Two cable TV networks in the Kannur district of Kerala have joined hands to introduce digital technology for transmission of signals for cable operators.
Citi Channel president Nisar and Zeal TV proprietor K.M. Ajayakumar told that the two networks, which provide signals to 60 per cent of cable operators in the district, had come together to introduce for the first time in the State the new technology that would convert the existing analogous transmission to digital transmission of signals.
The first phase of the digital conversion had already been completed, they said.
They said the entire project to convert the transmission system into digital mode was estimated to cost Rs.4 crores. The channels would use state-of-the-art digital technology of Motorola, they said.
With the introduction of this technology, cable TV subscribers would be provided nearly 100 additional channels with high digital picture quality and stereophonic sound on installing a set-top-box costing Rs.4,000, they said.
The new digital technology signal transmission system was also equipped to provide video-on-demand, free cable telephone, Internet connection and Internet Protocol Television facilities in future, they said. The new system was being introduced to face the challenge from dish TV, they said. Subscribers could view more channels with the digital system without any additional subscription fee, they said.
Mr. Ajayakumar said introduction of digital transmission was the only way the cable networks could survive the threat posed by Dish TV, which was offering only limited number of channels to the viewers.
Source:Hindu
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