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DTT Broadcast Questions
- When will the new
Digital Television Broadcasts begin?
- Can I receive the new
transmissions?
- What equipment do I need
for digital terrestrial TV?
- What benefits will
digital terrestrial broadcasts provide?
- What are the differences
between High Definition television (HDTV), standard definition
television (SDTV) and conventional analogue television?
- Is audio quality better
on digital TV than on analogue TV?
Sales Questions
- When will Magic TV™
be available to buy?
- What kind
of television/display do I need to use Magic TV™ ?
- What is included in
the box?
- Can I record the digital
TV channels?
Support Questions
- What do the Aspect Ratio
Correction modes do?
When will the new Digital Television Broadcasts begin?
The new Hong Kong Digital Television Broadcasts will begin on 31st
December 2007. Updates are available from www.digitaltv.gov.hk.
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Can I receive the new transmissions?
When first launched on 31st December 2007, the digital terrestrial
TV (DTT) signals will be transmitted by the main transmitting station
at Temple Hill. The coverage includes Kowloon peninsula,
northern Hong Kong Island, Shatin and eastern Lantau
Island. DTT coverage will expand as more DTT transmitting stations
are completed during phases in 2008 and onwards. Coverage of at
least 75% is expected by the end of 2008. Information is available
from www.digitaltv.gov.hk.
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What equipment do I need for digital terrestrial TV?
Normally, people in low-rise buildings use a stand-alone rooftop
TV antenna whilst those in high-rise buildings use a Communal Aerial
Broadcast Distribution (CABD) system to receive terrestrial television.
In the former case, the antenna should be able to receive the new
digital television services provided that it is in reasonably good
condition; in the latter case, the building management will have
to add suitable converters to the CABD system in order to receive
digital terrestrial television. In addition, you will need to buy
a set-top box with digital terrestrial TV reception capabilities
(e.g. Magic TV™ MTV3000) and connect it to your existing TV set.
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What benefits will digital terrestrial broadcasts
provide?
Digital TV is a far more efficient and flexible transmission system
than the current analogue system. It allows broadcasters (TVB and
ATV) to offer viewers a range of new and different services.
The possible benefits include:
- 'Ghost free' reception
- Widescreen 16:9 pictures
- Standard definition television (SDTV) and HDTV programmes
- High quality audio and surround sound
- Multi-channel programming
- Closed captioning of programmes for the hearing impaired
- Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) with 'now & next' programme
nformation for some channels
- On-screen programme guide channel with today's programme information
- Multi-camera views and enhancements during selected programmes
Interactive television services including interactive programmes,
selected Internet services, home shopping, computer games, etc.
can also be provided by digital TV.
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What are the differences between High Definition
television (HDTV), standard definition television (SDTV) and conventional
analogue television?
A picture on the TV screen is formed by a large number of small
dots called pixels. The higher the number of pixels, the better
the picture quality will be. The pictures of conventional analogue
TV broadcasting provide a maximum of 720 (horizontal) x 576 (vertical)
pixels. Typically HDTV broadcasts provide a resolution of at least
1024 horizontal pixels and 720 vertical pixels which provides superior
picture quality than analogue TV broadcasts.
HDTV pictures are usually displayed on a wide screen (aspect ratio
16:9, i.e. the ratio of picture width to height) format, instead
of the usual square screen (aspect ratio 4:3) format of conventional
analogue TV pictures.
Together with the ability to support multi-channel sound systems,
HDTV broadcasts enable viewers at home to have an experience comparable
to watching a movie in a cinema.
Standard definition TV (SDTV) broadcasting can be considered the
digital version of the conventional analogue TV broadcasting, both
of which have the same screen format and picture resolution. However,
SDTV pictures are free from "ghosting" and "snowing", which are
commonly found in analogue TV pictures.
SDTV and HDTV are two of the main features supported by digital
TV.
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Is audio quality better on digital TV than on analogue TV?
Yes. Digital television will be transmitted with MPEG digital stereo
sound or multi-channel surround sound, thereby providing markedly
superior audio quality.
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When will Magic TV™ be available to buy?
Magic TV™ MTV3000 is available now at many AV chain stores
and our AV dealers in Hong Kong. See How
to buy for a list and ring first to check stock.
Magic TV™ MTV5000 will be available in June. Check the News
page for further announcements or contact your retailer to register
your interest.
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What kind of television/display do I need to use Magic TV™ ?
While Magic TV™ can output standard definition signals over both
the digital and analogue connections with its on-screen menus still
being legible, it is recommended that an HDTV (1280x720 or more
pixels) is used for primary viewing. For ideal viewing a display
with 1920x1080 pixels and an HDMI connection is desirable.
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What is included in the box?
1. MTV3000 DMB-TH Terrestrial HDTV receiver or MTV5000 HDTV Personal
Video Recorder
2. 100-240VAC auto-ranging power adapter
3. Backlit smart remote control (+ AAA batteries x4)
4. Component video cable
5. Stereo audio cable
6. RF antenna extension cable
7. Quickstart Guide
8. Owner’s Guide
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Can I record the digital TV channels?
MTV3000 doesn't have a recording function; however the analogue
outputs can be configured to send a standard definition signal at
the same time as the output to your display. This enables recording
via a VCR/DVD Recorder/DVR/etc.
Note: The channel recorded will be the same as the channel being
viewed.
The newly announced Magic TV™ MTV5000 model will have built-in
recording features including Live Pause, One-touch recording from
the EPG, Repeat Recording, editing and more. Read
more here.
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What do the Aspect Ratio Correction modes do?
Since the MTV3000 Owner's Guide was published, it has become clear
that the DTT channels will always be broadcast in 16:9 widescreen
format. If the programme is 4:3, then black bars will be included
in the broadcasted image on the sides of the programme.
This has simplified the way in which Aspect Ratio Correction is
used. Please see the following diagrams for further information.
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How many channels can I record and watch simultaneously?
Single Tuner Magic TV™ models allow simultaneous recording of 2 channels and you can watch a 3rd channel, providing that all 3 channels are broadcast on the same UHF frequency (see table below).
Dual Tuner Magic TV™ models reduce the likelihood of conflicts by allowing programmes to be viewed and recorded on 2 different UHF frequencies simultaneously.
Channels on same frequencies as of 20th August 2008 |
| UHF frequency#1 |
CH11, CH16, CH81, CH84 |
| UHF frequency#2 |
CH82, CH83, CH85 |
| UHF frequency#3 |
CH12, CH13, CH14, CH15, CH17, CH19 |
For example, single tuner models can record channel 82 and 83 simultaneously, and then you can also watch channel 85 at the same time.
With MTV5000D (dual tuner) you could record channel 11 and channel 82 simultaneously, and watch any of 16, 81, 84, 83 and 85 at the same time. |
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If Magic TV™ detects an overlap or conflict when making or amending a Scheduled Recording, a message will appear asking you to set the priority for that programme (see Magic TV™ Owner's Guide for more information).
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