German Satellite TV 2025 SD Switch Off Guide
From January 2025 some of the German Satellite TV Channels from the Astra 1 Satellite will Stop Broadcasting in SD Standard Definition.
Satellite TV Channel ARD has been warning viewers via the EPG on their satellite receivers that the SD (Standard Definition) Channel will no longer be available to view if you have an older SD Satellite receiver and will only be available with a HD (High Definition) Satellite Receiver.
As well as the German TV Channel ARD the SD shutdown will also affect Das Erste, BR, HR, MDR, NDR, Radio Bremen, RBB, SR, SWR and WDR and later in the year ZDF, ZDFneo, ZDFinfo, 3sat and KiKA will also only be available in HD with a compatible HD Satellite Receiver.
Will I Need to Replace my Existing German Satellite TV Receiver?
If your existing Satellite Receiver is SD or Standard Definition then Yes to continue to watch all of your favourite German TV Channels Via the Astra 1 Satellite then you will need to upgrade to a HD or High Definition Satellite Receiver.
How Can I Tell if My Satellite Receiver Is SD or HD?
Most High Definition Satellite Receivers will have a Model Number on the Front of the Box which will be followed by HD. For instance a Technomate TM-5402HD will be compatible with the new HD Channels.
However a Technomate TM-5000D or TM-5200D does not say HD so will not be compatible and will be upgraded. Technomate Satellite Receivers were Very Popular with people that watch German Satellite TV in the UK so we expect there will be a lot of SD Technomate receivers still being used.
An Old SD Technomate TM-5200D that is Not HD Compatible
Another way of telling if your Satellite Receiver is SD or HD is if it has a HDMI Output on the back of the box. If the receiver Does have a HDMI Output then the chances are it will be HD Compatible and will not need updating. Any receivers without a HDMI Connection will only be SD and not compatible with the switch over and will need to be replaced.
HD Satellite Receivers will have a HDMI Output
Will I Need to Replace My Satellite Dish or LNB?
No you will not need to replace your existing Satellite Dish or the LNB (The bit on the end that the cable goes in)
All you need to do is swap over the old Satellite receiver with a new one and connect to you TV.
Is my Existing TV HD Compatible? It’s Not a Smart TV
In most cases your existing TV will be HD compatible. As long as the TV has a HDMI Input on the Back or sometimes on the Side then you’re good to go. Most New HD Satellite Receivers do not use Scart Connectors anymore so you would use a HDMI Cable to connect the new box to your TV.. This will also give you far better picture quality than an old Analogue Scart Connection.
As the German TV channels are coming from the Astra1 Satellite via your Dish and Receiver your TV Does Not Need to be a Smart TV.
Will I Have to Pay a Subscription for the New HD German Satellite TV Channels?
No you will not need to pay any extra or take out any subscriptions for the German HD Channels. They will continue to be Free to Air the same as they always have been. No Viewing Card is required just the HD Satellite Receiver.
I Watch German TV on more than one TV in the House. Is This Still Possible?
If you already watch German Satellite TV on more than one TV in the house such as in the Kitchen or Bedroom this is still possible but most modern HD Satellite receivers do not have an Aerial Input or Output.
If you wish to continue to view channels on more than one TV then we suggest you call or email us for the best options.
Some customers are still using Video and DVD Recorders. We also suggest you contact us to explain how to get the most from your New HD Satellite Receiver.
Can I Record German Satellite TV Channels?
Yes with the right HD Satellite Receiver such as a Technisat you can add a USB Hard Drive and Record Pause Rewind and even Set Up a Timer to Record Channels up to 7 Days in Advance.
Will I Need an Engineer to Set Up my New Receiver?
If you are able to unplug your old SD Satellite Receiver and connect the New HD Receiver then you should be OK to install the new Box yourself. Of course we are here and Happy to Help over the Phone if you get stuck.
If you do require an Engineer to Help please let us know where you Live as we can Recommend Many Trusted Satellite TV Engineers Up and Down the Country that are Experienced in European TV.
We can Also Pre-Tune Technisat HD Receivers for you here before sending out so you don’t even have to Tune it In. Please Note that this Service may Add an Extra Day to the delivery time.
What is The Best HD Satellite Receiver for German TV?
Hands Down we Recommend the Technisat Range of HD Satellite Receivers for German TV. Note this is not the same Brand as Technomate.
One of the very Original Pioneers in Satellite TV Technisat, have been Manufacturing Satellite Receivers Since 1989 since the very first German TV channels (RTL, ProSieben, Sat.1) started broadcasting via the Astra Satellite.
Technisat make all of their HD Satellite Receivers in Germany not in China like so many others and because the Satellite Receivers are made for a German Market they are made to a very High Standard and specifically designed with the German Satellite TV Viewer in mind.
Technisat HD Satellite Receivers have Two Great Advantages over other Brands.
Firstly Technisat Satellite Receivers will put all of the German TV Channels at the Beginning of the List in a Logical Order and not spread out all over the place making changing channel much easier.
Secondly because Technisat caters for a German Market it also has the Best TV Guide or EPG for all of the German Satellite TV Channels that tells you what’s being shown on each channel 7 Days and in some cases 10 Days in Advance.If you
The Intelligent EPG Guide makes it simple to be able to see what and when programmes are being shown on various channels.
What’s more if you add a USB Hard Drive, you can select a Channel and Programme days in Advance to record and watch back later.
Entry Level Technisat HD Receivers Start at £159. The Technisat S5 and S6 are essentially the same receiver with only a slightly different front panel.
More comprehensive models such as the Technisat Digiplus UHD Receiver boasts a 4K Twin Tuner. This allows you to view UHD Channels when available.
Plus with Twin tuners you can Record one Channel whilst Watching Another. This would require a Twin Output LNB with Two Cables running from the Dish to the Receiver.
TechniSat DIGIPLUS UHD S2 OLED 4K UHD Twin Tuner Satellite Receiver
On a Budget? We also have a Small Number of Ex-Demo Technisat S6 HD Receivers from £99 with a 1 Year Warranty.
If you have any Queries Regarding German HD Satellite TV Channels then please do not Hesitate to Get in Contact.
