portable <span class="highlight">satellite</span> <span class="highlight">tv</span> for c'vans -aust wide coverage

The present Optus Aurora satellite system only has 2 commercial channels available. It is due to be phased out in 2013. The new VAST system which has all the new digital channels is supposedly due to be available to travellers soon.

As mentioned above, the Auora service is satellite TV service being phased out and will be replaced by VAST.

For the first time all free-to-air digital television services, including the original three commercial and two national channels, and the new digital services such as ABC2, ABC3, SBS TWO, GO!, 7TWO and ONE HD, will be available to all Australians, no matter where they live (ie. the new channels will be available via satellite for those how do not have access to a terrestrial digital signal)

The VAST service will provide regional viewers with access to the local news currently broadcast in their TV licence area via a dedicated local news channel. It will also provide viewers with access to the ABC’s new 24-hour news.

VAST is an acronym for Viewer Access Satellite Television. The new VAST service will replace the existing Aurora service that currently provides viewer access to ABC, SBS, Imparja and Seven Central. The VAST service will offer the viewer the complete suite of High and Standard Definition channels that were up to now, only available to those living in major towns with digital TV coverage via a digital set top box.

As of now, if you were to purchase a new VAST decoder with smartcard and connect to a satellite dish, you would be able to immediately receive ABC 1,2,3 and the new ABC News 24 channel as well as SBS HD, 2 and 3. Access to these channels is restricted to a two to three month period after which time your smartcard must be registered. Registrations should begin to take place in mid December 2010 (subject to change) and this is providing you live within the Imparja/Seven Central license area.

Note: The VAST service uses a completely different satellite decoder to the Optus Auora service.

Everyone MUST be aware that only those living in the approved TV1 licence area will be able to switch on the commercial channels from the Seven, Nine and Ten networks later this year. Those of you outside the TV1 licence area will not be able to access the commercial channels without going through the black spot approval procedure as switch off occurs in those areas. The onus for activation is the responsibility of the end user and returns can only be accepted in circumstances where the unit is faulty. This information applies to viewers in all states except WA as broadcasters are still in negotiations with regard to the VAST platform in Western Australia.

You can see if you live in the TV1 area by going to:
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_90223

At this stage i am unaware if or how travelers will be able to register for the new VAST service/how long the service would be activated before requiring renewal.


Satplus stock a VAST compatible decoder and associated equipment. I have used some of the info available on their website in this post, but have NO affiliation with them, just impressed by their customer service and ability to answer my questions.



cheers,


Nick