In Poland, the standard of digital terrestrial television is being changed to DVB-T2 / HEVC. – The changes concern 1/3 of households using only digital terrestrial television. They consist in the fact that digital terrestrial television channels can be broadcast in a new, better quality – said Maciej Staszak, media expert, vice president of Emitel SA in the TVN24 program “Powstajesz i Weekend”
–
Digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) was launched in Poland in 2013. It was then that digital terrestrial broadcasting began. Now DVB-T will be replaced by DVB-T2 / HEVC, which is the second generation digital terrestrial television. HEVC is a standard that enables better quality television reception.
–
The new standard of broadcasting includes multiplexes of free digital terrestrial television (MUX). Multiplexes are packages of TV programs and additional TV services that include TV programs such as TVN, TVN7 or TTV.
–
DVB-T2 / HEVC – who are the changes?
– The changes concern 1/3 of households using only digital terrestrial television. They rely on the fact that digital terrestrial television channels can be broadcast in a new, better quality, High Definition quality. New possibilities are opening up, there may be more of these channels – said Staszak.
–
It may turn out that in order to receive channels in the new standard, it will be necessary to replace either the set-top box for digital terrestrial television or the TV set. – When buying a new device, check whether these two mysterious words appear, i.e. DVB-T2 and HEVC – emphasized the expert.
–
He noted, however, that for several years in stores in Poland there have been devices that are already sold in the new technology and therefore these changes do not apply to everyone. – They apply to those who have very old receivers. You can refer to the instruction manual, if any, and check whether the device is ready for this standard. And if there are no instructions, many equipment manufacturers have introduced a place in their search engines where you can enter your TV model and check if the device is ready for changes – explained the TVN24 guest.
–
He recalled that a regulation has been in force in Poland for two years, which prevents the sale of digital terrestrial television equipment that does not comply with the standard that appears this year. But – as he pointed out – you can imagine that dishonest sellers have appeared on the market, introducing devices that do not comply with the standard. – We have heard cases where devices ready for DVB-T2 were sold, but not ready for HEVC – he said.
–
Co-financing for the purchase of a TV or set-top box
A person who has a TV set that is not prepared for the new standard should get a new set-top box or replace the TV set. – The government has proposed the possibility of co-financing this type of project. There was a PLN 100 voucher for the purchase of a set-top box to receive digital terrestrial television or an additional payment of PLN 250 for the purchase of a TV set – he explained.
–
As he said, the prices of set-top boxes range from PLN 80 to PLN 200. – Such a basic decoder enabling the use of digital terrestrial television should cover this voucher in the amount of PLN 100 – he added.
–
The co-financing program is to be implemented by the end of 2022.
–
The application service was launched on March 21 this year. You can submit an application for funding in person or through a representative via: online form on the gov.pl platform or the Polish Post in traditional paper form.
–
After submitting the application, a code is awarded, which the person concerned will receive to the e-mail address provided in the form or in the form of a printout provided by an employee of Poczta Polska.
–
The received code with the granted benefit will be available for redemption in online and stationary stores that have joined the program. According to information as of March 23 this year. Over 350 entrepreneurs joined the program, which gives citizens the opportunity to provide services at 1,750 points of sale. On government sites a search engine for the stores participating in the program was launched.
–
A new standard for terrestrial television – stages
The deadlines for introducing the new standard vary depending on the municipality and the multiplex in question. You can use the search engine on the Chancellery of the Prime Minister’s websitewhich allows you to check the date of the change in your area. First, from Monday, March 28, the change in the broadcasting standard affected approx. 250 municipalities in the south-west part of the country, incl. Wrocław, Legnica and Wałbrzych.
–
The operation of the transition to the new broadcasting standard will be carried out in four stages. The second stage – from April 25, 2022 – will apply to the following voivodeships: Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Pomorskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie, the third stage – from May 23, 2022 – Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, and the fourth, from June 27 2022 – the following voivodeships: Lubelskie, Mazowieckie, Podlaskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie.
–
After completing this process, each recipient will have access to the new generation DVB-T2 television, both in terms of currently broadcast programs and new, planned ones.
–
Please note that the DVB-T2 / HEVC standard will not be introduced in satellite and cable TV. The changes only apply to digital terrestrial television.
–
photo-source">Main photo source: Shutterstock
—
