The End of Free to Air for Non-SA Viewers ?
South Africa began broadcasting a digital terrestrial signal alongside its analogue signal in November 2008.
This “dual illumination” window period is due to end with a final switch-off of the analogue signal on 1 November 2011.
Local TV viewers have until then to acquire either a digitally compliant television set or the set-top box necessary to make their old TVs digitally compliant.
onsumers have two options when it comes to switching to digital TV: a set-top box that will convert the digital signal into an analog one, so an old analog set could be used; or the viewer could purchase a new digital television, which could set you back a few thousand rand.
An entry-level box converter will retail for R700, SABC’s Morning live today. Important to note however is that the set up box does not need a dish set.
What then becomes of neighboring countries who were accessing the signals using free to air decorders ? Millions of viewers in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other neighboring countries are enjoying the free signals using their decoders which it has been hinted that the signal will be switched off soon.
I am one such person who is using one Philips decoder (I have a big feeling its not the real Philips) where I enjoy all SABC channels and a lot of gospel chanels, Sky news and France 24. Already ETV encrypted the signals for those viewers who were not using the free to air decoders.
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