HDTV, Digital TV and antenna discussion thread [consolidated]

[KardBoard]

This post is to address the question of whether filter is used in the design for the rooftop antennae, common known as Master TV Antenna (MATV).

In this discussion MATV refers to the whole system while antenna (singular) or antennae (plural) refers to the metal element assembly only.

For simplicity, consider a MATV catering just for Chan 5 and Chan 10 (TV2). The antenna for Chan 5 will be pointing towards Bukit Batok, which is where the transmitter is. For TV2, the antenna will be pointing towards JB.

The Chan 5 antenna is receiving, at the same time, Chan 10 signal. But the quality may be poor, containing a lot of ghosts. Similarly, TV2 antenna is receiving good Chan 10 signal but poor Chan 5 signal. Now if the outputs from these 2 antennae are simply fed into the amplifier without processing, the amplified output will contain poor quality signals in both Chan 5 and TV2. It is necessary to filter out weak and poor signals from antennae so that only clean and good signals are fed into the amplifier.

So, in this particular example, only Chan 5 and TV2 signals will be available through the MATV.

In the case of HDB MATV, the design cater only for local TV stations, TV1 and TV2, no signals from other transmissions will be available. If one can receive other stations, that is because of strong ambient signals resulting in good direct pick up. These don't come from the rooftop antennae.

nice article knowledge on antenna.now i got 1 Qs what filter to use to filter the signal or how to do the filtering.i been searching on this info.

 

[shadow84]

Hi, need advice from Pros here... my father just bought Akira 32LED700. he plug in the RF cable, and turn on the TV. the screen quality looks grainy. any idea on how to get HD5? i checked the RF cable, and it says coaxial cable. by changing to a filtered coaxial cable, can i improve the quality? my father says the cable is running from starhub, and not from rooftop antenna.

 

[Citiguy]

shadow84, as mentioned in the earlier postings, HD feed is not available from the Starhub antenna point in your house.

 

[shadow84]

shadow84, as mentioned in the earlier postings, HD feed is not available from the Starhub antenna point in your house.

so, even if i get a iDVB-t tuner, oso no use? also, where can i get Belkin HDMI v1.4 cables?

 

[kun1he2]

so, even if i get a iDVB-t tuner, oso no use? also, where can i get Belkin HDMI v1.4 cables?

Got use, just that u need an external dtv antenna.

 

[KardBoard]

shadow84,try and use antenna.maybe your area able to get HD5,etc.from starhub tv point directly will not give your good quality picture unless you use the mio/starhub box.

 

[petetherock]

This thread is for all discussion on matters related to:
Digital TV
High Definition TV
Antenna to receive HDTV in Singapore.

Please post your discussions here.

 

[petetherock]

Equipment you will need:

- a Set top box from Starhub / MIO

Or

- a set top digital TV tuner eg Humax

Or

- a built in tuner in the latest TVs

 

[petetherock]

However ultimately whether you can receive will depend on Location Location Location..

You will also need a Digital Tuner Antenna.

 

[petetherock]

Antenna

More on the antenna

www.hardwarezone.com.sg - View Single Post - iDTV (integrated DVB-T tuner)

Ok for the benefits of everyone here that want to receive Digital TV aka DVBt you need to know a few things.

1. DVBt is much much clearer than Analog transmitted tv signals no ghosting what so ever even if signal strenght is only at 22% you still get crystal clear picture unlike analog signals just as long there is signal for the TV to detect and quality dun go below 50% where picture starts to pixilate.

2. DVBt like analog is transmitted over the air and on UHF frequencies, HD5 is 610Mhz while the rest is 538Mhz.

3. Those staying in HDB and connecting through SCV point and want to receive digital 5, 8, CNA & HD5 sorry you need a digital set top box if not you just getting a normal one without digital capability. Dun know more as I dun have SuckHub or Milo TV.

4. For those that plug into the wall socket that connects to HDB rooftop antenna probably gonna be disappointed as I believe the roof top antenna isn't optimise to receive Digital TVs unless HDB decides to spend on upgrading them which I feel is a long long wait unless is new estate.

Ok for those staying at HDB and want to receive DVBt you need a powered UHF antenna that is rated to receive frequencies up to 1000Mhz / 1Ghz the higher the frequencies it is rated the better and you good to go. For those that want analog also and don't want to walk up walk down pressing that bloody A/B switch go buy a VHF/UHF mixer ~$15 at UF technology at SLS, please dun use a splitter, splitter is splitter while mixer is mixer and you get to watch both digital as well as analog Okto, U, Vasathan, Suria etc etc. How to connect very simple self explanatory once you get the mixer quite idiot proof. VHF to VHF, UHF to UHF sockets. Suria, normal 5 n 8 is VHF, Okto, U, TV3 is UHF.

For those advanturious you can build the DB4 HDTV ant seen on youtube - trust me it works I built one myself but please use RG6 75ohm coxial not older RG59 75ohm ones thats the reason I was getting massive signal lost and also throw in a signal booster for better signal strength again self explanatory once you get the thing idiot proof ~ $16 buy at SLT the electronics component shop on the right once you enter the building can't remember the shop name.

REMEMBER that it all depends on location on where you stay if your block is low and has many many other HDB that is much much higher that block you than you may not receive anything at all go KPKB to mediacock to increase signal strength.

Ok this is all I know and what I did to receive my DVBt and analog TVs.

 

[petetherock]

Building one:

I have made one out of parts bought from Sim lim as well for 8 bucks.
Here is the proof of concept video that it works for Singapore HD5.

DIY Antenna for Watching Singapore HD5 - YouTube

Instruction to build.
Fractal Antenna for HD + Digital TV - YouTube

P.S. if you want a switch for SCV Point and HD Antenna you need this.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11600138

 

[petetherock]

Previous threads and discussions:

HDTV Tuner Setup and Reception Issues - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

iDTV (integrated DVB-T tuner) - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

Hd5 and mediacorp digital channels - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/house-displays-226/tv-antenna-discussion-thread-2077700.html

 

[petetherock]

www.hardwarezone.com.sg - View Single Post - iDTV (integrated DVB-T tuner)

Here are the things you need to get dvb-t with HD5:
1. a iDTV with build in DVB-T tuner, ex my samsung series 4 plasma with dvb-t, or sharp D series LCD, or an external Draco box.

2. you need a simple digital antenna. It is only a stick of few inches long. The SCV cable point and HDB rooftop antenna may not work.

3. you need to face the antenna to the direction of Bukit Batok. Try to move it around, out of the window, to get good signal. You should be able to get TVMobil in most direction. HD5 required best/strong signal.

4. If you still can not get it, most like your area is not covered. Please wait till 2012 when Mediacorp fully launch digital broadcast for all channel, all area. Or, you can move your house to where there is digital signal. BTW, I stay in Bukit Panjang, you are always welcome.

5. You need to have a A/B switch to switch between analog (SCV point or rooftop) and digital antenna, as the channel U and Okto have no digital yet. The antenna mixer does not work here.

You will know your money well spend only when you get HD5 on your LCD or Plasma. Even the digital 5,8 & CNA are sharper than analog SCV point.

 

[petetherock]

HDB antennae:

www.hardwarezone.com.sg - View Single Post - Hd5 and mediacorp digital channels

There are many different types of hdb antenna. Those old HDB blocks with unfiltered antenna will be very good for HD reception. If you can receive the indonesian channel from your hdb antenna, then you will have very good chance receiving hd5 perfectly.
2nd type will be filtered hdb antenna. Those antenna had some frequency jammer to disrupt those indonesian / malaysian free to air channel. You won't be able to receive hd5.
3rd type will be SCV installed antenna. Again, there are frequency jammers to disrupt signals. HD5 is not possible.
My block is using this 3rd type antenna.

Answering to the above post, there are differences between using booster powered antena vs normal antenna. If I turn off the power, I can't receive the HD5. But if I turn on, I'm able to receive it. And I'm using PCI DTV card btw. Last time I run some application that able to detect the signal quality of the DVB-T, and a good quality booster powered antenna really make the difference.

 

[petetherock]

www.hardwarezone.com.sg - View Single Post - Off-the-shelf DVB-T Unitdirectional antenna "booster"

The DVB-T antenna that came with my usb DVB-T tuner looked like this


it has a magnetic base but when orientated vertically as shown on image above, it cannot receive digital 8, 5 or CNA.

To receive digital 8/5/ CNA channels, the antenna needs to be located near the window and the tip pointed somewhat at the horizon without any blocks blocking the line of sight. I pointed it to the south. Signal Strength is only 3 out of 5 bars at best. HD5 signal can not even be detected during channel scanning.

So I bought a cheap round metal plate such as the stainless steel drop-lid sold at diaso. Refer to the link below:
http://www.daisojapan.com/p-13244-st...nch-12pks.aspx

then I bought a big pop/cosmo clip, sold at Popular Bookstore, to hold the metal plate in place. A clip like the one seen in the link below also sold at Daiso but smaller and less sturdy and is transparent in colour. http://edisplays.en.ec21.com/offer_d...6.html?gubun=S



By sticking the base of the magnetic dvb-t antenna onto the centre (or slightly off center) of the round metal plate and pointing it to the direction of the horizon without any blockage by nearby walls or HDB blocks. I can receive HD5 and 2 other HD5 test channels (3 out of 5 bars). The normal digital 5/8/CNA signal strengths increased from 3/5 bars to 5/5 bars.

 

[petetherock]

Where can you buy the antennas:

Sim Lim Square & Tower have plenty to offer, big and small. IMO, it's not the antenna, it's the location - if the signal is bad, it doesn't really matter if you have a super antenna.

 

[petetherock]

Hi all,

If you like the first Version of the antenna, you are going to like this. It's simpler and even better in Signal Acquisition then before.

**** WHAT''S NEW ****

This new antenna captures 15 Digital and HD Channels!!
- Digital 5, Digital CNA and much more.
- Bonus!!! Indonesia and Malaysia Analog Channels picked up as well, World Cup anyone?
- And it seems Media corp going to put out more HD Channels real soon, see test channel name and you will know what I mean.

The new enhancement to the home brew antenna, is shown at the end of this video presentation.

To build one..
STEP 1 : Follow this guide http://current.org/ptv/ptv0821make.pdf
STEP 2: Include the enhancement shown in my video.

Where to buy what :
1)Wires, Nuts and Screws try Home-Fix or Sim Lim Tower.
2)For Balun Transformer, please go to Sim Lim Tower 3rd or 4th Floor Audio / Mic Shop on the Right of Escalator. (Cant remember shop name)
3)Card Board or Backing, any Arts and Craft shop and asked for hardest and Thickest Card board (0.3cm thick)

*** If you like the Video, please give it a good rating and so i know i should work to enhance it further.
or do a video guide to build one.

Regards,
M_


See it Here if it doesn't load
>> **VER2.0** DIY Antenna for Watching Singapore HD5 and much MORE!!! - YouTube

 

[petetherock]

 

[chuppachop]

update...waitin' for her so-called 'nationwide roll-out'....only Business Times reported on this...

SPEECH BY MS GRACE FU HAI YIEN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS AND MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES, AT AMRI, 01 MARCH 2012, 12:28 PM AT KL, MALAYSIA
Mr Chairman, His Excellency Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim
Mr Vice-Chairman, His Excellency Mr Soe Win
Honourable ASEAN Ministers
Excellencies
Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning

1. I would like to begin by congratulating Your Excellency Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatimon your appointment as Chairman of the 11th Conference of AMRI, and to also take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Malaysia for the excellent arrangements that have been made for this meeting and the warm hospitality that has been accorded to us since our arrival.

2. This is the first time I am representing Singapore at AMRI and I am looking forward to our discussions related to the theme, “Media: Connecting Peoples and Bridging Cultures Towards One ASEAN Community”.

A Connected ASEAN

3. At the 19th ASEAN Summit held on November 2011 in Bali, ASEAN Leaders reiterated their promise to build a more united and connected ASEAN community. Singapore demonstrated our commitment by pledging $50 million over the next four years in an effort to bridge the gap in development between the four newer ASEAN members and their six neighbours. With three years left to achieve the goal of an ASEAN Community by 2015, ASEAN is at a critical juncture in our community-building efforts.
Role of Public and Private Broadcasters

4. Media can play a catalytic role in creating a meaningful ASEAN Community, and none more so than Public broadcasters. Public broadcasters have traditionally played a strong role in keeping audiences informed, bonding communities and shaping culture and identity. The national broadcasters in ASEAN have long standing collaborations through the ASEAN TV News Exchange (ATN) and the ASEAN in Action (AiA) initiatives. Such programmes have proven successful in continuing to educate and expose ASEAN audiences to developments in the region.

5. However, with the vast array of global content now made easily available to audiences through both traditional and new media platforms, public broadcasters are increasingly challenged to offer compelling content to target audiences. I urge the producers of ATN and AIA programmes to respond to these challenges and ensure that our method of reaching out the ASEAN public remains attractive and relevant.


Transitioning to Digital Broadcasting
6. I would also like to commend the ASEAN Digital Broadcasting initiative for the progress it has made in coordinating ASEAN’s transition towards digital broadcasting. An excellent example of ASEAN collaboration is the set of “Guidelines for ASEAN Digital Switch-Over” that the ADB had developed to serve as a shared blueprint to aid all Member States in their transition towards digital broadcasting.

7.Last year, Singapore announced that we were studying the feasibility of adopting the DVB-T2 standard for Digital Terrestrial Television. I am pleased to inform you that we have successfully completed the trial for the DVB-T2 standard and are looking into its nationwide implementation. We expect to offer high-definition broadcasting for all Free-to-Air TV channels in Singapore.

8. I am glad to learn that some ASEAN Members, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam have also decided to leap-frog to DVB-T2. ASEAN should develop common specifications for the DVB-T2 receivers so that equipment manufacturers can benefit from economies of scale. This in turn will lower the cost of set-top boxes for consumers. With digital broadcasting promising to provide the public with better viewing experiences, we also need to ensure that ASEAN content remains engaging to our audiences. More can be done to promote co-productions of high-definition content among producers in ASEAN. We can leverage on each other’s strengths and develop content that appeals to the ASEAN sensibility as well as international audiences.

9. I understand that the ADB will embark on the joint production of “Colours of ASEAN”, a television series in High Definition (HD) that is expected to be completed by December 2013. ASEAN should support such collaborations and encourage ASEAN broadcasters to work together and continue participating in meaningful projects that celebrates the unity within ASEAN’s diversity. Such partnerships will also give broadcasters an additional platform to learn from each other and enhance their production expertise. ASEAN can similarly explore creative and strategic partnerships between public and private broadcasters, content producers and government agencies.
Conclusion

10. In conclusion, I would like to say that I am encouraged by the way ASEAN collaborations in the information and media sector are moving forward. There is still a lot that needs to be done to consolidate our goals into one common vision. I am sure with the solidarity and close cooperation that have been the hallmarks of all ASEAN foras, we are closer to creating One ASEAN Community.


Thank you.

 

[zipper168]

...VHF/UHF mixer ~$15 at UF technology at SLS, ...

Interested to know which type of the mixers you mentioned ($15):

or

thx