TVNZ Transferring its test Channels to D1

TVNZ has Transferred its DTH Free-To-Air Test Channels to D1 Satellite
TVNZ has transferred its test signals from the old, ailing, Optus B1 satellite to the new Optus D1 satellite. The move was completed at 1300hrs Friday 2nd February.  The test channels are now on D1 but in order to receive the channels all Set Top Boxes will have to be re-programmed.

These notes are to assist those who have to make this change.

There are three sections:

1. TVNZ's Warning
2. General Guide For  Re-programming Set-Top Boxes
3. Frequently Asked Questions

1.  TVNZ's Warning

TVNZ has noticed that some advice on the internet have proposed solutions for the migration to Optus D1 "H-POL" by simply rotating the LNB through 90 degrees. The Industry should understand that this will NOT be a satisfactory solution for any viewers because the associated Service Information will be changing to show 12.483 GHz HORIZONTAL, and also changed from Sky Television to Freeview Limited. Each Set Top Box - sometimes called the decoder - must be re-set, changing the polarisation setting to Horizontal and then re-scanned. See the General Guide that follows.

2.  General Guide for the change to Horizontal Polarization or H-POL

Introduction

There are many different Set Top Boxes. It's impossible to give instructions for each and every make and model. The following is a general guide designed to help re-programme (or re-scan) the Set Top Box using the Remote Control, so that the test bouquet of channels can continue to be viewed now that the changes have been made.

If you are uncertain about the process or have problems, get help from the company which sold or installed the equipment. TVNZ provides this Guide in good faith but accepts no liability arising from it.

The General Guide

Generic Free-To-Air (FTA) Set Top Boxes, sometimes called satellite decoders, provide the flexibility for the viewer to select any channel from any satellite that can be seen in the viewer's part of the world.

If you already view TVNZ or Maori TV channels in New Zealand without a Sky decoder, but using a satellite dish, you will be using one of these set-top-boxes.
It is this Set Top Box that must now be adjusted and although it has many setup parameters, only one of these needs to be changed - the polarization.

All existing set-top-boxes BEFORE the changes were tuned to:

"Optus B1
"Frequency 12.483
"Polarisation VERTICAL or V
"Symbol Rate 22500
"FEC 3/4 or AUTO

In order for them to continue to receive the same services NOW, they will need to be re-tuned to;

"Optus D1 (but you will not need to change the words from Optus B1 - it will not make a difference to the STB if you leave Optus B1 showing)

"Frequency 12.483
"Polarisation HORIZONTAL or H
"Symbol Rate 22500
"FEC 3/4 or AUTO

To Make the Change

To make this change in generic Free To Air set-top-boxes you will need to do the following:

1. Find the MENU button on your Remote Control Unit (the Remote Control) and Press it.

2. This will bring up another menu list.

3. Find the INSTALLATION menu option and move the cursor there using the arrow keys of your Remote Control

4. Press the OK or ENTER key of your Remote Control

5. Look for a new menu option which says one of the following;
a. MANUAL SCAN, or
b. SINGLE TRANSPONDER SCAN, or
c. CHANNELS SEARCH

6. If one of these exists move the cursor to that option using the arrow keys of your Remote Control

(Note: if none of these options exists then try all menu options looking for the word Horizontal or the letter "H" - be careful whilst doing this that you do not change any of the set parameters)

7. Press OK or ENTER

8. Find the menu option which shows "VERTICAL"

9. Using the LEFT / RIGHT arrow keys of your Remote Control change the word VERTICAL to HORIZONTAL

10. Look for a button option which says SCAN, or SINGLE Transponder SCAN and press it.

11. At this point the set-top-box will burst into life and start scanning for the newly specified transponder. If it works correctly it will automatically finish the task and commence showing a television channel. The viewer will then be able to view all channels in the test bouquet.

All Free To Air set-top-boxes have a menu structure which is similar to this, and the only parameter that needs to be changed is the polarization setting - change it to HORIZONTAL or H.

Once changed the set-top-must be set to SCAN, because the set-top-box will also change from using Sky service information to using Freeview service information. This is very important - IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO JUST CHANGE "V" to "H", the set-top-box SCAN must also be activated.

If you are uncertain about this process or have problems, TVNZ strongly urges you to get help from the company which sold or installed the equipment.

3. Frequently Asked Questions - the move from Optus B1 satellite to Optus D1  and its effects. 

Q. Who is affected by the changes?
A. Only those who receive the test channels through a set top box from the free-to-air satellite platform which TVNZ set up to test digital processes and equipment. Analogue viewers and SKYTV subscribers are NOT affected.

Q. How many people are viewing the test channels and thus affected by the change?
A. Nobody knows, but conservative estimates indicate 25,000 set top boxes have been purchased capable of receiving the test transmissions. They enable viewers to overcome analogue reception problems, typically caused by hills or buildings blocking traditional terrestrial transmissions.

Q. Why was it essential to transfer the channels from Satellite B1 to Satellite D1?
A. B1 had reached the end of its useful life; it was unstable in space and could have moved at any time from its allocated slot, leaving viewers without reception.

Q. Why was the transfer timed for late January/early February?
A. Given the unreliable state of satellite B1 the transfer was overdue and it was essential that TVNZ moved off it before it failed completely, with immediate loss of all transmissions. A date was set so that prior warning could be provided to all interested parties: first advices went out before Christmas.

Q. Will the bouquet, now transferred to D1, be found on just the one frequency?
A. Yes, on 12.483 GHz. There will temporarily be a second signal on D1 on frequency 12.456 GHz, also "horizontal", but this will disappear one week after the transfer.

Q. Will all the present test channels migrate to Freeview when it launches in April?
A. No, not necessarily. TVNZ has said all along that while the test channels Deutsche Welle, Bloomberg and CCTV9 played a part in testing and proving digital equipment and processes, they may not be part of Freeview when it's launched. It will be up to those participating broadcasters comprising the Freeview group to choose the content for the permanent services.

Q. Why will set top boxes need to be retuned now that the changes have been made?
A. Set top boxes have "a memory" depending on the parameters pre-set in the set top box's profiles. The remote will need to be used to change these profiles, altering the "memory" to the new polarisation changing it from "vertical" or "V" to "horizontal" or "H". While this is actually the only parameter requiring change, all set top boxes will need to be changed and re-scanned.

Q. What will I do if I try to retune my set top box and can't?
A. Seek help from your TV installer or the TV company or agent that sold you the equipment. TVNZ has advised the industry about this change, so your local company will know about it and the steps to take to retune your set top box.

Q. Why doesn't TVNZ issue instructions showing viewers how to retune their set top box?
A. There are so many different makes and models of set top boxes being used (and TVNZ does not know the full range), it is impossible to write directions, or provide illustrations, for each and every type of set top box. A general guide is included on this web page. But it's essential for viewers who need help to contact the company who provided and/or installed it.

Q. Will the dish (antenna) need to be re-positioned to suit the new satellite and will there need to be any changes to the LNB?
A. No, neither will need adjustment.

Q. Will this change affect TVOne and TV2 on SKY-TV, or the traditional analogue TV?
A. No. This change affects only those viewers receiving TVNZ's free-to-air test channels from the satellite through a set top box.

Q. Where can I get further information about the changeover from B1 to D1, free-to-air television, or the test channels?
A. Email correspondence to digital@tvnz.co.nz, or phone (09) 916 7000, TVNZ Public Affairs, or write to TVNZ Digital Group, P O Box 3819, Auckland.