Office of the President: Aquino commits to settle digital TV issue by early 2012

It was foretold that the Malacanang is ready to issue an executive order regarding the official adoption of the Japanese ISDB-T digital terrestrial TV standard before President Aquino flies to Japan. But since then, the office wasn’t too ready because of economic timing and second thoughts.

Now, President Aquino commits to settle the digital terrestrial TV standard by early next year. It will be a short delay, but we are still expecting for the good. Hope that the government settle this issue without introducing again anything. Back last month, the National Telecommunications Commission, the governing body set to adopt the official DTTV standard, finally choses ISDB-T over the European DVB-T2.

One thing that we also read in this article was the concern regarding the Philippines’ adoption of Betamax standard against the VHS. We mean, it is just like comparing onions to fruits. Betamax and VHS are recording standards; it may also be connected to TV broadcast but still, broadcast standards are way too different to compare with the first. Read the article after the break.

TOKYO, Japan: President Benigno Aquino III made an assurance that the Philippines will soon complete its technical evaluation of its digital television format in the first quarter of 2012.

During a roundtable discussion between President Aquino and Japanese leaders, Marubeni Corp., one of Japan’s major companies raised its concerns over the Digital TV issue in the Philippines, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. said in a media briefing in Tokyo.

Coloma said that the President told Marubeni that the National Telecommunication Commission is still in the process of evaluating the issue given the rapid developments in communications technology.

Coloma said that when the issue was first raised last year, the dominant standard was the European standard. There was a Europe I standard and since then a Europe II standard has also come up and the President pointed out that the Philippines in the past adopted the betamax standard when the rest of the world had the VHS format, he said.

Settling the standard issues is the reason why the President wants a more deliberate technical evaluation process to ensure that there will be no disruption in the social or cultural aspect, Coloma explained.

“The President mentioned that watching television is a major activity among our people, even citing that during the political campaign, the schedule of rallies at night had to be synchronized with the schedule of the popular telenovelas,” Coloma said.

“He said we don’t want any disruption arising from technology mismatch and this is why he said that the process is still ongoing. He mentioned that the decision on the technical evaluation would be completed by the first quarter of 2012,” he added.

Top executives of Marubeni met the President Tuesday committing several big ticket projects in the country in partnership with major Philippine companies like San Miguel Corp. and Aboitiz Group of Companies. – dated 28 September 2011.

Source: Office of the President News Desk

Business World: Investments, stronger ties touted as Aquino ends trip

PRESIDENT Benigno S.C. Aquino III returned yesterday evening from a three-day working visit to Japan, which he claimed had resulted in over a billion dollars in new investments and a strengthened “strategic partnership”.

“In just three days, we took part in 36 meetings and other engagements where we were able to secure $1.4 billion in assured investments,” Mr. Aquino said upon his arrival.

The funds, he noted, would go to energy, manufacturing, and services, adding that investors were also told that the Philippine business environment was “more open, fairer and freer”.

The “strategic partnership,” meanwhile, covers areas such as bilateral trade, public-private partnerships (PPP) and even the South China sea dispute.

Following a meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Aquino and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda issued a statement that they wanted stronger ties aimed at fostering “robust trade, investments and development cooperation.”

Both leaders committed to the “smooth implementation and operation” of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, in particular reviewing Article 161 on the promotion of the movement of natural persons.

Consultations will be continued, they said, “in order to further improve the current situation including the smooth dispatch and acceptance of Filipino candidates for qualified nurses and certified careworkers.”

Mr. Aquino pitched his government’s PPP program, to which Mr. Noda replied that a mission would be sent to Manila in March next year.

Japan also committed to support the improvement of the investment environment through the “active utilization of official development assistance”.

Messrs. Aquino and Noda also committed to “continuing dialogues with Japanese business groups, to further promote investment.” The “timely conclusion” of the Philippines’ adoption of the Japanese Terrestrial Digital TV Broadcasting standard was also pledged.

Finally, Japan supported the Philippine position that maritime disputes involving the South China Sea be resolved peacefully. Both leaders expressed hope “for the early formulation of a legally-binding Code of Conduct that is consistent with established international law.” – JPDP, dated 29 September 2011, 12:21 AM.

Source: Business World

Take a look at the new Gem HD's data broadcast.

Since last year, we haven't found out what happened to Gem HD's data broadcast, long for datacast. As with  Admin-3's update, the datacast system of the network was haven't been refurbished since after the 2010 elections. News weren't updated, weather bulletins were not correctly forecasted. And even some of the info of the past are still in broadcast.

But now, Gem HD, the first and only high definition channel on digital free TV as of this writing, showcased another look for its datacast, as it now features updated news and weather forecasts in cool blue motif. Aside from that, Gem HD also gave way to update the latest traffic information coming from the official MMDA's Twitter site. This gives us Filipinos more interactive way of having daily doses of news and information straight, not only to our household TV sets, but also for the future portable TV sets, gadgets and mobile phones.

Aside from Gem HD, the National Broadcasting Network do also have its datacast. Though Gem HD was the first to have, NBN's data broadcast system was installed only earlier this year. The datacast feature is only one of the key features of the Japanese ISDB-T standard, the country's future official DTV standard.

Photos taken courtesy of our fellow member at DTV Pilipinas' Facebook Page.

As Tropical Cyclone Pedring heads up into Luzon, Gem HD
streams out the latest weather forecast through its datacast.

The official MMDA Twitter stream, a one-of-a-kind
data broadcast feature.

With the data broadcast, you can read all over a
news item through your TV sets.

Aside from news and information, you can also view some
of the network's program information through images.

The Gem HD's new datacast panel.

ABS-CBN: Soon to rise: ABS-CBN's state of the art soundstages

ABS-CBN Corporation is set to build state-of-the-art soundstages and backlots that will enable the Kapamilya network to meet the multimedia company’s expansion plans and its growing needs to serve the viewing public. 

“The first soundstage will be up before end of 2012 in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan,” said ABS-CBN Chief Technology Officer Raul Bulaong, who is responsible for ABS-CBN’s production, post-production, animation, and transmission. Bulaong said a soundstage is a sound-proof building in which TV shows and films are shot. “It’s like building a place where you can put together a hospital room, a hotel lobby, and an office space side by side and even shoot scenes sequentially,” he said. ABS-CBN is the first among the local TV networks to pioneer the construction of state-of-the- art soundstages as it was also the first to build state-of-the-art TV studios in the 90s. 

Aside from soundstages, Bulaong said ABS-CBN will also be constructing backlots which are areas adjacent to a soundstage that will enable them to shoot exterior or outdoor scenes like streets in foreign countries, a slum area, or even a generic street in New York City without the need to travel to far flung places. “With these facilities, you can easily do that.  You just replicate the scenes,” he said. 

Bulaong said the consumers stand to benefit from the plan. “ABS-CBN is producing a lot of TV shows aired on channel 2, Studio 23, cable TV channels like ANC, movies by Star Cinema,” he said. And when the National Telecommunications gives its go signal for local networks to shift to digital TV, ABS-CBN will be launching five more new channels.  This would mean more content and more shows that ABS-CBN should be able to produce efficiently. 

For the city of San Jose del Monte, the construction of soundstages will be spurring development as demand for accommodation and recreation will be created as more production people and celebrities start trekking to Bulacan to work on TV and film assignments. – dated 25 September 2011, 10:16 PM.

Source: ABS-CBN Corporate Communications

Adobo Magazine: ABS-CBN to build soundstages for films and TV shows

THE PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011: ABS-CBN Corporation has announced plans to build state-of-the-art soundstages and backlots to keep up with the network's expansion in multimedia. It is the first among the local TV networks to pioneer the construction of soundstages. 

“The first soundstage will be up before end of 2012 in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan,” said ABS-CBN Chief Technology Officer Raul Bulaong, who is responsible for ABS-CBN’s production, post-production, animation, and transmission. 

Soundstages, sound-proof buildings in which TV shows and films are shot, allow multiple interior set-ups, minimizing the need to travel to different locations. Aside from soundstages, Bulaong said ABS-CBN will also be constructing backlots that will enable them to shoot exterior or outdoor scenes. 

Bulaong said the consumers stand to benefit from the plan. “ABS-CBN is producing a lot of TV shows aired on channel 2, Studio 23, cable TV channels like ANC, movies by Star Cinema,” he said. 

And when the National Telecommunications gives its go signal for local networks to shift to digital TV, ABS-CBN will be launching five more new channels.  This would mean more content and more shows that ABS-CBN should be able to produce efficiently. 

For the city of San Jose del Monte, the construction of soundstages will spur development as demand for accommodation and recreation will be created by the production people and celebrities who will trek to Bulacan to work on TV and film assignments. – dated 26 September 2011.

Source: Adobo Magazine Website

Newsbytes: ABS-CBN: No reason to delay DTV rollout

Lopez-owned broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, which has been undertaking digital terrestrial TV (DTT) test broadcasts since August, said last week that the public is already clamoring for a shift to digital TV and that there’s no reason to further delay its rollout.

DTT is also known by the term digital TV or DTV.

ABS-CBN marketing executive Miguel Mercado said in a media briefing in San Fernando, Pampanga that “test broadcasts on DTT have convinced free-TV or non-cable households that digital TV migration will give them clearer and better quality viewing experience.”

Mercado said the wide channel options enabled by the digital multi-frequency platform, as well as the dramatic improvement of signal quality or reception, is key source of satisfaction for viewers of DTT.

Ninety percent of the total Philippine viewing public is on non-cable free-TV, according to an ABS-CBN study.

The TV network began its DTT trial broadcasts in August this year in selected households belonging to D-E sectors in the towns of Mexico in Pampanga, and San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael in Bulacan.

The DTT trial broadcasts were spurred by a National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) memorandum circular in 2010, which picked the Japanese standard ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial) as the country’s DTT platform.

In its circular, the NTC noted ISDB-T is much affordable over Europe’s DVB-T or Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial.

An ABS-CBN report, for instance, quotes an ISDB-T set-top box as 60 percent cheaper than DVB-T at P2,500.

Other broadcast networks that have undertaken DTT test broadcast in the country include Net-25, GemTV, and government TV station NBN (National Broadcasting Network).

The NTC decision, however, is still under review by Malacanang as the government is reportedly is keen on giving a second look at DVB-T.

GMA-7, which has also relayed its intention to migrate to digital TV, is supporting the European standard DVB-T. – Marlon Magtira, dated 25 September 2011, 10:42 PM.

Source: Newsbytes Philippines

Manila Bulletin: GMA 7 ready for digitization

MANILA, Philippines — GMA Network is now ready for full digitization. 

Speaking before business leaders from the Philippines and Asia at the recently concluded 2011 MAP International CEO Conference, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty Felipe Gozon spelled out several ways by which the Kapuso Network is coping with the challenges of digitization: Development of versatile business models; re-purposing of content to accommodate various channels of delivery; and sustained commitment to develop innovative program content. 

According to Gozon, despite heightened use of the Internet as a channel to access media content, including entertainment and news, television will not be totally sidelined nor will be it relegated to the background. “Yes, the television set will continue to be an effective – if not the most pervasive – medium at least in the Philippines, for many years to come.” 

Gozon says TV has already transformed itself into mainstream media across platforms as evidenced by the rate of TV consumption in the country, which increased to 98% in 2011, from 97% in 2007, according to the report of Synovate. 

“However, fast-paced technological developments have caused media to evolve. Today, media players acknowledge that the rules of the game have changed. Actually, there are is no one prevailing rule. The trend is convergence, the vehicle is innovative technologies and the hook is social media. The race is no longer about reaching a large audience – it is connecting with them, 24/7.” - 24 September 2011, 1:34 AM

Source: Manila Bulletin

Philippine Star: Palace backs Japanese digital TV standard

Due to Philippines' extreme calamities happening these days, Malacanang's issuance of the official adoption of the Japanese standard was postponed. It was later said that President Aquino is set to issue an E.O. for the ISDB-T before he flies to Japan, but still, Malacanang has of these "second thoughts" due to timing.

What "timing" means? Simply speaking, there are more important options to talk about rather this one. Budget for example. We think it is also not the right time to officially commence the service. Come up before December is better. But still, it says that we could save almost P10 billion of adopting the Japanese standard now, as the ISDB-T decoder boxes are half the price of the European DVB-T2's. One more thing is we could again come up with an updated analog switch-off date. The earlier it means the country could save millions of pesos in transmission, energy and frequency.

But as we always say at DTV Pilipinas, if not now, why tomorrow? Read post after the break.

MANILA, Philippines - While the broadcasting industry has already thrown its support for the adoption of the Japanese digital terrestrial television (DTT) standard that should be adopted by all Philippine broadcasting entities, Malacañang is reportedly still contemplating on when to adopt it. 

Sources told The STAR that Malacañang is supposedly set to issue an executive order for the adoption of the Japanese standard before President Aquino’s state visit to Japan but is now having second thoughts on the timing. 

The Japanese government has been pushing for the adoption of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting–Terrestrial (ISDB-T) amidst intense lobby by rival European standard. 

“It will be a Malacañang issuance because they know that the Japanese government wants this,” a source said. 

But because some economic managers have raised concerns as to the timing of the adoption of the DTT standard, sources said it will now be up to President Aquino to make the final decision. 

“The announcement is crucial because it will determine when the analog transmission will completely be switched off. And if the announcement is postponed, it will give the Europeans the time they need to catch up and make their technology cheaper,” a source said. 

It is estimated that if there are 16.4 million TV households nationwide, choosing the Japanese technology now will mean savings of about P10 billion considering that the Japanese set-top box is cheaper by half than the European version. 

The Japanese government has offered not only to provide official development assistance (ODA) but also the establishment of a factory in the Philippines that will make the digital set-top boxes needed for the shift from analog to digital transmission. The Japanese, in the meantime, are offering to sell set-top boxes at prices much lower than what the Europeans are offering. 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) DTT technical working group III has recommended the adoption of the Japanese version after all broadcasting companies, except GMA Network, threw its support for ISDB-T. 

Under a draft circular, the NTC will mandate that all broadcasting entities switch off their analog transmission by 2015 although there are talks that this may be further extended. 

A number of broadcasting companies such as ABS-CBN are now test-broadcasting via digital transmission. ABS-CBN’s in-home test involves 108 homes in Bulacan and 29 in Pampanga.

The Pampanga test households have reported that the snowy transmission, double images, and faded colors associated with analog is no longer experienced with digital. 

Prior to the deadline, digital and analog transmission will exist side by side with digital transmission made possible using digital set-top boxes. By 2015, television sets should either be digital-ready or use digital set-top boxes since the analog transmission will completely be switched off. - Mary Ann Ll. Reyes, dated 23 September 2011, 12:00 AM.

Source: Philippine Star

ABS-CBN News: More households willing to shift to digital TV

MANILA, Philippines - The number of households willing to switch to digital TV has increased after a broadcast giant held a two-week trial period.

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. said on Thursday that it started on August 1 a test broadcast on digital terrestrial TV (DTT) using Japanese technology ISDB-T in selected areas in Pampanga and Bulacan.

The test, according to ABS-CBN DTT marketing head Miguel Mercado, showed that the sample households’ willingness to shift from analog to digital TV increased from 44 percent to 56 percent after a two-week period.

The company chose to test the technology in households belonging to the D and E economic classes in 29 homes in Mexico, Pampanga and 108 homes in the towns of San Miguel, San Ildefonso and San Rafael in Bulacan.

Based on the test broadcast, the strongest drivers are the increase in channel options enabled by the digital multifrequency platform, as well as the improvement in signal quality or reception, which was cited as the key source of viewer satisfaction.

Mercado, in a briefing, told reporters ISDB-T’s more affordable set-top box has an initial retail price of P2,500 while European’s DVB-T technology is said to be 60-percent costlier.

“On the prices of digital boxes, we asked the consumers how much they are willing to pay. The price range they gave us is from P2,000 to P3,500. So based on these [price points], we tried to look for a sweet spot in which we could still do business,” said Mercado.

ABS-CBN has been preparing for the shift to digital TV for the past five years. Investments could reached by as much as P1 billion this year and next.

Aside from ABS-CBN other networks currently conducting broadcast test of ISDB-T technology are Net 25, Gem TV and government station National Broadcasting Network.

“We hope the go-signal from Malacanang will come within the month,” added Mercado.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has already chosen the Japanese standard over the European technology but has yet to get feedback from the economic team of the Arroyo administration.

“If their feedback is to proceed, then we will issue the IRR [implementing rules and regulations] and schedule the signing of the memorandum of agreement with the Japanese,” NTC deputy commissioner Carlo Jose Martinez said.

The team is composed of the agency head of the Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, and Department of Trade and Industry. The NTC is awaiting their comments on the economic implications of its decision to shift to digital TV. – Lenie Lectura, Business Mirror, dated 23 September 2011, 07:20 AM

Source: ABS-CBN News

Exclusive: The ABS-CBN Digital TV Channels Revealed

The 5 new ABS-CBN DTV channels. Photo courtesy of TheSandies Jet.

Today's news spread like a wildfire, as ABS-CBN spills out another relaunch of the digital terrestrial TV service of the network. As much as we wanted to, but all of us at DTV Pilipinas do have such commitments made today that's why we regret to join today's media press conference for the said service.

Months ago, ABS-CBN made its official launch, after almost years ago when the network is getting ready for its first DTV testing among other broadcasters. With the relaunch last 4th of April, ABS-CBN teased their DTT service by having 5 new premium channels set to conquer the digital TV mainstream. Among the main ABS-CBN and its UHF channel Studio 23, the media conglomerate bids to offer five more channels on digital free TV once it is finally officiated.

In short summary, digital terrestrial television, or digital ffree TV, is a technology wherein digital signals are being transmitted instead of analog signals that introduces noise and unclear picture and audio quality. With digital signals being transmitted over the air, a TV subscriber should have a receiver, known as the set-top box or STB, to decode those digital TV signals. Through DTV, a TV network can have a DVD-like quality or even have a high definition (HD) Blu-ray-like quality signals without subscribing to local cable and satellite operators. It may have, for a single channel, a maximum 8 sub-channels in standard definition (SD) format, or 2 sub-channels in high definition or HD format, unlike in analog which has 1:1 channel-to-program ratio.

Tracing the history, we exclusively made an article about ABS-CBN's line-up on digital free TV channels. But due to the responsible use of social media, we've just teased our followers on what to expect on the network's run to digital broadcast.

ARTICLE: Exclusive: ABS-CBN DTV Premium Channels in Free-Encrypted System

Exclusively speaking, ABS-CBN will be having a news channel for dads, a movie channel for moms, a music channel for the youth, and a cartoon/anime channel, as well as educational channel (Knowledge Channel) for the kids. We’ll spill it out for you guys, but still we shouldn’t market it all, for ABS to tell it officially what those are in the next months. Let your minds guess, but two of them are new and three will go free-to-air.

And now, the history unveiled, as the ABS-CBN primetime newscast TV Patrol reported today's media conference about the network's test broadcast in Pampanga, ABS-CBN Digital TV channels we're also seen, as shown in the picture above.

It may not be unclear, but the ABS-CBN DTV Digibox showed its contents with the ABS-CBN's digital channel. Along with the ABS-CBN and Studio 23, those five premium channels are set to be received using the network's DTV Digibox only. This may also be unclear to all of us, since it is nice to say that ABS-CBN will be offering new channels in free-encrypted format. As long as we've conversed with the people behind the network's DTT service, we'll inform all of you guys about this matter.

For now, let's talk about the premium channels. Why premium? Because those channels are only received by those ABS-CBN DTV Digiboxes. Others may say this is just a business issue, but there are some factors to discuss here. Contents of the said channels are being paid. Just like in cable television service, you pay for what you want to watch. According to a news source weeks ago, ABS-CBN spent almost billions of pesos acquiring for a movie library set to broadcast in digital TV. And that's for the movie channel only.

Maintenance is also a key factor to this issue. In analog, it is a harassment to broadcast 24/7 since a transmitter needs to rest for hours. For TV5's AksyonTV Channel 41, it is hard to maintain such television station with a whole-day transmission without getting off-air. What more for five channels? Digital TV may introduce low power transmission, but the maintenance is still in the hands of the technicals. Those premium channels of ABS-CBN will be 24/7.

So much for those factors, we'll now reveal for those channels in line with the ABS-CBN digital TV setup.

Movie Channel	Cine Mo!	Dubbed as SineBox years ago, ABS-CBN made this new channel exclusively for digital free TV. This will show local and some foreign films included in the ABS-CBN DTV movie library. Its name may incorporate Cinema One, this is not under the ABS-CBN Creative Programs Inc. (CPI).
Cartoon/Anime Channel	Yey!	First known as Yey! TV, this is also a newest channel of ABS-CBN exclusively made for digital free TV. Cartoon and anime fans may celebrate with the birth of this one since it may show some anime and cartoon shows previously broadcasted on ABS-CBN, its cable channel HeroTV, or even a new title.
Educational Channel	Knowledge Channel	Back in 2009, we’ve posted an article about the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) to have a new learning system using Knowledge Channel in digital free-TV format. Since the new millennium, KCh has been in part of the ABS-CBN cable channels group and some of the schools do have their own cable TV systems just to offer Knowledge Channel in their respective learning subjects. With this, schools may no longer be connected to cable just to watch Knowledge Channel’s educational programs.
News Channel	DZMM Teleradyo	In line with the 25th anniversary of DZMM, they may now be switched on to free-TV. Since then, Teleradyo had undergone several changes, from including ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs, to strengthening its radio-TV landscape in offering the latest and breaking news straight to your television sets.
Music Channel	Myx 2	The second generation Myx, Myx 2 is made to divert those programming into its successor cable channel.  As of now, it is unclear if Myx 2 may have different program line-up with Myx, but for sure, the teens will enjoy having Myx 2 a 24/7 music channel on free TV.

With the ABS-CBN's offering to digital TV service, it is sure that the transition to digital terrestrial TV may become successful, as other networks are also set to have also multi-content programming. We're sure to say that 2011 is the beginning of the future of Philippine TV.

Note: The views and opinions of DTV Pilipinas do not reflect any of those corporate affiliations stated in this article. This is still subjected to change without prior notice.

DTV Pilipinas’ Digital Free TV Channel Listing (as of 22 September 2011)

Inquirer: Poor households may savor digital TV

MANILA, Philippines—Low-income households that cannot afford long-term cable television subscriptions will be the main beneficiaries of the rollout of digital television technology in the country, broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. said.

The company said millions of Filipinos, especially those living outside of Metro Manila, will no longer have to endure poor audio and video quality that analogue signals deliver once digital TV is brought to the country.

ABS-CBN has been conducting test digital TV broadcasts since the start of August. Net 25, GEM TV and state-run National Broadcasting Network (NBN) are also currently conducting their own tests.

“These test broadcasts, in turn, have further convinced free-TV or non-cable households, which constitute 90 percent of the total Filipino viewing public, especially in the provinces, that digital TV migration will give them a clearer and better quality viewing experience,” ABS-CBN said in a statement.

With digital TV technology, viewers will be able to enjoy improved audio and visual quality, as well as more channels for free TV broadcasts.

“The strongest drivers are the increase in channel options enabled by the digital multifrequency platform, as well as the dramatic improvement in signal quality or reception,” ABS-CBN said.

Miguel Mercado, head of ABS-CBN’s digital TV marketing group, said digital TV is targeted mainly at “D” and “E” or low-income households that cannot afford cable TV services. He said low-income households make up 90 percent of the television industry’s market.

Tests of the four broadcast networks are running on the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) television standard developed in Japan. – Paolo G. Montecillo, dated 22 September 2011, 08:05 PM.

Source: Inquirer

ABS-CBN PR: Test broadcasts strengthen public clamor for Digital TV service

To start, we would like to thank first ABS-CBN DTT for the compliments and warm response with our outreach through DTV Pilipinas in making the country's digital television transition on going to success. Actually, it's a pleasure to be invited for the media conference held just this morning in Pampanga to witness the network's test broadcast in digital ISDB-T format.

We regret to attend the said event since all of us admins were busy this week. According to scoops, ABS-CBN had disseminate DTV Digiboxes to selected households in Pampanga to clearly try the freshest and newest technology in television. Read the official press release of ABS-CBN after the jump.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)’s memorandum circular in 2010 officially naming Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB) as the Digital television broadcast standard for the Philippines paved the way for some television networks to do trial digital broadcasts.  

These test broadcasts on digital terrestrial TV (DTT), in turn, have further convinced free-tv or non-cable households, which comprise 90 percent of the total Filipino viewing public, especially in the provinces that digital TV migration will give them a clearer and better quality viewing experience.  

Broadcast networks that have done digital test broadcasts include ABS-CBN, Net 25, Gem TV, and government station National Broadcasting Network (NBN).  

Using ISDB-T, major network ABS CBN has chosen households belonging to D-E sector in Mexico, Pampanga and the towns of San Miguel, San Ildefonso and San Rafael in Bulacan as areas where it deployed its test digital broadcast.  

The test broadcast which began in August 1 of this year showed that the sample households’ willingness to go digital tv increased from 44 percent to 56 percent after the two-week testing.

Strongest drivers are the increase in channel options enabled by the digital multi-frequency platform, as well as the dramatic improvement of signal quality or reception, which was cited as the key source of viewers’ satisfaction.  

Having all the benefits of digital tv at a price they can afford is also mentioned as a major consideration. ISDB-T’s more affordable set-top box has an initial retail price of Php2,500. Rival technology, Europe’s Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) is 60 percent costlier based on FOB price.  

Survey respondents have given feedback such as, “May pambihirang dating ang signal nya. Ang linaw-linaw lahat ng channel (Signal quality is exceptional. All channels are very clear).” Also, “Hindi nawawalan ng signal kahit umuulan, malakas ang hangin o bumabagyo (Signal reception remains strong even if it rains, or when there’s strong winds or typhoon).”  

Test households further attest that the digital TV broadcast made their life better. They used to be able to watch two channels only since their analog antenna can’t get clear-enough signal for the other channels.

They say, “Dati kaunti lang ang mapapanuod at pagdating ng hatinggabi, wala na programa sa tv. Sa digital tv, beinte kuatro oras and mga programa at may mga dagdag na channels pa na katumbas na halos ng cable channels (Whereas before, we can only watch a few channels on tv, and come midnight, there are no more programs available. On digital tv, programs are available 24 hours, including additional new channels that the network has intended for digital broadcast).”  

They also say, “Napakalinaw pa ng picture at ng sound (Image and sound quality is also excellent).” 

NBN also shared the station’s successful test digital broadcasts.  

Said Engr. Antonio M. Leduna, Chief Technology Officer of National Broadcasting Network (NBN) in a previous interview, “Since we began test broadcast on ISDB-T in 2009, signal was robust and there was no degradation in the quality of the images and sound.”  

NBN has tried broadcasting in both high and standard definitions and has also utilized the emergency warning and data casting features of ISDB-T. Their programs can also be viewed in hand held devices which are DTT-capable. 

Net 25 and GEM TV have also tried broadcasting in ISDB-T since early 2008.  

According to Net 25, the station hasn’t experienced any problems in its digital transmission. In fact, the network said that all their programs are still broadcasted in high definition using ISDB-T.  

This month, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has recommended once more that the Philippines roll out digital tv broadcast on ISDB-T, while the Filipino viewing public share the excitement of industry players toward the anticipated go signal by Malacañang to make digital tv broadcast service an immediate reality.

News5 InterAksyon: Major industry players endorse Japanese digital TV standard after trials

TV5's news about the recent digital television test was from ABS-CBN. Good network friendship huh! Read the post after the break.

MANILA, Philippines – Major industry players that conducted formal tests on the digital terrestrial TV platform of Japan are happy with the results and await the government’s final go-ahead for its use soon, in preparation for next year’s shift from analog to digital broadcasting. 

Residents of Barangay Calulut in Mexico, Pampanga tried out the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting or ISDB-T of Japan, and reported satisfactory results. 

“The signal is good, the colors bright,” said Maricel Fernando, who for years had suffered bad TV signal. 

“My signal does not bounce,” reported another resident whose TV set at home was attached to the test digibox, Manolo Gonzales. 

In the test, they were able to access seven channels well, and said it was obvious that this was much better than the analog signal they were used to.

At least 29 homes in Barangay Calulut were part of the test site of several major broadcasting companies preparing to make the migration, under government regulatory supervision, from analog to digital transmission. 

The government is to make a final choice soon between Japan’s ISDB-T platform and the DVBT-2 from Europe. 

The industry players are just waiting for the final go-ahead before they roll out the technology. 

“We are also doing our own test. TV5 is ready for digital terrestrial TV and we are strongly endorsing the Japanese standard, ISDB-T,” Atty. Ray Espinosa, TV5 president, said on Thursday. 

InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5. 

“The industry is excited. We're confident and consumers are excited also," said Miguel Mercado, head of DTT Marketing of ABS-CBN. 

Based on the ABS-CBN test broadcast, more channel options were enabled by the digital multi-frequency platform. The Barangay Calulut residents’ positive experience---the dramatic improvement of signal quality or reception, especially---was shared in other test areas.

Meanwhile, the Japanese platform has the edge, cost-wise. Both the industry players and consumers note the big difference between the cost of using the ISDB-T and DVBT-2.

One digibox of ISDB-T comes up to P2,500, but the European platform is 60 percent costlier at P4,000. 

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and TV5 have strongly endorsed ISDB-T from the start. 

ABS-CBN, meanwhile, reported a sharp rise, from 44 to 56 percent, in the number of households willing to shift to digital TV after its two-week trial that started last August 1 in Pampanga and Bulacan. 

The NTC had earlier picked the Japanese standard over the European one, but is awaiting feedback from the Aquino Cabinet’s economic team. The NTC needs their assessment of the economic implications of shifting to digital TV and its chosen DTT standard. 

NTC deputy commissioner Carlo Jose Martinez said earlier. “If their feedback is to proceed then we will issue the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) already and schedule the signing of the memorandum of agreement with the Japanese.” - Llewelyn Sanchez and Mitch Orosa-Ople, dated 22 September 2011, 03:49 PM

Source: News5 InterAksyon

GMA News: Japan digital TV technology eyed for PHL

The Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines expressed his gratitude for the country going digital using their standard ISDB-T. Later this month, President Aquino is set to fly to Japan to hopefully endorse the digital TV standard and sign the memorandum of agreement between JPN and PHL. Read post after the break.

The Japanese government has expressed its eagerness to provide the Philippines with digital television broadcast technology. 

Ambassador Toshinao Urabe said that Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting –Terrestrial (ISDB-T) —the digital TV standard used in Japan— can be expected to meet the the Philippines'needs when it makes eventual shift from analog to digital technology. 

“I believe it is the best suited system for the Philippines," Urabe said, adding that the technology is also reasonably priced for the Philippine market. 

The ISDB-T standard has already been positively received by the The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which recommended it over Europe's Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial 2 (DVB-T2) standard. 

Both technology standards have met government criteria, but it was noted that Japanese set top boxes cost just around $20 apiece —half the price of comparable DVB-T2 boxes. Furthermore, the Japanese standard also allows the transmission of digital signals to mobile phones. 

For its part, the Kapisanan ng mg Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), the association of Philippine broadcast networks, also lauded the Japanese standard for its ability to allow networks to flash data onto viewers' TV screens. 

According to the KBP, this feature could prove useful for weather forecasts and government announcements, as well as during emergency situations. 

“This system is done by the Japanese, in an island area, a volcano area, a disaster-prone area and I think it very well suited to the system here because you are also an island country," Urabe explained. 

The Philippines' adoption of digital technology might be up for discussion when President Benigno Aquino III meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Japan later this month, but Urabe said that the Aquino administration has made no indication as to whether or not it will endorse the NTC's recommendation. 

“I think the administration is studying that issue," he said. - TJD, dated 21 September 2011, 08:32 PM

Source: GMA News

Philippine Star: PHL to adopt Japanese standard on digital TV

The finality of the adoption of the ISDB-T as the official DTV standard of the Philippines is in Malacañang's hands. PhilStar sourced that in time of President Aquino's state visit to Japan later this year, the memorandum of agreement between the Japanese and the Philippine government for the development of digital terrestrial television will be mandated. Read post after the break.

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is set to issue an executive order adopting the Japanese standard in digital terrestrial television (DTT) to be adopted by local broadcast networks. 

Sources told The STAR that the announcement will be made in time for President Aquino’s state visit to Japan, whose government has been pushing for the adoption of its own Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) amid intense lobby by rival European standard. 

“It will be a Malacanang issuance because they know that the Japanese government wants this,” a source said. 

The Japanese government has offered not only to provide official development assistance (ODA) but also the establishment of a factory in the Philippines that will make the digital set-top boxes needed for the shift from analog to digital transmission. The Japanese, in the meantime, are offering to sell set-top boxes at prices much lower than what the Europeans are offering. 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is also expected to issue soon a memorandum circular for the adoption of the Japanese ISDB-T after the NTC-DTT technical working group reportedly recommended the adoption of the Japanese version. 

Under a draft circular, the NTC will mandate that all broadcasting entities switch off their analog transmission by 2015 although there are talks that this may be further extended. 

A number of broadcasting companies such as ABS-CBN are now test-broadcasting via digital transmission. Prior to the deadline, digital and analog transmission will exist side by side with digital transmission made possible using digital set-top boxes. By 2015, television sets should either be digital-ready or use digital set-top boxes since the analog transmission will completely be switched off. 

DTT is the technological evolution of broadcast television and advance from analog television, which broadcasts land-based (terrestrial) signals. It features reduced use of spectrum and more capacity than analog, better-quality picture, and lower operating costs for broadcast and transmission after the initial upgrade costs. A terrestrial implementation of digital television (DTV) technology uses aerial broadcasts to a conventional television antenna (or aerial) instead of a satellite dish or cable television connection. 

In a position paper submitted to the NTC-DTT technical working group, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said any technical advantage offered by the European standard DVB-T2 at this point is outweighed by the benefits to be gained by adopting ISDB-T, with the substantially lower cost of its set-up box resulting in faster take-up by the consumer, and thus, an earlier analog switch-off. 

The set-top box is the device that enables the reception of a DTT service-signal by an analog TV set. 

“Although DVB-T2 system is technically superior, these advantages have been shown to be irrelevant to the most important stakeholder in the project - the Filipino consumer. 

The consumer is entitled to clearer and better quality TV experience through an affordable migration to DTT...Consequently, stakeholders will realize the benefits of the digital dividend earlier with ISDB-T as the DTT standard for the Philippines,” KBP said. - Mary Ann Ll. Reyes, dated 07 September 2011, 12:00 AM.

Source: Philippine Star

DTV Pilipinas’ Digital Free TV Channel Listing (as of 02 September 2011)

Inquirer: GMA bats for European digital TV standard

Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. has urged the government to adopt in the Philippines the widely used digital television standard developed in Europe. 

“Based on the comparison and available technical information, GMA Network recommends the DVB-2 as the digital terrestrial television standard to be adopted in the Philippines,” the company said in a letter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). 

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and rival network ABS-CBN Corp., on the other hand, are pushing for the adoption of Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) standard for digital TV services. 

The ISDB and the second-generation Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-2) from Europe are the two leading platforms around the world. 

Switching to digital TV broadcasting will mean more channels and better signal reception for Filipino viewers. 

The government’s choice on which platform to roll out in the Philippines will mean big business for companies that build equipment that support the different technologies. 

In its letter, GMA said presentations by proponents of the DVB-2 and ISDB platforms showed that the former could broadcast more channels while using much less power, resulting in lower costs for networks. 

These savings, the company said, would more than make up for the costs of set-top boxes that support the DVB-2 standard. 

Set-top boxes are devices that convert digital signals into viewable images for older television sets. 

ISDB proponents, led by the Japanese Embassy in Manila, argued that costs of their set-top boxes were much lower, with the Japanese technology being more mature. 

Last month, the agency’s TWG recommended the ISDB standard, citing the availability of cheaper set-top boxes, which would make the new technology easier to accept for low-income Filipino households. The NTC’s three-member commission is expected to make a decision based on this recommendation this month. 

“[But] the technical superiority of DVB-2 transcends even to the commercial viability on the part of the operators by virtue of the significant savings that can be generated. The inherent signal robustness of DVB-2 over ISDB is the key driver to this advantage,” GMA said. 

GMA said companies should also be given ample time to conduct their own tests to verify claims of technical superiority made by European executives of the second-generation Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-2) platform. - Paolo G. Montecillo, dated 02 September 2011, 12:19 AM.

Source: Inquirer

Business World: More tests on digital TV rules urged

We heard again some breaking news, that even broke our hearts with the continuing support of others for the European Digital Video Broadcast - Terrestrial 2 (DVB-T2), pertaining to GMA Network, in lieu with the majority support and final (and official) proclamation of the Japanese ISDB-T as the Philippines' sole digital terrestrial television standard. Read more after the break.

BROADCASTER GMA Network, Inc. has urged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to test the two types of digital television standards for itself before choosing between the Japanese and European variants. 

This comes as an NTC technical working group has recommended the country adopt the Japanese Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard, contrary to GMA Network’s preference of using the European standard. 

“GMA Network recommends DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial 2 or the upgraded European standard) as the DTT (digital terrestrial television) standard to be adopted in the Philippines,” the firm said in a position paper, copies of which were e-mailed to the press yesterday. 

“However, it behooves us in the exercise of prudence, to conduct a comprehensive trial to determine to a certain degree, the validity of the published specifications and comparative performance of both standards side-by-side under identical conditions,” the firm added. 

GMA Network warned that the lack of a “visible, measurable and concrete” data as bases may allow for “subjective or theoretical” assessment of the two standards. 

“We therefore strongly recommend the conduct of an actual trial,” GMA Network said. 

Sought for comment, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba said that GMA Network’s position paper, along with the other stakeholders’ are all being noted during the ongoing review. 

“We’ll take everything into consideration,” Mr. Cordoba said in a text message yesterday, noting however that the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas has recommended the Japanese standard. 

Despite the technical working group’s recommendation, NTC has yet to decide which standard to go by, Mr. Cordoba said. 

He added that the publication of implementing rules and regulations for the digital TV technology will soon follow after a decision on the standard is made. 

Asked when the NTC is expected to come up with a decision on the standard, Mr. Cordoba reiterated that it will be before the year ends. 

In an e-mail on Monday night, Peter Siebert, executive director of the DVB Project Office, said that his office wrote NTC last month asking for the reconsideration of the European standard. 

The DVB Project Office handles the marketing, logistics and communications of the industry-led consortium DVB Project. 

“[W]e have as recently as the 11 August wrote to NTC… seeking their consideration of the standard. As yet we have not received any feedback or requests from NTC arising from our communications,” Mr. Siebert said. 

Mr. Siebert reiterated that the upgraded European standard is superior to the Japanese standard due to technical points and even on socioeconomic considerations. 

In June last year, NTC, had chosen Japan’s standard. But a House committee in March this year called for a fresh review. The NTC, since then, has been weighing pros and cons between the Japanese standard and the upgraded European standard. - Kathleen A. Martin, dated 01 September 2011, 10:15 PM.

Source: Business World