About Digital TV
Digital TV is an advanced broadcasting technology that enables superior-quality pictures and sound. This technology supports two broadcast formats, namely Standard Definition TV (SDTV) and High Definition TV (HDTV).
Compared to conventional analogue TV, digital TV allows for richer audio-visual experiences and opportunity for more interactive services.
Digital TV delivers higher-resolution pictures that are sharper and clearer, and free from the fuzzy images that are associated with analogue TV.
HDTV, for instance, enhances viewing experiences with a screen resolution of 1920 (horizontal) by 1080 (vertical) pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio, whereas analogue TV has a maximum resolution of 720 (horizontal) by 576 (vertical) pixels and 4:3 aspect ratio.
Worldwide Digital TV Trends
The world is transitioning to digital TV from analogue TV. Many countries including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea and several European countries such as UK, France and Germany have already gone fully digital. Other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong are in the process of switching over to digital TV. ASEAN countries have agreed to switch over to digital TV between 2015 and 2020.
Why Switch to Digital Broadcasting
Content is increasingly being produced in digital format. Singapore needs to switch to full digital broadcasting in the years to come so as to ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy their favourite TV programmes from around the world. Our industry also needs to keep up-to-date with worldwide digital broadcasting developments to capitalise on the opportunities in digital content and services.
Benefits to Consumers
Digital TV offers:
Better quality pictures (e.g. high definition TV);
Superiorsound (e.g. surround sound); and
Electronic programme guides which will contain more information about TV programmes
Benefits to Industry
Digital broadcasting uses fewer frequencies than analogue broadcasting. Thus, as Singapore switches over to digital broadcasting, frequencies that are freed up can be made available for other broadcasting and telecommunications services such as wireless broadband services.