The Untersberg transmitter site is being converted to digital terrestrial broadcasting. Existing analogue coverage of the region from the Untersberg and Högl sites will be discontinued.
The switch affects every household in the area that receives television programmes through an indoor or rooftop antenna. Viewers need a DVB-T receiver to continue watching television through an antenna. DVB-T will provide more than ten public-service television channels over the air without charge and at high quality.
By converting terrestrial television from analogue to digital, Bayerischer Rundfunk and ZDF are modernising terrestrial distribution in Bavaria through the end of 2008 and implementing political decisions on complete digitisation.
Only digitisation can make terrestrial transmission attractive again and maintain direct, free and low-cost access to television for more than 90 percent of households over the long term. Nothing changes for households watching via cable or satellite. DVB-T also provides an additional option for every viewer, including second and third sets using antennas and mobile television reception.
DVB-T can be received in large parts of the coverage area, including in gardens, beside lakes and while travelling. It is therefore also known as “DVB-T: Television Everywhere”.
More than ten public-service television channels will be available digitally through an antenna: Das Erste, ZDF, Bayerisches Fernsehen, BR-alpha, 3sat, PHOENIX, arte, EinsPlus, KI.KA, SWR-Fernsehen, ZDFdokukanal and ZDFinfokanal. KI.KA and ZDFdokukanal share one channel at different times. Additional programmes are transmitted digitally from Wendelstein and the Austrian Gaisberg site near Salzburg.
A list of the television relay transmitters being switched off can be found in BAYERNTEXT from page 875 or under “Downloads” at http://www.bayern.ueberallfernsehen.de.
In addition to an antenna, whether rooftop, external or indoor, viewers need a DVB-T receiver for digital terrestrial television, such as a set-top box or a television with an integrated DVB-T tuner. The set-top box, also known as a tuner or receiver, translates digital DVB-T signals and prepares them for a conventional television. It is connected between the existing television and the antenna.
