DTT Broadcast Questions

1. When will the new Digital Television Broadcasts begin?
2. Can I receive the new transmissions?
3. What equipment do I need for digital terrestrial TV?
4. What benefits will digital terrestrial broadcasts provide?
5. What are the differences between High Definition television (HDTV), standard definition television (SDTV) and conventional analogue television?
6. Is audio quality better on digital TV than on analogue TV?

Sales Questions

1. When will Magic TV™ be available to buy?
2. What kind of television/display do I need to use Magic TV™?
3. What is included in the box?
4. Can I record the digital TV channels?

Support Questions

1. What do the Aspect Ratio Correction modes do?
2. How many channels can I record and watch simultaneously?
3. Is there a list of shortcut keys?
4. How do I edit recordings?
5. How do I play my camcorder movies?

When will the new Digital Television Broadcasts begin?
The new Hong Kong Digital Television Broadcasts began on 31st December 2007. Coverage is spreading quickly across Hong Kong. Updates are available from www.digitaltv.gov.hk.
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Can I receive the new transmissions?
When first launched on 31st December 2007, the digital terrestrial TV (DTT) signals will be transmitted by the main transmitting station at Temple Hill. The coverage includes Kowloon peninsula, northern Hong Kong Island, Shatin and eastern Lantau Island. DTT coverage will expand as more DTT transmitting stations are completed during phases in 2008 and onwards. Coverage of at least 75% is expected by the end of 2008. Information is available from www.digitaltv.gov.hk.
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What equipment do I need for digital terrestrial TV?
Normally, people in low-rise buildings use a stand-alone rooftop TV antenna whilst those in high-rise buildings use a Communal Aerial Broadcast Distribution (CABD) system to receive terrestrial television. In the former case, the antenna should be able to receive the new digital television services provided that it is in reasonably good condition; in the latter case, the building management will have to add suitable converters to the CABD system in order to receive digital terrestrial television. In addition, you will need to buy a set-top box with digital terrestrial TV reception capabilities (e.g. Magic TV™ MTV3100) and connect it to your existing TV set.
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What benefits will digital terrestrial broadcasts provide?
Digital TV is a far more efficient and flexible transmission system than the current analogue system. It allows broadcasters (TVB and ATV) to offer viewers a range of new and different services.
The possible benefits include:

• 'Ghost free' reception
• Widescreen 16:9 pictures
• Standard definition television (SDTV) and HDTV programmes
• High quality audio and surround sound
• Multi-channel programming
• Closed captioning of programmes for the hearing impaired
• Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) with 'now & next' programme information for some channels
• On-screen programme guide channel with today's programme information
• Multi-camera views and enhancements during selected programmes

Interactive television services including interactive programmes, selected Internet services, home shopping, computer games, etc. can also be provided by digital TV.
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What are the differences between High Definition television (HDTV), standard definition television (SDTV) and conventional analogue television?
A picture on the TV screen is formed by a large number of small dots called pixels. The higher the number of pixels, the better the picture quality will be. The pictures of conventional analogue TV broadcasting provide a maximum of 720 (horizontal) x 576 (vertical) pixels. Typically HDTV broadcasts provide a resolution of at least 1024 horizontal pixels and 720 vertical pixels which provides superior picture quality than analogue TV broadcasts.

HDTV pictures are usually displayed on a wide screen (aspect ratio 16:9, i.e. the ratio of picture width to height) format, instead of the usual square screen (aspect ratio 4:3) format of conventional analogue TV pictures.

Together with the ability to support multi-channel sound systems, HDTV broadcasts enable viewers at home to have an experience comparable to watching a movie in a cinema.

Standard definition TV (SDTV) broadcasting can be considered the digital version of the conventional analogue TV broadcasting, both of which have the same screen format and picture resolution. However, SDTV pictures are free from "ghosting" and "snowing", which are commonly found in analogue TV pictures.

SDTV and HDTV are two of the main features supported by digital TV.
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Is audio quality better on digital TV than on analogue TV?
Yes. Digital television will be transmitted with MPEG digital stereo sound or multi-channel surround sound, thereby providing markedly superior audio quality.
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When will Magic TV™ be available to buy?
All Magic TV™ models are available now at many AV chain stores and our AV dealers in Hong Kong. See How to buy for a list and ring first to check stock.
Check the News page for further announcements.
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What kind of television/display do I need to use Magic TV™?
While Magic TV™ can output standard definition signals over both the digital and analogue connections with its on-screen menus still being legible, it is recommended that an HDTV (1280x720 or more pixels) is used for primary viewing. For ideal viewing a display with 1920x1080 pixels and an HDMI connection is desirable.
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What is included in the box?
1. Magic TV™ Recorder or Receiver
2. 100-240VAC auto-ranging power adapter
3. Backlit smart remote control (+ AAA batteries x4)
4. Component video cable
5. Stereo audio cable
6. RF antenna extension cable
7. Quickstart Guide
8. Owner’s Guide
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Can I record the digital TV channels?
YES! MTV3600D and MTV5000D include an internal Hard Disk Drive for immediate lossless recording of Standard and High Definition programmes.
To enable the recording function on MTV3100 and MTV3100D, an external USB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) will need to be attached via either one of the Magic TV™ USB ports (see the Magic TV™ Owner's Guide).
All Magic TV™ models feature the same recording functions. These are described in the Products section of this site.
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What do the Aspect Ratio Correction modes do?
Since the original MTV3000 Owner's Guide was published, it has become clear that the DTT channels will always be broadcast in 16:9 widescreen format. If the programme is 4:3, then black bars will be included in the broadcast image on the sides of the programme.
This has simplified the way in which Aspect Ratio Correction is used. Please see the following diagrams for further information.

Original broadcast (and also how the image will look if 'Full' is selected)		ARC mode used		Result on 16:9 TV
		Full		The broadcast fills the screen
		WideZoom		Magic TV™ removes the sides and non-linearly stretches the image keeping the centre of the screen undistorted
		Zoom 1		Magic TV™ zooms in on the centre of the screen - retaining the original shape
		Zoom 2		Magic TV™ removes the sides and evenly stretches the image to fill the screen

How many channels can I record and watch simultaneously?
Single Tuner Magic TV™ models allow simultaneous recording of 2 channels and you can watch a 3rd channel, providing that all 3 channels are broadcast on the same UHF frequency (see table below).
Dual Tuner Magic TV™ models reduce the likelihood of conflicts by allowing programmes to be viewed and recorded on 2 different UHF frequencies simultaneously.

If Magic TV™ detects an overlap or conflict when making or amending a Scheduled Recording, a message will appear asking you to set the priority for that programme (see Magic TV™ Owner's Guide for more information).
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Is there a list of shortcut keys?
There are a number of useful shortcuts in the system, many of which are displayed as hints on the menu screens. Here are some which are harder to find:

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How do I edit recordings?
Editing recordings is easy and achieved during playback. Follow these simple steps:

1. During playback, at the start of the section to be cut, press to add a “cut-mark” to the recording
2. At the end of the section to be cut, press
3. Magic TV will now miss out the section between these marks during future playback. Any section to be missed will be shown on the Timebar as transparent (see image below)
   
4. Return to “Recorded Programmes List” and choose the edited file, press then select “Edit and Copy To USB/ System HDD”
5. A smaller size file will now be created but the original recording will not be deleted until you do so manually

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How do I play my camcorder movies?
All Magic TV™ models can now play AVCHD files created by many popular camcorders. Follow these simple steps:
For MTV3500/ MTV3600D/ MTV5000/ MTV5000D

1. Connect your HD Camcorder to Magic TV™ using USB
2. Enter the Magic TV™ main menu and go to “Magic TV Gadgets” then choose “HD Camcorder Movie”
3. Magic TV™ will now read AVCHD files from your camcorder, press to select “Copy to System HDD” to put files into Magic TV™ internal HDD for future playback

For MTV3000/ MTV3100/ MTV3100D

1. Connect your HD Camcorder to Magic TV™ using USB
2. Enter the Magic TV™ main menu and go to “Magic TV Gadgets” then choose “HD Camcorder Movie”
3. Magic TV™ will now read AVCHD files from your camcorder and you can use the Magic TV™ remote to play, forward, rewind and pause.

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