The transition, yet another, of Italian TV towards a new, double standard that is not so new is beginning: in a first phase, with the encoding of all channels to the well-known Mpeg4, then (but not before 2023) with the introduction of the Dvb-T2 encoded in HEVC Main10. In addition to a technological update, the Dvb-T2 will free the frequencies of the 700 MHz band, as required by the ministerial decree of 8 August 2018, in favor of 5G telephony. Let’s see what there is to know now and in perspective to understand how to behave, whether to change TV and much more.
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Which channels are affected
From 20 October they broadcast exclusively with Mpeg4 encoding 9 Rai channels (all except Rai Uno, Due, Tre and News 24) e 6 Mediaset channels (i.e. TgCom24, Boing Plus, Italia 2 and the R101, R105 and Virgin radios). The coding change takes place on a national scale, while the reorganization of the frequencies will take place at different times depending on the area.
When will the first phase of transition to MPEG4 end?
Unfortunately, no one knows. The completion of the migration to the standard that can support HD (but does not necessarily accompany all high definition channels) will be established within the year. There have been many postponements in this troubled affair, but since in June the 700 MHz band will have to pass to the telephone operators, even the channels currently excluded will have to transmit exclusively in Mpeg4 to free the frequencies. The first move, the one taken on 20 October, must (should) be completed within the first 6 months of 2022.
How can I tell if my TV is compatible?
Without going into too many technical details, in general it is necessary to check if the TV is capable of tune and view channels already broadcast in HD at the moment. If you can see at least one of the numbers from 500 onwards, then there is no reason to replace it before 2023 (and perhaps even after) unless you want to take advantage of the two scrapping bonuses we wrote about here.
A foolproof method (and the uselessness of 100 and 200)
More than the Rai Uno channel 501 in HD, it is better to tune in and choose, for verification, La7 Hd, broadcast by the same multiplex and therefore in the same frequency as the network in standard coding. If the one in HD is not seen, certainly the TV in question does not support Mpeg4 and therefore must be replaced or adapted with a decoder. With Rai Uno the test could give misleading information since the two channels (the Sd and the Hd one) are not transmitted on the same frequency, so the fact that Rai Uno Hd is not received may not depend on the TV, but on the antenna or on other factors. Channels 100 and 200, created to test the 2023 switch-off, are of no use at this stage unless, again, you want to take advantage of the two bonuses and anticipate the replacement of a device that will not work in 2023.
So all the channels are destined to broadcast in HD?
No, unfortunately this is not the case. Indeed, it is likely that most of those involved in this first step will remain at the standard definition. Mpeg4 is not synonymous with high definition: of course it is the encoding that supports HD, but it saves bandwidth even at normal resolution. It therefore remains to be seen whether all those channels, and those to follow, will really decide on a qualitative leap of this type. At the moment, we repeat, the passage only serves to free up space, not to improve the television offer.
So how many switch-offs are we talking about?
The one just started is the first, towards Mpeg4. In 2023, the most important one will take place new generation of digital terrestrial (Dvb-T2): first set at 30 June 2022, it was postponed without honoring the appointment with the sale of the 700 MHz band. For this reason, the jump to MPEG4 is fundamental.
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The quality, this unknown (for now)
Still on the subject of quality, the reality is that we will go for a phase towards a worsening of the image: dozens of national channels will still be broadcast with the old DVB-T standard, but precisely with Mpeg4 encoding. The channels will therefore have to be turned off to gain space (difficult, because you would lose advertising), or to tighten, that is reduce the transmission quality to leave the offer equal to the current one, until the transition to the new digital terrestrial is definitively completed. Perhaps even at the end of 2023: for the definitive passage there is in fact a period “starting from January 1st” of that year.
What does the date of December 22, 2018 have to do with it
It is not necessarily true that a TV purchased before this date should be replaced, as we hear and even read online. Better to carry out the tests on the prepared channels: for today’s switch-off there are no problems, but also for that of 2023 there may not be any, since already before that date (placed somewhat arbitrarily by the Ministry of Development economic as a discrimination for the scrapping of the TV that gives access to the bonus of 100 euros) TVs that support Hevc Main10 were sold.
Watch out for the decoder
If you do not want to replace the TV, but limit yourself to the lower cost of a decoder, it is still necessary be very careful: many are sold, without anyone checking and seizing, not compatible with the Hevc Main10 encoding. Check channels 100 and 200 now, shortly after purchase. And of course, for the sake of scruple, do it also with any new TV.
What are government bonuses and how much are they worth?
There are two, cumulative: the 50 euro one for families with Isee less than 20 thousand euro per year, to be requested directly at the time of purchase, effectively self-certifying that economic indicator; the 100 euro one, which however provides for the scrapping of an old device that is not compatible with the new standards, bought before December 22, 2018. In this case there is no ISEE limit, but the resources will run out. Also in this case everything is done directly at the point of sale, showing up with an incompatible TV that the merchant will send to correct WEEE disposal. The 100 euros are to be considered as a maximum discount of 20% on the price of a new TV.
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