Stupid Question? Am I digital?

rocky184

03-11-2006

I just know this is going to be a stupid question but hey, I've never been afraid to embarrass myself in the past!

I currently watch freeview via a Thomson DHD4000.

Does this mean when the "big switch-off" occurs & everyone has to go digital that I will be ok?

OK you can start laughing now

clayts

03-11-2006

You'll be fine and dandy come switch off time, you are 100% digitalled up

And don't worry, you've only asked what a lot of 'men on the street' are afraid to

...coolstream

03-11-2006

Here's another question along the same lines...

If your aeriel is giving marginal reception figures through your digital pvr at the moment, will things 'improve' after the analogue switchoff?

Spencer4H

03-11-2006

Originally Posted by ...coolstream:
“Here's another question along the same lines...

If your aeriel is giving marginal reception figures through your digital pvr at the moment, will things 'improve' after the analogue switchoff?”

Yes they will! At the moment digital signals aren't broadcasting anywhere near full power in order to prevent them interfering with analogue signals. In many cases, digital signals are being broadcast at less than 1% of the strength of analogue. Once analogue is switched off, DTT signals will be boosted almost to the levels of analogue.

This article... and this article explain more.

I also believe the transmission system will change to a more 'robust' format meaning fewer glitches and drop-outs... although I understand older boxes (mainly OnDigital and ITV Digital boxes) will cease to work because of this change.

Pop Roberts

03-11-2006

Originally Posted by Spencer4H:
“In many cases, digital signals are being broadcast at less than 1% of the strength of analogue.

Once analogue is switched off, DTT signals will be boosted almost to the levels of analogue.”

Not quite.

First part correct, the second statement is not quite true. If you read the articles again you will see that after analogue switch off, digital signals will be increased to about 10dB less than the current analogue levels, i.e. one tenth of the current analogue levels. The increase in the current digital levels is shown in the second article and in some cases is fairly insignificant. It all depends on which transmitter you are on (only a 1.4 dB increase in one case!).

Pop

westbrook

06-11-2006

Originally Posted by Pop Roberts:
“Not quite.

First part correct, the second statement is not quite true. If you read the articles again you will see that after analogue switch off, digital signals will be increased to about 10dB less than the current analogue levels, i.e. one tenth of the current analogue levels. The increase in the current digital levels is shown in the second article and in some cases is fairly insignificant. It all depends on which transmitter you are on (only a 1.4 dB increase in one case!).

Pop”

However in theory you get equivalent digital reception quality with 1% of the analogue signal level. In practise for various reasons that is not the case.

The predictions I have seen suggest that post switchover Digital coverage will be greater than analogue is at the moment. However there will be almost certainly be a tiny number of people who currently get analogue and will not get (terrestrial) digital!
Last edited by westbrook : 06-11-2006 at 10:34