Receive Full HD TV via indoor antenna: Oehlbach-T2 HD makes it possible – with the right hardware

For a long time, citizens who sat on the TV reception via (room) antenna had to settle for resolution in SD quality. This has an end: For half a year, the public and private broadcasters emit some of their programs in DVB-T2 HD. This offer will be steadily expanded in the coming months to a total of 40 stations in (Full) HD quality. It should be ready early next year and then the existing DVB-T will also be switched off. Anyone who wants to prepare for the coming standard already can do so with peace of mind: all DVB-T2 HD receivers can also receive the “normal” DVB-T until the conversion is complete. In the field of DVB-T2 HD antennas, the cable and electronics specialist Oehlbach offers a wide range of compatible products.

Receive Full HD TV via indoor antenna: DVB-T2 HD makes it possible – with the right hardware

For a long time, citizens who sat on the TV reception via (room) antenna had to settle for resolution in SD quality. This has an end: For half a year, the public and private broadcasters emit some of their programs in DVB-T2 HD. This offer will be steadily expanded in the coming months to a total of 40 stations in (Full) HD quality. It should be ready early next year and then the existing DVB-T will also be switched off. Anyone who wants to prepare for the coming standard already can do so with peace of mind: all DVB-T2 HD receivers can also receive the “normal” DVB-T until the conversion is complete. In the field of DVB-T2 HD antennas, the cable and electronics specialist Oehlbach offers a wide range of compatible products.

Since May 2016, it is finally available: DVB-T2 HD has been broadcast for half a year. The conversion offers many new possibilities, but it also raises a lot of questions: What do I need to receive? Can I continue to receive DVB-T in standard quality? What does DVB-T2 HD cost? And so on. The Oehlbach Kabel GmbH answers the most important questions about the new TV standard.

What advantages does DVB-T2 HD offer over DVB-T?

DVB-T2 HD allows the reception of HDTV programs via room, outdoor or roof antenna. With the new standard, the broadcast of terrestrial programs with up to 1920 x 1080 pixels is possible. This corresponds to five times the previous DVB-T resolution. A total of 40 different public and private programs are to be received. 

Can I still receive the normal DVB-T? 
The current normal DVB-T broadcasting operation is expected to continue until the end of March 2017 nationwide. Then the complete conversion to DVB-T2 HD takes place and the SD programs (SD = Standard Definition) are switched off. From that point on, no reception is possible with the previous hardware (DVB-T receiver). But there is also good news: If you already access new DVB-T2 HD receivers (receivers or antennas), you can receive both DVB-T2 HD and the normal DVB-T.

What is the status quo of DVB-T2 HD?

Currently only six different channels are broadcast in Germany via DVB-T2 HD: the first HD, ZDF HD, RTL HD, Pro7 HD, Sat1 HD and Vox HD. The reception of all mentioned stations is currently free. On http://www.dvb-t2hd.de/regionen  a map shows the current reception situation. Alternatively, a receipt check for a specific postal code can be done: http://www.dvb-t2hd.de/empfangscheck . 

What does DVB-T2 HD cost?

At present, DVB-T2 HD is still free, both at the reception of the public and the private programs. For the offers of ARD and ZDF including the later starting branch programs remains the same. The private channels are free according to www.freenet.tv until June 2017. Thereafter, a fee of 5.75 euros per month (69.00 euros per year) is required for the reception. From this point on, the encrypted broadcasting of private broadcasters starts. An overview of the current and planned DVB-T2 HD program is available here: http://www.dvb-t2hd.de/programme . 

What do I have to consider?

If you want to receive DVB-T2 HD, make sure that your receiver has exactly this name. If there is only DVB-T2 (without ‘HD’), this receiver probably will not work in Germany. Buyers can follow the green DVB-T2 HD logo or the freenet.tv logo. If you also want to receive the private channels, you should make sure that the receiver has a CI slot when buying a receiver. This is necessary to accommodate the appropriate CI decryption module. There are also receivers that have already integrated the corresponding technology. These are usually marked with the freenet.tv logo. Further information is available here: http://www.dvb-t2hd.de/geraete .   

What should be considered when choosing the indoor antenna?

The idea behind the terrestrial television is to make a variety of programs easily and possibly via indoor antenna receivable. This works for DVB-T2 HD currently mainly in the large metropolitan areas, but should be possible in the future but nationwide. When choosing the antenna, there are a few points to consider: In poor reception situations, an integrated signal amplifier makes sense. However, this should be able to be switched off completely and regularly, because a good signal can be reduced in quality by unnecessary amplification.

Where can I get a DVB-T2 HD antenna?

The cable and electronics specialist Oehlbach offers in its assortment a wide selection for different applications: http://www.oehlbach.com/de/home-cinema/dvb-t-antennen/ . 

The Scope Vision (RRP 49.99 Euro) is extremely compact and extremely flexible in terms of installation or mounting. Scope Max (RRP 69.99 Euro) not only offers excellent DVB-T2 HD reception but is also a stylish design element with its carbon look. The Digital Flat 2.5 (RRP 89.00 Euro) captivates with its perfect reception without the annoying alignment and with its extremely low-noise amplifier it is also suitable for difficult reception situations. 

Finally, the XXL Razor Flat (RRP 99.00 Euro) is the undisputed flagship in the Oehlbach antenna portfolio: just a few millimeters thick, the 5-star product disappears inconspicuously behind the TV or other piece of furniture while providing first-class terrestrial reception. The power supply can be done directly via USB port from the TV.