18 Mar 2015

Young Batswana filmmakers have been urged to provide content for the new digital terrestrial television to be broadcast on this new technology set to come into effect on June 17 this year.


Briefing employees of the department of broadcasting and information services, principal broadcasting engineer responsible for the digital switch over, Mr Calvin Goiletswe, said Botswana along with other Southern African countries would switch over from analogue terrestrial television transmission to digital terrestrial television transmission on June 17 this year.


“In 2006, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) held the Regional Radio Communication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva where a decision to migrate analogue television transmission to digital television transmission was took,” he said, adding that the main purpose of the migration process was to ensure that all analogue services would be replicated on the digital networks.


He indicated that Botswana decided to adopt the Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDTB) standard that is used in Japan, Brazil, Korea, Argentina and large parts of South America.


“The reason why I am encouraging young Batswana filmmakers/moviemakers to take advantage of this new technology is because it supports simultaneous transmission of several television programmes on an equivalent spectrum currently occupied by a single analogue programme, and this implies that one to eight TV programmes can be broadcast in a single channel,” he said, adding that this would require more content therefore increased viewer’s choice or variety of services.


Mr Goiletswe said in order for Batswana to receive digital television transmissions, a digital decoder in the form of a set-top-box is needed and would be connected to the TV sets.
 “If one does not want the set-top-box, you can buy an integrated television set that has an in built set-top-box,” he said, adding that as for now, research showed that the set-top-box goes for about P200.


“BOCRA is still busy with logistics to make sure that Batswana do not get the wrong equipment and taken advantage of by unscrupulous people,” he added.


Speaking on other benefits of digital television broadcasting, Mr Goiletswe said it would allow the increase in the range of services available to television users enabling enhanced interactivity and high definition.


“The new technology will also offer better picture and sound qualities,” he said, adding that the switch over would free up a significant amount of spectrum.
 The digital migration team over the weekend at Airport Junction mall also demonstrated digital migration. ENDS