TURN ON A NEW TELLY!

Digitalisation is the modern way to process information quickly, economically and conveniently. Telephone networks, for example, have already been digitalised. In a digital TV, the picture and sound quality are better. Frequency bands can be utilised more efficiently, which means that frequencies can also be allocated for local TV channels and specialinterest channels. The new technology TV is suitable not only for viewing programmes but also for utilising personal services. The transition to digital TV is a Europe-wide project.
No rush In Finland, TV will become all-digital on 31 August 2007. The Government has made a Resolution on the matter. It is based on the idea that all Finns must have an opportunity to make the switch in good time and at a reasonable cost.
Nearly all live in the coverage area Transferring to the new system requires the entire TV broadcasting network to be digitalised. The terrestrial network covers approximately 99.9 % of Finlands population. The cable TV networks have been digitalised throughout the country.
Terrestrial or cable Television broadcasts are normally received using a cable or a terrestrial network. When purchasing a digital receiver set, you must know which distribution channel is used in your building, because there are technical differences between the devices intended for terrestrial or cable use. The common antenna systems of many housing companies require reconditioning or upgrading before digital reception is possible. The matter should be taken up in the housing companys Annual Meeting.
A set-top box or a totally new TV set is required Digital TV broadcasts can be received using an ordinary TV fitted with a set-top box, called a digital adaptor or, more colloquially, a digi box. Another way to receive digital broadcasts is to buy a totally new TV set with built-in digital technology. Each old analogue technology TV set will need its own digital adaptor.
Digital adaptors The digital adaptors used for receiving cable and terrestrial broadcasts are different. The digital adaptors intended for cable reception are marked DVB-C (cable). For terrestrial reception, the marking is DVB-T (terrestrial). The basic model of digital adaptors, or DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) receivers, provides good picture and sound reception, but no interactive services or extensive programme guides. Watching pay-per-view programmes and certain cable TV channels requires that the digital adaptor has a slot for a programme card and the Conax decryption system. Some adaptor models currently on sale are programme card enabled, while for others the card slot can be connected afterwards. Even a computer can be equipped for digital TV reception.
Check at home and at the appliances dealer - If you live in the digital TV coverage area - Does your TV set have a connector for a digital adaptor There should be a SCART connector at the back of your TV set. It is an approximately 1 cm-high, wide socket full of small holes. However, there are also digital adaptors available with a built-in channel modulator. With them, the ordinary terrestrial connector found in every TV set is sufficient. - Are you living in a building with cable or terrestrial reception Your Housing Manager will know this, and also, whether the buildings terrestrial system allows digital reception. - Does the digital adaptor have a programme card slot Only digital adaptors with a programme card slot and a Conax decryption system can be used for viewing subscription programmes. Consult the salesperson for appropriate models. - Do you want to have a basic model digital adaptor or an MHP model that enables two-way traffic Only MHP receivers allow the utilisation of the net text TV service (the so-called supertext TV) and the extensive programme guide provided by the set. - How Finnish subtitles work on different channels - How the digital adaptor can be upgraded Advances in video recording Digital TV broadcasts can be recorded using an ordinary VHS recorder. A basic digital adaptor only allows recording of the digital channel that is being watched. There are also digital adaptor models on the market that allow saving the programmes on an internal hard disc. In addition, there are digital adaptors equipped with two tuners. They allow recording of one channel while another is being watched.

Many channels available for viewing The availability of digital TV channels varies with the region and method of reception. Many channels are already available for digital reception: YLE TV1, YLE TV2, MTV3, Nelonen, YLE FST, Nelonen Plus, Subtv, Urheilukanava, YLE24, YLE Teema, The Voice as well as the local Turku TV and Etel-Suomen aluetelevisio channels. There are also channels broadcasting part-time only, a few hours a week. The subscription channels are MTV3+ (partly charged) and CANAL+. There are currently some 50 digital TV channels available through cable TV. New dimensions In addition to watching TV programmes, digital television provides the option of using different services. In addition to the programme guide and super-text TV, there are banking services and games available. Public sector services are to follow. The user can use digital TV for connecting to a service provider (so-called return channel connection). The connection can be established using an ordinary telephone line.
Further information and assistance DigiTV Info answers questions regarding digital television. The telephone number is (09:00 to 21:00 h). The calls are subject to the local network charge. The service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English. E-mail queries should be sent to info@digitv.fi Information on the technological development, channels, equipment and advances in the digital network is available on www.digitv.fi as well as on pages 587-589 of the YLE text TV and on pages 618-619 of the MTV3 and Nelonen text TV. Information on Cable television networks and services available in your area is available from your local cable TV operator. Operator details are available from the Finnish Cable Television Association, www.kaapelitelevisio.fi, tel. (09) 2287 7450. Antenna Info helps in matters related to receiving digital TV broadcasts. The telephone number is 124 (weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 h). You can also order a publication entitled Pientalon antennilaitteet that provides information on terrestrials for low-rise buildings. This guide is also available for free downloading at www.digitv.fi. The Digital TV Information Team of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Ministry of Transport and Communication, Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA), YLE (the Finnish Broadcasting Company), MTV3, Nelonen, Digita, the Finnish Cable Television Association Good-bye analogue TV, welcome digital TV!

Helsinki, March 2006