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TechnoMag
Africa is slowly approaching the deadline of using the traditional broadcasting or sending video and audio via analogue signals.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has set the deadline of June 2015 for the migration from analogue broadcasting to digital terrestrial television (DTT).

Zimbabwe is likely to miss this deadline as the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services has already indicated that the money it has received from the fiscus is a drop in the ocean against their requested budget. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has been using the analogue technology for receiving poor signal, thanks to Transmedia, and the International watch dog the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called for a switch over to digital technology. Time is running out for the traditional broadcasting of analogue signals. The questions currently doing rounds are that why are migrating from analogue to digital? How is that going to affect the TV sets that are connected to cable services? Most importantly the question of the analogue TV sets. Are they going to be ditched for modern digital technology or not? The apparent challenge is that some TV sets may not be compatible with the digital terrestrial television system.

However, other technology in the form of set-top boxes (STBs) or decoders could be used to convert digital signal to analogue signal for television sets that do not have digital tuners.

Why migrate from analogue to digital?

The main reason for the world’s migration to digital is to release valuable spectrum which can be used for other services. Spectrum is scarce; therefore more efficient use of the spectrum is necessary if more terrestrial telecommunications and broadcasting services are to be made available. Currently, analogue broadcasting is protected from interference, but this protection will stop by 2015. It is therefore necessary for all countries to complete the migration from analogue to digital by 2015.

More importantly, newer technology like 4g or LTE will be installed cheaper on the lower TV frequency mean is that lesser 4G base stations will need to installed over larger areas greatly cutting costs and creating opportunity for white space.

After the migration to digital broadcasting, can I still use my old analogue TV set? If so how?

Yes. After the switch over is completed, your analogue TV set is not obsolete. However, there are some steps you must take to be able to continue to use it. To ensure continued use of your analogue set, you must do one of the following:

◆ Use a digital-to-analogue converter box.

◆ Connect to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV.

In addition, analogue sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products that you use now. Analogue sets equipped with a converter box will display the digital broadcasts, but not in full digital quality. This converter box, much like your cable box, will allow you to receive a picture, but it won’t be able to show high-definition pictures or give you access to other digital services.

What does a consumer need to do?

To pick a digital broadcast signal, one needs to have a digital TV. Digital TV is any TV that has a digital tuner. However, if one still has an analogue TV, one needs to get a digital receiver in form of a set-top box (also referred to as a decoder). A set-top box is a device which converts the signals from a digital television broadcast into a form which can be viewed on the traditional television set.

Does this mean all TV shall now be broadcast via satellite?

No, they shall continue to be the two types of broadcasting:

◆ Satellite, and

◆ Terrestrial

Satellite broadcasting is where the broadcaster sends the signal to the satellite and then it is beamed back from the satellite to the consumer. A satellite dish is required by the consumer in this case.

In the case of terrestrial broadcasting, the signal is sent by a broadcaster to a transmission tower and is then beamed through a network of towers to the users. In this case, the consumer uses an aerial.

What is a Set Top Box (STB)?

The Set Top Box is a receiver that will decode the digital signal to enable the channels to be displayed on your analogue television set. This Set Top Box will plug directly into your TV set.

Why do I need an STB?

You need a device that decodes the digital signal received via a standard aerial antenna and supplies the TV set with a video signal. Without the Set Top Box you will be unable to view the digital television services on your television set.

Are all flat Screen TVs Digital?

As mentioned above, a digital TV is one with a digital tuner. Most, but not all, flat screen TVs, plasmas TVs and LCD TVs include a built in digital tuner.

These are some of the elementary tips that you may need to know as we advance towards digital migration. Watch the space for more information as time progresses to avoid being caught unaware. Relevant questions are greatly appreciated.

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