The migration of TV from analogue to digital has many South Africans wondering what they will need when the switchover happens. For the most part, telling the difference between high-definition broadcast and digital broadcast is confusing enough.
To break down the differences and what will be required when SABC finally goes digital, ITWeb spoke to some experts.
Audio-visual guru Joel Kopping says high-definition and digital TV are mutually exclusive. To watch digital TV, consumers will need to purchase a set-top box, commonly known as a decoder, similar to the ones being used by MultiChoice for DSTV.
According to Kopping, the decoder should connect to most TV models currently in homes and on sale. "The decoders being manufactured by government will have some sort of analogue output that will connect to most TV sets, much like the DSTV decoder." Essentially, if you buy a set-top box, you will not need to change your TV.
Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri confirmed this week that these decoders would cost in the region of R700. However, the poor are being granted an offset subsidy of R490, subject to a strict means test.
Some customers, who choose not to buy a decoder, but rather a TV with the capacity to receive a digital broadcast, may well be disappointed.
There are some TVs available that have a digital receiver built-in; however, Kopping says there is no way of knowing if they will receive the digital feed from the SABC. "These TVs may have been developed on a different specification than what will be used by the SABC. Even then, there are only a handful of models that already have the receiver built-in."
He says TV manufacturers would have to be involved in the local digital transition process to ensure they have a built-in digital receiver that works properly. "It is unlikely that they will develop a TV with a receiver just for SA."
The HD story
MultiChoice recently announced it will broadcast a single high-definition (HD) channel. HDTV is expected to broadcast video in a higher resolution than analogue TV. In MultiChoice's case, the resolution broadcast is 720p (720 pixels of vertical resolution, with p standing for progressive scan or non-interlaced).
To receive HDTV, consumers will need to have both digital broadcasting and a TV that is HD-ready. It is speculated that customers would need to buy an extremely expensive and large TV; however, Kopping says this is not entirely true.
"Because MultiChoice is broadcasting at a resolution of 720p, customers will only need to buy a TV with that resolution. Most TVs now on the market will cater for that."
MultiChoice suggests customers ensure they buy a TV with the resolution listed as 1 280 x 720 or higher.
M-Net director of channels Jan du Plessis says viewers with MultiChoice's new HD decoder and an HDTV will be able to view the broadcaster's new HD channel. "The channel will be a mix of series, movies, sporting action and once-off specials, such as music concerts. Some of the programming will be available in surround sound."
The prices of widescreen and HDTVs have been declining due to their long presence in the market, notes MultiChoice. "But the drops will become ever smaller as the technologies have now matured and competition is ensuring that retailers take smaller margins. So waiting some more will save you money, but future price drops will become ever smaller," says MultiChoice spokesman Fathima Ibrahim.
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