SBS digital television specifications
Digital TV
Digital television (DTV) is the transmission of audio and video by discrete (digital) signals. Digital means it has high picture and stereo sound quality.
Standard Definition(SD) vs High Definition(HD)
Both standard and high definition television are digital formats. Standard definition (SD) television provides digital images and sound that is considerably better than analog. High definition (HD) television is an enhancement that provides higher resolution images and Dolby Digital surround sound.
HD has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD.
Standard-definition DTV broadcast resolutions
720 x 480 pixels
720 x 576 pixels
High-definition DTV broadcast resolutions
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
SBS is available on free to air digital TV as follows
| Channel Name | Channel Number | SD or HD |
| SBS ONE | 3 | SD 576i x 720 |
| SBS HD | 30 | HD 720px1280 |
| SBS TWO | 32 | SD |
| SBS 3 | 33 | SD |
| SBS 4 | 34 | SD |
| SBS Radio 1 | 38 | |
| SBS Radio 2 | 39 |
| Video PID | Audo PID | |
| SBS ONE | 161 | 81 |
| SBS TWO | 162 | 83 |
| SBS HD | 102 | 103 |
Reception Complaints
Interference and Complaints
The SBS Digital TV Rollout table above shows the planned schedule for the expansion of SBS digital television in the next few years. Viewers should note that test transmissions could begin a month or more before the official start date listed. As a result of these new transmissions some viewers may experience interference with their television reception. If you consider that these test transmissions are related to interference you are experiencing, or complaints about interference that you are receiving, please contact the ACMA on 1300 850 115 for assistance and follow the prompts.
Complaints regarding only SBS reception should be referred directly to SBS Transmission Services on the freecall number 1800 500 727, or alternatively by emailing technical@sbs.com.au. Please leave a contact phone number with the area code, or your email address, your location and postcode, whether you are watching digital or analog television, the problem you are experiencing and the duration of the problem. Without contact information, it is very hard to follow up a complaint.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My digital TV picture breaks up and freezes - where can I get help with this?
There are a number of possible causes of picture break-up, pixelation or freezing. First, try restarting your digital box or TV, as there may be a glitch in the software. Simply unplug the box from the mains power supply for about 10 minutes and then plug it in again.
How do I get the best digital reception from my TV aerial?
When you switch from analogue to digital TV you may be able to continue using your existing aerial, but in some cases you may need to upgrade or replace it. If you are in an area where the signal strength is low, you may need a high-gain aerial for the best reception.
Your aerial should ideally be mounted outside and as high up as possible. It must be pointing in the right direction towards the best local transmitter. The aerial, cables and connections need to be in good condition - cables and connections in particular can become corroded, especially if you live near the sea.
Some channels are missing from my digital TV channel list. How can I get them back?
To restore missing channels, you need to retune your digital receiver (box or TV).
HOW TO RESCAN/RETUNE/SEACRCH FOR DIGITAL SBS
Menu or Home button on their remote control
Press OK
Settings or Setup
Press OK
Digital Setup
Press OK
Automatic scan or automatic retune will appear
Press OK
It will take few minutes to do the rescan.This will refresh and research all the channels and clear any glitches in the TV or set top box.
Press Exit
Could trees be affecting my TV reception?
It's possible, especially if there are large trees near your TV aerial. The TV signal travels in a straight line from the transmitter to the aerial and does not bend well around large objects such as trees. The signal may fluctuate in wet or windy weather. Trees can act as a barrier to the signal, resulting in a 'snowy' or grainy picture on analogue TV. Trees can also affect the signal and cause 'ghosting'. On digital TV the picture may break up or freeze.
Will I need a new antenna for digital?
If your existing antenna is in reasonable condition it should be suitable to receive digital television.If you are in a capital city and your antenna was installed prior to 2001, you may need a new antenna.
SBS Radio
Please note should you wish to receive Digital(Radio) service you will require a DAB+( Digital Audio Broadcasting) digital receiver. This service currently is currently available only in the five mainland state capitals ie Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
For information on SBS Digital Radio services and frequencies, please see the Radio page of the SBS website.
If you wish to receive SBS Analogue Radio you will require a Set Top Box or Digital TV receiver. The two radio signals are automatically scanned in when you tune in the TV channels. However, you may need to use a Radio button or equivalent on your remote control. The logical channel numbers for our analogue radio services are
Channel 38 for SBS Radio 1
Channel 39 for SBS Radio 2.
Transmission Site Locations, Frequencies, and Updates
Television Frequencies
Please select the State you live in, from the menu at the top left hand side of the page,
to view transmission information (for television). Choosing All States will show information for all areas.
In areas where there is no SBS service available, local organisations can apply for funding to build a transmitter. They are then responsible for operating and maintaining their own SBS service (a Self Help service). More information on this option is available under the heading Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme. Alternatively, SBS may be available through Pay TV services.
Digital Channel Name Change
If you don’t receive SBS in you are
The SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme
SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme Changes
Please be advised that SBS will not be giving any further considerations for Analog Television for Self Help sites.
SBS is now accepting applications for establishment of Digital TV in Victoria and South Australia.
For more information on Analogue switch-off please refer to the following links
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/045.
To convert all non broadcaster converted sites to direct to home satellite receivers along with the subsidy.
http://www.digitalready.gov.au/subsidy/Default.aspx
For more information on VAST( Viewer Access Satellite Television) please refer to the following link
http://www.digitalready.gov.au/media/VAST_tech_spec.pdf.
The SBS Self Help scheme can assist small communities that do not currently have access to SBS TV or radio programs to provide retransmission of SBS programming in their local area, by providing funding assistance for the cost of setting up a local retransmission facility.
Two information booklets are available for download in Acrobat PDF format by clicking on the links below. Hard copies of these booklets and further information on the Self Help Scheme may be obtained by contacting SBS Transmission Services on 1800 500 727.
Please see information on the revised guidelines below.
The SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme can now provide up to 100% funding assistance for the establishment of an SBS Radio service up to a ceiling of $25,000. Where a Self Help transmitter provides a good coverage for at least two communities, the funding can be raised up to $50,000. Effective from the 1st of January 2007, applicants for radio subsidy are required to obtain two competitive quotes. Apart from these changes, the information in the two booklets explaining the Self Help process and the SBS Subsidy Scheme remain unchanged. Applicants are reminded that the operation of any Self Help service does require a broadcasting licence from ACMA, and in some cases ACMA may not be able to find an available channel for your area. In such circumstances, the service may not commence and no subsidy will be provided. In summary, Self Help Retransmission is a scheme that offers a way for communities to obtain SBS radio and/or television more quickly than might otherwise be provided through full Federal Government funding.
The SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme is administered entirely by SBS, and can include financial assistance with the purchase of such items as transmitters, aerials, satellite antennas (dishes) and receivers, huts, towers, cabling, spare parts, mains power connection fees and installation costs.
Additional assistance for a new Self Help facility, in the form of subsidised site access, may also be available via the Commonwealth Government's $10 million Regional Communications Partnership (RCP) with Broadcast Australia. Further information about the RCP can be obtained from Broadcast Australia on (02) 8113 4666.
If you would like to talk to someone at SBS concerning Self Help radio and television please feel free to contact us at:
Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme
Locked Bag 028
Crows Nest NSW 1585
Or by calling free of charge on 1800 500 727, or by email saurabh.mudgill@sbs.com.au
-Click here to download the SBS Self Help Subsidy Guidelines document
Please find below the consulant's technical report for the following councils in Victoria:
- Ballarat
- Bendigo
- Shepparton
- Swan Hill
- Wangaratta
- Warrnambool
- Latrobe
- Horsham
- Vic council final consultants report
Digital Services
SBS Digital TV rollout
SBS digital television coverage is continually expanding. The following table shows locations in the current rollout. The status or expected start date for each location is listed below:
| Area Served | State | Expected Start Date (Status) |
|---|---|---|
| Ceduna / Smoky Bay | SA | To be Announced |
| Charleville | QLD | On Air |
| Coolah | NSW | On Air |
| Darwin North | NT | To Be Announced |
| Derby | WA | On Air |
| Dimbulah | QLD | To Be Announced |
| Emmaville | NSW | To Be Announced |
Exmouth | WA | On Air |
| Hillwood | TAS | To Be Announced |
| Katanning | WA | To be Announced |
| Kununurra | WA | On Air |
| Longreach | QLD | On Air |
| Mandurah | WA | On Air |
| Margaret River | WA | On Air |
| Newman | WA | On Air |
| Nhulunbuy | NT | To Be Announced |
| Northampton | WA | On Air |
| Ocean Shores | NSW | To Be Announced |
| Queenstown / Zeehan | TAS | On Air |
| Roma | QLD | On Air |
| Roxby Downs | SA | On Air |
| St George | QLD | On Air |
| Tennant Creek | NT | To Be Announced |
| Tieri | QLD | On Air |
| Tom Price | WA | On Air |
Viewers should note that test transmissions are likely to commence 4 weeks or more before the listed start date in their area.
SBS Digital TV Reception Advice
In most cases viewers will be able to use their existing antenna to receive SBS digital television broadcasts, provided that they already have adequate analogue SBS TV reception. However, Digital Broadcasting Australia (see link below) recommends using quad-shielded RG6 coaxial cable from antenna to receiver for reliable digital reception. The advice of a professional antenna installer should be sought if in doubt.
Viewers living in units or apartment blocks generally receive a TV from a communal antenna via a TV Distribution System to their unit. Some TV Distribution Systems are not designed for digital television and will not provide an adequate signal for a Set Top Box to tune into digital TV services. Viewers living in units that are experiencing difficulty in receiving digital TV should contact the Body Corporate or similar organisation responsible for services to their apartment block for advice.
For further information regarding better reception, click here for the brochure (published by ACMA).
Satellite Services
VAST: Viewer Access Satellite Television
For many years, poor television reception has troubled some residents in regional and remote areas of Australia. The Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service will provide digital free-to-air TV to those in remote areas of Australia, The new satellite service will bring to those viewers the range of television services long enjoyed by Australians in capital cities.
Optus deliver next generation digital free-to-air television services via satellite to any household in an area across Australia which cannot receive a terrestrial digital signal.
VAST will offer viewers access to the full suite of digital channels from Southern Cross, ABC, SBS and Imparja broadcasters comparable to the services available from terrestrial digital TV.
For more information on VAST please refer to the following link
http://www.digitalready.gov.au/what-is-the-switch/VAST-service/Eligibility-and-technical-advice.aspx
SBS analogue TV and Radio services are available on the Optus Aurora satellite service to all regions in Australia, from the Optus C1 satellite at 156 deg E.
Optus Aurora is on Optus C1 and includes Self Help Analogue at 156deg East in:
Transponder 10, 12 720MHz, Vertical Polarity (SR 30000, FEC 3/4) Irdeto Conditional Access
1. Ch27 SBS TV (South Australia and Northern Territory)
Digital:
| Service | Satellite | Frequency | Polarization | Transponder | Symbol Rate | FEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SBS NSW |
Optus D1 | 12451.950Mhz | H | 12 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
| SBSQLD | Optus D1 | 12469.700Mhz | H | 12 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
| SBS SA | Optus D1 | 12487.450Mhz | H | 12 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
| SBS WA | Optus D1 | 12407.000Mhz | H | 11 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
| SBS VIC | Optus D1 | 12389.125Mhz | H | 11 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
| SBS TAS | Optus D1 | 12648.500Mhz | V | 11 | 12 600 | 5/6 |
SBS Digital TV services are available via satellite to all regions in Australia, from the Optus D1 satellite at 160 deg East.Encryption or future upgrade may make this service unavailable in the future.
Analogue:
| Service | Channel | Satellite | Frequency | Polarization | Transponder | Symbol Rate | FEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBS TV QLD | 9 | Optus C1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS TV NSW | 2 | Optus C1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS TV SA | 27 | Optus C1 | 12.527Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS TV WA | 3 | Optus C1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS TV Direct to Home(DTH) | Any Optus C1 beam | ||||||
| SBS TV Tasmania | Optus D1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 | |
| SBS TV Victoria | Optus D1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 | |
| SBS Radio Qld | 6 | Optus C1 | 12.407Mhz | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS Radio National (SE) | 15 | Optus C1 | 12407.00 | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS Radio SA | Optus C1 | 12527.00 | V | 6 | 30 000 | 2/3 | |
| SBS Radio NT | 16 | Optus C1 | 12407.00 | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |
| SBS Radio WA | 20 | Optus C1 | 12407.00 | V | 3 | 30 000 | 2/3 |