Helpdesk

Step-by-step guide

If you're having difficulty in the making the switch to digital TV, try following these steps as an easy guide.

1. Channel check
Check if you're already receiving digital TV. If you receive ABC2, ABC3 or SBS TWO then you're digital ready! If you are, use the following steps to help others. 

2. Check if digital TV is available in your area
Digital TV is currently available in most areas. To find out the exact status of the digital signal in your area, use mySwitch.

3. Check what equipment you will need
If you have an analog TV, consider the benefits of a set-top box, a personal video recorder (PVR), subscription TV or digital TV. See Equipment for more information.

4. Choose and install your equipment
If you're buying a new set-top box or digital TV you can visit an approved Digital Advisor to make the right choice for your needs. If you're considering subscription TV, make sure you question the provider on receiving digital free-to-air TV through their subscription. Approved Digital Advisiors can help you properly identify and evaluate digital products and services.

To find the nearest approved Digital Advisor, type in your address in the approved Digital Advisors page. Once you’ve chosen the right equipment, install it in your home. 

5. Troubleshooting
If you have any problems, check your cables are in good condition and connected properly. For full troubleshooting instructions, see Reception.

If you still have reception problems, you may need to contact an endorsed Antenna Installer. Find the nearest one through mySwitch.

If you are renting your home, the owner will generally be obliged to replace the antenna. If you do the work or organise to have the work done yourself, be sure to attain the owner’s permission first.

Recording with analog equipment

If you have a VCR or DVD recorder you can record digital TV from your set-top box. This will allow you to watch and record the same program. Follow these steps:

1) Safety
Switch off your TV (and any equipment connected to it) at the mains.

2) Connect digital cabling
Connect the antenna cable from the wall to your set-top box or digital TV.

3) Connect analog cabling
Connect the set-top box  to both the VCR or DVD recorder and TV or if using a digital TV, to the VCR or DVD recorder alone.

4) Tune recorder
Tune the set-top box or DVD recorder to receive AV using the 'input' or 'source' button.

5) Watch and record
Turn on your TV. To record digital TV, simply press 'record' on your DVD recorder or VHS.

For detailed visual instructions on recording digital TV with analog equipment, please watch the video.

Recording with digital equipment

If you have digital equipment such as a personal video recorder (PVR) you can record TV shows and pause live TV.

Instructions

1) Safety
Switch off your TV (and any equipment connected to it) at the mains.

2) Connect antenna cabling
Connect the antenna cable from the wall to the PVR or digital recording device.

3) Connect TV and PVR
Connect your PVR output to the TV through the red, white and yellow cabling.

4) Watch and record
To watch live TV just choose 'DTV' on your TV remote control, If you want to set up or watch recorded TV, choose 'AV' on your TV remote.

Most PVRs will also have an electronic program guide. You can use this to pre-record shows or entire series. For detailed visual instructions on recording digital TV with digital equipment, please watch the video.

Retuning

Instructions

1) Main menu
Locate the main menu using your remote control.

2) Retune
Once you’ve accessed the menu find the ‘retune’ option. This may be found in ‘set-up’, ‘channel’, ‘installation system’, or another menu item. The name of the retune option can also vary. Depending on the manufacturer it might be called ‘scan’, ‘replace’ or ‘store channels’.

3) Auto retune
Once you find the retune option, simply allow your digital receiver to find digital TV channels. You might have to retune more than once to identify all the channels.

Poor reception

Poor digital reception is easily identifiable. If your screen is pixelating or freezing, and your sound is popping or distorted, you probably have poor reception.

Instructions

1) Retune
Try retuning your set-top box or digital TV. See Retuning for more information or check your equipment user manual.

2) Troubleshooting
Check wiring, connections, obstructions and ‘impulse noise’ interference from household items. See Reception for more information.

3) Professional Assistance
If the above steps do not work, you should contact an endorsed Antenna Installer. The Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme ensures you have access to knowledgeable and experienced antenna installers, to help you get ready for digital TV. To find the nearest endorsed Antenna Installer, type in your address in the endorsed Antenna Installer page.

Please note, stormy weather can affect your digital reception. If you're experiencing poor reception during a storm, wait for the weather to pass and try again.

Getting some channels

• If you can only get ABC, SBS, 7, 9 and 10, you are only receiving analog TV and need to follow the instructions below.

• If you can see additional channels, you are digital ready, however you need to retune your digital equipment to receive all available channels. See Retuning for more information.

Instructions

1) Digital ready equipment
If you don’t have digital ready equipment you’ll need to buy and install it. If you're receiving specific government payments, you may be eligible for assistance. See Household Assistance Scheme for more information.

2) Professional help
If you still aren’t receiving all channels you may have a problem with your antenna or cabling. You’ll need to contact an endorsed Antenna Installer to check your equipment.

The Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme ensures you have access to knowledgeable and experienced antenna installers, to help you get ready for digital TV. To find the nearest endorsed Antenna Installer, type in your address in the endorsed Antenna Installer page.

Not getting any channels

If you do not have digital ready equipment and aren’t receiving a TV signal, then analog may have been switched off in your area. If you have digital ready equipment, and you're still not getting any channels, you may need satellite TV or a new antenna.

1) Digital ready equipment
Make sure that you have digital ready equipment like a set-top box or digital TV.

2) Check equipment
Check that all your equipment is properly connected and that your tuner can scan for digital TV channels.

3) Check transmission range
Use mySwitch to see if you're in range of a digital transmission tower. If you are in range, you may need a new antenna. If you're not in range, you may need to register for VAST. VAST is an Australian Government funded service, providing a full selection of free-to-air channels across Australia.

4) Professional assistance
After you have followed the above steps you should contact an endorsed Antenna Installer, as you may need to replace your antenna or install satellite TV. The Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme ensures you have access to knowledgeable and experienced antenna installers, to help you get ready for digital TV. To find the nearest endorsed Antenna Installer, type in your address in the endorsed Antenna Installer page.

If your antenna is connected properly, is in working order and you are well within transmission range, your equipment might be faulty. Have a friend or family member test their working equipment through your antenna, just to be sure. Check with a neighbour about their reception.

Equipment selection

If you’re not sure what equipment you need, run through the steps below.

1) Check your coverage
Use mySwitch to see what coverage is available in your area.  If you won’t receive television reception from land-based sites, you will need to apply for Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) and use a VAST set-top box. If you receive reception from land-based sites, continue to step two. VAST is an Australian Government funded service, providing a full selection of free-to-air channels across Australia.

2) Choose equipment
Choose the equipment that best suits you. You can use a set-top box, digital TV, personal video recorder (PVR) or subscription TV. For more details on which equipment will suit you, see Equipment wizard for more information.

Antennas

Many older antennas should be able to receive the new digital transmission channels. However, if after the digital receiver goes through its initial installation channel scan, some broadcasters’ signals show signs of continual picture break-up or are not found at all, then the antenna (and/or feeder cable) probably needs replacement. For example, in most capital cities, digital transmissions on channels 6, 11, 12 and 33 - 36, may not be adequately received on older antennas designed for 2, 7, 9, 10 and 28.

In capital cities, an antenna does not need the longer bars at the rear of the antenna required for reception of analog Ch 2 (called VHF Band 1), but does need to be able to receive across the full range of Channels 6 to 12 (called VHF Band III) and across Channels 28 to 35 (called UHF Band IV). Similarly, in many regional areas, the new digital broadcasts may be in a different frequency band to the old analog channels where the older antenna reception capability may be lacking.

A properly positioned and appropriate antenna in good working order with quality connections and cabling will ensure that you can get the best reception of TV services available in your area. A local endorsed Antenna Installer can provide advice on your current antenna system and take measurements of the signal in your area and that which is actually being received at your TV after going through your system.

Satellite setup

The following information is provided as a general guide. It's not intended to replace advice from an endorsed Antenna Installer. It's recommended you use a endorsed Antenna Installer for the best satellite results.

Instructions

1) Direction
Find out which direction your satellite dish needs to point, known as the magnetic bearing. This has been calculated in mySwitch.

2) Alter dish
The elevation of the satellite is the degree to which the satellite dish points towards the sky. Most dishes have the elevation marked on the mount.

3) Position low noise block converter
Finally, ensure that the low noise block converter (LNB) is correctly positioned to receive the VAST service. The LNB should have markers on it to indicate which direction to adjust it.

If an endorsed Antenna Installer set up your equipment you may void the warranty by changing the satellite yourself. Call your installer and use your warranty instead. You can register your VAST satellite equipment at mySwitch.

Set-top box

A set-top box enables you to watch digital TV broadcasts on an analog TV. If you want to keep your existing analog TV, you'll need a set-top box to be able to see digital free-to-air TV after the switchover. Set-top boxes range from basic standard definition (SD) models to high definition (HD) models and may include electronic program guides and interactive features such as pausing and replaying live TV.

SD digital set-top boxes will allow you to receive only SD digital versions of all the current analog channels available in your area, plus any new SD channels. They will not provide you with any HD channels.

To receive both the SD and HD channels available in your area, you will need an HD digital set-top box.

For more detailed information, see Set-top boxes.

VAST registration and set up

VAST is an Australian Government funded service, providing a full selection of free-to-air channels across Australia. If you’re eligible for VAST, which  you can check through mySwitch, follow these steps to set up your satellite TV.

Instructions

1) Satellite Dish
If you do not already have a satellite dish, have one installed. You may be eligible for a government subsidy. Visit Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS) to check your eligibility.

2) VAST set-top box
The only piece of equipment you need, if you have a satellite dish, is a VAST set-top box. These may be purchased from retailers who specialise in satellite reception equipment.

3) Register
Once your equipment is set up, you’ll need to register your new VAST set-top box. To fully register, you’ll be asked for the VAST set-top box decoder or model number, the serial number and the smart card number on the card inside the box.

For more information on Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST), visit mysattv.com.au.