Digital TV Technical Discussion

Is there any reason why regional TV channel numbers can’t be the same as the caps: 9 on 9, 7 on 7 etc.

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Isn’t it because of signal interference?

I know of at least one lower end TV that doesn’t automatically add new channel numbers in existing multiplexes. It doesn’t even notify you of new channel numbers detected. The only way to add a new channel number is to manually rescan the multiplex in question or do a full rescan.

The TV is circa 2012 or 2013, so it has MPEG4.

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Yeah I agree and way easier to implement

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No, except in overlap areas like the Gold Coast where both metro and regional channels are broadcast.

No, they use different VHF/UHF frequencies in locations where they are adjacent.

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When a regional station’s transmission overlaps with a metro station, and they both use the same LCNs, one of them is assigned new LCNs in the 350-399 range. Making all regionals use 5, 6 and 8 instead of 7, 9 and 10 prevents this from happening and allows both stations to keep their spots no matter where the viewer is.

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In regional Queensland, the 7 network channels use LCN 7 and 7x, except in the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba where they use 6 and 6x, due to being near Brisbane and people often receiving both capital city and regional channels. WIN and Southern Cross 10 use 8 and 5 throughout regional Queensland.

The Gold Coast uses 6 and 6x for a different reason - it’s part of the northern NSW aggregated market and Prime7 uses 6 and 6x throughout.

I think it has more to do with the regional networks being different from the capital city networks, at least that’s what I read on this forum. Channel 7 owned the regional stations in the Queensland aggregated market for much longer, so used 7, while WIN and Southern Cross Ten use 8 and 5. In other parts of regional Australia, Channel 7 was carried by Prime7 or GWN7 or another station and they used 6.

Another part of Australia that uses 7, 9 and 1 is remote central and Eastern Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Mt isa etc.

Prime7 and GWN7 were bought by 7 Wet Media.

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For those interested

The way the allocations have been made it allows for LCNs that aren’t used today (but have been in the past) such as 100, 111 and 777 etc

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Good find.
Why don’t networks use these larger numbers? Any reason other than they only have so many channels so they don’t need them?

I think they have learnt over time which channels work best with how people’s remotes and tuners work. Most tuners will default to a numeric list of channels so higher numbers don’t work as well. Previously tuners would group the channels by multiplex. So TEN Guide was on LCN 100.

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And lower numbers are easier to promote and for viewers to remember.

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The SD simulcast should be dropped with all channels broadcasting in HD, MPEG-4 and on DVB-T2 by January 1, 2025

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What’s stopping that from happening (other than older people with older tech)?

What was on 111?

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Because it’s a change in end-user technology for most people

Sorry by that I meant changing to HD MPEG4.

I see. MPEG-4 HD requires about 4 times the bandwidth of MPEG-4 SD, so that would be a fair argument as to why the networks aren’t going all-HD.

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Averaging around 4mbps, you could still get the following on a mux in MPEG-4 HD with room to spare.

9
9Go!
9Gem
9Life
9Rush

7
7Two
7mate
7flix
7Bravo

10
10 Peach
10 Bold
Nickelodeon
One each of Gecko or TVSN

ABC
ABC Comedy/Kids
ABC Me
ABC News
Leaving an extra ~6mbps for radio services

SBS
SBS Viceland
SBS World Movies
One each of SBS Food or NITV or WorldWatch
Leaving an extra ~6mbps for other MPEG-4 SD channels and radio services

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The ABC and SBS use three digit channel numbers for radio stations.

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We have the white slimline indoor aerial from Jaycar for 49.95.Surprisingly works well, hooked up to IQ5 and is just left basically on the floor behind the TV and out of sight. Absolutely floored that it gets signal there (80% strength basically uniform across networks). Exactly 25km from tower.

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