morgan to switch on digital television - Morgan, South Australia

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The installation of new digital transmitters <strong>to</strong> service the <strong>to</strong>wnship of Morgan was approved at
the Mid Murray Council meeting <strong>to</strong>day. Morgan will welcome its new digital TV service in the
coming months.
WIN Television will establish a digital transla<strong>to</strong>r site within the <strong>to</strong>wnship of Morgan <strong>to</strong> provide
residents with reliable digital television reception. The Morgan site will receive television
services from the Ramco Heights transmitters, near Waikerie, and retransmit them in<strong>to</strong>
Morgan.
WIN regional SA and Ch9 Adelaide General Manager, Graeme Gilbertson thanked the Mid
Murray Council for its support for the approval for the transmitter installation as this project
has come <strong>to</strong> fruition due <strong>to</strong> the excellent goodwill and cooperation between the Mid Murray
Council and WIN Television.
"With analogue <strong>switch</strong>-off imminent, this transmitter will significantly improve television
services <strong>to</strong> the region,” Mr Gilbertson said.
WIN has invested in the new transmitters, which will deliver the WIN 7, 9 and 10 services, as well
as ABC and SBS digital transmissions.
"Morgan residents will now have a local digital TV signal rather than trying <strong>to</strong> receive the
television signals from the more distant Ramco Heights transmitter,” Mr Gilbertson said.
The new Morgan transmitters are an integral part of rolling out the digital television service <strong>to</strong>
regional South Australia, part of the Australia-wide analogue <strong>switch</strong>-off. Digital <strong>switch</strong>over
will deliver better picture and sound quality and free up spectrum which can be used for the
delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services, such as high
speed broadband. Analogue services <strong>to</strong> regional South Australia will be <strong>switch</strong>ed off on
December 15, 2010.
It is expected the new Morgan transmitters will be installed and operational between late
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber and early November 2010. Once the transmitters are operational viewers in Morgan
with a digital set <strong>to</strong>p box, or an in-built digital tuner, may need <strong>to</strong> re-scan their set <strong>to</strong>p boxes
or run an au<strong>to</strong>matic channel scan <strong>to</strong> view the WIN Television digital service.
What is digital free-<strong>to</strong>-air television
The word ‘digital’ refers <strong>to</strong> the way in which signals
are sent <strong>to</strong> and received by your television. Free-<strong>to</strong>air
TV in Australia is currently broadcast in both digital
and analog. However, the analog signals will be
phased out between 2010 and 2013 and Australian TV
will become digital-only. Analog signals will be
<strong>switch</strong>ed off around regional South Australia, including
this area, on 15 December 2010.
Why are we <strong>switch</strong>ing <strong>to</strong> digital TV
Most people will enjoy a much better picture and
improved sound. It also enables more channels <strong>to</strong> be
provided. By <strong>switch</strong>ing <strong>to</strong> digital, Australia will be
keeping pace with the rest of the world, and will
continue <strong>to</strong> have access <strong>to</strong> the latest programs and
technology. Switching off analog TV signals will also
free up broadcast space that could be used for other
services for the community.
What do I need <strong>to</strong> do <strong>to</strong> get ready for the <strong>switch</strong>over
After the <strong>switch</strong>over, free-<strong>to</strong>-air television will only be
available in digital so you’ll need <strong>to</strong> have a television
that can receive digital TV signals. You can convert
your existing analog TV by connecting a digital set <strong>to</strong>p
box, or upgrade <strong>to</strong> a digital television. One set <strong>to</strong>p box
will be needed for each TV you wish <strong>to</strong> convert.
How do I know if I’m already ‘digital ready’
An easy way <strong>to</strong> tell is checking whether you can
receive ABC2 or SBS TWO. These are standard
definition digital channels and if you can see them,
and you don’t have subscription TV, then it means you
are able <strong>to</strong> receive digital free-<strong>to</strong>-air TV.
If your TV isn’t capable of receiving digital broadcasts
(i.e. you can’t view either of these channels), then its
likely you’re still viewing analog TV signals which will
be <strong>switch</strong>ed off on 15 December 2010.
When can I <strong>switch</strong> <strong>to</strong> digital TV
Digital TV services are already on the air in this area
so you can make the <strong>switch</strong> now. You will need <strong>to</strong> be
digital ready by 15 December <strong>to</strong> keep watching free-<strong>to</strong>
-air channels after 15 December 2010 when the
analog TV signals are <strong>switch</strong>ed off.
For more information on getting ready for digital TV,
visit www.digitalready.gov.au, or call 1800 20 10 13.