Manila Standard Today: How DTV works

ABS-CBN will be the first Philippine TV network to broadcast digitally when they receive the go signal from the National Telecommunications Commission. Other networks are expected to follow suit since analog television will be phased out in the country by 2015. Some countries, like Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands and Finland, have terminated analog signals as early as 2006/07. Most territories in the world, like the Philippines, are currently in transition.

Digital television is the new frontier in broadcasting. Channels take up less bandwidth and a single broadcaster can provide more channels in the same space. An example would be ABS-CBN's five new digital channels that will launch when their digital broadcasting service launches. Digital format is stronger than analog, which means it can be received clearly even in the most remote locations. Reception is reported to have high-definition picture resolutions and sound fidelity similar to blu-ray home video. Visual and audio quality is easily superior than it has ever been. Long story short, DTV is more efficient and is now the international standard.

Analog switch-off, or the complete termination of analog signals, will render a regular non-digital TV set useless unless it's hooked up to an external digital tuner, like the Digibox, which will be available in retails stores by June. The price is said to be around P2,500 per unit. One unit is required for each TV set. So a household with three TVs will need three Digiboxes. The device will be able to pick up any DTV signal, not just the ones from ABS-CBN.

Channels that the network will be broadcasting in DTV include Channel 2, Studio 23, GEM TV and NBN, together with five new digital-only channels—two for kids and one each for the youth, adult males and adult females. (Cable TV service subscribers are not affected by the analog-to-digital transition.) - Ed Biado, dated 12 April 2011

Source: Manila Standard Today

Manila Bulletin: Five new premium channels on free-to-air TV to be launched

MANILA, Philippines -- Future of TV: Not far away from now, either this year or next, TV viewing in the Philippines will change drastically with the introduction of digital TV.

More options will be granted televiewers, better reception is promised, resulting in more crisp, clearer visuals and greater enjoyment.

The future of television looks bright and clear as ABS-CBN is ready to launch five new premium channels on free-to-air TV via Digital Television (DTV), a high-tech standard that uses digital signals for broadcast.

Says the company release: “DTV occupies lesser space in the frequency so that a single TV station can broadcast on more than one channel, giving viewers more programs options.”

Five new channels: The new channels that ABS-CBN will unveil will cater to different audiences. They include two channels for kids, a channel for the youth, a channel for dads and a channel for moms.

DTV also produces better picture and sound compared to the prevailing analog system. The digital TV viewing experience is comparable to seeing a movie on DVD. This spells more excitement for the viewers.

Thus, climactic moments like the bus explosion in “Mula sa Puso” or the kidnap scene in “Mara Clara” become more heart-pounding when seen on DTV. Musical numbers on “ASAP XV” are captured in more colorful detail. News on “TV Patrol” is delivered in crispier sound.

According to Miguel Mercado, ABS-CBN DTV Head of Marketing, viewers need not wait long because ABS-CBN is ready to launch DTV operations within the year. He said the company is just waiting for the final go-signal from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“With Philippine broadcasting companies going digital, the viewing public will be able to enjoy digital quality viewing in any TV as DTV addresses the issues of poor reception, grainy pictures and choppy audio,” says Mercado.

Upon the purchase of an affordably priced DTV Digibox to be connected to the television set, viewers will be able to enjoy the five new channels for free, in addition to all existing channels broadcasting in digital. By the time ABS-CBN DTV is launched, this list will include Channel 2, Studio 23, GEM TV and NBN.

TV industry go digital: ABS-CBN expects other broadcasters to follow suit since the NTC has directed the local television industry to make a complete transition to digital by 2015. NTC’s mandate will certainly benefit the general public as it puts the Philippines at par with international standards.

DTV is the system followed in the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea and most of Europe.

ABS-CBN, says Mercado, has been preparing for the switchover since 2007. Recently, the network conducted DTV trials in more than 1,000 households all over the Philippines. Participants responded very positively.

A 37-year-old dad said, “Mas malinaw at maraming pagpipiliang channels. Mas masaya kaming manonood ng pamilya ko.” A 26-year-old female employee said, “Mas malinaw ang picture at sound,” while a 67-year-old grandmother replied, “Mas maraming channels na puwedeng panooran na siguradong ikatutuwa ng buong pamilya.”

Moreover, the viewers expressed willingness to buy the DTV Digibox (which costs only as much as a DVD player) so that they could get the new channels for free. As one mother cited, “Wala nang monthly fee. One time ang pagbabayad. Magugustuhan ng anak ko.”- Nestor Cuartero, dated 7 April 2011, 12:27 PM.

Source: Manila Bulletin

ABS-CBN News: ABS-CBN to roll out DTV digibox

ABS-CBN is now ready to deploy their digital terrestrial TV service after officially launching digital television way back 2006. This time, they will now incorporate the chosen Japanese ISDB-T standard, opposed to their European DVB-T broadcast few years ago.

With their launch, they set to offer 5 new premium channels with their DTV Digibox, the set top box branding of ABS-CBN. This DTV Digibox will decode the digital TV signals in free air, including those networks who are now broadcasting in digital, just like NBN and GEM TV. Other networks may be received once they started also broadcasting in digital.

This DTV Digibox is different from SkyCable Digibox, since the latter is used for cable TV services. The ABS-CBN DTV Digibox is primarily used for free-to-air terrestrial TV service.

Read the article after the break.

Set to launch 5 new premium channels on free TV

MANILA - ABS-CBN Corporation is ready to launch 5 new premium TV channels on free-to-air TV within the year as response to the market's need for niche programs and for better picture and sound quality.

To carry out this undertaking, the Kapamilya network will utilize Digital Television (DTV), a high-tech standard that uses digital signals for broadcast of free-to-air content.

The ABS-CBN DTV Digibox ©ABS-CBN News

The technology entails the purchase of an affordably-priced DTV Digibox to be connected to any television set. This Digibox will serve as the viewer's gateway to enjoying new channels that ABS-CBN has developed to cater to preferences of different market segments. 

The new channels to be made available include 2 channels for kids, a channel for the youth, a channel for dads and a channel for moms.

According to Miguel Mercado, head of marketing of ABS-CBN DTV, ABS-CBN is ready to launch its DTV operations within the year.  He said the company is just waiting for the final go-signal from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

"With Philippine broadcasting companies going digital, the viewing public will be able enjoy digital quality viewing in any TV as DTV addresses the issues of poor reception, grainy pictures and choppy audio," said Mercado.

"Viewers will also get to enjoy five new channels for free. These are in addition to getting all existing channels that will be broadcasting in digital, which upon our launch, will include Channel 2, Studio 23, GEM TV and NBN. Once the NTC gives a go signal, we are sure that the other stations will be ready to broadcast their current channels on DTV as well," added Mercado.

The directive for the Philippines to go digital is up to par with the international standard, as more and more countries are switching from analog to digital TV. 

Some of the countries that have adopted DTV include the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Denmark.

In the Philippines, the NTC's command is supported by industry organization Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the TV networks.

Representation of Analog and Digital TVsignals ©ABS-CBN News

Consumers stand to benefit from the shift to digital TV. Viewers will have more free TV channels to choose from, and they will get clearer picture and sound compared to the prevailing analog system.

Since 2007, ABS-CBN has been laying the groundwork for this new technology. The network's DTV system is in place and is prepared to rollout within the second half of the year.

More recently, ABS-CBN conducted DTV trials in more than 1,000 households all over the Philippines. The studies generated very positive feedback.

Respondents were thrilled with the wider array of programs and raved about the impeccable picture and sound.

Speaking in Filipino, a 37-year-old dad commented, "It's clearer and there are more channels to choose from. My family is happier as we watch together."

A 26-year-old lady said, "The picture and the sound are clearer."

The trials also showed that DTV's appeal cuts across ages, as one 67-year-old grandmother declared, "There are more shows to watch for the delight of the entire family."

Unlike cable or satellite TV with regular fees, DTV requires only the purchase of the Digibox, which costs only as much as a DVD player. This prompted a 28-year-old mom to say, "There are no monthly fees, just a one-time payment. My child will surely like this."

The network's study also revealed that viewers will definitely buy the set top box in order to get the new channels for free. - TJ Manotoc, dated 6 April 2011, 05:21 PM.

Source: ABS-CBN News

Newsbytes: ABS-CBN hits NTC indecision on digital TV standard

Even as it starts its campaign to gain an early foothold in the digital TV (DTV) space, broadcasting giant ABS-CBN has criticized the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for sending mixed signals on the country’s official DTV standard.

The Lopez-owned TV station, as quoted by The Manila Times in a report on Tuesday, warned that the NTC’s seeming inability to uphold its earlier decision to adopt the Japanese DTV standard would cause unnecessary delay in the rollout of DTV in the country.

Last year, the NTC formally ushered in the DTV era in the country when it issued a circular adopting the Japanese DTV standard or the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). The circular was passed during a consultation hearing attended by industry stakeholders.

But, recent reports have indicated that the regulatory agency is keen on giving a second look at the European DTV platform or European Digital Video Broadcast-Terrestial (DVB-T), whose newer version is reportedly better than the Japanese platform.

Miguel Mercado, marketing head of ABS-CBN DTV, was quoted in The Manila Times story saying that the company is “ready to deploy [its DTV strategy] regardless of the standard”.
But sources have indicated that the network has already invested on Japanese DTV standard, which included the “Digibox” that it announced in Tuesday’s press event.

The unit, which analog TV users must use to receive digital signals, was purportedly launched three months in advance to pressure the NTC into sticking with the Japanese platform.

ABS-CBN said the Digibox may be available in malls and retail stores by June – the date it expects the NTC to give the go-signal on its DTV application.

Main rival GMA-7, which is said to be favoring the European DTV standard, has been reported to have filed an opposition to ABS-CBN’s DTV application at the NTC.

As a way to spur interest in its Digibox, ABS-CBN said five new digital channels will be accessible through the unit, which will have a one-time cost of about P1,000 to P3,000.

The move, if eventually allowed by the NTC, effectively adds another dimension to ABS-CBN – as a reseller of digital conversion boxes, a function that is more familiar to its sister company SkyCable.

According to a statement by ABS-CBN, the Digibox will serve as the gateway to the new digital channels that the company has developed to cater to preferences of different market segments.
“The new channels to be made available include two channels for kids, a channel for the youth, a channel for dads and a channel for moms,” the TV station said.

“Viewers will also get to enjoy five new channels for free. These are in addition to getting all existing channels that will be broadcasting in digital, which upon our launch, will include Channel 2, Studio 23, GEM TV and NBN. Once the NTC gives a go signal we are sure that the other stations will be ready to broadcast their current channels on DTV as well,” the statement quoted Mercado as saying.

The statement said ABS-CBN has been laying the groundwork for the new technology since 2007. The network’s DTV system in place and is prepared to rollout within the second half of the year, it added.

ABS-CBN said it has recently conducted DTV trials in more than 1,000 households all over the Philippines.

Some of the countries that have adopted DTV include the US, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. - dated 5 April 2011, 11:46 PM.

Source: Newsbytes Philippines

Philippine Star: ABS-CBN allots P1B for shift to digital TV

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. will spend an initial P1 billion in its bid to become the first company to offer digital television (DTV) in the country.

Company officials said as soon as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) releases the rules that will govern DTV transmission, hopefully by June this year, ABS-CBN will be ready to offer this new technology. Government also has yet to decide between adopting the Japanese and European standard for DTV broadcast.

Since the NTC has yet to decide on the deadline for the total migration from analog to digital transmission to either 2015 or 2020, ABS-CBN will be offering both analog and digital in the interim.

But as soon as the deadline arrives, analog transmission will have to be totally shut down so that free-to-air channels can only be viewed either by using a box that would allow their TV sets to receive digital signal or subscribing to a cable TV service.

ABS-CBN owns SkyCable, the country’s largest cable TV service provider.

ABS-CBN DTV marketing head Miguel Mercado said they are ready to launch their operations within the year and are just awaiting the final go-signal from NTC.

The broadcasting company will be offering a digital box mainly to non-cable TV subscribers for the price of a DVD player (between P1,000 to P3,000) without any monthly subscription fee.

Mercado said through this box, which can be attached to any kind of TV, viewers can enjoy five new channels for free in addition to receiving all free-to-air channels that will be broadcasting digitally. The new channels include two for kids, one for the youth, one for dads, and another for moms.

He revealed that this would include ABS-CBN’s Channel 2 and Studio 23, GEM, and NBN. These channels are currently doing test broadcasting in digital.

As for ABS-CBN, he said plans are to make DTV ready for Visayas and Mindanao in the next few years.

However, both GMA Network and TV5 have said that they are ready to shift to digital.

“With Philippine broadcasting companies going digital, the viewing public will be able to enjoy digital quality viewing in any TV as DTV addresses the issues of poor reception, grainy pictures and choppy audio,” Mercado explained.

The directive for the Philippines to go digital, he said, is up to par with the international standard as more and more countries are switching off their analog signals.

Some of the countries that have adopted DTV include the US, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Denmark. - Mary Ann Ll. Reyes, dated 5 April 2011, 12:00 AM

Source: Philippine Star

ABS-CBN News: ABS-CBN sees additional earnings from digital service

MANILA, Philippines - Listed media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corp. is eyeing fresh revenues from the implementation of its digital television service in the Philippines which may come in the middle of the year, a company official said on Monday.

In a briefing with reporters, Miguel Mercado said ABS-CBN will be ready to roll out digibox units to allow viewers to tap the said service, which promises clearer reception and more channels.

Mercado, who heads ABS-CBN’s marketing division for digital terrestrial television, said digibox units will each cost between P1,000 and P3,000 and will be mainly targeted to viewers without cable subscription service.

“This will [create] new revenue streams eventually,” Mercado told reporters yesterday, without elaborating. He said ABS-CBN plans to introduce five new channels for users of the digibox, a device roughly the size of a small digital movie player.

He said ABS-CBN is awaiting the final implementing rules of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), expected by the end of this quarter.

“We are ready to launch [this] product. Initially, we will launch in Luzon and in the next few years, Visayas and Mindanao,” Mercado said.

The NTC said earlier that it wants digital television services to be launched in key Philippine cities by 2012, to be implemented in several phases.

The Philippines is going to adapt Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcast technology as the standard for digital TV. A technical working group is currently working on the implementing rules and regulations of the Digital Terrestrial Television broadcast service in the country.

NTC has yet to set a final deadline for the termination of analog television, which is the current standard, but previous reports have said this will not happen before previously-set 2015.

ABS-CBN is likely to exceed its 2010 net income forecast of P3 billion, company chief financial officer Rolando Valdueza told reporters last month. The company said profit reached P1.7 billion the previous year.

Shares of ABS-CBN slid 0.94 percent to P42 each on Monday’s trading, giving the media company a market value of P32.12 billion. - Business Mirror, dated 5 April 2011, 07:55 AM.

Source: ABS-CBN News

I.T. Matters: ABS-CBN preps for digital TV broadcast

LOPEZ-LED media giant ABS-CBN Corp. yesterday announced plans to launch five new premium channels on free-to-air TV as it prepares for its digital broadcast once government regulators approve the rules by June.

Antonio Miguel A. Mercado, ABS-CBN marketing manager for digital television, said the company is ready to roll out its digital broadcast service based on the Japanese standard earlier endorsed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“We have prepared as early as four years ago to shift to digital broadcast, as soon as the NTC finalizes the rules and guidelines about digital TV broadcast,” Mr. Mercado told reporters yesterday.

He said if ever the NTC decides to adapt the European standard for digital broadcast in the country, ABS-CBN will be able to make the necessary adjustments to broadcast later this year.

He, however, said that ABS-CBN is more ready to immediately broadcast in digital format using the Japanese standard, since the company has already conducted test broadcasts in select cities in the country using the said platform for its digital terrestrial TV migration.

The Japanese standard, which is called the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial, is being used in Japan, and has been adapted by other countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Paraguay in their shift to digital TV broadcast.

ABS-CBN, as well as GMA Network, Inc., and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., favored the Japanese platform over the European Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld standard, since the former was said to be cheaper to set up.

The NTC earlier said the set-top boxes (which is needed by analog TV sets to receive digital signals) would cost about $10 to $11, while the price for the European standard gadget would range from $12 to $13.

Mr. Mercado said ABS-CBN’s setup boxes, which it calls “DigiBox,” will cost between P1,000 to P3,000.

Digital TV is a system for broadcasting and receiving digital sound and video signals that requires a specifically designed, and more advanced TV set than the traditional analog box.

Mr. Mercado said digital TV produces better picture and sound compared to the prevailing analog system. “The digital TV viewing experience is comparable to seeing a movie on DVD,” he said.

The NTC estimates that around 14 million Filipino households use analog TV sets. To entice TV owners to shift to digital by spending on DigiBoxes, Mr. Mercado said ABS-CBN is preparing five new channels that would only be available to viewers thru the setup boxes that the network will sell. He said the five new channels will be on top of Channel 2, the current very high frequency channel of ABS-CBN, as well as Studio 23, which is ABS-CBN’s ultra-high frequency channel in the current analog broadcast system.

Mr. Mercado said digital TV occupies lesser space in the frequency so that a single TV station can broadcast on more than one channel, giving viewers more programs options.

“The new channels that ABS-CBN will unveil will cater to different audiences. The new channels to be made available include two channels for kids, a channel for the youth, a channel for dads and a channel for moms,” he said.

He declined to elaborate, saying that the new channels will be launched once ABS-CBN gets the green light to begin its digital TV broadcast. TV networks are waiting for the NTC to issue the implementing rules and regulations for digital television-terrestrial services before finally rolling out their respective digital TV programs.

Mr. Mercado said the five new channels will be a source of additional revenues for ABS-CBN since they will have commercials. He said ABS-CBN has been preparing for the switchover since 2007.

Shares in ABS-CBN closed 40 centavos lower to settle at P42 apiece yesterday. - Jeffrey O. Valisno, Business World, dated 4 April 2011, 08:46 PM.

Source: I.T. Matters