Digital TV (DVB T2) in Singapore [consolidated]

[mingfreakrsx]

Analogue TV reception is not good. Ch 5 & 8 are almost washed out. Ch U, Octo and CNA are better, but still snowy picture. SCTV (Indo channel) is only slightly worse compared to Ch U/Octo/CNA, but way better than Ch 5 & 8.

This Margon antennae is very sensitive. After fiddling with the placement, I have difficulty to get back the sweet spot again. The DTV channels are still there, just that signal quality keep swinging from 40% to 90%.

Just to add, even the HDB MATV does not give good quality pictures on analogue channels. It is much better than the Margon.

Is it possible for you to take a picture of the margon antenna? Want to see how it looks like.

 

[viv4080]

I stay at yishun and my living room windows is facing south. My room window is facing north. Maybe that's why I can get signal in my room using the supplied draco antenna. Anyway, will be getting the margon maybe tomorrow to try out. Thanks for the info

BTW, you most likely will need to connect the signal booster kit that comes with the Margon.

For me, I get absolutely nothing if I do not connect the signal booster kit.

 

[viv4080]

Is it possible for you to take a picture of the margon antenna? Want to see how it looks like.

You can check post #259 for pictures of the Margon 2.0 antennae.

Or you can visit their website Margon | Home 2.0

 

[mrsun18]

Analogue TV reception is not good. Ch 5 & 8 are almost washed out. Ch U, Octo and CNA are better, but still snowy picture. SCTV (Indo channel) is only slightly worse compared to Ch U/Octo/CNA, but way better than Ch 5 & 8.

This Margon antennae is very sensitive. After fiddling with the placement, I have difficulty to get back the sweet spot again. The DTV channels are still there, just that signal quality keep swinging from 40% to 90%.

Just to add, even the HDB MATV does not give good quality pictures on analogue channels. But, it is much better than the Margon.

Thanks. The performance is within expectation. Chan 5 & 8 (in the VHF) require longer antenna elements. Furthermore, indoor signal is prone to fluctuation and reflections which show as ghosts. UHF channels like CNA, Octo, U and SCTV need shorter antenna elements.

The physical dimension of the Margon is just about right for them. But because analogue reception requires very much higher signal than digital reception, the reception still cannot be compared to the digital channels. It is not easy to get the right spot for all channels. Even movement of people and big objects may affect the strength and quality of signal.

If your hdb wall point is not giving good analogue reception such as ghosting or noisy picture, you can call the Branch Office. They will rectify for you.

 

[pjs]

Analogue TV reception is not good. Ch 5 & 8 are almost washed out. Ch U, Octo and CNA are better, but still snowy picture. SCTV (Indo channel) is only slightly worse compared to Ch U/Octo/CNA, but way better than Ch 5 & 8.

Implies the antenna you are using is only for UHF.
Ch 5 & 8 are VHF for analogue, they need antenna with longer elements.

(VHF is lower Frequency=higher wavelength->longer elements on antenna
UHF is higher Frequency=shorter wavelength->shorter elements on antenna.)

 

[jimmy]

Users of some old TV models should check if their TV supports DVB-T2. I found that my Panasonic plasma from 2011 has inbuilt DVB-T2, with the same specifications as our local one. Need to find an antenna to try.

 

[mrsun18]

I have try to scan for DVB-T on Ch 48, but cannot get anything. Chances of getting DVB-T2 (I will need to buy DVB-T2 box) channels are pretty slim.

There are people who can receive weak signal. For me, it's zero from Draco even with my condo's matv.

 

[mrsun18]

Users of some old TV models should check if their TV supports DVB-T2. I found that my Panasonic plasma from 2011 has inbuilt DVB-T2, with the same specifications as our local one. Need to find an antenna to try.

Check with this:
http://www.mda.gov.sg/Public/DigitalTV/Pages/DVBT2StereoReceiver.aspx
http://www.mda.gov.sg/Public/DigitalTV/Pages/DVBT2SSRReceiver.aspx

The Singapore DVB-T2 standard was first published in Nov 2012.

Edit: No need to buy antenna if you are using hdb/condo matv, or if you have your own outdoor antenna such as those for landed properties. Just tune according to instruction given in the manual.

 

[mrsun18]

Only Digital Antenna can receive DVB-T2 signal. Some claim that a $10 antenna can receive . . . .

Simple rabbit , telescopic, cheap $12.90 dipole (with pic posted) all worked. Just go through the posts.

 

[Henry Ng]

There are people who can receive weak signal. For me, it's zero from Draco even with my condo's matv.

Expected that for some locations or may be wind and rain can also affect a bit.

 

[oric1]

Those using the Daiyo EU 1702. did you connect the antenna to a electrical power point or connect directly to the TV/Set top Box

Connect Daiyo to power point. http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/82046258-post329.html

 

[radioshack]

Connect Daiyo to power point. http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/82046258-post329.html

i have that diagram too.

But what i want to know is if there is a difference between using the power adapter and not using..

 

[Henry Ng]

Simple rabbit , telescopic, cheap $12.90 dipole (with pic posted) all worked. Just go through the posts.

I think he received the dvb-t signal for HD5 so mistaken it is dvb-t2. Do not think the signal is so strong. My flat is at lower storey so indoor antenna may not work for me so will not buy it.

 

[PoloBoiBoi]

Only Digital Antenna can receive DVB-T2 signal. Some claim that a $10 antenna can receive . . . .

my cheap cheap telescopic antenna can receive DVB-T from my window

dun see why the same antenna cannot receive T2 signal also

anyway antenna doesnt care whether the signal is digital or analog, T or T2, its just VHF/UHF radio waves

 

[radioshack]

the DVB-T2 signal for HD5 is (UHF 196.25 MHz)?

 

[PoloBoiBoi]

the DVB-T2 signal for HD5 is (UHF 196.25 MHz)?

UHF27 - 522MHz

Channel U(SD) - live
Channel News Asia (SD) - live
okto (SD) - live


UHF29 - 538MHz

Suria (HD) - live
Channel 5 (HD) - live


UHF31 - 554MHz

Channel 8 (HD) - live
Vasantham (HD) - live

 

[VideoOne2]

My friend who is a Malaysian and living in JB just bought a Sony W series LED TV. He uses the standard UHF outdoor antenna for his Malaysian channels.

When I was there I did try to auto tune the digital tuner. There was 13 channels available. Not all the content in the HD channels are native HD. Most are up scaled. However, the quality is much better and cleaner than our analogue ones. The best thing about digital is either you get it or not. When you get it will be the same high quality. As long as you are within the minimum threshold you are good to go. Unlike the analogue ones, you can get snowy or reflected signal for weaker signals.

There is no special antenna required. Just standard UHF antenna. Looks like if we connect our new DVB-T2 capabled LED TV or STB to the HDB MATV system there is a high chance of getting this digital signal.

I don't have a DVB-T2 device yet but am looking at getting the EchoStar HDT 610R Ultra Slim Freeview+ HD Digital TV Recorder from Amazon UK to try on my hdb matv. if not probably need to get the Margon antenna as well.

EchoStar HDT 610R Ultra Slim Freeview+ HD Digital TV Recorder: Amazon.co.uk: TV

Does anyone think this will (RF only not the IP connectivity which was meant for BBC iPlayer) work in Singapore?

 

[mrsun18]

Expected that for some locations or may be wind and rain can also affect a bit.

I think he received the dvb-t signal for HD5 so mistaken it is dvb-t2. Do not think the signal is so strong. My flat is at lower storey so indoor antenna may not work for me so will not buy it.

...

But what i want to know is if there is a difference between using the power adapter and not using..

As usual, results vary

 

[mrsun18]

...
I don't have a DVB-T2 device yet but am looking at getting the EchoStar HDT 610R Ultra Slim Freeview+ HD Digital TV Recorder from Amazon UK to try on my hdb matv. if not probably need to get the Margon antenna as well.

EchoStar HDT 610R Ultra Slim Freeview+ HD Digital TV Recorder: Amazon.co.uk: TV

...

I suggest no need to waste your money on this. See below. Unfortunately, the image of Philips' reply to me (which said philips tv do not support local T2 specs) has disappeared from the server:

On Philips web site (Philips 8000 series 55PFL8008S/12 - Ultra Slim Smart LED TV), the specs for Series 8000 tv shows:


Tuner/Reception/Transmission

Digital TV: Astra HD+ support, Freeview HD*, DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2

However, Philips tv sets are not found in the MDA lists
http://www.mda.gov.sg/Public/DigitalTV/Pages/DVBT2StereoReceiver.aspx
http://www.mda.gov.sg/Public/DigitalTV/Pages/DVBT2SSRReceiver.aspx

I queried Philips and got a reply as shown below:

Conclusion?

• Not all T2 tv set can support local broadcast
• Verify information from web, even those from seemingly reliable sources

 

[Henry Ng]

my cheap cheap telescopic antenna can receive DVB-T from my window

dun see why the same antenna cannot receive T2 signal also

anyway antenna doesnt care whether the signal is digital or analog, T or T2, its just VHF/UHF radio waves

Best denki told me and show me two kinds of indoor antenna. One can receive and one can not. I do not want to buy as my flat is at lower storey so if receive weak signal only then waste $. High chance of weak signal. No hurry at all.