Rai Way for New Digital TV
We contribute to the evolution of the country's technological infrastructure
Television is changing all over Europe.
In 2008, the Rai Way network made a significant technological leap by transitioning from analog to digital terrestrial broadcasting. We are now undertaking another fundamental evolution: the transition to the new DVB-T2 digital television.
Starting from August 28, 2024, a number of Rai channels will be broadcast in next-generation digital terrestrial with the DVB-T2 standard and the new HEVC video encoding system. The new digital TV will improve signal quality and allow for high-definition broadcasts.
The Role of Rai Way in the Transition to the New Digital Terrestrial
Rai Way is playing a central role in the transition to the new digital terrestrial, contributing to the technological evolution of the country's infrastructure and reducing the digital divide.
As the owner and operator of RAI's broadcasting networks, we are carrying out all necessary upgrades on our transmission and broadcasting infrastructures. This will lead to the transformation of RAI's national multiplex, "Mux-B," with the new DVB-T2 standard and the new HEVC video encoding system.
Rai Way will complete the transition to the new standard between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM on August 28, 2024, in order to allow users to enjoy international sporting events in the summer of 2024 without interruption, minimizing possible impacts on the public digital terrestrial service during preliminary and operational activities.
Rai Way's commitment will continue in the weeks following August 28. We will closely monitor the impact of the new digital terrestrial on the territorial coverage of RAI services and, if necessary, will continue to optimize network parameters, leveraging the support and feedback of a dedicated team of professionals.
During the process of reorganizing television frequencies (refarming), which concluded in June 2022, we also created the technological and network infrastructure, enabling Rai to achieve a historic change. On the occasion of refarming, we replaced the broadcasting and transmission equipment, upgrading the transmission and broadcasting networks with considerable human and technical effort.
- Use of higher compression standards, allowing for high-definition transmission (MPEG4 encoding instead of the previous MPEG2)
- Release of the 700 MHz band (the so-called "refarming")
- Adoption of DVB-T2 technology
A revolution in the television experience
The transition to DVB-T2 takes broadcast quality to a new level.
For broadcasters, it means the ability to transmit many more contents on the same frequency, using the electromagnetic spectrum more efficiently and opening the door to new services.
For viewers, this transformation ensures an unprecedented quality of transmission, with the possibility to enjoy a greater number of programs in HD and 4K.
- More channels and high-definition video: DVB-T2 allows for the transmission of more channels with superior video quality, including HD and 4K.
- Efficient use of frequencies: This new standard optimizes the use of the radio spectrum, freeing up frequencies for other services such as telephony and mobile internet.
- New interactive experiences: DVB-T2 introduces the possibility of accessing interactive content and advanced services, enabling new modes of consumption and experience.
From August 28, 2024, the channels Rai Storia, Rai Radio 2 Visual, and Rai Scuola will be viewable in high definition exclusively in the new DVB-T2 standard. To continue watching these channels, from August 28 you must have a receiver compatible with the new standard.
Channels also broadcast in DVB-T2 in addition to DVB-T (simulcast) will be RAI 1 HD, RAI 2 HD, RAI 3 HD, RAI 4 HD, Rai News 24 HD, Rai Premium HD.
No changes are planned for Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3 and RaiNews 24 and most of Rai's offerings.
To check the compatibility of your TV set or decoder
Rai users can check the compatibility of their television with the new standard on channel 558 of the remote control, where "Rai Sport HD Test HEVC" is being broadcast until August 28, 2024. This program is transmitted with the HEVC compression standard (video encoding Main10 @ level 5.1), the version approved by the ITU that receivers marketed from December 22, 2018, must legally support. If channel 558 is visible, it means that the television is already ready to receive all future new DVB-T2 signals once they are widely activated.
Additionally, starting from August 28, a message will be broadcast on channel 100 with the same HEVC Main10@L5.1 video encoding system to verify the suitability of receivers for receiving UHD/HDR content that may be transmitted on DVB-T2 multiplexes in the near future.
Notice! Starting from August 28, 2024, even if your receiver is compatible, you will need to retune it to continue watching the full Rai offering.
For more information
To learn more about your TV's technology and whether you need to get a decoder and/or change your television, you can visit the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy's website to check a list of receivers suitable for DVB-T2 reception, as well as find useful information about the Bonus Decoder at Home initiative.
For more information, Rai provides:
- Free line 800.93.83.62
- For questions about Digital Terrestrial Television, the ScriveR@i service is available by filling out the form
- Starting from August 28, 2024, to verify the compatibility of receivers with the new DVB-T2 standard, you can write to the temporarily active email for the transition period (caring service) at helpdtt@rai.it
