Satellite Television/ Viewer Access Satellite TV
Households that do not have adequate reception of commercial terrestrial digital television services in their local area may be eligible to receive digital free-to-air television from the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service.
The Australian Government is providing funding of $375.4 million over 12 years for the VAST service to help close the gap for so many Australians living in regional and remote locations with poor or no terrestrial free to air television services.
The VAST service provides channels carrying programs sourced from Southern Cross Seven, Imparja Nine and TEN, and the main national broadcaster services, ABC1 and SBS ONE, together with the digital standard definition (SD) channels ABC2, ABC3, SBS TWO, 7TWO, GO! and ELEVEN, and the high definition (HD) channels ABC News 24, SBS HD, 7mate, GEM and ONE.
The service also provides viewers with access to all regional news services currently broadcast by the commercial broadcasters in their terrestrial licence areas. Viewers in NSW will therefore be able to access all regional NSW news bulletins broadcast by Prime7, Southern Cross and WIN, as well as the local news bulletins from other parts of regional eastern Australia. These news services are provided through dedicated news channels.
The news services of the national broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, are also provided on the VAST service. ABC news is provided through ABC1 on a state basis, so viewers in New South Wales will be able to receive ABC1 NSW, and through the ABC’s news channel, ABC News 24.
To determine eligibility and apply for VAST, residents should enter their address into
mySwitch at
www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13. Note, while there is an approval process for accessing the commercial services on VAST (which is managed by the commercial broadcasters), the national services—the ABC and SBS—are available to all VAST users without restriction once they have registered their satellite set-top box.
To access the VAST service viewers need a high definition (HD) VAST-compatible satellite set-top box, a satellite dish and appropriate cabling.
Viewers are advised not to purchase any VAST equipment before they have determined their eligibility to access the VAST service.
Satellite Subsidy Scheme
Households in Northern NSW that receive their analog television services through a self-help site that is not being converted to digital may be eligible for assistance to convert to the VAST service under the Satellite Subsidy Scheme.
The householder will be required to make a one-off contribution of $200–$350 towards the cost of the VAST subsidised installation package. A list of towns that are eligible for the Satellite Subsidy Scheme will be published on the Digital Ready website.
For the list of eligible towns and for information about the Satellite Subsidy Scheme, please go to
www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13.
Improving Digital Television Reception
In most cases, viewers with good analog reception should receive good digital reception. However, some households may have questions about the quality of their digital television reception. These might relate to pixelation, picture freezing or signal drop-out.
These are symptoms of poor reception or interference and are roughly the equivalent of ghosting or snow in analog television. To improve digital television reception, viewers should ensure that their antenna is in good condition and is correctly set up to receive local digital signals, and their plugs and cables are securely connected and in good working order. Some viewers may need to upgrade their antenna if it is in poor condition (for example, if it has broken or missing elements), or if it is not designed for the channels used for local digital television services.
Reception can also be improved by checking that the antenna is correctly positioned and pointed towards the digital TV transmitter that provides the best coverage. Television reception can also be affected by household appliances that generate electrical interference, and by severe weather. These effects can be minimised by ensuring that antennas are correctly set up and through the use of good quality shielded cabling and connectors.
The Digital Switchover Taskforce recommends that householders consult an Australian Government Endorsed Antenna Installer for advice about how to obtain the best reception at their location.
Residents can find their nearest Endorsed Antenna Installer as well as helpful hints to remedy reception issues by entering their address into
mySwitch at
www.digitalready.gov.au or by calling 1800 20 10 13.
Approved Digital Advisors
Retailers who supply digital television equipment can register to have their business licensed to use the Australian government
Get Ready for Digital TV campaign logo and nominate staff to become approved Digital Advisors.
Approved Digital Advisors from participating retail stores can inform consumers about their options to get ready for digital television and where to find more information.
Participating retail stores also have access to digital television communication material which may help local householders.
Contact details for retail stores with approved Digital Advisors in switchover regions are available at
www.digitalready.gov.au or by calling 1800 20 10 13.
Digital Switchover Liaison Officers
Digital Switchover Liaison Officers will be on the ground in switchover areas during the months leading up to switchover. Liaison officers work with local communities, local councils and community organisations to provide up-to-date switchover information and assistance.
The liaison officers work to help groups of residents who may find it more difficult to switch to digital TV by themselves, such as those who are less mobile, or who find technology challenging. They will provide information on the switchover process and inform residents about other government digital TV initiatives.
Digital Switchover Liaison Officers will be announced in mid 2012 with contact details and information to be made available at
www.digitalready.gov.au and through the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.