Digital terrestrial television. federal target program
The federal program entitled "Development of TV and radio broadcasting for 2009-2015" was approved by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. In September, the concept of this program was adopted, and its main goal was the transformation of on-air television and radio broadcasting using digital technologies. The full transition to digital broadcasting will cost about 122.5 billion rubles. Of these, 73.6 billion will come from the state budget, the rest will be received from the executors of the program themselves and the state enterprises Space Communications and RTRS (Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network).
Attention was drawn to the official statement that the state will not provide funding for the most expensive part of the program - the purchase of digital television adapters for the population. In this situation, the state considered it necessary, first of all, to take care of ensuring that the population can receive a high-quality television signal. And manufacturers of equipment, in particular TVs, receivers, tuners and antennas for digital TV, will have to adjust, taking into account the peculiarities of receiving this signal. The task of completely turning off analog television broadcasting is not worth it at this time. With the "digitization" of television in the US, the goal was to completely replace analog TV in order to free up the necessary frequencies. The program in Russia pursues completely different tasks. In this case, the state strives to provide all its citizens with the opportunity to receive radio and television programs anywhere in the country.
First of all, Russian residents will be able to watch 8 federal channels in digital mode: Rossiya, Channel One, NTV, Sport, Kultura, Vesti-24, Children's Channel and Channel 5. These channels constitute the first multiplex for which RTRS frequencies will be allocated. For the second and third multiplexes, both RTRS and any other companies can receive frequencies. The introduction of all additional frequencies will be financed by the operators. For the consumer, the channels of both the first and subsequent multiplexes will be available for free viewing. The program provides for the presence of three channels with high image fidelity (HDTV) and about 10 TV channels for mobile devices in DVB-T MPEG4 AVC format (this is a digital TV format for RUSSIA). The launch of these channels will also not affect budgetary funds.
So, the main conclusions. As a result, digital TV broadcasting will be paid, as consumers will buy receivers on their own. A word of warning: many of the plasma and LCD panels that many people are currently using do not meet the requirements for receiving a digital signal. Now the customs prohibits the import of television equipment with receivers in MPEG-2 format, as new broadcasting is planned in MPEG-4 format. But despite this, sales of "new" obsolete TV models are now underway in the country.
The package will include 8-10 free federal channels, for the opportunity to watch the rest you will need to pay a subscription fee. You should not believe in the stories that everything will be free, in fact, the good old analog TV will remain free, which, unfortunately, will not work on a wide screen. It makes no sense to purchase a TV panel and not reveal its full potential. Another not-so-good news: a miracle will not happen, and in those regions where analog TV is received poorly, digital is likely to be received even worse. So there is no point in waiting for several years in vain, it is easier to purchase a satellite TV package now and enjoy an excellent image.
Implementation of the federal target (FTP) program "Development of TV and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009-2018" and switches to digital terrestrial television.
Objectives of the FTP:
— development of the information space of the Russian Federation;
- providing the population of the Russian Federation with multi-channel broadcasting with guaranteed provision of all-Russian mandatory public TV channels and radio channels of a given quality;
— improving the efficiency of the functioning of television and radio broadcasting.
The federal target program solves, first of all, an important social task - it makes 20 federal TV channels available and free of charge for all residents of Russia in high "digital" quality. This cannot be done on the basis of analog television due to the high costs of its maintenance and modernization, and also due to the limited free radio frequency resource. For millions of Russians, digital terrestrial television will mean an improvement in the quality of life and the elimination of information inequality.
Tasks of the FTP:
— modernization of the infrastructure of state television broadcasting networks;
— transfer of state television and radio broadcasting networks to digital technologies;
Meeting the needs of distribution of television and radio channels with a satellite resource;
Providing the population of the Russian Federation with regional digital broadcasting;
Development of new types of television broadcasting, including high-definition television and with interactive elements.
Digital terrestrial television, unlike analog broadcasting.
Digital terrestrial television broadcasting can significantly improve the quality of image and sound, expand the number of TV channels available to the public, save frequency resources, and also provides an opportunity to develop new modern services.
The main advantage of digital terrestrial television over the offers of commercial operators.
The advantage of digital terrestrial television is the absence of a subscription fee for the main mandatory public channels of the first and second multiplexes.
When and how will existing analogue TV channels be switched off?
Forced shutdown of analog TV channels is not planned. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to Decree No. 715 "On All-Russian Mandatory Publicly Accessible TV Channels and Radio Channels." The wording of the document defining the development of Russian television and radio broadcasting secures the preservation of the analogue broadcast of the main Russian TV channels until 2018 inclusive. To ensure parallel broadcasting in analogue and digital formats, the Government of the Russian Federation will provide all-Russian mandatory public television and radio channels with subsidies for the purpose of analogue over-the-air signal distribution in settlements with a population of less than 100,000 inhabitants until 2018 inclusive. It is assumed that TV channels, if desired, will be able to continue broadcasting in analogue format after 2018. The analog broadcasting format will remain as long as it is needed by viewers and broadcasters
Why is analog TV being turned off?
According to Alexei Volin, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Telecommunications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, today in Russia less than 10% of citizens live without digital television, and in a number of regions - only 2-3%.
The transition from analogue broadcasting to digital terrestrial TV in Russia was conceived in order to increase the choice of channels and their quality by several times. Viewers will be able to receive up to 20 TV channels in good quality for free.
Unlike users of cable and satellite networks, viewers of digital terrestrial television will not pay a subscription fee.
Advantages of digital TV
Among the main advantages of digital TV: high image resolution; sound and picture without distortion; wide selection of channels.
Unlike analog broadcasting, which goes on continuously, but can be accompanied by a lot of interference (ripples, noise and poor picture quality), the digital signal filters out interference, does not carry unnecessary information, so the picture is clear and of high quality. In the presence of serious interference, the digital signal, unlike the analog one, will simply disappear.
Transition timeline
The transition from analogue to digital television will affect all regions of the country, including Moscow and the Moscow region. Initially, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation reported that the process of switching off analog broadcasting would be completed by January 14-15, 2019, but then they decided to increase the transition period. According to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the transition from analogue to digital television will be phased. In total, the transition process will take six months.
This decision is due to the fact that some residents still use televisions that do not receive a digital signal. In order not to leave people without TV broadcasting and to give time to purchase the necessary equipment, it was decided to make the transition to digital gradual.
As explained on the website of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS), we are talking about the reduction of analogue broadcasting starting from January 1, 2019. The state ceases to subsidize television channels for signal distribution in cities with a population of less than 100,000 people. This applies to mandatory public channels.
As part of the implementation of the target program "Development of TV and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009-2018", the reception of mandatory public TV channels without a subscription fee will become possible in all settlements of Russia.
Free channels
The RTRS press service emphasizes that with the launch of the digital broadcasting network, Russians will receive a free set of high-quality TV channels, comparable to what was previously offered only in paid packages.
TV viewers will have access to two digital multiplexes - a package of free digital channels.
Thus, residents of the Moscow region can already watch digital terrestrial television for free. In all settlements of the region, 10 programs of the RTRS-1 digital TV package (the first multiplex) are available in excellent quality: Channel One, Russia 1, Match TV, NTV, Petersburg-5 Channel, Rossiya K, Rossiya 24, Karusel, Public Television of Russia, TV Center, as well as three radio channels: Vesti FM, Mayak and Radio Rossii.
By the end of 2018, residents of the Moscow region will also be able to receive the RTRS-2 multiplex: STS, TNT, RenTV, Friday, Spas, Domashny, Zvezda, TV3, Mir, MuzTV.
TV network construction
To date, the construction of the network of the first and second multiplex (package of digital channels) has been completed in almost all regions of Russia. More than 9.5 thousand transmitters out of 10 thousand have already been installed and are operating. The entire network will be put into operation at the end of 2018.
In the Moscow region, the construction and operation of the digital terrestrial television network is carried out by the RTRS branch - the Moscow Regional Center (MRTS).
The digital signal is transmitted through digital radio and television transmitting stations (RTPS). The first such station began operating in Shatura near Moscow back in 2013. Currently, the stations cover the entire territory of the region.
Optional equipment
To watch terrestrial digital TV, it is not necessary to send your favorite TV to a landfill. It is enough to buy special equipment.
Most modern TVs support the DVB-T2 broadcast standard, which broadcasts free multiplexes. To watch free digital channels, their owners need to buy only a decimeter range antenna: collective or individual, outdoor or indoor, depending on living conditions.
Is it time to throw away old TVs, will it show a blue screen in the outback, will you have to pay to watch your favorite programs, Sovetskaya Sibir figured it out.
Good news right away: with the launch of digital broadcasting, Russians will receive a set of 20 high-quality TV channels absolutely free of charge, which was only recently available in paid packages. According to Anatoly Dyubanov, head of the Department of Informatization and Development of Telecommunication Technologies of the Novosibirsk Region, in order for the "digit" to become public, the federal target program "Development of television and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009-2018" was developed. Thanks to it, at the expense of the federal budget, over the past eight years, a state network of digital terrestrial television and radio broadcasting (CETV) of the first and second multiplexes was built in our region - this is the name of a package of programs that are broadcast by one transmitter. In fact, there are now two multiplexes in the country, each with ten TV channels. The first includes Channel One, Russia 1, Russia 2, Match TV, NTV, Channel Five, Russia - Culture, Russia 24, Karusel, OTR, TVC; in the second - REN TV, Spas, STS, Domashny, TV-3, Friday, Zvezda, Mir, TNT, Muz-TV.
He noted that at the time of the launch of the network, 98.24 percent of the region's population will be covered by digital. At the same time, the signal will not be received in 191 settlements. But the total number of their inhabitants is considerable - more than 48 thousand people, that is, about 18,849 households.
Due to the fact that at the federal level it was decided not to allocate funding for the construction of new network facilities to cover all settlements, FSUE "RTRS" adjusted the receiving and transmitting antennas at existing facilities and thus reduced the number of settlements not covered by digital air, - said Anatoly Dyubanov.
The head of the department added that the number of settlements where the CETV is completely absent has been reduced to 135, in 58 villages it was possible to provide only partial coverage. The problems are mainly related to the terrain, as well as the remoteness of these settlements from communication facilities. After adjustment, 1.46 percent of the region's population remains uncovered.
What should this minority do - throw away the TV and return to the radio? No need for extremes. In order to ensure that Russians are not left without their favorite TV shows even in back-country corners, it was decided at the federal level to provide them with a satellite signal.
Thanks to joint work at the federal and regional levels, an agreement was reached with satellite television operators NTV Plus and Tricolor TV on the reduced cost of installing satellite equipment for residents of settlements who still do not have a CETV signal, as well as on free broadcasting for them of a package of 20 all-Russian obligatory public television channels, - said Anatoly Dyubanov.
While digital television has not yet become ubiquitous, many questions remain. Alexander Vinogradov, sales director of the MTS branch in the Novosibirsk region, answered some of them.
Will the transition to digital be paid or free? After all, many apartments and houses in the Novosibirsk region already have digital television, but only through telecommunications companies. Everyone who is connected to digital TV in this way is currently paying a subscription fee. Svetlana Gorbunova, Ob - Federal mandatory public channels in the RTRS network (common antenna) are provided free of charge, subject to the availability of a new digital TV set or a special set-top box. In the networks of other operators, the subscriber pays for access to the network. In cities with channels of the first and second multiplex, there should be no problems with access to free digital broadcasting. There may be problems with the availability of digital TV in remote settlements. Those who use pay TV services (cable or satellite - no matter which operator) will not be affected.
Will I need a new TV to switch to digital TV? Viktor Vasilyevich Krotov, Berdsk
To use digital television, you must have a more or less modern TV. If you bought your TV before 1998, it probably doesn't have a digital tuner. Look at the TV passport or find information about this model on the Internet. If there is an inscription DVB-T2 - it means it supports. If there is no number 2, then you are out of luck. You will need to additionally install a special digital prefix. Most modern TVs support the DVB-T2 broadcast standard, which broadcasts free multiplexes. Where digital broadcasting is not available (remember, there are less than 1.5 percent of them. - Note ed.), you will need to buy the appropriate equipment from satellite TV operators. Therefore, the draft law proposed by the government on providing broadcasting by satellite operators is being considered. But the subscriber will need to purchase satellite equipment himself and pay for access to the operator's network.
Is a digital antenna different from a conventional analog one, and will the antenna need to be retuned? Ekaterina V., p. t. Kochenevo
Most modern TVs already support the DVB-T2 broadcast standard, which broadcasts free multiplexes. Therefore, to receive free digital terrestrial television, it is enough just to purchase a decimeter range antenna (collective or individual, outdoor or indoor - depending on the living conditions). The cost of a decimeter antenna starts from 300 rubles, a digital set-top box - from 700 rubles. The antenna, attachment, and antenna connection cable can be purchased from consumer electronics stores. To understand in what format you are watching the program and whether you need to set up a digital signal, you can use the special letter A on the TV screen.
Will residents of the region be able to watch local TV channels broadcasting in analog format? Sergei Ekler, Director of the Novosibirsk Regional Television and Radio Broadcasting Network, said that at the moment OTS-TV has a license for analogue broadcasting and it has not been revoked. Accordingly, it is planned to continue this broadcast in full.
At yesterday's press conference at TASS-Siberia, Alexander Otsetsky, director of the Siberian Regional Center branch of the RTRS, reassured:
There are no forced bans on analogue broadcasting from January 1, 2019 and will not be. Our regional channels, which broadcast in Novosibirsk and in a number of districts of the region where there are local TV stations, will be able to continue operating in accordance with the existing licenses. For God's sake, no one forbids them to broadcast as a regional television and radio network - OTS. All of their transmitters will continue to operate. Retuned TVs show the first digital channels - from the New Year there will be twenty of them, and then there are channels that can be received in "analogue", nothing will change for them. Maybe just the order of the channels. Alexey Volin, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, says that there are no difficulties or obstacles.
