Digital television is currently available in many areas of Australia, and offers a clearer picture, better sound and more services than traditional analogue television services. Upgrading to digital television is relatively easy and will be required as analogue television is decommissioned, with the final cut-off date for receiving analogue television broadcasts being 31 December 2013.
Why would I want Digital TV?
Digital television comes with quite a few benefits – including increased picture resolution (allowing for higher quality images), better sound and more television channels. There is also a requirement to eventually switch over to digital television in Australia as the older analogue television signals will be phased out of operation, and will no longer be available in Australia by 2014.
Freeview is the free digital television service in Australia. It comprises all the channels from Australia’s free-to-view broadcasters, including the ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, Network Ten, Southern Cross, Prime and WIN. Freeview provides up to six more channels than would otherwise be received via analogue television.
As of June 2010, the additional channels are ABC 2, ABC 3, SBS TWO, 7TWO, GO! and ONE. In addition, channels Seven, Nine, the ABC and SBS provide simulcast programming of their main channel in high definition (HD) quality. ONE HD, Ten’s 24 hour sports channel, is also simulcast in standard definition in metropolitan areas. In the future, it is expected these simulcast channels will be replaced with unique programming.
hot.com.au makes it easy to see which products are "HD Ready", "SD Ready" or "Digital TV Capable" by including the Australian Government's Digital TV Switchover Labels on our website. If you'd like to find out more about the rollout of Digital Television in Australia we recommend the official website, DigitalReady.gov.au. If you have any questions regarding Digital Television, please don't hesitate to contact us - we have a Government-approved Digital Advisor available to help with your questions.
