Regional broadcaster WIN TV has this week commenced an upgrade program that will eventually see all of its free-to-air broadcast channels move to the Mpeg-4 transmission technology.
Over the next three months, the WIN Network is set to transition its remaining Mpeg2 channels to Mpeg4. This change is part of the network’s move to enhance picture quality and provide more flexible Free to Air programming to its regional Australian viewers.
As part of the upgrade, GEM (Ch81) has moved to the Mpeg-4 format this week across most of regional Australia. Currently the channel is broadcast in a Standard Resolution format.
WIN has confirmed it intends to upgrade the GEM channel to High Definition this July, just in time for the networks Ashes cricket coverage in a move that will finally bring the channel into line with metro markets.
Additionally, the GO! multichannel (Ch82) is set to upgrade to the Mpeg4 format in June. Channel 8, which currently transmits Nine SD (Standard Definition) of lesser quality, will also move to the Mpeg4 format in the upcoming months.
Several channels including Nine HD (Ch80), Nine Life (Ch83), TVSN (Ch84), and GOLD (Ch85) are already utilising the updated Mpeg4 technology. If viewers currently receive these channels without issue, they should not encounter any problems during this transition period.
Most televisions purchased in the last decade should be compatible with this technology upgrade. Consequently, the transition is expected to be seamless for these devices.
However, older televisions, specifically those over ten years old, might already be missing out on channels such as Nine HD, Life, TVSN, and Gold. Unfortunately, these devices will also lose access to GEM and GO over the coming months.
To ensure uninterrupted access to all WIN channels, the network recommends upgrading to a television that is less than ten years old. A few models aged between 8-10 years may also struggle to receive the new format, though these cases are believed to be rare. For viewers not wishing to invest in a new television, purchasing a set-top box from a local electrical appliance store presents a cost-effective alternative.
This technology upgrade is not exclusive to WIN Network. Other free-to-air broadcasters have already started migrating their channels to the Mpeg4 format and will continue to do so.
Viewers in Eastern South Australia and Griffith should take note that all Seven Network channels and Network Ten Channels are also planning their transition to Mpeg4 soon.
In Tasmania, all commercial broadcasters, apart from channels 8, 6, and 5, have already adopted the Mpeg4 format. The remaining channels are expected to transition to Mpeg4 within this calendar year.
