ABS-CBN to launch Digital TV

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN is preparing to bring digital TV (DTTV) broadcasting to the Philippines in the first quarter of 2008.

With digital broadcasting’s superior image, improved audio quality, better reception capabilities and high-definition broadcast potential, DTTV, network officials say, is ABS-CBN’s way of “bringing global standards to Philippine broadcast.”

The United Kingdom is planning on switching off all analog telecasts in October 2007, and the US will broadcast exclusively in digital starting February 2009.

This digital rollout means that ABS-CBN will be broadcasting both analog and digital signals at the same time. Households that have not decided whether or not to go digital will still be able to see the regular broadcast, while digital households will be able to see cable-quality TV image and sound from the revolutionary network project, dubbed “Cable TV ng Masa.”

Deo Jordan, head of the Digital Broadcast Operations for ABS-CBN Broadcast Engineering Division (BED), says tests for DTTV started late 2006 in San Fernando, Pampanga and San Miguel, Bulacan.

“The sample audience in these areas received several hundred set-top boxes (STBs),” he relates. “We conducted surveys and focus group discussions with them. The tests were very informative.”

Jordan explains: “The tests supplied us with data on how to better design the transmission system, including information on how many transmitters we need to install to cover Mega Manila, at what power level we need to broadcast, and what the total cost may be if we do digital broadcasting full-time. We also realized that we needed to raise awareness on how easy it is to use an STB to convert an ordinary TV to receive DTTV signals.”

ABS-CBN plans to conduct test broadcasts in Metro Manila soon.


Reference: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=87487