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Digital TV reception problems set to surge

An industry expert has warned Australia’s capital cities are unprepared for this year’s turn off of analogue TV signals and expects a surge of complaints when reception for both analogue and digital TVs fails.

Many people living in the inner suburbs of Sydney who have purchased new flat screen digital TVs have already complained of program drop outs or pixelation of viewing if they have internal aerials. Sydney’s analogue signal is turned off on December 3. The problem is particularly apparent in apartment blocks where there are antiquated  external aerials – or none at all.

The signal dramas will also affect viewers in Melbourne  when the switchover takes place in December, Adelaide (April), Perth (April) and Brisbane (May).

Signals repeatedly drop in and out with “weak or no signal” messages appearing on screen for 30 seconds to a minute or more – a worry for both networks and advertisers trying to beam into some of the the most affluent areas of the country.

External antenna installer Gary Delamotte of Sydney firm ADTV told Mumbrella there had been a 40 per cent surge in business in the past six months as people discovered their new TVs were not working properly.

“The problem is particularly apparent in the inner city where there are only five signal transmitters,” he said.

“Indoor antennas don’t work properly and people lose the signal or get pixelation if images – and efficient external antennas are the only way to solve the problem.”

He said many apartment blocks had 30 to 40 year old external antenna systems which have not been maintained and are not suited to new TVs.

“The problem in Sydney is only going to be a nightmare when the analogue signal is switched off in June, as many people receive analogue signals in their new TVs and aren’t aware of what’s around the corner,” he said.

“We’re expecting to be fully booked by then.”

He said antenna installers were unable to keep with demand in Canberra when the analogue service was cut off six months ago, and it was likely delays would be experienced in other areas when the signal was stopped.

The digital switchover is to free up spectrum which the government is auctioning off for new mobile services.

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