Multiple Dwellings

What is involved in the conversion process?

For existing TV distribution systems, this would initially involve a survey and then an upgrade if required. The level of upgrading needed will vary greatly depending on the existing installation. This is because many installations were designed to cater for the reception of analog services only and may not meet the requirements necessary for digital FTA TV reception. For example, if a distribution system was installed for analog TV, it may have shifted some analog TV channels to other channels which could be a channel now used for digital TV transmissions.

There are likely to be costs associated with the conversion process. These may include:

• upgrading the rooftop antenna/aerial
• running new cabling
• buying new amplifiers and
• labour costs associated with the design and installation of the above.

Once the building has been upgraded, residents will also have to purchase equipment, such as a set-top box or a TV with a digital tuner, so that they can receive digital FTA transmissions.

During the remaining period while both analog and digital television transmissions are available in an area (the simulcast period), some residents may wish to continue to use the analog signals. This will only be possible until the analog signals are switched off in the area which may be well before 2013. Any upgrade of a Master Antenna TV (MATV)/ Communal Antenna TV (CATV) system that ensures full availability of the FTA digital channels but may alter the analog channel distribution, should follow with comprehensive advice to those residents affected. After the analog broadcasts are switched off, only digital television channels will be available for a MATV/CATV system and all residents will have to use a digital set-top box or a new TV with an integrated FTA digital tuner to view FTA television services available through the MATV/CATV system.

Residents may choose to purchase a FTA digital set-top box or a new TV with an integrated digital tuner in advance of the change.

In some cases such as hotels etc, owner/managers may wish to continue to distribute analog signals because of a large existing inventory of analog receivers. In such cases the headend may be equipped with digital receivers tuned to particular services that feed analog TV ‘modulators’. Because some FTA broadcasters may need to change their digital transmission from time-to-time, any digital receiver used in a MATV or CATV installation should be fully compliant with the Australian Digital TV Receiver Standard AS 4933 or easy access should be provided to allow for receiver manual reset.

Direct distribution of FTA reception signals from a rooftop antenna/aerial ensures access
to all FTA program services.

Any new MATV/CATV system that has been installed following the Australian Standard for such installations should have the capacity to carry the entirety of these digital TV signals to the residents’ wall outlets.

Understanding the building’s current installation

It should be thoroughly understood whether the signals being received are FTA via a rooftop (outdoor) aerial/antenna or whether they come via a subscription TV service, as this may affect the quality of the transmission and limit the FTA services available.