Transmission Information

In this article

Viewer Access Satellite Television

In areas of Australia where the terrestrial DTV signal is is not available, viewers may wish to install Viewer Access Satellite Television or VAST.

VAST provides digital television and radio services to viewers in regional and remote areas of Australia; as well as viewers who are unable to receive digital TV through their normal antenna.

The VAST service provides all the channels for SBS, the ABC and the Commercial Television Networks.

Visit https://www.mysattv.com.au/ to learn how to apply for VAST and how to get a satellite dish and a VAST set top box receiver installed.

Cannot Get Ch30 SBS ONE HD, Ch31 SBS VICELAND, Ch32 SBS World Movies, Ch34 NITV HD or Ch35 WorldWatch?

Important MPEG-4 Compatibility Advice

SBS HD Ch30 SBS ONE HD, Ch31 SBS VICELAND, Ch32 SBS World Movies, Ch33 SBS Food, Ch34 NITV HD and Ch35 WorldWatch compatibility with older TV sets, Set Top Boxes or Video Recorders.

Since 2014 MPEG-4 H.264 is the most widely used compression format for distribution of high quality video content.

If you are using an older TV receiver, recorder or set top box and find that you cannot watch or record the SBS channels listed above, the TV, set top box or recorder you are using might not be compatible with the MPEG-4 H.264 compression format and can only decode the older and less efficient MPEG-2 format.

To test if that is the case:

  1. Push 3 on the numeric keypad of your remote control. SBS ONE SD should display correctly on your screen.
  2. Now push 30. If you see a black screen or an error message like "invalid channel" or can only hear the audio, the receiver may not be MPEG-4 compatible. Let's make sure.
  3. Push 31. Same result? If yes...
  4. Push 32. Same result? If yes...
  5. Push 36. Now if you should see the picture again. This is NITV SD by the way...

If your test results are like all of the above, you can be pretty sure your TV receiver is NOT MPEG-4 compatible.

Before doing anything else though, we recommend to contact your TV or set top box manufacturer, provide the device model number and ask if that particular model is MPEG-4 compatible and, if not, if they can provide a firmware update to solve the issue. 

If MPEG-4 incompatibility is confirmed by the manufacturer, you have two ways to resolve the issue:

  1. Install a digital set top box. Digital set top boxes are available from around $50 in any good electronics store and are fairly easy to install and setup.
  2. Upgrade your TV, Set Top Box or Video Recorder.

SBS Electronic Program Guide Update

SBS EPG Enhancements

In order to add Consumer advice to all SBS channels and Country of Origin for SBS World  Movies in the Electronic Program Guide (EPG), on 2nd December 2019 SBS has made the following changes for Free-To-Air (FTA) Terrestrial and VAST satellite platforms (NOT for FOXTEL or FETCH TV):

The program synopsis has been moved from ‘Short Event Descriptor’ to ‘Extended Event Descriptor’ in the Event information Table (EIT) that’s used by the Digital TVs and receivers to display the EPG.

The ‘Short Event Descriptor’ now contains Consumer Advice and Country of Origin information for relevant programs.

Some old TV sets may not be compatible and therefore, won’t able to display the program synopsis which is now under ‘Extended Event Descriptor’.

This incompatibility can only be addressed by the manufacturer. SBS recommends viewers with affected receivers to contact the manufacturer, report the issue and ask if a firmware update will be available to fix it.

Television Classification & Consumer Advice on SBS Programs and Guides

SBS classifies programs broadcast on SBS Television and SBS On Demand (with the exception of news and current affairs and sports programs) to ensure they are suitable for broadcast and to inform audiences about the nature of the content. SBS’s television classification standards are set out in the SBS Code of Practice.

SBS provides advice on the principal reasons for an M and MA15+ classification at the start of the relevant programs on SBS’s television service and in conjunction with the relevant programs on SBS On Demand.

SBS may provide other appropriate consumer advice at the start of a program. In particular, SBS will provide appropriate consumer advice at the start of a PG classified program where SBS considers that the program contains material of a strength or intensity which SBS reasonably believes parents or guardians of young children may not expect.

Consumer advice is indicated on the SBS Guide next to the classification category (M, MA15+ and in some cases PG) using the following letters and key:

Consumer advice:

A – adult themes

D – drug references

H – horror

L – language

N – nudity

S – sexual references

V - violence

SBS Radio Services On DTV

SBS Radio Services on DTV

From 5 December 2023 the following SBS DTV Radio channels currently located on the LCN (Logical Channel Number) 30 range will no longer be available:

36 - SBS Arabic24
37 - SBS Radio 1
38 - SBS Radio 2
39 - SBS Chill

From the 5 December 2023 update, all SBS DTV Radio channels will be available from LCN 301 to 307 only.

Reorganizing SBS radio channels on the LCNs 300 range aims to simplify the navigation of SBS Radio channels on DTV as follows:

301 - SBS Radio 1
302 - SBS Radio 2
303 - SBS Radio 3
304 - SBS Arabic24
305 - SBS PopDesi
306 - SBS Chill
307 - SBS PopAsia

No user action is forecast for this change for listeners with recent TV sets with automatic update capabilities. The update will be seamless.

Listeners with older TV sets lacking automatic update capabilities may need to retune their receiver (see generic retuning instructions here below).

After retuning, all the SBS DTV Radio channels will become available on the 300 LCN range, from LCN 301 to 307, as listed above.

Self-Help SBS Television Providers Optus D2 Migration Support

Starting 30th January 2024, the SBS Digital Television Distribution Service (DTDS) carried on Optus D2 @160°E will begin transitioning to alternate satellites.

To maintain the reception of SBS television services via satellite beyond August 1, 2024, providers will be required to adjust/retune their local set up or transition to using VAST services.

Without any intervention, the satellite service you receive will go off air.

Please note there are no changes to the SBS television service on VAST carried on the Optus 10 and Optus D3 satellites @156°E.

The latest version of the Self-Help D2 migration guide can be downloaded from https://www.myvast.com.au/

If you still have queries relating to the satellite reception, please email: vastcams@optus.com.au

Support staff will be available during business hours from January to August 2024.

Digital TV & Reception Advice FAQs

Digital television (DTV) is the transmission of audio and video by discrete (digital) signals. Digital means it has high picture and stereo sound quality.

Standard Definition(SD) vs High Definition(HD)

Both standard and high definition television are digital formats.  Standard definition (SD) television provides digital images and sound that is considerably better than analog. High definition (HD) television is an enhancement that provides higher resolution images.

HD has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD.

Standard-definition DTV broadcast resolutions

720 x 576 pixels

High-definition DTV broadcast resolutions

1920 x 1080

MPEG4 H.264 as 2014 is the most commonly used compression standard for distribution of video content today.

IMPORTANT: If you are using an older TV set and are unable to watch SBS channels 30, 31, 32, 35 and 33, 34, after the 5 December 2023, it is because the TV is not MPEG4 compatible and can only decode the older, less efficient MPEG2 format. The quickest and easiest way to resolve the issue is to install a digital set top box or, alternatively, upgrade the TV.

SBS services are available on free to air DTV as follows:

Channel Name

Channel Number

SD or HD

Encoding Format

Video PID

Audio PID
SBS ONE

3

SD 720 x 576i

MPEG-2

161

81/82
SBS ONE HD

30

HD 1920 x 1080i

MPEG-4

102

103/104
SBS VICELAND

31

HD 1920 x 1080i

MPEG-4

166

86/88
SBS World Movies

32

HD 1920 x 1080i

MPEG-4

162

83/84
SBS Food

33

SD 720 x 576i

MPEG-4

163

85
NITV HD

34

HD 1920 x 1080i

MPEG-4

164

87/89
SBS WorldWatch

35

SD 720 x 576i

MPEG-4

165

90
NITV SD 36

SD 720 x 576i

MPEG-2

167

91/92
SBS Radio 1

301

MPEG-1 Layer 2

201
SBS Radio 2

302

MPEG-1 Layer 2

202
SBS Radio 3

303

MPEG-1 Layer 2

205
SBS Arabic24

304

MPEG-1 Layer 2

204
SBS PopDesi

305

AAC

206
SBS Chill

306

MPEG-1 Layer 2

203
SBS PopAsia

307

AAC

207

Reception Advice

Enquiries regarding SBS reception should be referred directly to SBS Audience Relations on the free call number 1800 500 727 (business hours) , or alternatively visiting the SBS Help Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why does my picture continually break up?

Picture break-up (pixelation) is generally due to low signal level or signal interference. Common causes are faulty antenna cabling and connections, bad atmospheric conditions, or electrical appliances operating in the area. The most common solution is to retune the TV, but if that doesn't help you will need to call an antenna technician.

How do I get the best digital reception from my TV aerial?

Always use a qualified antenna technician to install and maintain your antenna system. If you are in an area where the signal strength is low, you may need a high-gain aerial for the best reception. Again, a qualified antenna technician can take exact signal level measurements and advised accordingly.

Your DTV antenna should ideally be mounted outside and as high up as possible. It must be pointing in the right direction towards the best local transmitter. The antenna, cables and connections need to be ,maintained in good conditions - cables and connections in particular can become corroded, especially if you live near the sea. For best performance, a maintenance check should be scheduled at least every five years.

I have lost the SBS signal, how do I get it back?

To restore missing channels, you need to retune your digital receiver (set top box or TV).

The instructions below are basic and not related to any specific receiver brand. Menu descriptions and labels may vary depending on your equipment.

Auto Tuning

Push Menu or Home button on remote control

Press OK

Select Settings, Setup, Channel, Broadcast or Installation

Press OK

Select Digital Setup

Press OK

Auto scan or Auto tune will appear,

Select and Press OK

It will take few minutes for the tuner to re-scan all the frequencies available in your area. The scan will search for all the channel and restore it in your Digital TV or receiver memory.

Press Exit

For specific retuning instructions, consult your equipment manual.

In most cases, retuning the TV solves the issue. Otherwise you may have to reset your antenna connection cable and retune again or get a qualified antenna technician to check your antenna system if there are no TV reception issues in the area.

Could trees be affecting my TV reception?

It's possible, especially if there are large trees obstructing the line of sight between your TV antenna and the transmission site. The TV signal travels in a straight line from the transmitter to the antenna and does not bend well around large objects such as trees. The signal may fluctuate in wet or windy weather. Trees can act as a barrier to the signal, with the resulting in a pixilated or frozen digital TV picture.

How can I receive the SBS satellite service if I'm in a remote location? 

Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) provides digital television to viewers in remote areas of Australia who are unable to receive digital TV through their normal TV antenna due to local interference, terrain obstacles or lack of signal from the transmitter in the area.

What equipment do I need?

To access VAST you will need to buy a VAST certified satellite set top box and a satellite dish of at least 65cm diameter. Contact your satellite dish installer to determine the best dish size for your specific location. Access to VAST is controlled by the smart card supplied with your satellite set top box. To access VAST you will need to register your details including your address, reception location and smart card number at the following site: http://www.mysattv.com.au/

The SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme

The SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme can assist small communities that do not currently have access to SBS TV or radio coverage to provide retransmission of SBS programming in their local area, by allocating funding assistance for the cost of setting up a local retransmission facility.

Please see information on the revised guidelines here below.

The SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme can now provide up to 100% funding assistance for the establishment of an SBS Radio service up to a ceiling of $25,000 and 75% of the actual establishment costs for Digital Television up to a ceiling of $30,000. Where a Self-Help transmitter provides a good coverage for at least two communities, the funding can be raised up to $50,000. Effective from the 1st of January 2007, applicants for radio subsidy are required to obtain two competitive quotes. Apart from these revisions, the SBS Self-Help Retransmission funding process and the SBS Subsidy Scheme remain unchanged. Applicants are reminded that the operation of any Self-Help service requires the acquisition of a broadcasting licence from the ACMA. Please be advised that, in some cases, the ACMA may not be able to find and allocate an available frequency for your area. In such circumstances, the service may not be viable and no subsidy can be provided. In summary, The SBS Self-Help Retransmission is a scheme that offers a simpler way for communities to receive SBS radio and/or television faster and more efficiently than might otherwise be provided through full Federal Government funding.

The SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme is administered entirely by SBS, and can include financial assistance with the purchase of such items as transmitters, radiating antennas, satellite antennas (dishes) and receivers, huts, towers, cabling, spare parts, mains power connection fees and installation costs.

To know more about the SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme for radio and television, please send us a request for information at:

SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme
Locked Bag 028
Crows Nest NSW 1585

Contact: alberto.cremonese@sbs.com.au

NOTE: The Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme is currently being reviewed