NW
The problem is right now is that we don't know officially know what will happen after Digital Switchoff. It is likely that there will be an increased space on the DTT Platform after switchoff, but no-one knows whether this will be for more channels, some HD Channels. Or even the Government could sell the space off to Private Industries.
I think 80 full channels wouldn't happen, but I could see 50 going on 60 full channels being available, if the space is allocated for more channels that is.
I think 80 full channels wouldn't happen, but I could see 50 going on 60 full channels being available, if the space is allocated for more channels that is.
BF
The goverment has already sold the current analouge space to the mobile phone networks when the switch off happens.
NH
Nick Harvey
Founding member
In very simple terms:-
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Thus, the free digital coverage after changeover will be roughly the same as today's analogue coverage; and the subscription digital coverage after changeover will be a bit better than it is today.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Thus, the free digital coverage after changeover will be roughly the same as today's analogue coverage; and the subscription digital coverage after changeover will be a bit better than it is today.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
IS
Indeed, but one thing to consider is that the digital MUXes after switchoff will be slightly diffrent to the ones transmitting now so there will be a slight change in line up for some viewers
Nick Harvey posted:
In very simple terms:-
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
Indeed, but one thing to consider is that the digital MUXes after switchoff will be slightly diffrent to the ones transmitting now so there will be a slight change in line up for some viewers
ST
Indeed, but one thing to consider is that the digital MUXes after switchoff will be slightly diffrent to the ones transmitting now so there will be a slight change in line up for some viewers
Very well explained Nick and Inspector Sands.
Of course the idea of ending analogue was to sell off the frequencies, which has probably already been done in principle if not yet approved for the "preferred bidders" (an often-used term in Government contracts meaning "you've got it, no matter how low you bid, cos someone/somewhere got a backhander" . )
If in future people want more than will be available on DTT then the only options will be DCab, DSat or BroadbandTV (ie BT, Orange etc)
The switch to digital has already happened for most of those that want it. Analogue turn-off is simply another revenue-making exercise for the government. They are running out of bits of "family silver" to sell.
No doubt the next items at the UK plc "car-boot sale" will be the roads or the ground more than 6 feet beneath your house (you do realise everything below a certain depth is crown property don't you???? - and it's a saleable asset!)
Inspector Sands posted:
Nick Harvey posted:
In very simple terms:-
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
The transmitters which broadcast digital today will continue to broadcast ALL the digital muxes, both free and subscriber, but at the current high power used by the analogue channels, as opposed to the reduced power currently used by the digital muxes.
Before all the pedants attack me for that not being quite 1000% technically accurate, I'm aware of that, but it DOES give a damn close approximation for the average Mr Punter out there.
Indeed, but one thing to consider is that the digital MUXes after switchoff will be slightly diffrent to the ones transmitting now so there will be a slight change in line up for some viewers
Very well explained Nick and Inspector Sands.
Of course the idea of ending analogue was to sell off the frequencies, which has probably already been done in principle if not yet approved for the "preferred bidders" (an often-used term in Government contracts meaning "you've got it, no matter how low you bid, cos someone/somewhere got a backhander" . )
If in future people want more than will be available on DTT then the only options will be DCab, DSat or BroadbandTV (ie BT, Orange etc)
The switch to digital has already happened for most of those that want it. Analogue turn-off is simply another revenue-making exercise for the government. They are running out of bits of "family silver" to sell.
No doubt the next items at the UK plc "car-boot sale" will be the roads or the ground more than 6 feet beneath your house (you do realise everything below a certain depth is crown property don't you???? - and it's a saleable asset!)
MA
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Almost correct.
There will be six muxes. 3 PSB and 3 COM. These broadly relate to the present Muxes 1, 2 and A for PSB, and B, C, D for COM. (BBC 4 ,C5 , and in Wales S4C will most probably share PSB 3 after switch over)
Of the present 1154 analogue transmitters, up to 200 (including the present 81 DTT sites) will be permitted to carry the 3 COM muxes, the remaining 954 sites will only carry the 3 PSB muxes. It will be up to the commercial operators of the three COM muxes, which 200 sites they'll use.
All muxes will be 6-8 dB lower than present analogue peak sync ERP at all sites.
Nick Harvey posted:
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Almost correct.
There will be six muxes. 3 PSB and 3 COM. These broadly relate to the present Muxes 1, 2 and A for PSB, and B, C, D for COM. (BBC 4 ,C5 , and in Wales S4C will most probably share PSB 3 after switch over)
Of the present 1154 analogue transmitters, up to 200 (including the present 81 DTT sites) will be permitted to carry the 3 COM muxes, the remaining 954 sites will only carry the 3 PSB muxes. It will be up to the commercial operators of the three COM muxes, which 200 sites they'll use.
All muxes will be 6-8 dB lower than present analogue peak sync ERP at all sites.
SP
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Almost correct.
There will be six muxes. 3 PSB and 3 COM. These broadly relate to the present Muxes 1, 2 and A for PSB, and B, C, D for COM. (BBC 4 ,C5 , and in Wales S4C will most probably share PSB 3 after switch over)
Does that mean at the time of analogue shutdown there will have to be a mass re-scanning of DTT boxes?
Markymark posted:
Nick Harvey posted:
The transmitters which only broadcast analogue today will change to transmitting only the free digital muxes, NOT the subscription ones, at the same power as they currently transmit analogue.
Almost correct.
There will be six muxes. 3 PSB and 3 COM. These broadly relate to the present Muxes 1, 2 and A for PSB, and B, C, D for COM. (BBC 4 ,C5 , and in Wales S4C will most probably share PSB 3 after switch over)
Does that mean at the time of analogue shutdown there will have to be a mass re-scanning of DTT boxes?