Digital terrestrial television services have been operating smoothly since their December 31 launch, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority says.

Its hotline has received over 300 enquiries on DTT so far with most about coverage area and reception with the use of set-top boxes.

The office's Assistant Director of Operations Danny Lau said today the simulcast transmission of DTT and analogue services has been satisfactory and the public has shown keen interest in the new services. Local broadcasters ATV and TVB have launched their new HDTV programmes.

Noting only five calls concerned the reception quality of conventional analogue TV, he said the DTT transmission should not affect reception of analogue services and his office has specified the frequencies of DTT signals to ensure no interference.

Signal compliance

The two broadcasters comply with these specifications, he said, adding their DTT test signals have been transmitted throughout the digital coverage areas since mid-July. No interference between analogue and digital signals has been observed.

"The alleged reception quality problem of conventional analogue television programmes has nothing to do with simultaneous transmission of DTT and analogue television signals," Mr Lau said.

When buildings upgraded their communal aerial broadcast distribution systems to receive DTT signals he said they may have inadvertently disturbed the reception of analogue television signals within the building. System contractors can readily resolve this minor technical problem.

Call the office's hotline 2961 6333 between 8.30am and 5.45pm for DTT technical advice and assistance.