SINGAPORE: All of MediaCorp's seven free-to-air
channels will go fully digital by December 2013.
Four of the channels (Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria
and Vasantham) will also be transmitted in high definition by then,
while the remaining three (Channel NewsAsia, Okto and Channel U)
will be in high definition by 2016.
The move marks another milestone in Singapore's
roadmap in making the digital switchover, where analogue signals
will be completely switched off by 2020. This is in line with
ASEAN's agreed timeframe.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob
Ibrahim made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the
Infocomm Media Business Exchange held at the Marina Bay Sands on
Tuesday morning.
He said the move is made possible with the adoption of a new
digital broadcasting standard known as DVB-T2 (Digital Video
Broadcasting - Second Generation Terrestrial).
Dr Yaacob said digital TV not only offers better image and sound
quality but also frees up scarce spectrum for other services such
as wireless broadband.
To enjoy digital TV, the Media Development Authority said no action
is required from those who currently subscribe to pay-TV with
StarHub or SingTel, as they already receive the channels
digitally.
Those without pay-TV can continue using their current TV sets but
they will need to purchase an antenna and a DVB-T2 digital
receiver.
However there is no need to rush for the receivers now, as they are
likely to be made available in Singapore only from March or April
2013.
MDA said even when the free-to-air channels are transmitted
digitally at the end of 2013, analogue transmissions will continue.
The simulcast period is to give ample time for viewers to make the
necessary adjustments to embrace digital TV.
Currently, about 4 in 10 households in Singapore do not subscribe
to pay-TV. Among those who do, many have secondary TV sets that are
not linked to a pay-TV service. For these two groups, they will
need to purchase a DVB-T2 receiver and an antenna, and hook these
to each of their current TV sets.
Without these, viewers will not be able to receive the free-to-air
channels on their TV sets once analogue signals are switched
off.
It is understood that the DVB-T2 receivers can cost between S$60
and S$100.
MDA said the picture quality and size that viewers receive will
differ depending on the type of TV set. To reap the full benefits
of digital TV and the high definition channels that will be
transmitted, viewers may want to opt for a new digital HDTV
set.
MDA said the adoption of the DVB-T2 standards comes after a
successful trial conducted last year with MediaCorp and pay-TV
operator StarHub. The trial, which involved some 500 households in
Ang Mo Kio and Bedok, showed that DVB-T2 was suitable for
Singapore's urbanised environment.
MDA said it will be working closely with MediaCorp, major
manufacturers and electronics stores on an educational campaign to
help consumers prepare for the digital switchover.
MediaCorp said: "As the planned switchover to digital broadcasting
is scheduled to complete only by December 2013, we will make an
announcement when more details become available towards the second
half of next year."
Till then, viewers can attain more information on this
website.
- CNA/ac/al