The transition to DVB-T2 / HEVC began in Poland at the end of March. On Monday, the last stage of changes occurred, which affected the inhabitants of Lubelskie, Podlaskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and the central parts of Mazowieckie County. Operation includes: MUX-1 (TVP ABC, Eska TV, Polo TV, Stopklatka, Antena HD, TV Trwam, Fokus TV), MUX-2 (TVN, TVN7, Polsat, Super Polsat, TV4, TV6, TV Puls, Puls 2 ) and MUX-4 (Events24). On the other hand, MUX-3 (TVP1 HD, TVP2 HD, TVP Info HD, TVP Sport HD, TVP3, TVP Historia) and MUX-8 (TVP Kultura HD, TVP Woman, Metro, Zoom TV, Nowa TV, WP).
Up to 2.5 million homes without TVN, Polsat, TV Puls and TV Trwam
People who have lost access to channels from MUX-1, MUX-2 and MUX-4 should use the menu to search or search for channels. If that doesn’t work, they probably have old hardware that isn’t DVB-T2/HEVC compatible. They need to buy a new tuner or TV. The National Media Institute estimates that there are 1.32 million families in this situation.
Read also: TVN, Polsat, TV Puls, TV Trwam not working? Tutorial on DVB-T2 / HEVC
Read more at: https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/brak-sygnalu-tvn-polsat-tv-puls-tv-trwam-jak-sprawdzic-czy-tuner-lub-telewizor-obsluguje-dvb-t2- hivk
Commercial broadcasters estimate the number to be up to 2.5 million potential viewers. TVN, Polsat, TV Puls and Kino Polska intend to seek compensation from the government. Originally, the changes were to cover the MUX-3 with the main antennas of Polish television. In March, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration asked the head of the Office of Electronic Communications for permission to continue broadcasting TVP with the old standard. MUX-3 must not convert to DVB-T2/HEVC until Jan 1, 2024, But it could happen sooner. Private stations claim that their channels lose audience and therefore advertising revenue. According to Nielsen data, the MUX-3 has slightly increased its range.
A completely different strategy was adopted by the MWE Group, the broadcaster of Antena HD, available on digital terrestrial television MUX-1. I applied to UKE for permission to stream in DVB-T2, but without the HEVC codec (H264 will be used instead). Some estimates suggest that DVB-T2 and this codec support more devices than HEVC. The UKE has invited interested parties to participate in consultations regarding Michał Winnicki’s application, so a decision will not be made soon.
What are the benefits of DVB-T2 / HEVC?
President of the Digital Poland Association, among others TV manufacturers note that DVB-T2 / HEVC provides improved picture quality. – DVB-T2 / HEVC is a new international broadcasting standard that allows you to broadcast more TV channels, and also guarantees better picture and sound quality – says Mishaw Kanonic, President of the Digital Poland Association. – This technology, provided that the Internet is connected, also allows recipients to access new functions, so-called hybrid television, such as stopping an on-demand program, participating in voting with a remote control or viewing additional information about actors in a broadcast production – adds Michał Kanownik. After the transition to the new standard, all channels are broadcast in high definition (HD) instead of standard (SD).
Thanks to HbbTV, you can use free video-on-demand services (TVP GO and Polsat GO) and rewind programs broadcast on TVP channels for up to a week (Catch up on TV). However, to take advantage of the advantages of new technology, home televisions must first be adapted to it. Those who have not yet done so, along with the exclusion of the old broadcast standard and the simultaneous inclusion of the new standard, will be disqualified from most television programming – warns Kanownik.
TV or set-top box?
Cyfrowa Polska states that every new device that enables digital terrestrial television reception in the new standard is covered by government funding. In the case of set-top boxes, this is support up to PLN 100, while those who decide to buy a TV can get a voucher worth PLN 250. Digital Poland experts refer to the website www.gov.pl/CyfrowaTV, where you can apply online for government funding. It can also be done through Poczta Polska offices. Most importantly, you can apply for funding until the end of the year. – Along with the expansion of DVB-T2 / HEVC coverage, an increasing number of people are interested in new receivers, as well as in applying for a government voucher. This is good news as it means that more and more viewers are aware of the changes. As producers and sellers, we are ready to increase consumer demand for televisions – says Kanownik.
See also: New TVs are becoming more expensive. The supply chain problem
Digital Poland experts assure you that not every receiver needs to be replaced right away. TV viewers who bought TVs produced after 2019 can rest. However, people with older receivers (even modern ones with flat screens) should check if their devices are adapting to the reception of the new standard. How do I do it? For example, it is enough to visit the website www.telewizjanaziemna.pl, where with a special search engine you can find out whether the model of our TV receiver is suitable for receiving the new broadcast standard.
– If the TV cannot receive a DVB-T2 / HEVC signal, its owner must purchase a new model or a special set-top box – Says Kanownik and advises you to think carefully about the type of device you choose. Now is the time to consider replacing your old TVs with new ones. For many audiences, this can mean a huge qualitative change related to improving picture and sound quality, or a smart picture that adjusts colors according to current room conditions. Television production technology has changed dramatically in recent years – says President Cyfrowa Polska. The expert emphasizes that when deciding to purchase a decoder, we must be aware that it will not allow us to take full advantage of the advantages of changing the broadcast signal. – Such a device will enable us to receive a digital signal, but, for example, it will not improve the picture or sound quality – he notes. HbbTV services often run on televisions. Only the most expensive receivers support it.
Read also: TVN, Polsat, TV Puls, TV Trwam not working? Tutorial on DVB-T2 / HEVC
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