Why Can’t I Get 7HD Or Ten HD on my TV? & Some Digital TV Help…
A lot of people are having trouble in understanding the concept of High Definition television and the new HD channels from the Seven Network and Network Ten. I have decided to write a post which will hopefully explain and clear up any issues you might be having in relation to having access to these new channels, and other channels on digital television.
A lot of people have asked me and said that they have bought a digital set top box and cannot receive the new channels 7HD and TEN HD. One of the most common problems to this is people don’t understand that their are two types of set top boxes on the market for you to purchase.
First of all their is the Standard Definition set top box, which will receive all of your normal channels and additional channel’s ABC2, Seven and Nine guides as well as the SBS World News Channel. In metro areas generally the line-up of channels should look as follows…
This has been updated to reflect new channel listings, and will be updated with changes as they come.
- Channel 2 - ABC1
- Channel 3 - SBS
- Channel 7 - 7 Digital
- Channel 9 - Nine Digital
- Channel 10 - TEN Digital
- Channel 21 - ABC1 (same as Channel 2)
- Channel 22 - ABC2
- Channel 23 - ABC3 (same as Channel 2, will become ABC3 in future)
- Channel 31 - SBS2 (same as Channel 3)
- Channel 33 - SBS News (SBS World News Channel)
- Channel 71 - 7 Digital 1 (same as Channel 7)
- Channel 72 - 7 Digital 2 (same as Channel 7)
- Channel 73 - 7 Digital 3 (same as Channel 7)
- Channel 77 - 7 Guide (information about Seven Network programs)
- Channel 99 - Nine Guide (information about Nine Network programs)
Of course this list needs to be adjusted for regional areas, for example WIN in Woolongong will be on Channel 8 etc.., but the general idea is there, and exclude Channel’s 71, 72, 73, 77, 99. It also must be noted that Standard Definition set top boxes WILL pick-up the High Definition channels, but they will be displayed as a blank screen and you will not be able to watch them.
A High Definition set top box is what you need in order to receive the extra channels being offered. 7HD is being offered in most regional areas on the Prime Network, as well as on Seven Queensland. TEN HD is only available in the main metro areas, Southern Cross Ten viewers will have to wait a while possibly till March before TEN HD will be available. Recently the addition of Nine HD can be seen by all viewers in the eastern states, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. The channel line up in the metro areas will be the same as above, however will contain these extras…
- Channel 1 - TEN HD
- Channel 12 - TEN HD (same as channel 1)
- Channel 20 - ABC HDTV
- Channel 30 - SBS HD
- Channel 70 - 7 HD Digital
- Channel 90 - Nine HD Digital
My recommendation to anyone who is going out to buy digital television equipment is to do your home work first. This not only applies to buying a set top box but also and in particular more importantly when buying a new LCD or Plasma television and expecting it to be digital.
Buying a new television can now be very confusing because some will say “HD Ready” and this does not always mean that you will take it out of the box when you get home and you can watch High Definition television.
When some TV’s say HD Ready it simply means that the TV has what is called a HDMI input, and yes you might be thinking what the hell does that mean, well I will explain. Put simply it is a hole in the back of the TV that lets you plug in a High Definition set top box from a similar hole in the back of the set top box. Hence giving you an actual High Definition picture on your TV, but via a HD set top box. So in the end you still need to buy the set top box.
Here is an example of an advert saying that the TV is “Full HD 1080p” however it does not mean it has a High Definition tuner installed.
If buying a TV and expecting it to have a High Definition tuner, make sure it says, or ask the sales person if the TV has an Integrated High Definition Tuner’ and if the answer is yes, then that is what you are looking for.
These TV’s are an example of Integrated High Definition televisions that will play HD channels…
Just when you thought that was confusing enough, their are still other issues like HD1080i and HD1080p which are two different ways the High Definition picture is shown on the television, which is a whole other issue altogether and one that the average home user does not need to worry about at all. Plus to be perfectly honest I just vagly understand so if you really want to know, ask a professional.
I hope this little guide has been helpful and please leave any comments if I have said something that is totally wrong, or I left something important out, or of course if you need something cleared up.
Some helpful links…
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Tim | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
WIN (and other Nine affiliates) are actually all on LCN6.
DaNnY bOy | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Tim, will make the adjustment.
AJ | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
…WIN is Channel 8 on my set top box?!? 6 is Prime and 5 SC Ten, and I’m in Wollongong?
DaNnY bOy | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
Well as I said it is different in all regions, the point of the article still remains the same.
CS74 | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
Got it! But where do you buy a set top box and how much are they?
Thanks!
CS74 | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
One last question, can you plug the HD set top box into any TV?
DaNnY bOy | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
Shop around, they are coming down in price… And yes you can, I personally have an old CRT Television with HD Set Top Box and works fine, but of course it wont be High Definition quality.
Matt | Feb 12, 2008 | Reply
Hey, thanks so much for that information. Now i understand why my set top box picks up the HD channels, but fails to show them. I better go out and buy a HD set top box then!
Steve | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
I have a HD digital tuner and i recieve all channels, But the southern cross HD is just a test program. Will this be Ten HD in march? I live in the Shepparton area.
DaNnY bOy | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
Yep Southern Cross Ten will be taking Ten HD in March.
Steve | Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the information that answers alot.
Tony | Mar 1, 2008 | Reply
Does my TV have to have a HDMI input to be able to plugin and use a High Definition set top box? Because I only have an old 68cm Philips TV (not widescreen)
DaNnY bOy | Mar 1, 2008 | Reply
Nope, HDMI you use that when you have a HD ready television to give you better quality image and sound.
With your old television you can hook the set top box up in two ways.
1. The same way you would hook up a DVD player using the red/white/yellow A/V plugs or, 2. The same way you would tune in a VCR through the areal connection.
Hope this helps.
Brent | Mar 6, 2008 | Reply
Thank you heaps for clearing that all up.
Brian | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
Thank You for a very easy to understand explanation of what at times seems like you need to be a technician to understand all the jargon,
I have been searching for the last week on whether or not my wide screen crt will handle High Definition, as it is only 2 years old, I know there is no guarantee but it is a start, and again I thank you for your simple and very understandable explanation.
Regards Brian.
Barry | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the details, great info - I have a HD box do I have to retune it to get new HD channels (e.g. I can’t tune to 70 at the moment) and what is the time frame in Gippsland Victoria?
DaNnY bOy | Mar 18, 2008 | Reply
Well if you are in Gippsland, you are then getting Prime and not Seven so your 7HD service will be on channel 60.
john | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
i bought a digital set top bot (not a HD set top) and i can receive all the other channels except channel seven digital it says “no or bad signal” what do you think the problem is?
DaNnY bOy | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Might be a problem with reception, if you are using ‘bunny ear’ antennas keep playing around if not you might need someone to come and tune your antenna in.
Mr. Bear | Apr 21, 2008 | Reply
Hi DaNnY bOy
THank you for a perfectly simple explaination of the real facts. Have you considered selling your services to places like Harvey Normals (Normans) and training their staff in truth in sales.
I will no longer spend hours trying to tune my SD STB to pick up the HD broadcast - I just wonder why channel 10 did not include this info in their TV advert about digital broadcasts? Now you have explained it I actually feel a little stupid not having realised it myself!
I also didn’t realise I could plug my STB into my CRT TV - always learning.
Great job - I have added you to my favorites because it is good, straight info.
The Bear
giuseppe | Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
can you get 10hd or 9hd in cairns at the moment
DaNnY bOy | Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
No not in Cairns, 7HD is avaliable, I would have thought WIN HD would have been working but according to the Tv Guide this is not the case.
The is still no word on TEN HD being avaliable on Southern Cross Ten, it was meant to be opperational March but who knows…
vin | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
i still can’t seem to get hd channels. some of the signals come in fragments and interrupted. how can i fix this or what can be causing it? i have a scanner inbuuilt in my tuner but it doesn’t seem to work.
DaNnY bOy | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
If it is coming in fragments, it then sounds like a reception issue. Do you use bunny ears on top of the telly or are you using an antenna on the roof? If so you might need to get a professional to tune your antenna for digital reception…
GiUsEp | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
can you get 7hd and 9hd in gordonvale (south of cairns)
DaNnY bOy | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
Only 7HD
willem4759 | May 4, 2008 | Reply
Hey, my tv (with hd set top box) picks up all the other hd and digital channels, but for some reason doesn’t even sniff out tenhd. i worked out it may be something to do with being on 8m as opposed to 7m but it seems as though it should auto-tune?
would love if i could get it
thanks
Ryan | May 20, 2008 | Reply
HI,
I have a SD set top box at the moment and was going to upgrade to HD set top box but I like ABC2 and the extra channels will i still get these with the HD box?
Thanks
DANNY | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Yes HD set top box will get all channels
laura | May 25, 2008 | Reply
i am in Coffs and have bought a Teac set top box….ok so it does not work when its raining that is a pain, but i dont know why i dont get Win or channel 9… but did before i plugged in the box, can anyone let me know why
cheers
laura
Tan | May 31, 2008 | Reply
Hi
Ok so I get all the HD channels but 9HD. I had them when I first bought my TV but it is gone now? Can ya help?
Thanks
DANNY | May 31, 2008 | Reply
Try and re-scan for the channels, if you can get regular 9 then in theory you should have 9HD too. (Channel 90)
Retcerahc | Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
Hi I have found a Petition for SC10 to show TEN HD, The website is
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/southern-cross-viewers.html
Help us Get Ten HD in regional areas please.
Regards
Retcerahc.
D | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
We were able to watch 7HD on channel 360, but can no longer pick it up. I tried to manual tune the HD Digital top box to channel 70 without success. Any suggestions? I was enjoying having the extra channel!
cav | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
I get 10hd and 9hd in cairns but all it is a hd demonstration with about 1 show a day why is this so
Wagits | Aug 8, 2008 | Reply
Hi,I notice that there are other people experiencing the same issue as me. I have a Integrated HD Samsung 50inch which displays all HD and Digital channelsin Adelaide. Upstairs I have a Samsung 32inch which is connected to same antenna, receives all analog (as does the 50inch), but only SBS digital and HD. Not 2,7, 9 or 10 in HD or digital. I have tried re-scanning several times to no avail. I do notice if tv warms up I will get these channels, but there is a lot of pixelating. My tv shows signal strength as 95 out of 100. I also have another signal meter, but for Error bit level. It comes up as 6 to 10 out of 10 n the channels I do not receive, and 0 for SBS (which is the digital channel I do receive) I just cant understand why this tv cannot pick up all digital channels, but the one downstairs does, And wht is this bit error level indicator telling me? Any help appreciated.
BMB | Aug 9, 2008 | Reply
What year is Soutern Cross Ten becoming Ten HD. and Do you have an exact date?
Tamara | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
I had a set top box, which picked up 2, SBS, 7, 9, 10 and when HD came in I lost channel 10.
Today I went and got a HD set top box and I still don’t get channel 10 in any form.
Got any ideas why?
Gherks | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
Can anyone help me with why my 2 new LCD TV’s I have purchased will not pick up Ten Digital or TenHD but my older LCD TV in a different room can? They are all connected to the same TV antenna. I have managed to get Ten Digital at one point on the two of them but it is completely pixelated and unwatchable. All other HD and digital channels work perfectly, just Channel 10.
Cheers
Robin | Aug 14, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Tim, for weeks I’ve been wondering why I could not receive the HD channels…. and you have explained it so very clearly. What a legend! You have now made my next tv purchase so much easier. Sincere thanks for the effort.
Chris | Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
I recently purchased an lcd tv with integrated hd tuner, but i dont receive all the channels you mentioned. Ten HD is the only hi def channel that is received. I live in a new apartment complex in the brisbane cbd so there shouldnt be any problems receiving signal from 7HD and 9HD. Any reason why there channels wouldnt be displayed on my tv?
Danny | Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
Livin in the CBD you can have a lot of interference and the best soultion would be to contact someone who installs arieals to tune it in for you.
Kaz | Aug 26, 2008 | Reply
Hi
It is now August and I was wondering when we will be able to have Ten HD instead of Southern Cross Ten seeing as it was said on this page that it would be around March?
I am looking to buy a HD set top box but I don’t want to until I am sure that we will get Ten HD.
Danny | Aug 26, 2008 | Reply
Not sure, I might try and find out if I can.
Danny | Aug 26, 2008 | Reply
This is the official statement from Channel Ten..
I don’t live in one of the five capital cities, can I get TenHD?
Unfortunately at this stage you can’t. Southern Cross, our main affiliate in the eastern parts of Australia, is working hard to get TenHD to you by the middle of next year. This is unfortunate however as these regional stations aren’t owned by Network Ten, it’s out of our control.
Kevin | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Hi there,
I’m still confused as to why I can receive
The TB I have is this - http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Tvs_And_Home_Theatre/Plasma_TV/Maxess/MP32T_32_Inch_Plasma_TV/25829 which has a built in HD tuner.
I can receive 9HD, but not 7HD or 10HD.
I can also receive 9 Digital, but not 7 Digital or 10 Digital.
Any ideas why?
Thanks!
Danny | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
It sounds like you are not receiving any on the Seven or Ten channels, if this is so then your problem is simply reception. If you can get one of the channels for a certain network then chances are you can get them all.
What you need to do is play with the aireal if it’s bunny ears you just need to go through the painful process of playing around with them until you can get the channels.
If it is an outdoor antenna then the best option is to call a professional to come and fix it up for you.
gius | Sep 2, 2008 | Reply
I seem to be getting 9hd and 10hd in Gordonvale but all they are is a high definition Demonstration.Why is this so
help needed | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply
how can i manually find the digital 44 channels? i have it before i accidentally reset my channels so its all gone. it was setup by my tv technician. help please!
Danny | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply
Depends what box you have, you should re-scann all channels, would be the easyest way.
help needed | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply
hi. thanks. i dont have a box. its built in in the tv already. i re scan and still it wouldnt show up. i remember my tv technician entering some frequency number to manually enter the digital 44 channels. but i dont know these frequency numbers. would you know sir?>
why won't it work? | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
Hi, I am in metro Sydney.
I have a new Asus notebook with a usb 2.0 digital tv receiver.
When I scan for available channels I receive all SBS channels crystal clear (HD and including radio and news) but I cannot pick up 7,9,10 or any ABC.
The normal tv in another room picks up all free-to-air stations (no set-top box) clearly.
I have reset the laptop signal several times, in different locations of my house and different suburbs but still no luck.
My neighbour receives all channels and he is no more then 20m away from my laptop.
In hope of success I have done everything I know how except a handstand when resetting the channels.
Do you have any suggestions as to how I solve this issue?
Danny | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
No I wouldn’t know sorry, I’m not from Sydney so I don’t realy know anything about the digital 44 service. The only thing I can suggest is to call the technician out again.
Danny | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
With your USB tuner in the notbook the best advice I can give is not to use the aireal that came included with it. Usually it is about 15cm long and plugs right into your USB device, they are pretty much useless.
Try connecting your USB tuner into the same ariel that your TV uses, if you need a connector to do this somewhere liek Dick Smith can help you with that.
help needed | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
thanks danny. i owe you a beer.
Mary | Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I live in Pt Augusta SA With a hd set top box can I get HDTV
Chris | Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
I live in Lilydale (VIC) should I be able to get channel 10HD? I get all other HD channels, just not 10HD.
Danny | Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
Yes, if having trouble, re-scan your channels.
Confused | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Hi Danny
I live in Hoppers Crossing Vic Melbourne and cant for some reason get 7 on my 2 Pioneer Plasma Tv’s, do you think It would be the reception as I have reset factory settings and rescanned several times and get all other channels except for 7 in HD and Digital.
Please help
Danny | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Sounds like you will need someone to come out and have a look at it, someone who deals with antennas…