Analogue
Not
Digital
ANALOGUE
TELEVISION SOON TO CEASE
B.A.N.D. fights to preserve the quality of analogue television
B.A.N.D. (Beautiful Analogue Not Digital) has been set up to encourage the maintaining of the quality of analogue broadcasts.
As you are no doubt aware, analogue television broadcasts will cease to be transmitted by the TV stations in two/three years time. Only digital television signals will be transmitted after the turn off date. It will thus be necessary for everybody to either:
REDUCTION IN QUALITY OF THE ANALOGUE TV PICTURES
Many programs (like the Channel Two News or Landline) are produced digitally and transmitted digitally. However, for those of us with analogue receivers, the digital signal is converted to analogue and transmitted as an analogue picture.
You may have noticed a deterioration in the quality of the analogue TV picture for these programs in recent times. Whereas before live broadcasts, such as the Channel Two News, were crisp and clear; the images now being transmitted for analogue receivers have become less well defined and not as clear as was previously received. They are annoyingly blurry.
Have a look at the poor quality analogue picture on the Midday Report (Channel 2 Noon). Live programs (or videotapes of live programs) in the PAL system used to have a depth that was almost 3D. Now the images (as seen during the news broadcasts) are flat and lack that feeling of depth. There is also a loss of colour, with features such as the human skin having a washed out appearance.
THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE
In England in 1964, when the superior 625 line system was introduced, the 405 line transmissions were continued for some years to service the many owners of those sets. 405 line signals only ceased being transmitted in 1985. However in the final years, the 405 line signal was actually a 625 line picture CONVERTED into 405 line. It was not a ‘native’ signal and never had the quality of the original 405 line transmissions.
Television set
c1950 with set-top-box.
Also (as is now happening with digital) in England in the 1960s there were ‘set top boxes’ that could be purchased to convert the 625 line transmissions into the 405 line system for the older sets (as shown above).
THE DIGITAL WATCH
In the 1960/70s digital watches from Japan captured the market and decimated the Swiss watch industry. However, with skilful marketing (such as for the Swatch and the Rock Watch) the analogue watch made a comeback. Today over 95% of watches and clock are ANALOGUE.
THE MOBILE PHONE EXPERIENCE
You may also recall that the first mobile phone system used in Australia was an analogue system. At short notice this was changed to digital, making every mobile phone user buy a new phone. It also meant that many isolated areas suddenly were without mobile phone coverage, because the digital phone coverage was not as great as the analogue phone coverage.
The powers-that-be got away with this change with few complaints because there were relatively few mobile phones in use at that time. It is different with television, with most households today having more than one analogue set.
DIGITAL RADIO
Discussions at the highest levels are now pushing for the introduction of digital radio broadcasting to replace the current analogue radio broadcasts (both AM and FM). Proponents of the change admit that it is not a question of quality. It is doubtful that the new digital radio transmissions will be better than current FM broadcasts.
However what appears to be the case is that broadcast licence holders will be able to sub-divide their bandwidth, and thus be able to transmit several programs simultaneously rather than just having one station. That is, it is a marketing manoeuvre.
Commercial radio leaders were in Canberra for digital talks on 15 March 2005. Ceasing analogue radio transmission will have a BIG effect. How many analogue radios does the average household have? When you consider the radios in cars, radios in portable cassette and CD players, radios in HiFi systems and stand alone radios, the average at least ten.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
B.A.N.D. (Beautiful Analogue Not Digital) has been set up to encourage the maintaining of the quality of analogue broadcasts during the changeover to digital. You can assist B.A.N.D by writing letters to some of the organisation that are controlling and manipulating OUR audio-visual future. You could photocopy the enclosed B.A.N.D. letter-head page and send letters off to several persons. Pull that digit out. If we B.A.N.D. together we can make a difference. Here are some addresses:
B.A.N.D. Master: Richard Rennie
10 Curtis Place Melville 6156
B.A.N.D. web site:
http://www.lightandsound.net.au/band.html
The following is part of a Media Release (17 March 2005) from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (Chair – Jackie Kelly MP)
DIGITAL TELEVISION – WHO’S BUYING IT?
Although the scheduled rollout of digital television in Australia has passed the half way mark, there is a low uptake of the technology amongst consumers. This is the issue being considered in a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
The rollout of digital television in Australia began in the major metropolitan areas in 2001. Digital television services are being progressively rolled out in regional areas. The end of analogue television transmission is scheduled for 2008. The Australian public has not bought into the technology, and it is anticipated that digital television will be taken up by less than 50 per cent of Australian households by 2008. The Committee Chair, the Hon Jackie Kelly MP, said “Digital television can deliver high quality transmission and a greater range of programming to Australian viewers. But currently, Australians are either unaware of the technology, or reluctant to purchase digital televisions or set top boxes”.
“With the end of analogue transmission scheduled for 2008, the Committee is keen to ensure digital broadcasting will be available to everyone, and the Australian public is ready for the switch-off of existing analogue services” Mrs Kelly added.
MAKE A SUBMISSION
Send a submission to the Inquiry Into the Uptake of Digital TV being carried out by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Inquiry Into the Uptake of Digital TV
Source: Australian Parliament House (17 March 2005) http://www.widescreentv.info/
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts is conducting an inquiry into the uptake of digital television in Australia. The Committee agreed on 16 March 2005 to conduct an inquiry referred by Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, the Australian Government Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The inquiry aims to report on options for encouraging consumer interest in digital television. The inquiry will also report on the rollout process and technological issues relevant to the uptake of digital television.
The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by 6 May 2005. In order to facilitate electronic publishing of submissions, the committee would prefer them to be emailed to cita.reps@aph.gov.au or sent on disk to
the Secretariat, The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Parliament House, Canberra.
You can assist B.A.N.D by writing letters to some of the organisation that are controlling and manipulating OUR audio-visual future.
Relevant Links
The Australian Consumers Assoiation (Choice) thoughts (2003)
Digital Broadcasting Australia
B.A.N.D. fights to preserve the quality of analogue television
B.A.N.D. (Beautiful Analogue Not Digital) has been set up to encourage the maintaining of the quality of analogue broadcasts.
As you are no doubt aware, analogue television broadcasts will cease to be transmitted by the TV stations in two/three years time. Only digital television signals will be transmitted after the turn off date. It will thus be necessary for everybody to either:
- buy a digital television set, or
- buy a ‘set top box’ that will pick up the digital programs and convert them into an analogue signal for your set.
REDUCTION IN QUALITY OF THE ANALOGUE TV PICTURES
Many programs (like the Channel Two News or Landline) are produced digitally and transmitted digitally. However, for those of us with analogue receivers, the digital signal is converted to analogue and transmitted as an analogue picture.
You may have noticed a deterioration in the quality of the analogue TV picture for these programs in recent times. Whereas before live broadcasts, such as the Channel Two News, were crisp and clear; the images now being transmitted for analogue receivers have become less well defined and not as clear as was previously received. They are annoyingly blurry.
Have a look at the poor quality analogue picture on the Midday Report (Channel 2 Noon). Live programs (or videotapes of live programs) in the PAL system used to have a depth that was almost 3D. Now the images (as seen during the news broadcasts) are flat and lack that feeling of depth. There is also a loss of colour, with features such as the human skin having a washed out appearance.
THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE
In England in 1964, when the superior 625 line system was introduced, the 405 line transmissions were continued for some years to service the many owners of those sets. 405 line signals only ceased being transmitted in 1985. However in the final years, the 405 line signal was actually a 625 line picture CONVERTED into 405 line. It was not a ‘native’ signal and never had the quality of the original 405 line transmissions.
Television set
c1950 with set-top-box.Also (as is now happening with digital) in England in the 1960s there were ‘set top boxes’ that could be purchased to convert the 625 line transmissions into the 405 line system for the older sets (as shown above).
THE DIGITAL WATCH
In the 1960/70s digital watches from Japan captured the market and decimated the Swiss watch industry. However, with skilful marketing (such as for the Swatch and the Rock Watch) the analogue watch made a comeback. Today over 95% of watches and clock are ANALOGUE.
THE MOBILE PHONE EXPERIENCE
You may also recall that the first mobile phone system used in Australia was an analogue system. At short notice this was changed to digital, making every mobile phone user buy a new phone. It also meant that many isolated areas suddenly were without mobile phone coverage, because the digital phone coverage was not as great as the analogue phone coverage.
The powers-that-be got away with this change with few complaints because there were relatively few mobile phones in use at that time. It is different with television, with most households today having more than one analogue set.
DIGITAL RADIO
Discussions at the highest levels are now pushing for the introduction of digital radio broadcasting to replace the current analogue radio broadcasts (both AM and FM). Proponents of the change admit that it is not a question of quality. It is doubtful that the new digital radio transmissions will be better than current FM broadcasts.
However what appears to be the case is that broadcast licence holders will be able to sub-divide their bandwidth, and thus be able to transmit several programs simultaneously rather than just having one station. That is, it is a marketing manoeuvre.
Commercial radio leaders were in Canberra for digital talks on 15 March 2005. Ceasing analogue radio transmission will have a BIG effect. How many analogue radios does the average household have? When you consider the radios in cars, radios in portable cassette and CD players, radios in HiFi systems and stand alone radios, the average at least ten.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
B.A.N.D. (Beautiful Analogue Not Digital) has been set up to encourage the maintaining of the quality of analogue broadcasts during the changeover to digital. You can assist B.A.N.D by writing letters to some of the organisation that are controlling and manipulating OUR audio-visual future. You could photocopy the enclosed B.A.N.D. letter-head page and send letters off to several persons. Pull that digit out. If we B.A.N.D. together we can make a difference. Here are some addresses:
Australian Broadcasting
Corporation Television:
ABC Ultimo Centre
700 Harris Street
Ultimo 2007;
Network TV Fax (02) 8333 3055
Director: Sandra Levy
Digital Broadcasting Australia
DBA Postal Address:
PO Box 1622, Rozelle NSW 2039 Australia
ABC Ultimo Centre
700 Harris Street
Ultimo 2007;
Network TV Fax (02) 8333 3055
Director: Sandra Levy
Digital Broadcasting Australia
DBA Postal Address:
PO Box 1622, Rozelle NSW 2039 Australia
B.A.N.D. Master: Richard Rennie
10 Curtis Place Melville 6156
B.A.N.D. web site:
http://www.lightandsound.net.au/band.html
The following is part of a Media Release (17 March 2005) from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (Chair – Jackie Kelly MP)
DIGITAL TELEVISION – WHO’S BUYING IT?
Although the scheduled rollout of digital television in Australia has passed the half way mark, there is a low uptake of the technology amongst consumers. This is the issue being considered in a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
The rollout of digital television in Australia began in the major metropolitan areas in 2001. Digital television services are being progressively rolled out in regional areas. The end of analogue television transmission is scheduled for 2008. The Australian public has not bought into the technology, and it is anticipated that digital television will be taken up by less than 50 per cent of Australian households by 2008. The Committee Chair, the Hon Jackie Kelly MP, said “Digital television can deliver high quality transmission and a greater range of programming to Australian viewers. But currently, Australians are either unaware of the technology, or reluctant to purchase digital televisions or set top boxes”.
“With the end of analogue transmission scheduled for 2008, the Committee is keen to ensure digital broadcasting will be available to everyone, and the Australian public is ready for the switch-off of existing analogue services” Mrs Kelly added.
MAKE A SUBMISSION
Send a submission to the Inquiry Into the Uptake of Digital TV being carried out by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Inquiry Into the Uptake of Digital TV
Source: Australian Parliament House (17 March 2005) http://www.widescreentv.info/
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts is conducting an inquiry into the uptake of digital television in Australia. The Committee agreed on 16 March 2005 to conduct an inquiry referred by Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, the Australian Government Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The inquiry aims to report on options for encouraging consumer interest in digital television. The inquiry will also report on the rollout process and technological issues relevant to the uptake of digital television.
The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by 6 May 2005. In order to facilitate electronic publishing of submissions, the committee would prefer them to be emailed to cita.reps@aph.gov.au or sent on disk to
the Secretariat, The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Parliament House, Canberra.
You can assist B.A.N.D by writing letters to some of the organisation that are controlling and manipulating OUR audio-visual future.
Relevant Links
The Australian Consumers Assoiation (Choice) thoughts (2003)
Digital Broadcasting Australia
Members of Digital
Broadcasting Australia
Commentary of the change from analogue to digital (1997)
Ambit Claims 1998 - Article by Stewart Fist
A.B.A. trials of digital radio in Sydney and Melbourne (March 31 2005)
Commercial Radio Leaders in Canberra for digital talks (15-Mar-05)
Comments by others on the poor quality of Channel 2 analogue pictures.
Digital Radio Australia gathering (March 21 2005)
Panasonic's view (July 2004)
You are visitor number
Counter courtesy of
Visit
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SAMPLE LETTER
To:
From:
Re: Analogue broadcasting of the ABC programs
I wish to draw your attention to the marked degradation of the analogue picture being transmitted by Channel Two in recent years, since the means of production was changed to wide screen digital.
Whereas before live broadcasts such as the News were crisp and clear; the images now being transmitted for analogue receivers have become less well defined and not as clear as was previously received. They are annoyingly blurry.
The Midday Report (News) and Landline show similar degradation.
Live programs (or videotapes of live programs) in the PAL system used to have a depth that was almost 3D. Now the images (as seen during the news broadcasts) are flat and lack that feeling of depth.
There is also a loss of colour, with features such as the human skin having a washed out appearance.
This lowering of the analogue broadcast standards is unacceptable, and needs to be addressed immediately.
Yours faithfully
Commentary of the change from analogue to digital (1997)
Ambit Claims 1998 - Article by Stewart Fist
A.B.A. trials of digital radio in Sydney and Melbourne (March 31 2005)
Commercial Radio Leaders in Canberra for digital talks (15-Mar-05)
Comments by others on the poor quality of Channel 2 analogue pictures.
Digital Radio Australia gathering (March 21 2005)
Panasonic's view (July 2004)
You are visitor number
Counter courtesy of
Visit
them at http://www.digits.com/SAMPLE LETTER
To:
From:
Re: Analogue broadcasting of the ABC programs
I wish to draw your attention to the marked degradation of the analogue picture being transmitted by Channel Two in recent years, since the means of production was changed to wide screen digital.
Whereas before live broadcasts such as the News were crisp and clear; the images now being transmitted for analogue receivers have become less well defined and not as clear as was previously received. They are annoyingly blurry.
The Midday Report (News) and Landline show similar degradation.
Live programs (or videotapes of live programs) in the PAL system used to have a depth that was almost 3D. Now the images (as seen during the news broadcasts) are flat and lack that feeling of depth.
There is also a loss of colour, with features such as the human skin having a washed out appearance.
This lowering of the analogue broadcast standards is unacceptable, and needs to be addressed immediately.
Yours faithfully