Nbn Armidale Pushed Back? What The?

[drubie]

From the latest NBN start dates that digitalj posts:

>02. Armidale.........(Oct-Dec 2007).(UHF 38 Vertical, 599500KHz)

When did this happen? I thought they were meant to start it up next month?

[ibanez5]

From the latest NBN start dates that digitalj posts:

>02. Armidale.........(Oct-Dec 2007).(UHF 38 Vertical, 599500KHz)

When did this happen? I thought they were meant to start it up next month?

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&...st&p=578252

[drubie]

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&...st&p=578252

Bastards.

Obviously we won't be watching a lot of NBN then - after I finally sorted out the projector last weekend we now have to power up a little Analog set top box to pick up NBN, so it won't be happening a lot after the cricket is finished.

I guess it also means not bothering with a HD set top box until October or so, roll on the cheapies!

[digitalj]

You may be able to pick up NBN Digital off Mt. Dowe starting from June 2007.

[RayDio]

You may be able to pick up NBN Digital off Mt. Dowe starting from June 2007.

I'm Not Holding my breath for that happening either

I Still Reccon NBN will Do Soma & Little Duvall before Mt Dowe, At Least Soma & Duvall Have Prime & SC-10 in Digital, Off Dowe we still only have the ABC & SBS

[drubie]

I'm Not Holding my breath for that happening either

I Still Reccon NBN will Do Soma & Little Duvall before Mt Dowe, At Least Soma & Duvall Have Prime & SC-10 in Digital, Off Dowe we still only have the ABC & SBS

I don't think I could get anywhere near picking up Mt Dowe without a 100 metre mast on top of the roof - we can't even get a decent analog signal out of the repeater to the south of Armidale for analog Prime (there's a big hill in the way). The irony of the current situation is that we're getting the best analog signal I've ever managed for NBN - it's just a PITA to change to that channel.

If we could pick up WIN from the coast I might be tempted to sling up a huge mast, but only for a choice of local news providers.

[RayDio]

I don't think I could get anywhere near picking up Mt Dowe without a 100 metre mast on top of the roof - we can't even get a decent analog signal out of the repeater to the south of Armidale for analog Prime (there's a big hill in the way). The irony of the current situation is that we're getting the best analog signal I've ever managed for NBN - it's just a PITA to change to that channel.

If we could pick up WIN from the coast I might be tempted to sling up a huge mast, but only for a choice of local news providers.

NBN Have lost alot of the good will in the New England/Northwest with their lack of action on the DTV Front

Lets hope they do all 3 sites in June with NBN Digital Mt Dowe being slated for June 2007 on the reception Locater.

I Still reccon they will get Soma & Little Duvall On Air before Mt Dowe

[greg g]

I'm Not Holding my breath for that happening either

I Still Reccon NBN will Do Soma & Little Duvall before Mt Dowe, At Least Soma & Duvall Have Prime & SC-10 in Digital, Off Dowe we still only have the ABC & SBS

So NBN again have deferred digital implementation for Armidale, Tamworth, Mt Dowe and other areas west of the ranges, another footy season will go by and I and many thousands once again won't be able to watch any league on NBN.

NBN are an absolute disgrace, I would urge viewers to boycott NBN till they do the right thing by we in the New England and surrounding areas, also that we start a campaign asking advertisers to not use NBN until such time as they (NBN) start thinking about the viewers and not just what is best for them. Also start putting the pressure on Soul Pattinson, they are a major owner of NBN, do what I have done, I have been telling indivdual SP pharacies I will not buy in their outlets till NBN do the right thing by viewers.

NBN should be forced to cede their braodcast rights for all major events to stations providing digital services in regional areas until such time as they (NBN) also give viewers parity of service.

Also, "Left Behind" why do you persist in trying to put we in Armidale and Tamworth on a guilt trip because we have SC-10 and Prime, point the blame where it rightly belongs, the greedy, selfish broadcasters.

[ibanez5]

So NBN again have deferred digital implementation for Armidale, Tamworth, Mt Dowe and other areas west of the ranges, another footy season will go by and I and many thousands once again won't be able to watch any league on NBN.

NBN are an absolute disgrace, I would urge viewers to boycott NBN till they do the right thing by we in the New England and surrounding areas, also that we start a campaign asking advertisers to not use NBN until such time as they (NBN) start thinking about the viewers and not just what is best for them. Also start putting the pressure on Soul Pattinson, they are a major owner of NBN, do what I have done, I have been telling indivdual SP pharacies I will not buy in their outlets till NBN do the right thing by viewers.

NBN should be forced to cede their braodcast rights for all major events to stations providing digital services in regional areas until such time as they (NBN) also give viewers parity of service.

Also, "Left Behind" why do you persist in trying to put we in Armidale and Tamworth on a guilt trip because we have SC-10 and Prime, point the blame where it rightly belongs, the greedy, selfish broadcasters.

The thing that would get NBN moving is if business pulled advertising from NBN and took it elsewhere. This should send a loud and clear message to NBN that they are losing out in the New England market. We might have to do something similar here on the coast if there are anymore delays from PRIME for starting at Middle Brother.

I think left behind is angry at the broadcasters more than anything for "cheaping out" and doing the low powered sites first rather than doing the high powered main transmitter.

[RayDio]

Also, "Left Behind" why do you persist in trying to put we in Armidale and Tamworth on a guilt trip because we have SC-10 and Prime, point the blame where it rightly belongs, the greedy, selfish broadcasters.

I'm Not doing it for a guilt trip, It just riles me that The #1 Site MT DOWE has been ignored totally by the commercial stations.

I Just cant fathum why the TV staions would do Soma & Duvall & Leave all of us who depend on Dowe in the dark.

In a way it would be a small justice if NBN did do Dowe first

[greg g]

I'm Not doing it for a guilt trip, It just riles me that The #1 Site MT DOWE has been ignored totally by the commercial stations.

I Just cant fathum why the TV staions would do Soma & Duvall & Leave all of us who depend on Dowe in the dark.

In a way it would be a small justice if NBN did do Dowe first

I too believe it wrong that Dowe has not had the attention it deserves, of course it (Dowe) should have been first priority by all stations, it serves far greater numbers, no argument there.

The real issue is that all the commercial networks have been allowed to so disgracefully and with utter contempt treat the viewers of north west NSW. Though Dowe deserves positive action you surely can appreciate my frustration when once again NBN has deferred digital startup in Armidale. We have had four start dates from NBN over the last 4 or more years, all of which have been discarded.

The point is with a federal election coming we now more than ever need to unite and tell the federal government enough is enough, if the commercials won't do the right thing by viewers, then punitive action will be taken, including forcing them to hand over broadcast rights to stations providing digital services of events such as cricket, rugby league and wide interest etc until they are able to provide a digital service themselves.

[drubie]

...

The point is with a federal election coming we now more than ever need to unite and tell the federal government enough is enough, if the commercials won't do the right thing by viewers, then punitive action will be taken, including forcing them to hand over broadcast rights to stations providing digital services of events such as cricket, rugby league and wide interest etc until they are able to provide a digital service themselves.

Well,

We could start with a few letters to Tony Windsor and see if he can do anything besides bleat about being bought off by the national party. I doubt it, but it's worth a try. Federal communications minister is completely useless though.

NSW state elections are very soon - local members are pretty entrenched and I doubt they'd want to rock the boat too much when they need the election coverage.

[RayDio]

sadly with the fact that we are dealing fully with commercial enteies The only thing that could be done would be to mandate a switch on date for Full DTV Coverage, That should've been within 5 years of DTV Commencing January 1 2001, "Its now 6 years old"

Sadly that date has long gone and we are still left without a full DTV service.

The ABA Need to set a strict on air date for DTV on a use it or lose it basis and a strict switch off date for annalog TV, 1 Yaer after the site has a full compament of DTV should be the Annalog switch off date, but like alot of things the government don't want to upset the broadcasters because they have an election coming up, Mass media has the power to get a government into power. and big media company's do gerease the wheel with politcal donations.

One of my Bug Bears is the fact that 16.9 programming is Not Letterboxed on annalog so that at least we could change the aspect on our Plazma & LCD Tellys so we are not burning big lines into the side of our expensive TV's. I Know it would look like crap but I feel it would be a lesser evil than chopping a 4.3 into 14.9 or veiwing the bloated Annalog piture on the Full screen aspect.

Another thing, We need DVD Combos with digital tuners & Plazma & LCD with Digital Tuners built in made widly avalabe and at a resonable price (TV's with digital tuners Under a grand and DVD HD Combos with digital tuners for around $500) because the average person would rater just tune in their DVD Combo & or TV Rather than buy a Set Top Box.

If the new Tellys you could buy had digital tuners alone this would force TV stations to broadcast digital.

No Digital TX, No new viewers. But sadly because Australia is One of a few contries that offers Hi-Def DTV The manufacterers arn't mass producing digital tuners in their telly's yet.

TV Ratings also have to be changed to read figures on DTV alone, This would leave TV staions in the cold that has'nt upgraded yet.

What also worries me is the Broadcast sites.

They are all owned privatly now and would charge rent per installation so the TV stations would have to pay double for a TX site just to run a digital TX along side their existing annalog service & Untill DTV veiwership & Demand outway annalog, TV stations are going to give the annalog transmission preference.

It's a catch 22, People won't upgrade without all the staions being on-air and the TV stations won't pay double rent untill the demand is there for DTV. There In-Luy's the problem with the Slow uptake of DTV across Regional Australia, Once again if we had a mandated swich on/off date for DTV converions the TV stations would'nt have to pay double rent for an extended ammont of time and with the annalog swich off date now extended to what 2012 ???? this only costs the TV stations even more money.

[digitalj]

Well,

We could start with a few letters to Tony Windsor and see if he can do anything besides bleat about being bought off by the national party. I doubt it, but it's worth a try. Federal communications minister is completely useless though.

NSW state elections are very soon - local members are pretty entrenched and I doubt they'd want to rock the boat too much when they need the election coverage.

You could also send e-mails to broadcasting@acma.gov.au and tell them how frustrated you are at the broadcasters not going digital, and if you get everyone or most people in the region to say the same, then ACMA may realise that yes the broadcasters need to go digital sooner, and may end up forcing them, or at least letting the broadcasters know that they have received lots of complaints against them for not going digital yet.

[drubie]

You could also send e-mails to broadcasting@acma.gov.au and tell them how frustrated you are at the broadcasters not going digital, and if you get everyone or most people in the region to say the same, then ACMA may realise that yes the broadcasters need to go digital sooner, and may end up forcing them, or at least letting the broadcasters know that they have received lots of complaints against them for not going digital yet.

Okay, so send email to:

broadcasting@acma.gov.au Australian Communications and Media Authority

Tony.Windsor.MP@aph.gov.auTony Windsor (Federal Member for New Ingland (IND))

northerntablelands@parliament.nsw.gov.au Richard Torbay, NSW state member for Northern Tablelands

NBN contacts:

Head Office: NBN TELEVISION

11-17 Mosbri Crescent

Newcastle NSW 2300

Ph. 2 4929 2933

Fax. Administration: 2 4926 2936

Sales: 2 4929 5169 News: 2 4926 3393

A.C.N. 000 232 486

A.B.N. 68 000 232 486

Program Enquiries

To contact NBN about programs please-

* PHONE - 02 4929 2933 during Business Hours

* WRITE - NBN Television, PO Box 750L, Newcastle 2300

* FAX - 02 4926 2936.

NBN does not accept programming correspondence via electronic mail.

[ibanez5]

Maybe also wirte more letters into the local papers asking local buisiness to pull advetising from NBN untill they commence broadcasting digital. If they lose enough revenue, that'll get things moving.

[Guest observer1503560740]

Now I'm really mad!!!!!!, I have just spoken to NBN Tamworth, they now say their latest update is that NBN will not go digital at Armidale or Tamworth until 2008. What the hell is going on, we have to start boycotting NBN en mass, and we have to let NBN know this is not a idle threat, it is happening.

Also start boycotting Soul Pattinson chemists shops, they are the major shareholder, if they know people are shopping elesewhere for their products because of NBN's contemptible behaviou they may then pressure NBN to treat us in this region with fairness.

This is a major scandal, how can NBN or any other commercial venture be allowed by Governemnt to treat such a large proportion of the population with outragious ongoing contempt. Another NRL season and I can't watch, John Howard get off your arse and make NBN hand over programming to digital broadcasters till they provide an equitible service to all viewers.

Mt Dowe is another site crucial to giving our region digital services, it is a bloody disgrace and I've had enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NBN obviously stands for "NOT BLOODY NOW" for digital service.

[RayDio]

Now I'm really mad!!!!!!, I have just spoken to NBN Tamworth, they now say their latest update is that NBN will not go digital at Armidale or Tamworth until 2008. What the hell is going on.

Mt Dowe is another site crucial to giving our region digital services, it is a bloody disgrace and I've had enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Mail is still later 2007 for Soma & Little Duvall (2008 for Mt Dowe ) But Yes it's a worry

I still reccon their must be a bigger issue than just the TV Stations, I herd a wisper that radiation off Mt Dowe was a drama that needed attending to

I MUST STRESS IT"S ONLY SPECULATION

but with all the hold up's something must be going wrong

SOMEONE MUST KNOW THE TRUTH

[drubie]

My Mail is still later 2007 for Soma & Little Duvall (2008 for Mt Dowe ) But Yes it's a worry

I still reccon their must be a bigger issue than just the TV Stations, I herd a wisper that radiation off Mt Dowe was a drama that needed attending to

They're doing a fine job of getting themselves a boycott in my house. I had a little analog set top box for my projector that I was using for NBN but it started getting a wierd shadowy picture, so I bought a $15 Hi-Fi VHS deck (a real heavy old NEC job) from the local second hand shop to do the job. Much better picture quality and better stereo separation but what a palaver to switch it on (no remote heh!).

It basically means that if we're cycling through channels looking for something to watch, we exhaust Austar first, then the digital channels, then in desperation we might switch on the VCR to get NBN. Then, if the VCR is on, it seems to decimate the SBS digital signal (the antenna runs through the VCR before getting to the digital tuner). It's weird - the VCR RF output is channel 0 or 1, not the UHF band that SBS is in.

Needless to say, NBN doesn't get switched on lot.

What might be the radiation issue with Mt Dowe? Are there problems with channel interference and other broadcast sites?

[jasebass]

I can not believe it, this is beyond a joke, NBN is no longer watched in my house

[RayDio]

What might be the radiation issue with Mt Dowe? Are there problems with channel interference and other broadcast sites?

Too Much RF For it to be a safe working enviroment (OH&S Government S@#T)

[ibanez5]

I can not believe it, this is beyond a joke, NBN is no longer watched in my house

Might be time to push local businesses to pull advertising from NBN untill something is done. Who wants to advertise their business on a network that noone is watching?

Too Much RF For it to be a safe working enviroment (OH&S Government S@#T)

Why not just reduce the power while the DTX's are being installed?

[digitalj]

Reception locator says "planned for 2008"

[ibanez5]

Reception locator says "planned for 2008"

Discraceful NBN.

Looks like we have a new Bendigo except it's NBN for Armidale/Tamworth/Upper Namoi.

[Guest observer1503560740]

Reception locator says "planned for 2008"

NBN March 2007? then only a couple of weeks ago we are told it was to be Oct-Dec 2007, now we are told it is planned for 2008, this is totally beyond reason, every other station is on air in digital in Tamworth & Armidale, NBN should lose their broadcast rights til they provide we the viewers in this region with same services they offer just about everywhere else except west of the great divide.

Before you go off at me about MT Dowe etc Left Behind, I'm thinking of us all not just Armidale/Tamworth

This forum with all due respect is totally useless as far as advocating for the viewers, we are fooling ourselves, the commercial networks just don't care, they obviously ignore these sites, we need to broaden our campaign, we need to coordinate amongst ourselves, and get out a high profile public blitz and NAME and SHAME these greedy self interest commercial networks, stop just talking about possible actions, lets get on with it. We need tens of thousands to join the campaign, not just we in these forums.

Public petitions, newspapers, radio, local businesses and chambers of commerce (no viewers, no advertising), politicians, but we must stop the rhetoric and act, and act loud and long til we get some justice. We need to tell the networks and the government we are angry, very angry and we just aint gonna take it anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you help me gather the petitions, I'll personally deliver to the networks headquarters and to the responsible minister in Canberra, I mean it lets get moving.