As of September 30, 2011, the reception possibilities and the image quality of MinDig TV and MinDig TV Extra services will be enhanced further by changing several parameters of the network regarding all three digital terrestrial television multiplexes. As a result of these improvements the reception conditions of the digital terrestrial television offer – including the public television and radio programs - will be extended significantly.
Based on the new transmission contract with MTVA, AH forms a public service multiplex on Multiplex A of the DVB-T network as of September 30, 2011. Duna and Duna 2 programs will move from Multiplex C to Multiplex A, resulting in the programs of Duna Television, Hungarian Television and Hungarian Radio being available on a single multiplex as of October. All the public channels will be received from one frequency; it will not happen anymore that only one or the other public television programs can be watched.
The program of Duna will be available in standard definition, at the same time Duna 2 – replacing the former Duna II Autonómia – will change to high-definition (HD). The change at some cable networks may cause that the program numbers of the two channels will be inverted, namely where Duna could be previously received there will be Duna 2, and where Duna II Autonómia was previously there will be the program of Duna. This may vary per viewer, depending on the given cable operator and on the receiver settings. The programs of the Hungarian Radio have been available on a test basis in the MinDig TV offer so far, now they will be on the digital terrestrial platform on a permanent contractual basis. In order to allow forming the public multiplex, several programs should be moved from Multipex A to Multiplex C: TV2, RTL Klub, euronews, HírTV, ATV, SportKlub, Info Channel and NeoFM.
The new contract enables MTVA to form a statistical multiplexing group on Multiplex A, contributing to the further improvement of image quality, while the released bandwidth can be used to enhance the reception facilities. So as to enhance further the DVB-T reception possibilities, the image quality and the flexibility of the public media services, several parameters of the network regarding all the three DVB-T multiplexes will be changed (in particular the GI – “Guard Interval” will be changed from 1/8 to 1/4). After this change the reception possibilities of MinDig TV and MinDig TV Extra services will improve further. In some places, where previously the reception of the digital terrestrial television programs was possible with a rooftop antenna only, now it may happen that an outdoor antenna, installed near to the window or an indoor antenna will be perfect for a stable reception. The most noticeable improvements are estimated on the Great and Small Plains.
There will be a swap of MUX A & B frequencies in four regions: Budapest, Karancs-Salgótarján, Békéscsaba and Vasvár. In these areas the public channels will be available from Channel 38 (610 MHz), which also allows a better reception. The maximum power of MUX A will be increased to 100 kW (max. ERP) in the Budapest region, so now it’s worth to try the reception in this region, where it hasn’t been possible previously.
The Authority Contract modification enabled Antenna Hungária to use Multiplex B for DVB-T services instead of the DVB-H (mobile TV). On September 28, 2011, the DVB-H transmission will be ceased and a new MinDig TV Extra Family package will be available on Multiplex B.
Schedule of the technical changes
| Sep 28, 2011 | Stop of the DVB-H transmission |
| Sep 29, 2011 |
Launch of the test transmission of the new transmitters carrying the programs of the new Multiplex B. |
| Sep 30, 2011
9:30-12:00 AM |
Full stop of the DVB-T platform, setting the new channel line-up on all of the three multiplexes, swap of frequencies, change of GI |
| Sep 30, 2011
afternoon |
Continuous transmission with the new parameters. Earlier switch-on is possible, depending on the work completed. The receiver settings can be performed only after the switch-on. |
Who is affected by these technical changes?
Primarily those viewers, who watch the public service programs as part of the MinDig TV service or - in some cases - through cable networks. Of these, in any case affect the Duna and Duna 2 viewers all across the country, as well as m1, m2 and commercial channels’ viewers, living in the coverage zones of Budapest, Karancs, Salgótarján, Békéscsaba and Vasvár transmitters. Subject to the type of the television set and the set-top-box, the changes may affect other m1 and m2 viewers living in other transmitter coverage zones. It doesn’t affect the m1 analogue terrestrial reception or the viewers of Duna and Duna 2 by an individual satellite receiver. In case of the latter, there is an ongoing switch to another satellite, which is independent from the current terrestrial transmission changes. The satellite and cable TV subscribers are not affected; the service provider will perform the necessary changes in the settings.
What should be done?
The user’s manual of the set-top box or the TV-set, or the on-screen information should be followed. Due to the wide variety of devices in each case a different process should be done. Very important, that all of the changes can be executed only after the morning shutdown as of September 30. Many devices will perform the retuning automatically, some of the equipments only offer this option and in some cases the automatic retuning should be launched manually. In all cases, where the receiver after the changes doesn’t work properly, it is advised to execute the "Restore factory settings", then "Device tune" steps.
Further info for the viewers:
MTVA Közönségszolgálat
Website: www.mtva.hu/vetel
E-mail: kozonsegszolgalat@mtva.hu
Tel: +36 1 759 5050
Technical help: +36 1 759 5272
MinDig TV service
Website: www.mindigtv.hu
E-mail: info@mindigtv.hu
Free-of-charge Call Center: 06 80 90 99 00
Press contacts:
MTVA
Ágnes Cserháti, Communication
Tel: +36 30 584 3282
E-mail: kommunikacio@mtva.hu
Antenna Hungária
András Tóth, Head of Communication
Tel: +36 1 464-2110
E-mail: totha [kukac] ahrt [pont] hu
SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES:
• Forming a public service multiplex, swap of programs between the multiplexes: Duna and Duna 2 will move from Multiplex C to Multiplexre A, 8 programs available now on Multiplex A move to Multiplex C.
• Duna 2 program will change to HD: Duna program will be available in standard definition; Duna 2 – replacing the former Duna II Autonómia – will change to high-definition (HD).
• More optimal usage of the available capacity: the FlexMux contract allows MTVA a more optimal usage of the available capacity on the Multiplex A by using statistical multiplexing.
• Enhanced DVB-T reception possibilities for all the 3 multiplexes: by changing some technical parameters, outdoor portable and indoor coverage possibilities to receive the DVB-T programs will be enlarged further for all three multiplexes.
• Frequency changes in four regions: swap between Multiplex A and B will take place in Budapest, Karancs-Salgótarján, Békéscsaba and Vasvár regions.
• Maximum power regarding Multiplex A in Budapest: thanks to the frequency changes, the output can be increased to maximum in the capital city.
• Stop of DVB-H transmission, launch of a new Family package: as of October 1, the mobile TV transmission (DVB-H) will be replaced by the new MinDig TV Extra Family package on