A lot of new TV channels in Australia are starting to broadcast in MPEG-4 as it allows for better compression (you can squeeze more channels into an allotted spectrum) and better picture quality. The majority of recent television sets should be able to display MPEG-4 channels and if you have a Smart TV there’s an even higher chance that your set is MPEG-4 compatible, but that is no guarantee!

Here are some quick and dirty ways to test whether your TV is compatible and some quick fixes.

Can my TV/Set Top Box display MPEG-4 content?

Don’t rely on the manual. A lot of TVs can decode MPEG-4 signals, but only from files on a USB stick and using the TV’s USB input.

1. Try to tune in the free-to-air MPEG-4 channels.
   1. Metropolitan transmitters: 7HD/7Mate on 70 (1080i), Racing channel on 68/78 (576i), 9HD on 90 (1080i), Ten HD on 13 (1080i)
   2. Regional transmitters: iShop TV on 64/65 (576i), Racing channel on 68/78 (MPEG-4), 9HD/WinHD on 50/80 (1080i), 9Life on 54/84 (576i), Aspire TV on 56 (576i), Gold on 85 (576i).
2. Just because your TV can tune in a 1080i free-to-air MPEG-4 signal DOES NOT mean it can tune in 1080p through MPEG-4. Change the modulator output resolution to 720p/1080i if 1080p doesn’t work.

What if my TV is not MPEG-4 compatible?

1. The most economical option would be to buy a set-top box that is MPEG-4 capable. The Wintal STB14HD HD PVR works very well for this.
2. For commercial installations, you will need an MPEG-2 only modulator (RLDM1102), or an MPEG-2/MPEG-4 selectable modulator (HD2002DM, HD4002DM, etc.).
3. Replace your current TV with a newer model that has MPEG-4.