Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) October 2018 Volume 35, Issue 9

www.apb-news.com
W O R L D I N B R I E F
Singapore edges closer
to digital switchover
SINGAPORE – Singaporean
households who have not made
the switch to digital TV receivers
are now seeing a smaller picture
on their existing TV screens, as a
visual reminder that all analogue
TV signals will be switched off
in the republic by 31 December
2018.
New Zealand leads
smart TV adoption
WELLINGTON – According to
a new report by global market
intelligence firm IHS Research,
New Zealand is now one of the
leading adopters of smart TV.
New Zealanders now own an
average of 4.2 electronic devices,
of which 77% are ‘smart devices’.
Huawei launches
OTT platform
SHENZHEN – Huawei has
launched its own over-the-top
(OTT) platform in Spain and Italy.
The service, available on Huawei
and Honor devices, offers a
libra ry of local and international
content.
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CREATION
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MANAGEMENT
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DISTRIBUTION
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OCTOBER 2018
| VOLUME 35
| ISSUE 9
X-PLATFORM
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Are we ready for 4K/UHD TV?
‘We are simply not there yet’
KUALA LUMPUR – Imagine watch-
ing your favourite football team on
TV in details so vivid that you can
actually see the bead of sweat
trickling down a player’s forehead.
This is exactly what Astro is
promising Malaysian football fans,
as the pay-TV satellite operator
prepares for the launch of a 4K/
Ultra HD (UHD) service by the end
of this year.
At a live outdoor 4K/UHD
broadcast of the opening matches
of the 2018/19 English Premier
League (EPL) season in August this
year, Lee Choong Khay, chief of
sports at Astro, said: “At Astro, we
are committed to providing a bet-
ter viewing experience for sports
fans in Malaysia. As such, we will
embrace the latest technology, 4K/
UHD, to enhance our customers’
viewing experience.
“Besides the EPL, we will also
bring Formula One racing events
and blockbuster movies in 4K/UHD
❝ We have
acquired some
4K/UHD-capable
cameras, but this
is merely due
to compelling
prices, and not
as a part of our
plans to go 4K/
UHD. Going 4K/UHD will demand
much more financial and manpower
resources, and we are simply not
there yet. ❞
— Dr Ahmad Zaki Mohd Salleh,
Director, Technical Operations,
TV Networks, Media Prima
NEWS & VIEWS
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NEWS & VIEWS
October 2018
While 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) can bring about a more immersive viewing
experience, many broadcasters in Asia have not truly considered launching 4K/
UHD services, preoccupied as they are with making the transition to digital
television.
to offer our viewers a premium
viewing experience.”
Will Astro’s initiative herald the
introduction of more 4K/UHD ser-
vices in the region, or should a more
pragmatic approach be adopted
where 4K/UHD is concerned?
Dr Ahmad Zaki Mohd Salleh,
director, technical operations, TV
networks, Media Prima, shares
with APB: “The media landscape is
extremely challenging in Malaysia
and most of our financial resources
have to be used for other more
critical areas.
“I’m afraid, until these financial
matters are put to rest, 4K/UHD
and other new technologies shall
be on the back-burner until a later
date.”
He also questioned the public
readiness, or lack thereof, in terms
of 4K/UHD-ready TV sets. The
major ity of the Malaysian popula-
tion, Dr Ahmad Zaki believes, have
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Australia tests DVB-T2 transmission robustness/payload
BY JOSEPHINE TAN
SYDNEY – In cooperation with Free TV, ABC
and SBS, Broadcast Australia has conducted
trials of the DVB-T2 broadcast technology
Broadcast Australia, alongside Australian
broadcasters ABC and SBS as well as FTA
organisation, Free TV, have conducted DVB-T2
trials.
in the Sydney area. The trial, according to
Broadcast Australia, is a “world first” for
7MHz very high frequency (VHF) transmis-
sions with off-air fed ultra high frequency
(UHF) repeater sites operating in a single
frequency network (SFN) using multiple
physical layer pipes.
Peter Lambourne, CEO of Broadcast
Australia, commented: “Terrestrial free-
to-air TV delivers its service to 99% of the
population, and over 20 million Australians
tune into TV every week. This trial is an
important part of ensuring that when the
time is right, the terrestrial TV platform is
ready for the next stage of its evolution, and
that it can deliver the best possible viewing
experience.”
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