Even before the migration to MUX 2, RTM will still probably need to pay transmission fees to MYTV in order to broadcast on MUX 1.

MYTV still owns the frequency and multiplexes and are responsible for technical and transmission part. MYTV's configuration are 3 main + 1 standby multiplexes on each transmitter.

However due to cost issues and small amount of channels, only 2 of 3 multiplexes are in use. And the existing multiplexes are not full at all according to MYTV's recommended bitrate.
Both multiplexes would just barely full if MYTV is using full VBR/variable bitrate (MYTV is using VBR but the fluctuation of bitrate is so little that it is CBR/constant bitrate in practice) + recommended bitrate of 6Mbps per HD channel and 2Mbps per SD channel.

If the government doesn't lease 1 multiplex from MYTV for their own requirements, we probably won't have MUX 2 at all/MUX 2 activated well after DSO.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Aug 27 2020, 09:00 PM

New radio channel additions are on MUX 1.

The audio bitrate for 4 newly added channels are HE-AAC V2 Stereo @ 32kbps. Much more inferior than online streaming (which uses HE-AAC V2 48kbps) Note that RTM radio channels on DTT uses considerable higher amount of bitrate to sound better.

Why uses 32kbps and 48kbps when a much higher bitrate could be used for higher audio fidelity? MYTV is cheating in terms of "high quality audio" which in fact isn't (except RTM radio).
HE-AAC V2 is designed for mobile streaming use so that the users will be able to stream live radio in reasonable quality + saves broadcaster internet bandwidth. This means lesser interruption on live streaming.
It is not designed for broadcast use but nevertheless many TV and radio broadcasts are using that.

For your comparison, Media Prima's TV streaming uses 128kbps AAC Stereo.

Perhaps joshhd will do the bitrate check after new channel addition? But the increase would be quite minor nevertheless.


Within the spoiler this shows the audio quality of all 4 audio channels:


This could explain why for now, Media Prima's radio channels on DTT (except Hot FM) sound like s***.

I have included an attachment file for the audio quality on all 4 channels.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Aug 28 2020, 01:57 AM


Attached File(s)
 MPB_RADIO_ON_MYFREEVIEW.zip ( 3.2mb ) Number of downloads: 31

Yup, the audio spectrum of 32kbps HE-AAC V2 will reach around 16khz (of course with fake treble). Something must be gone wrong on either Media Prima/MYTV or both sides. Moving to 48kbps HE-AAC V2 won't cost as much right?

The current settings on these channels are on something called AM Stereo with max 6khz audio bandwidth.
If settings were done correctly, the audio quality of Fly FM on MYTV will beat the bad sounding audio caused by excessive processing on Gunung Pulai FM transmitter.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Aug 28 2020, 04:52 PM

According to the German Fraunhofer Institute (the inventor of AAC codecs), they claimed that 32kbps HE-AAC V2 provides good quality audio. MYTV may have taken advice of this and uses 32kbps, despite MYTV has the option to use higher bitrate. Obviously, a minimum bitrate of 128kbps AAC sounds better (this is the recommended bitrate). Sometimes, the compression artifacts could be masked by adding additional processing to make it sounds less worse.

If low bitrate has to be used, the minimum bitrate used should be at least 48kbps HE-AAC V2 , which is what this codec is designed for. This bitrate is a good compromise between low bitrate and high quality audio.

A little bit off topic here as this already involved radio:

Audio quality on radio depends on the amount of compression used, compression preset on transmitter and the quality of incoming audio feed (such as WAV, FLAC, High bitrate AAC or MP2). Note that radio stations no longer uses analogue feeds to feed audio as it will introduce additional hissing during delivery of audio from studio to transmitter/control center.
Usually, a good/very good FM stereo reception would certainly beat any low bitrate HE-AAC/HE-AAC V2 streams in terms of audio quality, as long the audio feed is good and a correct amount of audio compression is used.

The audio compression on Astro's radio stations sounds loud yet clean as they are using one of the best audio compressors on the market (Orban Optimod). If wrong amount of audio compression and preset is used (such as Fly FM on 102.5 Mhz on Gunung Pulai), the audio will sound really awful. In this case, even 32kbps HE-AAC V2 audio on MYTV would sound better than FM.

Well, Media Prima radio channels has moved down to Channels 721-724 and even had their service ID changed (changed from 02c3 - 02c6, which is given to new Channels, to 02d1 -02d4) despite the fact these channels starts earlier. "Klasikfm" has relabelled as "Radio Klasik". Retune may be needed to regain Media Prima radio stations and new radio stations. New radio channels are on HE-AAC 96kbps (same as Mediacorp main channel stereo audio)

Low quality audio (not resulted by HE-AAC V2 codec) is still an issue for Media Prima radio channels. If RTM continues to add radio channels, we may see all RTM local radio stations being added to the platform.

Do not forget the possibility of DAB+ or DRM digital radio being made available in the future, which will mean more specialist radio channels (such as Western classicial music). The EU has recently mandated the installation of DAB+ radio on cars.

One can do so via mobile apps too but it requires internet connection. TV would allow easy access of radio stations on digital quality. Do remember that not all household has a dedicated radio at home while almost every household have at least one TV set.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 04:15 AM

Unlikely, as Astro Radio channels are already available on their satellite platform. Any addition of these channels will costs money and also unlikely to generate any additional income and listeners (Astro claims that they have 16 million listeners, which I am on doubt of it, and the listenership pretty much stagnated)

Astro brings Go Shop to MYTV DTT because it can generate additional revenue to the company.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 07:09 AM

DAB+ coverage is definitely possible, even in tunnels (there are ways to do so). However, you will require far more transmitters than the existing FM transmission to match the coverage, hence more expensive. The audio quality will be lower than of FM based on past experience worldwide.

FM is here to stay for a long time.

DRM radios are limited in the market due to limited support. If the broadcasters decided to start DRM and if the receiver demand is there, the price will drop. The only place I have seen wide DRM adoption is in India.

4G online radio streaming on the go isn't really stable yet. Data shouldn't be an issue anymore as there are unlimited data plans/ data plans with very generous amount of data. I have streamed foreign radio stations (128kbps MP3) on the go on Johor Bahru roads and it is still possible that the signal will interrupt sometimes.
Live TV streaming via 4G on the go is quite horrendous, with drop of picture quality/frequent interruptions. Hopefully the JENDELA plan will help a bit.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 10:17 PM

This can be result of EIT data (EPG data) being missing completely from the transmission (MYTV's fault). As a result, all channels transmitted on MUX 1 has its EPG guide missing (TV3, 8TV, Awesome TV .etc) Check post #1090 (MUX 1) for details.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 17 2020, 06:14 AM

Really frustating to contact MYTV for help regarding technical issues, feeling like not on the same page. This can be described using Cantonese slang "Chicken and Duck Talk".

The whole customer service team/technical team can be fired/sacked for incompetence as they seems to be very clueless for technical issues and don't really care. Even Lowyat forumers knows better than the technical team.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 21 2020, 12:14 PM

Yup, restored as on 7pm today. Really hope that the issue to not be happened again.

Despite being a poor sounding codec, it really doesn't and shouldn't sound that poorly as what we heard on DTT for 4 Media Prima's audio channels. A high quality 32kbps HE-AAC V2 stream should have around 16khz audio spectrum, similar to FM audio spectrum (athough it still sound very poor). Maybe someone here should do another "heart attack" call to MYTV.

Some corrections done for "bandwidth" part, it should be "spectrum".

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 22 2020, 12:57 AM

The sampling rate is indeed in 48KHz (in stereo). However 16KHz audio spectrum per channel is almost what the codec and the bitrate (HE-AAC V2 32Kbps) could reach.

Ideally the audio must be in at least 96kbps (HE-AAC) or 128kbps (AAC) stereo for audio sounding similar to FM. If HE-AAC V2 is to be used only 48kbps can be used, which is a compromise between bandwidth and audio quality. Even at 48kbps it still sound poorer than FM. I cannot get the point why 32kbps HE-AAC V2 is used despite having huge spare capacity.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 22 2020, 12:54 AM

To get sharp pictures on digital you will need very high bitrate to achieve this. Video encoding are performed "live" during live shows, hence the poor quality.

Corrected for you. Gunung Pulai and Bukit Batok are on 2 completely opposite position for most viewers in Johor Bahru, hence 2 antennas are required.

From a video I had seen on YouTube, Batam Analogue cable systems also carries Ch 5, Ch 8, Ch U, CNA, Suria and TV3 (all off digital terrestrial, converted to analogue for distribution). Digital cable may carry more Malaysian channels.

The signal strength is so poor (Indonesian DTT) that it isn't possible for many to receive it easily. If the signal is strong enough from Batam there will be report from many viewers in Johor and Singapore receiving the signals. No analogue TV switch off plans currently exist in Indonesia, so the interference issue will continue until analogue switch off.

Originally, Indonesia is quite ahead on DTT plans (tentatively scheduled to start on 2012 for Batam, way ahead than Malaysia and some Singapore channels, Malaysia then had no clear plans on digital transition and hence no digital transmission in JB), but now we had seen Malaysia already completed digital switchover in JB on 30 September last year. Nothing had been done in Indonesia (except some DTT simulcasts).

The DTT lineup back in 2012 in Johor Bahru only consists of Channel 5 (MPEG2), Channel 8 (MPEG2), CNA (MPEG2) and HD5 (H.264 HD, simulcast of Channel 5). More than 20 analogue channels with variable reception quality is available. Obviously now with a standard antenna those located in JB gets at least 36 channels (TV and radio) digitally, which is good for viewers who watches TV occasionally without subscription fee.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 30 2020, 01:51 AM

If the signal strength of Indonesian stations is strong enough, there will be reports from viewers in Johor reporting reception. The signal is too weak even for outdoor reception in Batam proper.

The switch off, I think is more to cost issues. Metro TV, Trans7 has digital broadcasts there.

After the audio has been fixed on Ch 722-724, now Fly FM (on MYTV) @ HE-AAC V2 32kbps sounds better than the over compressed and mushy sounding 102.5 FM from Gunung Pulai.

Audio quality is still inferior than YouTube live and live streaming though.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 8 2020, 01:17 AM

This may be or may not be relavant for this topic as this involves pretty much the broadcast audio quality.

The audio was taken off from a online classical music station which streams on 3 different bitrates and standards, which are :
32kbps HE-AAC V2 (which MYTV uses for non-RTM stations as their main audio track)
96kbps HE-AAC (used by Mediacorp/Main soundtrack and RTM radio stations on DTT)
128kbps MP3 (sounds similar to 192kbps MP2)

Those tracks are recorded online.

A small section (which the part is quite complex) were cutted from each recording to demostrate the audio quality . The soundtrack is then converted to WAV/uncompressed format for compatibility reasons and to show the full extent of the compression.

For those who are interested on this track, the track is part of Rondo From Flute Concerto In G Major Op. 8 - Friedrich Witt

The link of audio : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZrrDBRnqV...ew?usp=drivesdk


If you listened carefully, you will probably heard a lot of artifacts on the 32kbps version (which the inventor of the codec, Fraunhofer Institute claimed that this is "good").
Casual listeners won't notice audible differences on both HE-AAC 96kbps and MP3 128kbps, however.
Audiophiles may, however found that the MP3 stream sounds better sometimes. This is the reason why forumers here are advocating for high bitrate audios.

Even a 16kbps increase (whilst on HE-AAC V2) for the commercial channels will meant some improvement to audio quality. It won't take a lot of space too.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 13 2020, 12:44 PM

Most radio stations and even popular music streaming apps, unfortunately never provide a hi-res FLAC stream. It will cost a lot of money, in terms of operator side, to distribute a FLAC stream. So often that it is money that usually avoided the distribution of high quality audio. Imagine the cost of sending 1000 FLAC streams online. It will require an 1Gbps link. The more you send the more internet capacity is needed.

Most radio stations I see in Malaysia only provide a 32-48kbps HE-AAC V2 stream and nothing higher than that. Meanwhile in overseas, whilst that 128kbps MP3/AAC streams are common, most stations defaults to 48kbps HE-AAC V2 stream. Media Prima stations do have higher res audio on their Live streaming feeds placed on YouTube and Dailymotion. Astro uses HE-AAC and AC3 (5.1) soundtracks for HD channels and MP2 for SD and audio channels. Ironically, for Malaysian channels, it is often the online catch up feed on YouTube that sounds better.

Obviously, I preferred 128kbps AAC/96kbps HE-AAC is to be used as an standard on DTT (and other platforms).

The typical bitrate for DTT audio (in stereo) across the world are 128-256kbps (MP2), 192kbps (AC3), 32-48kbps for HE-AAC V2, 64-96kbps for HE-AAC and 96-128kbps for AAC.

The highest you may theoretically put into DTT can be as high as 448kbps for AAC and 384kbps for MP2 (both of course in stereo). But obviously broadcasters won't do so as the additional bandwidth can be used to improve picture quality.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 13 2020, 07:04 PM

Overnight testing of GM HD mode (playout on Glenmarie Studios rather than the usual Seri Pentas) for NTV7 and TV9.
Unfortunately, the transmission signal isn't in HD for most viewers. Doesn't matter to Media Prima any way, as they don't even attempt to bring 8TV in HD for terrestrial viewers.
Captured on playtv@unifi

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 25 2020, 04:09 AM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Later Update (NTV7), still on Glenmarie (GM)

TV9 Siaran Langsung variant

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 25 2020, 07:08 AM


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CJ WOW SHOP will be rebranded as WOW SHOP on 1 November 2020. All socials has been changed to drop "CJ". This change is expected as CJ Group no longer own any shares on CJ WOW SHOP. Note that the presenters has been mentioning "WOW SHOP" only on recent shows.

The channel crisis of NTV7 is continuing. Since the attempted rebrand of NTV7 on 5 March 2018, NTV7 will again drop Chinese programmes on 2 Nov 2020 (to be replaced with Malay informative programmes and WOW SHOP). This is the third major change of the channel since 2018. Seems like it is done only to prolong the life of the once great TV channel as Media Prima dosen't has plans to give up the channel. There will be likely only minor changes on overall presentation. Note that Media Prima only devotes for TV3, 8TV and WOW SHOP now.

Playout continues on Glenmarie Studios for channels TV9 and NTV7.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 31 2020, 01:14 AM