ACT and Southern Tablelands: Are you digital ready?

On 5 June 2012 the following areas of Southern and Central NSW and the ACT will switch to digital-only TV;

• Illawarra and the South Coast
  Wollongong, Ulladulla and Eden
• Central Tablelands & Central Western Slopes
  Dubbo, Orange and Mudgee
• Griffith / Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
  Griffith and Hay
• South West Slopes & Eastern Riverina
  Wagga Wagga and Gundagai
• ACT & Southern Tablelands
  Canberra, Thredbo and Cooma

"More
than 83 per cent of households in Southern New South Wales have already
converted at least their main TV set to digital, according to the
latest Digital Tracker survey," Senator Conroy said.

"Those
remaining households in Southern and Central NSW and the ACT yet to make
the switch to digital should now make preparations to move to digital
before 5 June 2012."

“For most households, conversion will be
relatively straightforward. Most analog TVs will be able to receive
digital TV if connected to a set-top box or digital TV recorder.”

“Digital
TV provides DVD-quality pictures and CD quality sound. Digital also
provides more choice with 16 TV channels from the ABC, SBS and
commercial broadcasters now available – including digital-only channels
ABC2, ABC3, ABC NEWS24, SBSTWO, SBSHD, ONE, Eleven, Go!, Gem, 7Two and
7mate.”

“The digital switchover means that people in regional
areas will finally have the same number of channels as are available in
city centres,” said Senator Conroy.

Senator Conroy said households
in Southern and Central NSW and the ACT that do not have adequate
reception on all channels in their area six months before the switchover
– 5 December 2011 - will be able to access the government-funded VAST
satellite service to receive the full suite of 16 digital TV channels
and a dedicated regional news channel.

“The establishment of the
Viewer Access Satellite Television service aims to ensure that anyone in
Australia who cannot receive the full suite of channels, has access to a
reliable and professionally operated free-to-air service now and into
the future,” Senator Conroy explained.

There are a number of
resources available to residents to assist them with making the switch
to digital TV. The Digital Ready website, www.digitalready.gov.au provides a range of information materials, instructional videos and mySwitch.

Residents can also call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.

As
switch over approaches Digital Switchover Liaison Officers will be on
the ground helping communities get ready. The Australian Government also
recognises some people may find it difficult to make the switch to
digital TV and will be opening up the Household Assistance Scheme and
Satellite Subsidy Scheme to eligible households. Households will be sent
a letter if they are eligible for either of these schemes closer to the
switch

Date: 17 October 2011
Contact: Lyall Johnson: 0408 258 457

The mySwitch tool on the Digital Ready website, www.digitalready.gov.au, enables householders to find information about how to access digital TV services.

By
entering their street address, householders can get advice about
digital TV services available in their area, including information about
their local transmitter and how to get the best digital TV reception at
their address.