ASdTorrevieja Information - tourist guide: TORREVIEJA SWITCHES ON ITS NEW TDT EMITTER

TORREVIEJA SWITCHES ON ITS NEW TDT EMITTER
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A. Michael on 05 March, 2010 02:15:00

From today on, the Torrevieja’s city is fully prepared for the analogue power
cut and change to Digital Terrestrial Television.

The Torrevieja’s emitter providing signal cover to the whole town is located
in the town’s high area, at the Water Deposit, and the investment made by the
Generalitat Valenciana thereto has amounted to 80,000 Euros. Therefore,
Torrevieja is already prepared for the analogue power cut and change to Digital
Terrestrial Television. This way, TV moves forward thanks to new technologies
which make possible to broadcast TV signals through the most modern digital
technology and the best image and sound quality.
Nowadays, the new television models have already their own TDT installed, but it
is also possible to adapt old ones by buying a decoder which can be connected to
the TV. AS a fundamental requirement to this process, those having a common
aerial, for instance a community of owners, shall request an adaptation of their
aerial to receive the new signal.
A new digital technology to spread television signals to users with renewed
benefits, such as dozens of new free channels, a better image and sound quality,
the possibility of choosing subtitled programs, an electronic program guide,
original version films with or without subtitles or even the broadcast of radio
channels through the TV.
On April 3rd, Spain shall experience the great switch-off and move from TV
transmissions on analogue to Digital only. In order to assure that all residents
of Torrevieja are able to receive the new system, they have erected a new TDT
(Televisión Digital Terrestre) Antenna to broadcast to the City. We know TDT
better as Freeview and many of the same benefits found in the UK and Ireland are
now available here in Spain, the main one being that more than 20-channels are
available, free!
Residents of Torrevieja have been able to pick up TDT from transmitters in
Murcia and Alicante for a while but the new Torrevieja Transmitter will provide
stronger signals, less interference and dropouts, optimally greater picture and
sound quality, with new additional channels to follow in 2010/2011.
Torrevieja’s Councillor for New Technology, Pedro Valero, reported that the
“Torrevieja signal covers the entire municipality, is installed in the upper
area of the city, the water reservoir and the investment made by the Generalitat
Valenciana has amounted to €80,000 euros.”
Those with older televisions need not feel left out. Almost all of today’s new
LCD and Plasma televisions already have integrated TDT but for less than €50
it is also possible to adapt an old set through a decoder that connects to the
same TV. One can also purchase a USB version to allow you to watch TDT through
your computer too. Those residents that already have been receiving TDT will
need to realign their antenna to point towards the new Transmitter in order to
benefit from the new source or, if living in a community, contact their
administrator.
Many expats on the Costa Blanca South have never experienced Spanish TDT, due to
the rebroadcast of UK TV Channels and satellite systems. Torrevieja’s new
Transmitter might be the turning point for many as the system will offer users
new benefits, including dozens of free channels to choose from, higher quality
picture and sound, the ability to select subtitled programs, an electronic
program guide, original version films with or without subtitles and even radio
channels broadcast via television.
Of most interest to expats will be the large number of films, kids programming,
mostly American TV shows, documentaries and even the Simpsons, can be enjoyed in
English (or Spanish) through the press of a couple of buttons. At present at
least 23 channels are available on TDT with the new transmitter expected to add
even more, including local content.
Keith Nicol