TORREVIEJA SWITCHES ON ITS NEW TDT EMITTER

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

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