| Planning for digital television began around 1993. Now | | | | (August 2001) via digital television were ABC Kids |
| that it is finally here, available to the masses, and | | | | Channel, and Fly TV, also an ABC channel. |
| providing significant additional TV content, it is worth | | | | Unfortunately most consumers didn't own set top |
| investigating exactly what it offers. A good Digital | | | | boxes and couldn't watch this programming at that |
| Antenna Installation and the right TV equipment will | | | | time. Fortunately things have changed dramatically in |
| ensure the viewer can take full advantage. | | | | subsequent years. |
| Picture and Sound Quality | | | | Initially, the commercial networks, particularly Seven and |
| Digital television transmission uses the latest digital | | | | Nine had very similar (if not identical) content to their |
| techniques, meaning picture and sound quality should | | | | main channel on their additional Standard Definition (SD) |
| improve from that under the analog system. If you | | | | and |
| have invested in a new High Definition (HD) capable | | | | High Definition (HD) channels. |
| television, then you will notice the remarkable | | | | This has now changed with all major metropolitan |
| difference in picture quality on high definition channels. | | | | networks showing vastly different content on their |
| CD quality digital stereo sound is also possible with the | | | | new channels. The ABC has launched ABC2, with |
| right TV and speaker equipment. | | | | some new content, ABC3, a kid's channel, and now |
| Video Program Guides | | | | ABC News 24, a 24 hour news channel. |
| One can now forget about having to pick up a TV | | | | Channel 10 has launched "One", a 24 hour sports |
| guide each week. Much information is now available | | | | channel, however the content provided on One Digital, |
| on-screen about current and upcoming television | | | | and One HD is pretty much the same. |
| shows. | | | | 7Two is Channel 7′s new digital channel. Another |
| No Need for A Set Top Box | | | | channel is also soon to be launched, 7Mate, which is |
| Specific equipment is required in order to allow the | | | | being targeted at 16-49 year old males. |
| would be digital TV viewer to appreciate this new | | | | Channel 9′s response to 7Mate is in the wings. In |
| experience. Traditionally this role was played out by | | | | the meantime, its second channel, Go! continues to |
| the trusty set top box. While some people may elect | | | | serve up plenty of old time TV favourites. |
| to purchase a set top box separately, many new | | | | SBS has expanded the viewing product it has |
| digital televisions and/or DVD recorders have this | | | | available, by offering a second globally focused |
| technology built in, making the set top box redundant | | | | channel, SBS2. |
| (not to mention the need for one less remote control | | | | Viewers with subscription TV services are already |
| and a few less cords). | | | | accustomed to having a range of viewing options at |
| New Channels | | | | their fingertips. Digital TV has brought a range of |
| With the planned transition to digital television, existing | | | | additional viewing options to the general free-to-air |
| stations were allocated additional spectrum by the | | | | viewing public.Antenna Installation Perth will make sure |
| Australian government, to launch new channels. | | | | that citizens in that city fully benefit from all the new |
| Two of the first channels to be made available | | | | TV content now on offer. |