DTV Pilipinas

This is a test post. Do not mind this.

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:29:19 +0800

We are talking serious business. A business so serious that it can count as a monkey business. Because at the end of the day, it is still a business. So mind your own business because we are taking care of business. :3

Remember. The internet is serious business.

Philippine Star: KBP urges NTC to adopt Japan technology for digital TV in Phl

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:25:00 +0800

Another article-related with the KBP urging the National Telecommunications Commission to further adopt officially the Japanese standard for digital terrestrial television has been released, and with this one, it claimed that GMA Network, the only broadcast firm who attest with the Japanese and opted for a European DTV standard, is now giving up its choice and making NTC to be thorough on choosing the best among the two before leaving the official mark. Read the post after the break.

MANILA, Philippines - The broadcasting industry has recommended to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the adoption of the Japanese ISDB-T as the digital terrestrial television (DTT) standard for the Philippines.

In a position paper submitted to the NTC-DTT technical working group III, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said that 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.

KBP groups all broadcasting networks in the country, including ABS-CBN and TV 5, but excluding NBN and GMA7.

But even government-owned National Broadcasting Network (NBN) is pushing for ISDB-T. GMA, on the other hand, has stopped pushing for the European standard and instead wants the NTC to just be very thorough before making a final choice.

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.

GMA Network has recommended to the NTC that in order to come up with a comprehensive and credible review, comparative technical and commercial assessments of both standards must be carried out.

It said actual signal trial of ISDB-T and DVB-T2 must be carried out to verify claims of DVB-T2 over ISDB-T under Philippine conditions. GMA said the commercial evaluation must be expanded to include all relevant cost components of DTT implementation, particularly set-top box (STB) cost and other attendant costs, infrastructure capitalization, operating expenses.

GMA said that in conducting the review, the following criteria should be considered: capacity/transport efficiency, signal robustness/integrity, system flexibility, interoperability with program distribution network, emergency warning system, STB market price, capitalization, and operating expenses.

For its part, NBN in a separate position paper pushed for the ISDB-T Japanese standard, being a flexible technology that willl be able to meet the present requirements and future demands.

NBN said that ISDB-T has rich features. “It supports the emergency applications, multi-media home platform and data broadcasting. The selected DTT standard should support this function… ISDB-T also allows for handheld devices such as cellphones to receive DTT signal with no extra cost; is superior in terms of transmission capability, interactivity, accessibility and possibilities for middleware development (data casting of news items, weather updates, traffic situations, stock market, can be integrated seamlessly with video transmission),” it said.

It added that ISDB-T signal is more robust against impulse noise, and that its set-top boxes are more affordable. “Also, the adoption of ISDB-T will open the opportunity for the small players to avail of financial assistance that the Japanese government is offering in terms of soft loan with very low interest plus technical assistance,” it said. - Mary Ann Ll. Reyes, dated 3 August 2011, 12:00 AM

Source: Philippine Star

Inquirer: Gozon: GMA 7 can go digital anytime

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:47:00 +0800

Atty. Felipe Gozon and Mr. Gilberto R. Duavit, both GMA Network executives, stated each and every point on GMA Network’s migration to digital terrestrial television is possible within any time of the day. But still insisted on opting European DTV standard DVB-T2 as their choice.

According to them, we should have to consider the market profile. But to think DVB-T2 has more expensive converter boxes to date, compared to the Japanese ISDB-T boxes, the switch to digital television could be more rough than we expect when we go the expensive one. Technically speaking, DVB-T2 has the capabilities to go 12-14 channels in one 6-MHz frequency, but ISDB-T’s offering, which is capable of 8 channels per frequency, is good enough to a broadcast network that will offer multichannel contents. Read the article after the break,.

Felipe L. Gozon, chairman and chief executive officer of GMA 7, wants to make it crystal clear: “We are ready to go digital. We can do it anytime.”

But before the Kapuso network can make the big leap, the government has to finalize which standard the local broadcast industry would follow: European or Japanese.

(ABS-CBN, chief rival of GMA 7, has adopted the Japanese standard, the choice of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas, and as earlier decided by the National Telecommunications Commission.)

The decision is currently under review, Gozon said. According to studies conducted by GMA 7, he noted, “the European standard seems better.”

‘Vastly superior’

Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., network president and chief operating officer, explained that the European standard is “vastly superior, technically… particularly in terms of number of channels it can offer.”

Whereas the Japanese standard can accommodate eight channels per frequency, Duavit said, the European standard can offer 12 to 14.

Although European converter boxes can be more expensive than its Japanese equivalent, Duavit predicted that the price of the former would eventually fall (by the end of the year) as a result of increasing demand.

“India adopted the European standard,” Duavit related. “The more evolved TV markets have made the same choice.”

Gozon is gung-ho about going digital because it can open up the industry to other methods of signal delivery, apart from the traditional TV set.

Sustainability

“GMA 7 will become multiplatform. Kapuso shows will be seen on mobile phones, on PCs and laptops,” Gozon said.

However, he added, the more crucial question is sustainability. “Can the local market support the switch to digital technology?”

Duavit agreed: “We have to consider the market profile.”

At present, 90 percent of televiewers are from the C, D and E sectors; only a minority belongs to the A-B crowd, which is the prospective target of digital technology.

Duavit asserted that producing shows with digital technology could be costly.

“High-definition and digital technology require special lights and makeup. It would entail extended taping schedules because setting up the lights on the set would take longer,” Duavit also pointed out.

Duavit said the current TV fare of soap operas and talk shows doesn’t require high-definition technology.

Still, Gozon said, the Kapuso team could meet the challenge of providing content to the additional channels that would inevitably come with the digital switch. - Bayani San Diego, dated 1 August 2011, 09:14 PM

Source: Inquirer

Fast and Wide: Philippines revises target for digital TV

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:38:00 +0800

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

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:13:00 +0800

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)

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:55:00 +0800

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

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:29:00 +0800

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

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:03:00 +0800

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

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:15:00 +0800

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

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:36:00 +0800

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

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:51:00 +0800

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?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:02:00 +0800

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

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:47:00 +0800

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

NBN: KBP says ISDB is the Pro-Filipino digital TV standard

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:41:00 +0800

With the Philippines’ looming migration from analog to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast, limited channel options, signal interruptions and poor-quality image and audio will soon be things of the past.

Digital TV viewing will introduce an all-new improved experience with multiple channels per frequency, high-quality image and sound, and other exciting functionalities.

And, among the existing DTT standards available today, Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) is what the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the country’s foremost broadcast media organization, believes to be the one that will best serve the interest of Filipinos.

According to Atom Henares, chairman of the KBP Television Committee, “ISDB 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, its European counterpart.”

DVB2 or Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial2 is the second generation of Europe’s digital TV standard, DVB.

Although, ISDB can carry less channels compared to DVB2, Henares believes ISDB’s capacity is enough to transmit channels that will be produced by broadcast networks.

What’s more, Henares stressed, Filipinos don’t have to pay more just to have the extra number of channels that might just end up unused by the networks. The set-top box required for analog TV sets to receive digital signal for DVB-T2 is 60 percent more expensive than that of ISDB.

With ISDB, a frequency can carry up to eight channels, which, when already rolled out, can provide Filipino viewers with up to 176 free-to-air tv channels that will allow broadcast networks to produce more channels that can cater to different market segments and specific interests.

Another feature of ISDB is its mobility. All handheld devices like mobile phones and small TV sets that can receive digital signals will be able to receive digital broadcast. This is in contrast to DVB2 where mobility is just an option and not all devices can receive its signal unless customized to do so.

“Filipinos are always on the go and with ISDB, you can watch your favorite TV programs even when on the road,” said Henares.

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

This feature can be utilized 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, making the country prone to earthquake and volcanic eruptions, as well as in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings storms and typhoons all year round.

“It is also ISDB that already has seen test broadcasts by some TV networks,” said Henares.

Engr. Antonio M. Leduna, Chief Technology Officer of National Broadcasting Network (NBN) said, “Since we began test broadcast on ISDB 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. Their programs can also be viewed in hand held devices.

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

According to Engr. Cesar Villadiego, Head of Engineering of Net 25, “We haven’t experienced any problems in our digital transmission. In fact, all our programs are still broadcast in high definition using ISDB.”

More than the features of ISDB, the Philippines will also benefit from migrating to the DTT standard as Japan promised funding and technical support for the country’s digital tv migration.

“The Japanese government has earlier said it will support the country’s transition into the DTT era by, among other things, setting up a factory here in the country for the manufacturing of set-top boxes.

This will create jobs for Filipinos and make the equipment more accessible,” said Henares. - PNA, dated 30 June 2011, 01:34 P.M.

Source: National Broadcasting Network

ScreenAfrica: Philippines urged to adopt DVB-T2

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:40:00 +0800

A joint delegation of the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) industry led consortium and European Union representatives have met with The Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to present the technical superiority of the DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television (DTT) standard over the dated Japanese ISDB-T system.

Screen Africa readers will recall how last year former South African Minister of Communications Siphiwe Nyanda called for a review of the cabinet-adopted DVB-T standard in favour of ISDB-T against industry wishes. Siphiwe’s successor formally announced in November 2010 that South Africa would adopt the second generation DVB-T2 for its digital migration.

In The Philippines, DVB and the EU presented the economic advantages and benefits of the economies of scale of DVB-T2. They hope that the NTC will reconsider its deadline of 30 June for its final decision on the adoption of a digital standard. The delegation called for a proper DVB-T2 field trial to be held so that a full comparison can be made of the competing standards.

“It has been proven that under similar conditions, DVB-T2 either provides nearly 100% more payload or the transmitter power can be reduced by 8-10 dB, which results in a drastic decrease of capital investment and operational costs for the transmitter network. Owing to the significant success of DVB-T2, low cost STBs are already available for as little as 45 USD in UK retail stores. In addition, there are commercially available low cost DVB-T2 HD set-top boxes operating in 6 MHz channels, as required in the Philippines,” commented Peter Siebert, Executive Director, DVB.

DVB-T2 is the world’s most advanced DTT system offering higher efficiency, robustness and flexibility than first generation DTT systems such as DVB-T and ISDB-T. It builds on the basis of DVB-T and by adding new modulation, coding and error correction techniques a dramatic efficiency increase is achieved over any other DTT system in the world. DVB-T2 also provides excellent performance for mobile reception. DVB-T2 supports the main frequency bandwidths of 6,7 and 8 MHz, covering all possible broadcasting scenarios around the world, including 6 MHz countries such as the Philippines.

“The growing interest in DVB-T2 around the world seems to be a symptom of mature thinking. Countries are now looking for the best long-term solution, rather than a quick-fix using inferior technologies. This trend definitely favours DVB-T2,” said Phil Laven, Chairman, DVB.

Since the first DVB-T2 services were launched in December 2009 in the UK, 2010 and early 2011 have seen services launched in Italy, Sweden and Finland. The total number of countries that have declared their intention to deploy the state-of-the-art second-generation digital terrestrial television (DTT) transmission system now stands at a remarkable 28. In the Asian region, India, Singapore and Sri Lanka have chosen DVB-T2 and tests have been carried out in Malaysia and Thailand. - dated 30 June 2011, 01:02 PM

Source: Screen Africa

Manila Bulletin: KBP bats for cheaper Japanese standard for local digital television

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:15:00 +0800

As far as KBP members know how ISDB-T is going through, NBN and Gem TV broadcasters expressed their proud and confident say that their ISDB-T transmission is still not yet encountering any problems at all. Remember, those two networks are the first among Philippine broadcasters to trial ISDB-T since 2008. And in fact, Gem HD still transmits high definition signals as of this writing on Channel 49, which we can say the first TV network to migrate into digital terrestrial TV. Read post after the jump.

MANILA, Philippines — Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), an umbrella association of local broadcast media continues to lobby for adopting the Japanese digital television standard in the country, instead of the more expensive European standard.

Among the existing DTT standards available today, Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) costs less than Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial2 (DVB2), its European counterpart, according to Atom Henares, chairman of the KBP Television Committee.

DVB2 is the second generation of Europe’s digital tv standard, DVB. It can carry more channels than ISDB. However, he believes ISDB’s capacity is enough to transmit channels that will be produced by broadcast networks.

“Filipinos don’t have to pay more just to have the extra number of channels that might just end up unused by the networks. The set-top box required for analog TV sets to receive digital signal for DVB-T2 is 60 percent more expensive than that of ISDB,” Henares explained.

With ISDB, a frequency can carry up to eight channels which, when already rolled out, can provide Filipino viewers with up to 176 free-to-air tv channels that will allow broadcast networks to produce more channels that can cater to different market segments and specific interests.

Another feature of ISDB is its mobility. All handheld devices like mobile phones and small TV sets that can receive digital signals will be able to receive digital broadcast. This is in contrast to DVB2 where mobility is just an option and not all devices can receive its signal unless customized to do so.

“Filipinos are always on the go and with ISDB, they can watch their favorite TV programs even on the road,” he pointed out.

ISDB also has a data transmission feature that allows broadcast networks to flash data at the TV screen of the viewers. This 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, making the country prone to earthquake and volcanic eruptions, as well as in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings storms and typhoons all year round.

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

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

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

“We haven’t experienced any problems in our digital transmission. In fact, all our programs are still broadcast in high definition using ISDB,” according to Engr. Cesar Villadiego, Head of Engineering of Net 25.

More than the features of ISDB, the Philippines will also benefit from migrating to the DTT standard as Japan promised funding and technical support for the country’s digital tv migration.

“The Japanese government promised to support the country’s transition into the DTT era by setting up a factory here for the manufacturing of set-top boxes. This will create jobs for Filipinos and make the equipment more accessible,” concluded Henares. - Emmie V. Abadilla, dated 30 June 2011, 01:42 A.M.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Business World: KBP: Japanese digital TV standard better than European standard

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:50:00 +0800

For us at DTV Pilipinas, we are in favor of what standard will commercially and technically benefit the Filipinos, and not the broadcasters alone. With the advent of DVB-T2, which can produce as much as 2-3 high definition programs in one frequency, it is still enough for us Filipinos to have 1-2 HD programs being benefit by the Japanese ISDB-T standard, accumulating more than a hundred plus of standard definition programs available for the whole future DTV bandwidth. And now, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas or KBP insists that it is enough for us to use ISDB-T rather than the fresh DVB-T2, aside from the channel allocations, the cost of every decoder device for T2 is 60% expensive compared to ISDB.

To think GMA Network, the only one that pushes T2 as the Philippines’ DTV standard, is not a KBP member, the whole broadcast industry supports ISDB-T (along with ABS-CBN, which is ready to rollout its service this coming July, and TV5, which is also having test trials this coming July). Read post after the break.

THE KAPISANAN ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said on Wednesday the Japanese digital television standard is better suited for the country than the upgraded European standard, citing cost concerns.

“[A]mong the existing [digital terrestrial television (DTT)] standards available today, Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) is what the KBP… believes to be the one that will best serve the interest of the Filipinos,” KBP said in a statement.

Alfredo L. Henares, KBP chairman, said in the statement that rolling out the Japanese standard “costs less” than implementing the European Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial 2 (DVB-T2) standard.

Among cost concerns, KBP said that DVB-T2 set-top boxes, which are required to be purchased by the public to allow analog TV sets to receive digital signals, cost “60% more expensive” than ISDB-T boxes.

Despite admitting that the European standard will allow broadcasters to carry more channels as compared to the Japanese standard, Mr. Henares said in the statement that the channels will be enough for the broadcast networks.

Already, the ISDB-T will be able to provide Filipinos up to 176 free-to-air TV channels, KBP said. - Kathleen A. Martin, dated 29 June 2011, 10:56 A.M.

Source: Business World

Malaya: Europeans seek to wrest digital TV deal from Japan

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:20:00 +0800

A team from Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), backed by the European Union delegation to the Philippines, met with officials of the National Telecommunications yesterday to pitch for the adoption of the digital TV standard DBT-2 instead of Japan’s ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial).

The DVB team claimed DBT-2 is the world’s most advanced technology and comes at an affordable price.

The NTC last year signed a memorandum of agreement with Japanese developers to make ISDB-T the country’s standard in shifting to digital television, but the deal was put on hold recently by Malacañang to allow an evaluation of DBT-2.

Whoever wins the fight for digital TV standard stands to gain royalty payments for every set of television using the technology.

Japanese providers, however, said the royalties they will charge is minimal. It is more of national pride arising from global use that is at stake, they said.

The shift to digital TV is scheduled to start this year, with the implementing rules due this month. But with the Palace directive to accommodate the Europeans’ wish to evaluate DBT-2, the shift is expected to be delayed.

The country’s three broadcast firms are ready to migrate to digital terrestrial television anytime. GMA network said it would spend up to P600 million for the migration and ABS-CBN about P1 billion. TV5 has yet to disclose its investment on digital TV.

Ray Espinosa, ABC Broadcasting Corp. president, said the station’s technology is “neutral” on whatever system is eventually adopted. A more serious concern, he said, are the consumers who will have to pay for the set-top boxes.

“We have to think of the consumers, because television is public service. They have to take into account the consumers,” Espinosa said.

During the meeting with the NTC and a technical working group (TWG) yesterday, the EU asked for a sound and transparent review process, allowing all stakeholders to ask questions and to receive detailed information on standards available, including DVB-T2.

The EU expressed its surprise that the TWG has not taken the initiative of organizing a hearing with DVB representatives.

The EU suggested that broadcasters be given the opportunity to try DVB-T2 and compare its performance with the Japanese standard.

The EU representatives formally asked the TWG to extend the deadline of the review process.

In an earlier interview, Motohiko Kato, deputy and chief of mission of the Japanese embassy, said the Japanese standard is more advantageous than the European standard.

Among the advantages, he said, are the efficient frequency utilization and mobile TV services, emergency warning broadcasting system, cheap prices of set-top box, wider coverage area and clear image. The royalty is also free, Kato said.

He explained that once the Japanese standard is finally chosen, it will be easier for the broadcast firms to roll out mobile television services using the same transmitter as in digital TV, unlike with the European system where the broadcast network would need to set up another transmitter for mobile TV.

Mobile TV services are expected to become a huge potential business opportunity for the telecom and broadcast firms. “Mobile is a huge potential to create a lot of new business and services,” Kato added.

The proposed price of a set-up box is pegged at $10 under the Japanese system. Kato said the price is expected to become even lower when demand for the product is high and there’s a lot of competition in the market.

Kato added that the Japanese system coverage is 20 percent better than the European. Among the countries using the Japan system are Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, and Brazil.

But globally, the European system is more widely used. It is used by more than 120 countries, of which 21 are European. In Asia, those using the European system include Sri Lanka, India and Taiwan.

Atom Henares, chairman of the KBP Television Committee, earlier said digital television not only provides viewers with better image quality and clearer sound, but also allows for more content through more channels. This leads to bigger variety and more options for the viewers.

“The majority of our households don’t have cable subscriptions, which confines their viewing experience to up to only 22 channels compared with up to 176 channels in digital terrestrial television,” Henares said.

Of the 22 channels, only three are being watched by approximately 80 percent of the market who do not subscribe to cable. This is clear proof of the limited choice viewers have in terms of programs and content, he said.

Another significant feature of digital TV is its data broadcast capability and interactivity, which allow immediate data transmission to all users. This is particularly helpful in emergencies. - Irma Isip, dated 28 June 2011

Source: Malaya

News 5 InterAksyon: NTC tells EU: formalize bid to intervene in tech review for shift to digital TV

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:07:00 +0800

IN THE END, IT IS STILL THE COST. Read the post after the break.

MANILA, Philippines - Put it in writing, please. Philippine regulators will act on a request by the European Union to delay the deadline for the re-evaluation of the standards for the digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast service in the country once they get a formal request from the EU, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Gamaliel Cordoba said Tuesday.

The NTC sought the formal request a day after a joint group from the EU delegation to the Philippines and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) representatives made a presentation and asked for an extension. They were told that the technical working group is now working on the review of the standards and that any move to delay the process must be formalized.

The review itself, announced two weeks ago by the NTC, had caused a stir in the industry because it meant that the much-awaited June 30 issuance of the implementing rules and regulations on the industry’s migration to digital TV would not be met.

The NTC had directed its technical committee to re-evaluate the standards for the DTT broadcast service and to submit its findings on or before June 30. Cited as basis for the re-evaluation were “recent developments” pertaining to the endorsement by some players of the second-generation digital video broadcasting (DVB T2) from Europe, even though NTC earlier opted to adopt Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Technology (ISDB-T) standard. The review panel was told to compare the two.

Associated Broadcasting Corp. (ABC), which operates TV5, had served notice it will run trials in late June or early July for the DTT broadcast service, running on a platform endorsed by Japan’s largest mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo.

TV5 president Ray C. Espinosa said at that time, “We remain supportive of ISDB-T which we favorably endorsed to the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) previously. Our letter to the NTC is to secure permission to do ISDB-T trials already and also to do comparison with DVB’s (Digital Video Broadcasting) T2.”

EU wants ‘sound, transparent’ review

In seeking to be heard in the review process, the EU indicated on Monday that it wanted a process that allows all stakeholders to ask questions and to receive detailed information on standards available, including DVB-T2, an updated and modernized version of DVB.

The EU wondered aloud why the TWG did not organize a hearing with DVB representatives, noting that broadcasters should be given the chance to try DVB-T2 and compare its performance with the Japanese standard.

The EU also asked Philippine regulators to consider recent developments with the rollout of DVB-T2 in Europe, Africa and Asia. At last week’s CommunicAsia/ BroadcastAsia, Singapore’s government declared it will start rolling out DVB-T2 before yearend.

Cost an issue, too

Cost, however, seems to play a key role in the preference of the industry for the Japanese ISDB, according to sources at the technical working group that is doing the review.

Sources at the TWG said the cost of each set top box for the new version of the European standard is from $45 to $50. The Europeans have not offered come-ons dangled by the Japanese, who said they could manufacture the boxes here and even assist the Philippine government stations. If the ISDB platform were adopted, the set top box per unit will fetch only $15 each.

Before the EU team came, the results of the review was expected to be announced soon by the TWG chaired by NTC deputy commissioner Jose Martinez.

The end-June target for issuing the IRR for the transition to digital broadcasting will definitely not be met, though, officials said.

Without the rules, industry players could not fully start the shift to digital TV.

Japan’s ISDB-T platform is seen to provide more business opportunities because the bandwidth to be given to digital TV can be used to service mobile phones. Emergency warning broadcasts to households are also possible with this technology.

Some industry players, notably GMA Network, had touted the European DVB T2 as superior to Japan’s ISDB-T.

Asked how NTT DoCoMo reacted to the NTC’s latest directive [to re-evaluate the ISDB and compare it with the European standard], TV5’s Espinosa said, “Our trials are meant for ISDB-T and we will simply compare the results with DVB.”

NTT DoCoMo, he said, is in fact providing TV5 with valuable inputs. “NTT DoCoMo is providing us with their inputs on ISDB technology and implementation,” said Espinosa, who also sits on the board of directors of PLDT.

TV5 is under MediaQuest Holdings Inc., the holding company of the PLDT retirement fund. PLDT is partly owned by NTT DoCoMo.

Industry prods NTC on rules

Earlier, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) had urged the NTC to speed up the issuance of the IRR.

Atom Henares, KBP’s TV committee chairman, had said the migration to digital “will not only give Filipinos a better viewing experience with superior clarity in image and sound, but also more choices on free-to-air tv.”

“It is important for NTC to already come out with the IRR because we are all trying to meet the deadline set to the Philippines by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),” said Henares. “If we keep on delaying the release of IRR just because a new standard is released, we will be left out. Technology is always evolving non-stop. We need to address the needs of the Filipinos now,” added Henares.

ITU is the global body mandating countries to adopt a new digital TV standard. The Philippines is a member. Even developed countries like Japan and the United States took almost 1-2 years to fully roll out digital broadcasting.

Free-TV or non-cable households account for 90 percent of the total 17 million TV households in the country. With digital TV, each existing TV frequency in the country can air up to eight free-tv channels each. This means the country could end up with 176 total channels from its existing 22 TV frequencies. - Llewelyn Sanchez, dated 28 June 2010, 04:43 P.M.

Source: News5 InterAksyon

I.T. Matters: Europeans make last-ditch appeal on digital TV standard

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:02:00 +0800

It seems something is lobbying the NTC’s decision to finally go ISDB-T and dump DVB-T2 of the Europeans. Now, the representatives of the European Union and the Digital Video Broadcast Project presents its master of digital terrestrial TV standard to NTC, which they claim much advanced than the chosen Japanese ISDB-T. With this, the EU-DVB team tries to extend the NTC’s deadline, but it’ll go us much lag behind our fellow Southeast Asian countries, which compromised to switch-off all analog TV signals in the middle of 2015 and 2020.

Read post after the break.

REPRESENTATIVES of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines and of the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Project have asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to extend its deadline for deciding on the digital television standard the country will adopt in order to enable broadcast firms to test the European system.

In a statement on Monday, the EU said the NTC should extend its June 30 deadline, to allow broadcast firms to review the upgraded European standard (DVB-T2).

The DVB Project, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is engaged in the development of the European digital TV standard.

“[B]roadcasters should be given the opportunity to try DVB-T2 and compare its performance with the Japanese [Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial, or ISDB-T] standard,” the EU said.

The statement said the EU-DVB team presented its proposal during a meeting yesterday of NTC’s technical working group that is reviewing prospective digital TV standards the country can adopt. The meeting was held in the NTC headquarters in Quezon City.

“The [group] asked the NTC…to consider recent compelling developments on this issue, with the rollout of the new leapfrog technology, DVB-T2, in Europe, Africa and Asia,” EU said.
The EU-led team added that Singapore had announced earlier this month that it would start rolling out DVB-T2 before the end of the year.

“A decision in favor of DVB-T2 in the Philippines would enable consumers, broadcasters and regulatory authorities to benefit from the most world’s advanced TV technology at an affordable price,” EU claimed in its statement.

The country aims to complete its shift to digital TV by 2015.

Citing industry support, NTC said in June last year that it had chosen the Japanese standard over Europe’s DVB technology.

In the wake of a recommendation from a committee in the House of Representatives, the NTC decided on May 26 to conduct a review, aiming to complete it by the end of this month.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba said in a telephone interview yesterday that the implementing rules for digital TV rollout are “almost finished” and should be published early next month. - Kathleen A. Martin, dated 28 June 2011.

Source: I.T. Matters