Fast and Wide: Philippines revises target for digital TV

Now, Philippines envisioned target date to shut down all analogue television broadcast by 2020, almost ten years to complete the full migration into digital television. This will help the Filipinos to understand more the benefits of digital TV compared to current television setup, and not to make them cram for DTV migration. 

Addendum, Japanese are willing to train Filipino engineers about the digital TV transmission that will be exported to other countries intending to adopt the standard. Philippines has now finally chosen the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast (ISDB-T) over the European DVB-T2 as the sole official digital terrestrial television standard. With that, particularly, our country will be the world's first to use the harmonized ISDB-T International Standard. Read the post after the break.

Having decided opted to go with Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcast (ISDB) technology over the European standard for its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcast service, the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has announced that migration to digital will take ten years (rather than its earlier estimate of five) to complete. The new target for completing the switch-over is 2020. 

‘This year, the NTC has commenced the transition of the broadcast industry from analogue to digital,’ the regulatory body said. ‘The NTC estimates full migration from analogue to digital TV technology within the next five-to-ten years.’ 

The Philippines Government is now considering delaying the compulsory transition of all analogue television service providers to digital TV, and for the termination of all analogue TV broadcast transmissions from the earlier target of the close of 2015. 

Using Japan's Integrated Services Digital Broadcast technology as the Philippines’ standard for DTT broadcasting means that the expertise of the Filipino engineers who are to be trained by Japanese experts can be exported to other countries intending to adopt the Japanese standard for digital TV. 

The Japanese government is also being requested by the Philippines to subsidise the cost of set-top boxes. 'The Japanese Government will invest in a set-top box factory in the Philippines, but we are also asking them to subsidise the boxes,' said Commission on Information and Communications Technology Chairman, Ivan Uy. - dated 29 July 2011

Source: Fast and Wide

MIC Japan: Japan Completed Analog Switch Off in Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Successfully

July 2011

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Government of Japan

Japan Completed Analog Switch Off in Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Successfully

In Japan, the government, broadcasters, manufacturers, and many stakeholders have taken dedicated efforts to achieve the complete digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting. ISDB-T, the Japanese standard for digital terrestrial television broadcasting, is the best of such technology, invented thanks to the national tendency of cooperation for solving issues and of seeking the newest useful functions for electrical appliances. 

ISDB-T enables sophisticated HDTV, easy receiving in any conditions (e.g. wide cover area, anti-radio–disturbance, etc.), and prompt transmission of emergency information in disasters. These benefits have been spread deeply to citizens all over the country. In addition, mobile broadcasting called “One-Seg” has been bringing a new viewing experience without additional cost, while the other digital TV standards require additional cost.

By sharing this attractiveness and advantage fully, Japan was able to win trust in digital television broadcasting among citizens. Japan has suffered serious damage from the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami on 11th March, just before the Analog Switch Off (ASO). But now we are striving to reconstruct with kind help and friendship from all over the world and with an unbeatable national effort (“Ganbaro, Nippon!!”). During the disaster, many lives were saved by informing each person of the tsunami alert in advance through One-Seg. Only ISDB-T provides One-Seg, and for this reason, ISDB-T is the standard trusted by citizens, and the digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting in Japan succeeded without changing the initial target date. Furthermore, we can guarantee that the Japanese standard will lead to success in the upcoming digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting for countries that have adopted ISDB-T.

We hope that countries all over the world can share in the Japanese success by adopting ISDB-T. Japan has succeeded in the complete digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting by terminating analog broadcasting on Sunday,  24th July, 2011, (except in some regions afflicted by the earthquake/tsunami damage). Digitalization for terrestrial television broadcasting is a worldwide trend. In Japan, more than 120 million people, almost the entire population, can watch television via terrestrial broadcasting. Japan is the first country in the world to succeed in an analog switch off without confusion in such a large-scale. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) would like to share its success tips for the other countries planning ASO in the near future as shown below:

Success Tip 1: Preparation of Consultation offices close to citizens (working together with the government, broadcasters, manufacturers and electricians)

Television broadcasting is a universal service and an important infrastructure for most of the people to rely on as an information source. Therefore, it is indispensable to care for the people who are not familiar with digital technology, especially elderly people and people without enough income. The MIC put in place a total of 51 support centers for digital terrestrial viewers, called “Digi-Suppo,” in cooperation with broadcasters, manufactures and electricians in every prefecture to enable easy access and the asking of relevant questions.

In addition, especially just before the ASO, temporary Q&A booths to support people who had not switched to digital broadcasting yet were set up widely under cooperation with local governments. A lot of volunteers also supported by calling elderly people to confirm whether they had switched to digitalization.

This management structure consisting of the government, broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers and electricians was a key factor leading to the success of TV digitalization.

Success Tip 2: Implementation of measures along with a schedule and target

Regarding transmission network preparation, the schedule for starting digital broadcasting in each region was publicly announced (called the “master plan”). The master plan indicates that digital broadcasting would start in 3 metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka) by 2003 and in mid-size cities by 2006. Also the starting dates for the other regions were also indicated in the plan. This schedule was announced in each region respectively.

After the construction of most of the transmission stations, the MIC returned its attention to fitting out an environment for receiving digital broadcasting waves from the point of view of the citizens. The Digi-Suppos helped citizens to solve any difficulties in their receiving system, including through consultations on a shared receiving system in areas where broadcast signals are blocked by mountains or hills or apartment complexes.

In the border area of analog broadcasting coverage, where the received signal level is very weak, a cliff effect might have occurred. Therefore, in such areas, additional measures were taken, such as newly installing shared receiving facilities or replacing antennas to high-gain antennas.

Furthermore, as a safety network for the areas where these measures could not be delivered before the ASO, the MIC and broadcasters delivered satellite networks as a temporary measure to broadcast terrestrial TV programs.

Success Tip 3: Measures for the spread of digital receivers

By standardizing the minimum functional requirements for set-top boxes (STBs) along with the technology development efforts of manufacturers, digital television and STB prices have steadily become cheaper, contributing to the spread of digital receivers as a result.

In addition, the government implemented an incentive program for consumers to purchase and switch to digital televisions (called the “eco-point” program), accelerating digital receiver diffusion. As a result, there were 25 million shipments of flat panel televisions in 2010 (in the first year of digitalization, there were 10 million shipments). In particular, the amount of sales in November is more than 5 times the amount of November 2009 due to announcing the 50% reduction of eco-points in advance.

As for a safety network for the people who had not prepared a digital receiver yet, STBs have been distributed for free to low income households since 2009. 

Success Tip 4: Public announcements, including statistical results of the digital spread rate and the ASO notification through the analog broadcasting program

The government shared statistical results with viewers via the media, including the results of a survey on the household digital receiver spread rate and a survey on viewer’s awareness of the timing of the ASO. This showed viewers that digitalization was making steady progress.

Regarding the preparation of an environment in which all citizens can receive digital broadcasting waves, the status of digitalization using shared receiving systems and in apartment complexes was published to publicize the progress of digitalization.

On the other hand, broadcasters notified viewers that analog programs would end on 24th July through all channels broadcasting the same promotion program at the same time (called a “soft test”). The promotion program was in the letter-box format and the word “analog” and the telephone number of the call center were indicated on the screen viewers realized that they were now watching an analog program.

Suzu city (with approx. 10 thousand households) in Ishikawa prefecture switched off analog broadcasting one year prior to the nationwide ASO. Finally the results of these invaluable experiences contributed to the preparation for the nationwide ASO. From 1st July 2011, broadcasters inserted a superimposed image showing the days remaining until the day of the analog switch off on the screen in their analog programs as a final effort to avoid having unprepared households due to insufficient awareness raising.

These measures largely contributed to preventing confusion when analog television broadcasting was switched off successfully. 

Success Tip 5: Spread of “ digitalization of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting ” to citizens by using characters and distinguished persons (Media strategy)

Industry side developed many campaigns and commercials by using an animal mascot, a famous entertainer as a symbolic of promotion and popular newsreaders as ambassadors of promotion. In addition, various generations recognized “digitalization of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting” through distinguished entertainers corresponding to the same generation, who were named as a cheering party and they participated in a lot of campaigns.

Furthermore, promotional clips appealed to fans at professional baseball/football stadiums and horse racing tracks using public viewing systems with huge screens. These measurements have created nationwide understanding of and familiarity forward “ digitalization of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting” as the animal mascot goods were great hits!

Source: ISDB-T Philippines Official Page

グッバイアナログTV (Sayonara Anarogu)

It’s been almost 58 years of success as Japan now bids goodbye to analog television broadcasting. Marked the date of July 24, 2011 as their analog switchoff date, the Land of the Rising Sun succeeded a smooth transition from analog to digital television. 

Tracing back the history of Japanese Television, they're one of the first countries in the world to do experimental television broadcasts in 1939. Due to World War II, Japan almost ceased those test trials and made regular public broadcast in 1950. 

Nippon Hoso Kyokai, popular known as NHK, was Japan's very first television network, and also Asia's first TV broadcaster. To date, Japan now has six nationwide television broadcasters aside from NHK, namely Nihon TV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV Asahi and TV Tokyo. 

On 1958, Japan constructed the well-known Tokyo Tower, a landmark of Japan that houses television transmitters in one major tower to lessen the congestion of buildings of many TV towers in the city. 

Japan even housed the most advanced television broadcast facility in the world, at par with the Philippines on the 60's. Until 1979 which Japan introduces the Hi-Vision, the 1125-line High Definition Television broadcast over the analog signals. This marked also the start of the world's quest to develop high definition signals over television broadcast. 

Decades after, Europe and the US earmarked the commencement of digital television in the world. While those two powerful continents dominate the royalties over DTV, Japan introduced their digital TV standard called the Integrated Services Digital Broadcast or ISDB-T in 1999, which brings high definition, standard definition and mobile/portable TV signals over one terrestrial TV transmission. 

On December 1, 2003, with NHK's effort, Japan publicly introduced the digital terrestrial TV service in the country. Also, this denotes the country's analog switch-off date to July 24, 2011, approximately 7 years to transition from analog to digital TV broadcast. 

It wasn't easy for a country like Japan to switchoff its analog signals over 7 years. In fact, it was the whole country’s effort to recognize Japan’s DTV switchover, aside from the broadcasters and public service. They even did the deer mascot, Chidejika, and made infomercials about the near digital TV migration. 

2009 when broadcasters started to put an “Analog” sign on the upper-right corner of the analog TV signal. This helps to identify that receivers still receives analog TV signals, as well as to inform them that they should migrate into digital broadcast. Others may put hotline numbers and other information on the lower part of the analog broadcasts, until the time comes for Japan to say Goodbye Analog TV. 

July 24, 2011, a historical mark for Japan to switch off all analog TV signals, except for the TV broadcasts in those prefectures that were damaged by the March 11 tsunami (which dated to switch off on March 2012). A day before, NHK even had its special program that showed the 58 years of television broadcast history of the country. Other TV networks include the final infomercials and infotainment programs to show migration to DTV. In the end, all analog TV networks put countdown for the switchoff and after “San-Ni-Ichi”, it was a blue and white information broadcast in just few hours, and suddenly go off-air.

For us, it was a smooth transition from analog to digital TV by simply putting the analog TV viewers on hold to a blue and white info putting some important messages and contact numbers. We remember some time when the US had shut down its analog TV service last June 12, 2009 with a live shutoff of the television transmitters of every network. As of this writing, Japan had never encountered any report on problem with people going digital, as well as receivers and the whole information about DTV are well disseminated to every Japanese household.

With that, Philippines might also follow Japan’s lead to digital broadcast via ISDB-T. Dated on December 31, 2015, almost five years away before the migration, it will be easy for all of us Filipinos to go digital if we do extra efforts to manage, inform and deliver data guided to digital TV broadcast. We at DTV Pilipinas, we are strengthening our outreach to every Filipino the knowledge and information about going digital. Better to know something, rather than nothing, so at the end, we also gonna have a problem-free migration to the future of Philippine television.

ABS-CBN News: Japan goes digital after turning off analogue TV

Finally, Japan had bid goodbye with the analog television system for over 58 years of broadcast. Hope Philippines will take the path Japan's led to a smooth transition to digital terrestrial television, soon. 

TOKYO - Japan on Sunday shifted to digital terrestrial broadcasting, switching off its analogue television network in all areas except those worst hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the government said. 

Japanese broadcasters ended analogue transmission across most of the country at noon (0900 GMT) after 58 years. No major problems among viewers were immediately reported. 

As of the end of June, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry believed at least 290,000 households were still not ready to receive digital signals, Jiji Press said. 

The Japanese government has postponed the move to digital in the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima until the end of March next year due to damage from the earthquake and tsunami. - Agence France Presse (AFP), dated 25 July 2011, 03:54 PM.

Source: ABS-CBN News

Manila Bulletin: Sayonara, Analog

MANILA, Philippines -- July 24, 2011, Japan marks another technological milestone as the whole country finally switches off its analog transmission and goes fully digital using Japan's very own digital technology, the ISDB-T or Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial. ISDB-T is a type of digital broadcasting developed by Japan that provides audio, video and multimedia services. It uses a modulation method referred to as Band Segmented OFDM with Time Interleave. 

Research and development of digital broadcasting in Japan started way back in 1990's when Japan noticed a great need for HDTV to work together with SDTV as well as their internet services. The country also needed to effectively utilize frequency resources and apply all these to interactive services and data-casting. Furthermore, Japan needed all of the above-mentioned to be available to mobile and portable devices. With all these in mind, technical requirements were then sought in 1994 and soon after the Ministry established the technical standards. ISDB-T was then recommended by the ITU and after licensing and further requirements were completed ISDB-T was launched. 

In order to facilitate and prepare the whole country for the said "switch off", the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) in cooperation with the local government, constructors, retailers and broadcasters worked hand in hand disseminating vital information. Publicity and advisements were done through various support centers, "explanatory meetings" and establishment of call centers and to monitor and measure the reception or signal, MIC sent out radio measurement vehicles. 

For the broadcaster's part, in July 2008, notifications in the form of an “analog logo” was placed seen flashing on the upper right hand corner of the screen. This was viewed over some selected TV programs. As the date was fast approaching, in March 29, 2010, NHK started sequential notifications in the form of a letterbox (seen on the upper and lower part of the screen). Other commercial TVs started doing the same immediately after. 

All broadcasters soon did a "virtual analog switch-off" seen as "blue and black screen" all at the same time especially during primetime and last July 1, a countdown was then displayed showing the number of days remaining as to the termination of analog transmission. 

On this day at exactly noon time, viewers with analog TV will receive only the “blue and black notice” saying that analog transmission has “switched off”. 

And so after approximately 10 years of preparation and transition, the day has finally arrived where the whole country will experience full digital transmission today at exactly noon time. This is with the exemption of a few areas that were badly damaged by the recent earthquake. These areas are scheduled to go on full digital transmission on March 2012. 

In the Philippines, the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC first considered digital switchover by 2012. However, due to delays in reviews and issuance of rules and implementation, transition will push through next year, 2012, extending complete shut off of analog transmission by 2015. - Len Amadora, dated 25 July 2011, 12:00 AM

Source: Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin: Japan switches off analog signal

After almost 60 years of developing television broadcast advancements in the Asia and around the world, Japan is now ready to shutdown its analog TV service, the very first in Asia. And now, in 2011, the Land of the Rising Sun will also commence the very first digital TV switchover tomorrow, July 24, 2011, 3:00 Philippine Standard Time (4:00 JPN). Read the post after the break.

TOKYO, Japan – Japan marks another technological milestone Sunday when the whole country switches off analog transmission and goes into full digital broadcasting. 

In going digital, Japan will be using the ISDB-T or Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial that provides audio, video and multimedia services. 

ISDB-T uses a modulation method referred to as Band Segmented OFDM with Time Interleave. 

Research and development of digital broadcasting in Japan started way back in 1990s with the rising need for HDTV (High Definitiion Television) to work together with SDTV (Standard Definition Television) as well as their Internet services. 

The country also needed to effectively utilize frequency resources and apply all these to interactive services and datacasting, the broadcasting of data over a wide area via radio waves. 

Japan needed the new technology to be available to mobile and portable devices to reach more people. In 1994, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) sought the technical requirements and soon after established the technical standards. 

ISDB-T was then recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and after licensing and further requirements were completed, ISDB-T was launched. 

In order to facilitate and prepare the whole country for the “switch off,’’ the ministry in cooperation with the local government, constructors, retailers and broadcasters worked hand in hand disseminating vital information. 

Information about ISDB-T was spread through various support centers, “explanatory meetings’’ and establishments of call centers. To monitor and measure the reception or signal, MIC sent out radio measurement vehicles. 

For the broadcaster’s part, in July 2008, notifications in the form of an “analog logo’’ was placed seen flashing on the upper right hand corner of television screens. This was viewed over some selected TV programs. 

In March 29, 2010, NHK started sequential notifications in the form of a letterbox on the upper and lower part of the TV screen. Other commercial TVs soon followed suit. 

All broadcasters soon did a “virtual analog switch-off’’ seen as “blue and black screen’’ all at the same time especially during primetime and last July 1, a countdown was then displayed showing the number of days remaining as to the termination of analog transmission. 

At exactly noon Sunday, viewers with analog TV will receive only the “blue and black notice’’ saying that analog transmission has “switched off.’’ 

And so after approximately 10 years of preparation and transition, the day has finally arrived where the whole country will experience full digital transmission. This is with the exemption of a few areas that were badly damaged by the recent earthquake. These areas are scheduled to go on full digital transmission on March 2012. 

In the Philippines, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) first considered a digital switchover by 2012. However, due to delays in reviews of rules and implementation, transition will push through next year, 2012, extending complete shut off of analog transmission by 2015. - Eleonor G. Amadora, dated 23 July 2011, 01:20 PM.

Source: Manila Bulletin

 

KIT Digital: KIT digital Brings Next-Gen HD Broadcasting to the Philippines

TV5, in partnership with KIT Digital, is going to rebuild its technical operations center with more massive, advance post-production facility, turning the network's three TV channels in glorifying high definition-enabled contents and integrating digital television facility in line with the network's shift to DTV. 

KIT digital Brings Next-Gen HD Broadcasting to the Philippines

Major Broadcast Network TV5 Selects KIT digital to Implement the Region's First Integrated Digital and HD-Enabled Broadcasting and OTT-Capable Facility 

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, Jul 19, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --

KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), a premium cloud-based software solutions and technology services provider for multi-screen video delivery, was selected by one of the Philippines' major broadcast networks, TV5, to help it become the first fully automated, IP-based digital and HD-enabled facility in the region. 

The upgrade to TV5's Technical Operations Center (TOC) includes significant enhancements to their production and post-production capabilities to support the network's effort to produce more premium content for their customers -- including the recently launched all-news channel AksyonTV 41 and the primetime sports block AKTV on IBC Channel 13. 

"We are very pleased to have been selected as TV5's partner in advancing broadcast technology in the Philippines and setting the groundwork to transition into multi-platform distribution over digital terrestrial, satellite, and IP-networks, with single-point ingestion and asset management," said KIT digital's senior vice president, Asia-Pacific, Ashish Mukherjee. "This client win reflects KIT digital's unique ability to provide advanced integration services coupled with cloud-based platform solutions that enable traditional broadcasters to revamp their existing legacy delivery models and bridge the gap between traditional broadcast and next generation software-based broadband video head-ends." 

Now the fastest growing network in the Philippines, TV5 is delivering and distributing several of the region's most popular programs throughout Asia. To support this initiative, the broadcaster is migrating all three of its major channels to HD, and is in the process of building a new ultra-modern facility in Mandaluyong City. 

TV5 President and CEO, Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, commented, "We are very enthusiastic with our transition to HD and with the broadcast and OTT platform enhancements that are bound to propel our network to the forefront of modern broadcasting. We take pride in being the first to introduce leading edge technologies to our viewers, and we are glad that we have partnered with KIT digital in realizing our vision for the network." 

KIT digital staff will be on the ground in Manila to train and work closely together with TV5's project management team to support the upgrade of the facilities, the implementation of the KIT Platform, and create efficient ongoing workflow processes and platform training that will support TV5 for the years to come. Project partners and their respective products include: 

-- EVS Video Servers for Production

-- DataDirect Networks Central Storage

-- Snell Routers, Glue and Automation

-- Grade 1 broadcast monitors from Ikegami

-- Omneon Video Servers for play-out

-- Waveform Rasterizers from Tektronix 

About KIT digital, Inc. KIT digital (NASDAQ: KITD) is a premium provider of end-to-end video management software and related services. The KIT Platform, the company's cloud-based video asset management system, enables enterprise, media & entertainment and network operator clients to produce, manage and deliver multi-screen socially-enabled video experiences to audiences wherever they are. KIT digital services more than 2,300 clients in 50+ countries including some of the world's biggest brands, such as Airbus, The Associated Press, BBC, Best Buy, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Disney-ABC, FedEx, Google, HP, MTV, News Corp, Telecom Argentina, Telefonica, Universal Studios, Verizon, Vodafone and Volkswagen. KIT digital maintains executive offices in New York and its operational headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, with offices in 21 countries around the world. Visit the company at www.kitd.com or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KITdigital. 

KIT digital Contact:

Adam Davis

Global Communications Manager

Tel. +1-609-468-9500

SOURCE: KIT digital, Inc.

Manila Times: KBP moves to deflect EU lobby for digital TV standard

THE Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said the Japanese digital TV standard is “better” than the European platform. 

“ISDB-T (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) is a pro-Filipino standard because it has features that can address better the needs of the Filipino viewers, not to mention that it costs less than DVB2 [Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial 2], its European counterpart,” Atom Henares, chairman of the KBP TV Committee said in a statement. 

The KBP statement comes after the European Union lobbied before the National Telecommunications Commission for an extension of the deadline for deciding on the Philippines’ standard. 

ISDB-T can carry less channels than DVB2, Henares said, but the Japanese standard’s capacity is enough to transmit channels that will be produced by broadcast networks. 

ISDB-T also features a data transmission functionality that allows broadcast networks to flash data at the TV screen of the viewers. 

This feature can be used in weather forecasting and government announcements. It can also be very helpful during emergency situations given that the Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Intertropical Convergence Zone. 

“It is also ISDB that already has seen test broadcasts by some TV networks,” Henares said. - Darwin G. Amolejar, dated 15 July 2011.

Source: Manila Times

Malaya: Euro or Japan digital TV standard?

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has asked television broadcasting companies which of the European and Japanese standards for digital terrestrial television (DTT) is technically and economically better for local use. 

In a technical presentation of the two standards at the NTC last Friday, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba gave broadcast firms and other stakeholders until Wednesday to submit their recommendations. 

Cordoba said the broadcast firms should assess the impact of each standard on consumers as to the price of set-up boxes, program choice, quality and timing. 

On the broadcast side, the price of commercial rollout, speed and take-up should be considered while on the regulators’ side, frequency planning and analog switch-off are the prime concerns. 

Based on initial technical comparisons, the European DVB-T2 was found better in terms of transmission transfer rate of a channel; robustness of the transmission to improve coverage; number of countries adopted, and; payload capacity. 

The Japanese ISDB-T, however, are cheaper at $20.50 to $55 against DVB-T2’s $33.50 to $62. 

After the receiving the papers of the broadcast companies, the NTC will take more than a week to review these come up with a decision. 

The NTC planned to issue the implementing rules and regulations on DTT this month, but the deadline is expected to be extended if NTC chooses the European technology. 

The NTC chose the Japanese standard in June last year, but the Aquino administration has given the European consortium owning DBB-T2 another chance to make a presentation. 

Earlier, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said its members favor the Japanese standard as the cost of set-up boxes is much cheaper. 

The Japanese government has also promised funding and technical support for the country’s migration digital television. 

"The Japanese government earlier said it will support the country’s transition into the DTT era by, among other things, setting up a factory here for the manufacturing of set-top boxes. This will create jobs for Filipinos and make the equipment more accessible," said Atom Henares, chairman of the KBP Television Committee. - Myla Iglesias, dated 11 July 2011

Source: Malaya

Business World: Digital TV ruling out within the month

State of the Nation of President Aquino is on July 25. NTC's deadline to formally adopt the Philippines' digital terrestrial TV standard is on 15 days after July 4. Read post after the jump. 

“Within the next 15 days, we should already have come out with a decision,” NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba told reporters yesterday after a hearing on mobile service interconnection rates at the agency’s head office in Quezon City. 

Mr. Cordoba said the technical working group for the digital TV standard meet this week to complete the review which started last May 26. 

The review was originally scheduled to be completed last June 30. 

In June last year, NTC, citing industry consensus, said it had chosen Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard as the country’s platform over Europe’s Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) technology. 

However, NTC last March decided to review all standards after a committee of the House of Representatives cited the upgraded European standard (DVB-2) as an option. 

Mr. Cordoba said the implementing rules and regulations for the country’s switch to digital TV is largely completed, awaiting only the identification of standard to be adopted. 

The government aims to complete the country’s shift to digital TV by 2015. 

Last June 28, representatives of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and of the industry-led Digital Video Broadcasting Project presented the advantages of the upgraded European standard to the NTC. 

The following day, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas said the Japanese standard is better suited for the country citing price concerns. - Kathleen A. Martin, dated 04 July 2011, 10:31 PM

Source: Business World