Frequently Asked Questions
- General Information
- Equipment
- Reception Problem
- Digital Transition 2020
- MPEG-4 decoder set-top box
- High Definition
- Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
- Dictionary: What do the terms mean
The technical specifications of the digital terrestrial broadcasts can be found in the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Frequency Plan (1), which defines, among other things, the coordinates of the Transmitters Sites, the allowed transmission power, the frequencies for each site, etc.
(1) JMD 42800/5-10-2012, G.G. 2704/Β’/5-10-2012 JMD 18/2020, G.G. Β’ 1752, JMD 22176/2021 G.G. Β’ 3011, JMD 36/2021 G.G. 4520
The technology mandated by law for the digitization of the television signal is DVB-T transmission standard with MPEG-4 (or H.264) encoding. which refers to the transmission standard as well as the encoding protocol. This configuration is still in use today (1).
(1) JMD 716-003/30/4/2014, JMD 18/2020, G.G. Β’ 1752, 7/5/2020, Decision EETΤ 951/01/2020, G.G. Β’ 3725, 7/9/2020, JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021, JMD 36/2021, Decision EETTΤ. 1019/01 G.G. Β' 148, 20/01/2022
Each regional TV channel may be broadcasted in a specific Regional Zone, as defined by law (1). Digea broadcasts all regional TV channels that hold a valid license and viewers can only watch the channels that are broadcasted within the Regional Zone they are located.
No. All free-to-air TV channels can be watched free of charge in areas covered by the digital network of Digea (1).
(1) after obtaining the relevant license from the National Broadcasting Council [E.S.R. in Greek])
Digea does not provide direct-to-home satellite reception service. Viewers can receive the commercial nationwide and regional TV channels broadcasted by Digea via terrestrial reception, i.e. through their antenna and not through a satellite dish.
Digea has built and operates a digital terrestrial television transmission network servicing most of the country, as mandated by law (1).
The technical parameters of each mandatory Transmitter Site, such as its coordinates, transmission power, operating frequencies, etc. are defined in the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Frequency Plan (1).
To extend the digital TV coverage to areas not serviced by the network of Digea (2) (known as "white areas"), the following options are available:
I. Installation of local gap-fillers by initiative of other interested parties.
In accordance with the applicable legislation (3) third parties, such as Municipal authorities, are allowed to install and operate low power digital gap-fillers in order to extend the digital signal coverage in their area. They are required to cover the costs for the procurement, installation, operation and maintenance of these gap-fillers, while Digea is required to cooperate with any such third party through the whole process. The detailed procedure can be found on the Digea website (4). In any case, the operation of these gap-fillers and what content is being broadcast (or not) is the sole responsibility of the third party that installs it, in compliance with the above mentioned regulations.
(1) JMD 716-003/30/4/2014, JMD 18/2020, G.G. Β’ 1752, 7/5/2020, Decision EETΤ 951/01/2020, G.G. Β’ 3725, 7/9/2020, JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021, JMD 36/2021, Decision EETT 1019/01 G.G. Β' 148, 20/01/2022
(2) according to the Frequency Plan
(3) article 6 par.2, Decision No 716-003/2014 ( G.G. Β’ 1693/25-6-2014) of E.E.T.T.
(4) For the relevant procedure click here. (only available in Greek)
The only equipment you need is a TV set with an integrated DVB-T/MPEG-4 receiver or a TV set connected to an external DVB-T/MPEG-4 receiver, and a simple antenna for the reception of the digital signal.
You can watch TV on your computer by connecting a digital TV Tuner to it. You will have to use an outdoor or indoor TV antenna.
Possible reasons:
- Location
Your area may not yet be serviced by digital signal. You can check digital signal coverage at your location here.
- Local obstacles (man-made or natural)
Digital signal reception may be obstructed by terrain (mountains, hills) or other obstacles closer to your location like trees or tall buildings. Ensure that there is no obstacle blocking the line of sight between your receiving antenna and the Transmitter site that serves your area. If that is not possible, you can try to receive the signal by reflection, using an amplifier if necessary.
- Interference (large scale or local)
The reception in certain locations may sometimes be affected by interfering signals. Digea operates on frequencies that are defined by law and are allocated for exclusive use by our network (1), so in case interference from third party transmissions occurs, we document the incident and notify the appropriate authorities that will have to take action in order to resolve the issue.
In case many people in your immediate area are having problems receiving a particular TV channel bundle or a specialized technician has verified that there are interfering signals present, please let us know so we can assess the incident and determine its cause. Click here to contact us.
- Cabling
A cable in your antenna installation may have been unfastened or a connection gotten loose during bad weather conditions such as strong winds or storms. Similarly, your decoder or TV set may accidentally have been disconnected as a result of everyday activities such as cleaning or moving furniture. We recommend that you check that all cables are connected properly.
- Installation
There might be a malfunction in a component of your reception installation, such as the antenna, its cabling, mixers, amplifiers, distributors, sockets etc. You may need to consult a qualified technician in your area.
- Decoder settings
Some problems can be resolved by retuning your receiver. If you have performed an “automatic channel search/scan” and still are missing some TV channels, try looking for them with a “manual search/scan” in their specific frequency. You can also try resetting your receiver to its factory settings. You can find detailed instructions here.
(1) JMD 716-003/30/04/2014, JMD 18/2020, G.G. Β’ 1752, 7/5/2020, Decision EETT 951/01/2020, G.G. Β’ 3725, 7/9/2020, JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021, JMD 36/2021, 30/09/2021, Decision EETT 1019/01 G.G. Β’ 148, 20/01/2022
Your antenna may not be properly oriented towards a Transmitter Site.
Visit the Coverage Map to find out which Transmitter Site is recommended for your area, by clicking here.
If there is digital coverage in your area, try pointing your antenna towards the Transmitter Site that provides the strongest signal. The use of an amplifier may be necessary if you still are not satisfied with the received signal strength and quality. We recommend consulting with a qualified technician in your area.
There is also a possibility that the tuner or the decoder of your device is “stuck” and needs a reset to its factory settings. You can find instructions here.
- Check all connections and cabling. Are they all in place? Are there any damaged cables?
- Perform a new channel search/scan, “automatically” or “manually”.
- Restart your receiver. Unplug your decoder for a few minutes and then plug it in again.
- Check the orientation of your antenna. It should face the Transmitter Site from which you receive the strongest signal, according to the Coverage Map.
- Perform a test with a simple indoor antenna. If you receive all channels with the indoor antenna then there is a problem with the outdoor antenna/installation. For best reception with an internal antenna, place it on a high spot in the room.
- Disconnect the decoder for 30 minutes to let it cool down in case it has overheated.
- Use a signal amplifier in your installation. If you are in an area of marginal coverage, try turning up the gain of the amplifier if it has that option.
- Conversely, if you receive very strong signal from a Transmitter site, remove the signal amplifier from your installation or turn down its gain. Some receivers tend to malfunction when they detect a very high signal level in their input, causing reception problems.
- Contact the dealer from which you bought your device or a qualified technician. If the problem persists, your device may be damaged or there might be a more complicated issue with your installation.
Consult a technician of your choice.
- Check the audio volume using your remote control.
- Restart your device.
- Unplug your device for a few minutes.
If the problem persists, consult the dealer from which you bought your device or a qualified technician of your choice.
2. Make sure an “eco mode” or similar is not active on your device.
3. Turn your device off for a few minutes and then back on. Perform a factory reset of your device.
4. If you are using an external decoder (set-top box) and connect it to the TV via SCART or Component V/A (RCA), use HDMI instead.
If the problem is not resolved by any of the above, there is probably a malfunction in your device. Contact the dealer from which you bought your device or a qualified technician.
- Check the color profiles or balance in the video settings of your device. Check whether a preset picture profile is active (e.g. movie mode).
- Make sure an “eco mode” or similar is not active on your device.
- Turn your device off for a few minutes and then back on. Perform a factory reset of your device.
- If you are using an external decoder (set-top box) and connect it to the TV via SCART or Component V/A (RCA), use HDMI instead.
If the problem is not resolved by any of the above, there is probably a malfunction in your device. Contact the dealer from which you bought your device or a qualified technician.
Adverse weather conditions may weaken digital signal reception. If you are in an area with marginal coverage, reception may indeed worsen during bad weather. If however the problem persists after the weather is back to normal, check your installation. The orientation of your antenna may have shifted due to strong winds, or a cable may have been cut or disconnected.
If you are watching a program where video and audio are not in sync, turn your external decoder (or your TV set with an integrated decoded) off for a few minutes and then turn it back on.
If the problem persists, try clearing the stored channels and add them again, either by deleting all channels and performing “automatic rescanning”, or by “resetting to factory settings”. (You can find instructions here).
If the problem persists you may need to consult a qualified technician of your choice.
Of course. You only need to know the frequency on which the specific channel bundle is broadcast from the Transmitter Site that serves your location. Then, find the “Manual Search” setting in the “Settings” menu of your device and enter the frequency you are looking for. Click here to find the frequencies of the TV channels in each Transmitter Site.
After performing an automatic scan, a receiver usually stores channels either alphabetically or in order of reception frequency.
If you wish to change the order of the stored TV channels you will have to use the “channels processing” or similar option in the menu of your device (1).
(1) Each device and/or brand differs and may therefore follow a different procedure for scanning and storing channels. The described steps correspond to the most commonly used wordings, therefore if you require more specific information you may have to refer to the operating manual of your device.
Like all wireless communications, the operation of digital terrestrial television is based on the propagation of radio waves from a transmitting point, the Transmitter Site, to a receiving point that is the antenna of the viewer. Certain weather conditions can affect signal propagation, resulting in video distortion, signal loss, or interference.
The most common way that weather conditions affect the propagation of the TV signal is through refraction. Under certain conditions, mainly intense heat or humidity, changes in the refractive index of the atmosphere can cause the signal to “bend” and slightly change direction.
When over the surface of the sea, there is an increased possibility of irregular and rapid change of the refractive index, which bends the propagated signal in unpredictable directions so much that it arrives at the receiving location weakened, or even not at all.
Conversely, it is possible that another signal from a distant Transmitter Site, even from another country, is amplified by this phenomenon and allowed to interfere with the reception of the desired nearby signals.
Reception instability due to tropospheric propagation of the television signal is a complex phenomenon that depends significantly on the weather conditions that are present in a specific area. As such, it is not possible to deal with it by constantly changing the local operation parameters of the network, which in any case are strictly defined by law
(1) JMD 716-003/30/04/2014, JMD 18/2020, G.G. Β’ 1752, 7/5/2020, Decision EETTΤ 951/01/2020, G.G. Β’ 3725, 7/9/2020, JMD 22176, G.G. Β’ 3011, 8/7/2021, JMD 36/2021, 30/09/2021, Decision EETT 1019/01 G.G. Β’ 148, 20/01/2022
According to European Union legislation (1), the 700 MHz bandwidth that was used for digital television broadcasting is now allocated for the development of 5G network by telecom operators. Thus, the new transition is performed in order to clear the 700 MHz band and move digital television broadcasts to frequencies within the remaining TV spectrum.
No TV channels were added or removed. The transition only affected the frequencies of the broadcasts and not their content.
It is an electronic device that receives a signal from a connected antenna (indoor or outdoor) and transforms it to a form compatible with a TV of older technology (such as CRT). Specifically, it receives the digital signal from the antenna and after decoupling it and decoding it, makes it possible to play on it.
A separate external decoder is required for each TV. If you connect all TVs to the same set-top box, they will all display the same channel.
Yes, you will need to perform “automatic search/scan”, using the external decoder’s remote and not the TV’s, as you will only need the TV’s remote for turning the TV on/off and for sound and color settings, etc. See how to retune your device here.
The decoders for digital terrestrial reception are either Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD). There are also more advanced models that are also satellite receivers, but these too perform the same basic functions in terms of terrestrial DVB-T signal reception.
If you own an older CRT TV set or a flat screen TV (LCD/ Plasma) without an integrated DVB-T/MPEG-4 receiver and without an HDMI port, then a simple decoder set-top box with SCART or RCA (3 colors – yellow, white, red) ports will be enough.
If your TV is flat screen (LCD/ Plasma) without an integrated DVB-T/MPEG-4 receiver, but does have an HDMI port, we recommend a decoder with HDMI output, for better viewing quality.
Step 1. Connect the aerial cable (antenna) to the decoder (RF IN port).
Step 2. Connect your decoder to your TV using the appropriate cable (SCART, RCA or HDMI).
Step 3. Power the decoder on.
Step 4. Using your TV’s remote, find the input port in which you have connected the decoder. They are usually labelled AV 1,2..., ΕΧΤ 1, 2..., HDMI 1, 2... etc.
Step 5. Set your decoder using its own remote control, following the instructions in its manual. To make things easier, you can choose “automatic search/scan”.
If however some or all channels are not discovered, perform a manual search/scan.
Next, you can switch between channels using the decoder’s remote.
You will only need the TV’s remote to turn it on/off and for sound and color settings, etc., but not for switching between channels.
There are multi-function remote controls available in the market that can control multiple devices.
If your decoder is behaving erratically, whether it is an integrated or an external one, we recommend that you try to “reset to factory settings” following these steps:
1. Select Factory Settings at Tools tab and click OK.
2. Confirm your selection by clicking Yes.
3. If prompted for a password, press 0-0-0-0 or 1-2-3-4.
4. In the initial installation tab, select your preferred language and click OK.
5. When the search is complete, click OK to watch the program you want.
Each device and/or brand differs and may therefore follow a different procedure for scanning and storing channels. The following steps depict the most commonly used wordings, therefore if you require more specific information you may have to refer to the operating manual of your device.
If your TV does not have an integrated DVB-T/MPEG-4 decoder and you need to connect an external decoder, use one picture and sound cable (SCART, RCA or HDMI) for the decoder and one for the game console. To do so it is a prerequisite that the TV has a port available for every device.
Your receiver may not support High Definition video. You can verify this by checking the user manual of your device. If you wish, you can delete the HD channels that are not displayed and continue watching the TV channels in standard definition.
If your device supports HD resolution, try to retune your receiver. Check whether the Transmitter Site which serves your location broadcasts TV channels in HD resolution. Consult the TV Channels Frequencies section to see the available channels from the Transmitter Site that serves your location.
Your TV or external decoder may not be able to display HD content.
If the Transmitter Site that serves your location broadcasts channels in HD resolution and you are using a TV with an integrated MPEG-4 decoder or an external MPEG-4 decoder, you can consult the operating instructions to properly set up your device or contact the store where you purchased the device. You can also contact an authorized retailer of the manufacturer brand.
In order to view program information in Greek, make sure that your digital receiver supports the Greek language and set it in this particular mode.
Even if it does support Greek, it is possible that the decoder chooses English by default due to its factory settings. In any case, you can consult the user’s manual of your device. Our company provides the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) service for the commercial TV channels in both Greek and English.
Set the correct time on your decoder via its settings menu.
If there is a slight change in a channel’s program flow (i.e. late start), then the information provided by the EPG service may not be fully in sync with the actual schedule. This information is provided directly by the TV channels.
It is the method by which the TV signal is transmitted to our homes or anywhere there is a TV receiver. The term terrestrial is used since the broadcasting is performed from land-based Transmitter Sites and not via satellite for example, while digital television refers to the type of television signal that reaches our homes and not the type of television or decoder device.
Single Frequency Network is a network of synchronized Transmitter Sites (stations), that transmit identical signals on the same radio channels (frequencies).
Ceasing of analogue terrestrial television signal transmission with simultaneous activation of digital terrestrial signal.
The transition process from analogue to digital television.
An electronic device used for decoding and playing video, audio as well as other types of MPEG data. When connected to an antenna (indoor or outdoor) the decoder turns the received transmission into a signal compatible with television sets of older technology. Modern television sets usually have an integrated decoder, some however (mainly older sets) may only support the MPEG-2 format and not MPEG-4.
The station from which the digital terrestrial television signal is broadcasted.
Also known as a local retransmitter, the Gap Filler is a small-powered digital terrestrial broadcasting station used for digital signal transmission in areas that receive no coverage from any of the main Broadcasting Sites.
A standard for digital terrestrial television signal transmission. It operates in the same UHF and VHF channel plans used for analogue broadcasts. Reception is achieved using terrestrial antennas (aerials).
Part of the UHF radio spectrum ranging eight MHz.
Method that allows digital data from multiple sources to be transmitted through the same communication channel, such as an optical fiber or a UHF channel, thus allowing for better utilization of high-capacity telecommunication channels. The use of multiplexing in digital television allows more than one TV channels to be broadcast in the same frequency, along with supplementary services such as the electronic program guide (EPG).
Standard for encoding and compressing audiovisual digital data. It is the most widespread method of storing and playing media today and is the basis for the evolution of digital television.
A television format that provides video quality of normal resolution (576 lines).
A television format that provides video quality of high resolution (720 or 1080 lines).
A service that provides information, such as airing times, duration, short description, about the TV channels’ program. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) provides information about the weekly schedule of the commercial TV channels. The service supports Greek and English, as long as the TV channels provide the relevant information, and is accessible via the remote of the TV set or of the external decoder. Moreover, EPG allows for real-time or scheduled channel recording, channel lock, program start reminder, etc. Each TV channel is responsible for its program, the information provided and any unforeseen changes.
Teletext is a data transmission technique via a TV channel’s signal, that is encoded and projected on the TV screen, as long as the TV set supports the technology.
It uses the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) encoding method, which consists of 128 characters (letters, numbers, punctuation marks, etc.) that appear on 40 horizontal and 23 vertical lines.
Teletext consists of 800 pages that can include information such as the news, weather forecasts, useful phone numbers, announcements, the channel’s program, game results, etc. It is available, as long as your receivers support this service, by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.
HbbTV is an innovative service that allows viewers easy access to a wealth of new content at the touch of a button on the remote control.
HbbTV works on Smart TVs that are connected to the internet and provided that the TV station the viewer is watching provides this service.
If the above is true, then the viewer, once he selects the specific channel, sees the relevant message on his screen and by pressing the button indicated (usually the red button on the remote control) he goes to a new menu on his receiver where he can select a number of new services, such as watching old episodes of TV series or shows of the channel, getting information about products that may be of interest to him and much more.