Urgent action needed on Cooloola Coast digital television problems
1st August, 2011
The digital television switchover at Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove has been a source of disappointment, frustration and anger for many people who have lost access to television channels, Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today.“Many people have contacted my office to complain that they are having problems with their television reception. Some channels do not work at all, others pixilate or freeze, while others have problems synchronizing the sound and pictures,” Mr Truss said.
“These problems were not supposed to occur. Everyone was given an assurance by Regional Broadcast Australia that there would be a seamless transition from analog to digital, as any problems were supposed to have been identified and rectified before the switchover could proceed.
“For many people on the Cooloola Coast the experience of digital television has so far been a disaster.”
Mr Truss has been advised that the problems may arise from a range of factors, following the implementation of a Single Frequency Network to broadcast digital signals across the Cooloola Coast area.
“The three new digital transmitters at Cooloola Cove, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach all broadcast on the same frequency. This may cause some interference as certain brands and models of digital televisions and set top boxes have difficulty in processing multiple signals on the same frequency.
“This may explain why a household can receive all channels on a television in one room, but then has difficulties with a different television in another room.
“The Government is now suggesting that people who are experiencing problems borrow a working set top box from a neighbour or friend, take it into their home, and try tuning it in to see whether it works.
“I am concerned that this is not a satisfactory response to the problem, as many people have gone and bought new televisions and set top boxes, which worked fine in the first week following the switchover, but subsequently developed problems. Many people will find it inconvenient and intrusive to borrow equipment and tune it in.
“The Government has said this is necessary to determine whether the fault lies in the type of set top box or digital television, or the antenna. If the neighbour’s set top box works, then the Government says the equipment is at fault, however if it does not work then the antenna may need to be re-pointed or replaced.
“The use of boosters has also been identified as causing problems and it has been suggested that these be removed or disconnected.
“It is still possible that even after going through this whole exercise, of checking digital televisions, set top boxes and antennas, that the problem will still remain,” Mr Truss said.
“The Single Frequency Network has been used successfully in other parts of Australia, but no one can yet seem to explain why it is causing problems on the Cooloola Coast.
“People have bought expensive new televisions and set top boxes in anticipation of the new channels that digital television was supposed to deliver, but instead people have lost channels and the quality of those they can view is unreliable.
“To now be told that the digital television or set top box they purchased is not suitable for the area and will have to be replaced is not satisfactory,” Mr Truss said.
“Urgent work needs to be done now to find a solution to ensure that the promise of full digital coverage and a smooth transition from anlaog to digital is delivered.
“The public did not ask for the digital switchover, so the Government has to ensure the problems are fixed.”
Mr Truss said that his office is collecting details of people’s complaints to demonstrate the size of the problem.
“We have been in frequent contact with the Minister’s office and the Digital Taskforce to let them know about the problems that people are having.
“Action needs to be taken now and the more people who register their complaints will demonstrate the size of the problem. People can contact my office by telephoning 1300 301 968 or through the website www.warrentruss.com”
People can also leave their details at Bi Rite Electrical at Tin Can Bay, and these will be forwarded to Mr Truss.
The problems being experienced on the Cooloola Coast are directly related to the hot swap and type of transmission used in the area and would not be expected to occur in other areas when analog broadcasts are closed on the 6th December.
