm date of 2013 for the switchover from analog to digital
>> television transmission in Australia has given industry the certainty it
>> needs to drive consumer uptake of digital television.
>>
>> “Until now, industry has had no declared end date and has been unable to
>> plan effectively for digital television,”
>>
>> “I have established a Digital Switchover Taskforce in the Department of
>> Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, to be headed by Andy
>> Townend, to drive the work necessary to deliver switchover by 2013.
>>
>> “The Taskforce will work closely with industry and report back to me with
>> a comprehensive switchover timetable in the third quarter of 2008,”
>> Senator Conroy said.
>>
>> The Government has also moved quickly to amend the previous Government’s
>> date of December 2008 to commence digital-only television transmissions
>> in metropolitan markets.
>>
>> “This is clearly an impossible date for both viewers and industry. The
>> Government has inherited a digital take up rate of approximately 30 per
>> cent and will now work with industry to ensure that all Australians are
>> prepared for digital television.
>>
>> “Accordingly, I have amended the date for commencement of digital only
>> transmission in metropolitan markets to December 2009. This will allow
>> time for the Taskforce and industry to develop a detailed switchover
>> timetable for all of Australia.”
>>
>> 18 December 2007"
>>
>>
>> Vote out Brendan Nelson wrote:
>>> Is the following still current?
>>>
>>> Digital TV in Australia
>>>
>>> Digital television in Australia
>>>
>>> Digital television started in Australia on 1 January 2001 and has been
>>> progressively made available in different areas since then. The
>>> introduction of digital television means that analog television will be
>>> switched off in Australia, similar to the planned switchover to digital
>>> only television in other parts of the world (see below for more
>>> information on what is happening in the UK and USA). In December 2007,
>>> Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced that the analog
>>> switchoff would commence in December 2008 and be completed by December
>>> 2013.
>>>
>>> The former Digital Australia has been changed to a digital taskforce,
>>> set up within the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and
>>> the Digital Economy and this taskforce must report the switchover plan
>>> to the Minister by the third quarter of 2008. This taskforce is being
>>> headed up by Andy Townend (former head of Digital Australia and senior
>>> executive from Digital UK). A copy of the Minister’s media release
>>> announcing the changes can be found here.
>>>
>>> Industry has set up an organisation (Digital Broadcasting Australia)
>>> website that provides general information about digital television,
>>> including whether your area has started broadcasts in digital.
> What going to happen to community TV?

It will be shifted to digital - once the analog stations are off the air
some space will be freed up and whilst the FTATV will try to pounce on the
space some I believe will be re-allocated

[Ext User(Vote out Brendan Nelson)]

Greg wrote:
> Who gives a shit. I made the switch years ago and haven't looked back. For
> me analogue died years ago. Watching analogue tv is like listening to AM
> radio in a bad reception area.
>
> The next thing to go will be Analogue radio. Digital radio will officially
> begin broadcasting in January 2009.
> http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/
>
> "dweebken" <dweebken@NOSPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:47DF6030.9000108@NOSPAM.yahoo.com...
>> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
>> December 2007.
>>
>> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
>> markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
>> December 2013.
>
>
ABCTV and SBS are the worst.

[Ext User(Tonks)]

Vote out Brendan Nelson wrote:
> Greg wrote:
>> Who gives a shit. I made the switch years ago and haven't looked back.
>> For me analogue died years ago. Watching analogue tv is like listening
>> to AM radio in a bad reception area.
>>
>> The next thing to go will be Analogue radio. Digital radio will
>> officially begin broadcasting in January 2009.
>> http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/
>>
>> "dweebken" <dweebken@NOSPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:47DF6030.9000108@NOSPAM.yahoo.com...
>>> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!)
>>> in December 2007.
>>>
>>> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in
>>> metropolitan markets in December 2009 and will complete
>>> Australia-wide shutdown by December 2013.
>>
>>
> ABCTV and SBS are the worst.

Depends where you live. I most metro areas this in generally the case
give ABC is broadcast on the low end of the YHF band prone to
interference and SBS is the only metro station on UHF and alot of the
time people don't have the right antenna setup to adequately receive it.

[Ext User(Netmask)]

"Tonks" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:fs1m3j$1a0d$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
> Vote out Brendan Nelson wrote:
>> Greg wrote:
>>> Who gives a shit. I made the switch years ago and haven't looked back.
>>> For me analogue died years ago. Watching analogue tv is like listening
>>> to AM radio in a bad reception area.
>>>
>>> The next thing to go will be Analogue radio. Digital radio will
>>> officially begin broadcasting in January 2009.
>>> http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/
>>>
>>> "dweebken" <dweebken@NOSPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:47DF6030.9000108@NOSPAM.yahoo.com...
>>>> The last I heard was from BCaDE - (affectionately known as Bacardi!) in
>>>> December 2007.
>>>>
>>>> Basically they are going to commence analogue shutdown in metropolitan
>>>> markets in December 2009 and will complete Australia-wide shutdown by
>>>> December 2013.
>>>
>>>
>> ABCTV and SBS are the worst.
>
> Depends where you live. I most metro areas this in generally the case
> give ABC is broadcast on the low end of the YHF band prone to interference
> and SBS is the only metro station on UHF and alot of the time people don't
> have the right antenna setup to adequately receive it.

ABC digital is channel 12 and many standard antennas fall off above channel
10
and the analog ABC TV is channel 2 which is prone to all sorts of
interference

[Ext User(Snapper)]

Netmask wrote...

> ABC digital is channel 12 and many standard antennas fall off above channel
> 10 and the analog ABC TV is channel 2 which is prone to all sorts of
> interference

Why have the metro networks stuck with UHF transmissions? Out here in the
stix we've had UHF since the late 80s when Seven, Nein and Ten had
affilate networks set up (Prime, WIN, etc.).

But then, is there any benefits of one over the other? Certainly our
reception improved markedly when we went UHF. The local stations, Southern
Cross and ABC were OK, but nothing to write home about.

But then, we didn't really watch them that much. People here spent lots of
bux installing high antennas, some going up 20 to 30 metres in order to
pick up Melbourne stations. Reception was marginal but it did give us 3
commercial stations as opposed to one that picked and chosen shows for us
to watch, most of them crap.

[Ext User(Snapper)]

dweebken wrote...

> “This is clearly an impossible date for both viewers and industry. The
> Government has inherited a digital take up rate of approximately 30 per
> cent and will now work with industry to ensure that all Australians are
> prepared for digital television.

So, what's he gonna do - make the importation of televisions, VCRs, PVRs
and DVD/HDD recorders with analog tuners illegal?

Given that they're still flying out the doors of retailers at a great rate
of knots, and what with interest rates heading northwards like Mav going
ballistic, fewer people will be lashing out on widescreen TVs with digital
tuners. They'll either stick with what they've got or they'll opt for the
cheap and nasty units that Kmart flogs.

[Ext User(Snapper)]

Greg wrote...

> The next thing to go will be Analogue radio. Digital radio will officially
> begin broadcasting in January 2009.
> http://www.digitalradioaustralia.com.au/

From what I've read about digital radio it'll be even slower to take up
than what digital television was. After all, FM reception, particularly in
urban areas is pretty darned good.

What incentives are there to switch?

Perhaps if you said "pay radio" or "satellite radio" that may have perked
my interest. It's a hot seller in the US and the receivers can be
installed in cars or in homes and you can quite a bit of content on them,
stuff that you'd never hear on FTA radio, eg, Howard Stern.

But then, if pay radio ever gets up it'd most likely be as shabby as pay
television with second rate crap and a government imposed regulartory
regime that restricts competition and skews it in favor of the established
players.