If you’re a homeowner or renter, there may be some additional things to consider when you’re getting ready for digital TV. All households need to check that their antenna and cabling is compatible with digital TV. Most antennas should work after the digital switchover, but a few may require an upgrade.

Endorsed antenna installers are available to visit your home and provide advice to ensure your antenna and cabling set-up is digital ready.

For more information, you can visit the info centre brochure page and download the information for landlord and property manager PDF or the tenants good practice guide.

Please select this option if you live in a single dwelling building

Image of single dwelling buildings

How to access digital TV from your single dwelling building.

I live in a unit/apartment with a shared antenna system. Will it need to be upgraded before I can watch digital TV?

Your building may need to upgrade its antenna system in order to ensure good quality access to digital TV. This may be necessary if, for example, components are broken, corroded, outdated or of poor quality.

You will need to find out if the current TV antenna is designed for the same band of operation that the digital TV broadcasts in the area will be transmitted on. In some cases it will need to be upgraded either because the new digital channels are in a new frequency band or because the antenna is older or not in good condition and can’t receive adequate signal.

The building’s antenna system (including cabling) can be assessed by an antenna installer with experience in master antenna TV (MATV) systems to find out if it needs to be replaced or upgraded.

I am renting and would like to buy a digitally capable TV. If my antenna needs upgrading, who is responsible for doing this, the landlord or me?

Responsibility for the upgrade of antenna systems in rental properties (where necessary) should be discussed with your landlord. In many cases, if your rental property has been provided with an antenna, your landlord is obliged to maintain it in working order. This would include upgrading it to receive digital TV signals, if this is necessary.
There are brochures available that encourage landlords to make sure their properties are ready for digital TV. You can order free copies of the brochure by calling the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13. There is also an information sheet for landlords and property managers available to download under the brochures and info sheets page.
 

Related information