Lithgow City Council is reminding the community that there is a little over two weeks left to prepare for the end of analogue television transmission on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

“Residents within Lithgow , Wallerawang and Portland urban areas with a digital TV or an analogue TV with digital set top box will receive high quality digital transmission after 5 June 2012 in the same way they currently receive both analogue and digital transmission,” said Lithgow City Council Mayor Neville Castle . “If you can already see digital channels like ABC 2 and SBS 2 then in most cases you need do nothing. In some cases, aerials and cables may need adjustment to optimise the receipt of the digital signal.”

Residents in these urban areas not currently seeing digital TV need to install either a digital TV or digital set top box in conjunction with an analogue TV. Without this equipment, residents will receive no TV signal after 5 June 2012.

As previously advised, analogue transmission to television blackspot areas in and around Hartley, Capertee and around Portland will cease on 5 June 2012 and to Capertee Valley on 31 August 2012. These residents will need to connect to the VAST digital satellite television service.

The 30 April 2012 deadline for digital satellite television subsidy applications has passed, however Council encourages residents who may have overlooked the deadline, to contact the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 to explain their situation .

“Council has received a number of calls from residents recently connected to VAST who have been unable to find local news. The Digital Taskforce advises that Central West news is broadcast on a half-hour delay with Prime Central West news on channel 404 at 7.00pm and WIN Central West news on channel 420 at 7.30pm,” said the Mayor.

“ With the 5 June deadline approaching, I encourage people to check if their friends, family and neighbours are digital ready and to help them out if you think they might need assistance,” said the Mayor. “People can also contact an Australian Government endorsed antenna installer for assistance by ringing 1800 201013 or visiting myswitch at www.digitalready.gov.au .”

“Remember too that if you already have a digital TV, or are planning to upgrade one, you don't need to throw out your analogue TV. These can still be used for watching DVDs, videos or with a game system like Xbox, Wii or PlayStation. If you do want to dispose of your old TV, you can take it a Council landfill depot,” concluded the Mayor.

Contact:

Mayor Neville Castle
Tel: 02 6354 9999
Fax: 02 6351 4259

Matthew Johnson
Acting Group Manager Community and Strategy
Tel: 02 6354 9999
Fax: 02 6351 4259