RTMi
Encyclopedia
RTMi was a digital television
channel fully owned by Radio Televisyen Malaysia
. It is also known as Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB). Its test broadcast began in 2000 chosen residential homes surrounding Klang Valley
for 6 months starting in September 2006, using the DVB-T
standard. The test ended in March 2007, involving the installation and the interpretation of the "Set Top Boxes" in the respective home
s. During the period, DTTB will be broadcast daily from 7:00 p.m. until 12 midnight (for 5 hours), previewing programmes that are shown on RTM1, RTM2, RTMi and Muzik Aktif. This digitalization test is estimated to cost over RM
76 million. The transmitters used were provided by Harmonic Inc.
In April 2007, RTM has announced that digital transmission will persist despite the test period being over due to the positive response received during the period and plans for further testing involving different video/audio codecs.
to the appropriate receivers at 674 MHz and 658 MHz. The 674 MHz channel carries RTMi as TV 6 and Muzik Aktif as TV7, while the 658 MHz channel carries a simulcast of RTM1 and RTM2 as well as RTMi (with its broadcasting hours extended, starting transmission at 3PM daily and ending sometime between midnight and 2AM), Muzik Aktif (which now broadcasts 24 hours), Arena (which Broadcasts for two hours between 3PM to 5PM), a demo channel called EPG, and Radio Aktif, a simulcast of the 7 RTM-owned radio stations in the Klang Valley.
Datacasting services in this project is the Superteks channel that include Berita Aktif airing 24/7.
During the test period, a research to collect feedback and to access the number of viewers will take place.
In 2010, due to a dispute with satellite provider Astro, RTM removed the Arena channel from it's lineup. At the same time, a different Arena channel was launched on Astro.
During the off air hours, RTM no longer uses the Philips test card
, instead opting for a colour bar. The Philips test card
was eventually returned to TV1 and TV2, while the new colour bar cards are used for the remaining channels.
With the recent deferral of the analog shutdown to 2015 from 2012, RTMi was shut down. Instead two new channels have taken RTMi's place: Panggung, a local drama channel; and Ilham, an local content educational channel aimed at kids and teens. The first frequency was also moved down a channel to 649MHz while the second frequency has apparently been taken off-air.
It is also possible that RTM may be planning to switch to DVB-T2
some time in the future.
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
channel fully owned by Radio Televisyen Malaysia
Radio Televisyen Malaysia
The Department of Broadcasting, Malaysia, DBA Radio Televisyen Malaysia , is a Malaysian state-owned public broadcaster. It owns and operates a number of radio and television stations in Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur...
. It is also known as Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB). Its test broadcast began in 2000 chosen residential homes surrounding Klang Valley
Klang Valley
Klang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
for 6 months starting in September 2006, using the DVB-T
DVB-T
DVB-T is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Terrestrial; it is the DVB European-based consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television that was first published in 1997 and first broadcast in the UK in 1998...
standard. The test ended in March 2007, involving the installation and the interpretation of the "Set Top Boxes" in the respective home
Home
A home is a place of residence or refuge. When it refers to a building, it is usually a place in which an individual or a family can rest and store personal property. Most modern-day households contain sanitary facilities and a means of preparing food. Animals have their own homes as well, either...
s. During the period, DTTB will be broadcast daily from 7:00 p.m. until 12 midnight (for 5 hours), previewing programmes that are shown on RTM1, RTM2, RTMi and Muzik Aktif. This digitalization test is estimated to cost over RM
Malaysian ringgit
The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
76 million. The transmitters used were provided by Harmonic Inc.
In April 2007, RTM has announced that digital transmission will persist despite the test period being over due to the positive response received during the period and plans for further testing involving different video/audio codecs.
Transmission
As of 1 January 2008, the channel is available in the Klang ValleyKlang Valley
Klang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
to the appropriate receivers at 674 MHz and 658 MHz. The 674 MHz channel carries RTMi as TV 6 and Muzik Aktif as TV7, while the 658 MHz channel carries a simulcast of RTM1 and RTM2 as well as RTMi (with its broadcasting hours extended, starting transmission at 3PM daily and ending sometime between midnight and 2AM), Muzik Aktif (which now broadcasts 24 hours), Arena (which Broadcasts for two hours between 3PM to 5PM), a demo channel called EPG, and Radio Aktif, a simulcast of the 7 RTM-owned radio stations in the Klang Valley.
Datacasting services in this project is the Superteks channel that include Berita Aktif airing 24/7.
During the test period, a research to collect feedback and to access the number of viewers will take place.
In 2010, due to a dispute with satellite provider Astro, RTM removed the Arena channel from it's lineup. At the same time, a different Arena channel was launched on Astro.
During the off air hours, RTM no longer uses the Philips test card
Philips PM5544
The Philips PM5544 is a television pattern generator, most commonly used to provide a television station with a complex test card commonly referred to as a Philips Pattern or PTV Circle. The content and layout of the pattern was designed in the Philips TV laboratory in Copenhagen by chief engineer...
, instead opting for a colour bar. The Philips test card
Philips PM5544
The Philips PM5544 is a television pattern generator, most commonly used to provide a television station with a complex test card commonly referred to as a Philips Pattern or PTV Circle. The content and layout of the pattern was designed in the Philips TV laboratory in Copenhagen by chief engineer...
was eventually returned to TV1 and TV2, while the new colour bar cards are used for the remaining channels.
With the recent deferral of the analog shutdown to 2015 from 2012, RTMi was shut down. Instead two new channels have taken RTMi's place: Panggung, a local drama channel; and Ilham, an local content educational channel aimed at kids and teens. The first frequency was also moved down a channel to 649MHz while the second frequency has apparently been taken off-air.
It is also possible that RTM may be planning to switch to DVB-T2
DVB-T2
DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial; it is the extension of the television standard DVB-T, issued by the consortium DVB, devised for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television....
some time in the future.