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SourceDish TV to roll out HD technology platform by year-end
NEW DELHI: With high definition technology catching the imagination of premium quality video and audio lovers, direct-to-home service provider Dish TV will launch high definition (HD) platform by the end of this year.
The company, which recently announced free set top boxes (STBs) for its subscribers, has plans to introduce the latest Motion Picture Expert Group 4 (MPEG) technology enabled STBs along with the HD platform for broadcasting. It is also holding talks with TV channels for production of HD content.
"We will launch HD platform along with MPEG 4 coming Diwali for the subscribers. We are also talking to a 2-3 TV channels and get into commercial arrangements for High Definition content," Dish TV Managing Director Jawahar Goel said.
High definition content, whether images or videos, have greater resolution than traditional standard resolution. The images and pictures appear more clear and sharp.
The sound quality is also enhanced.
Existing DTH players Tata Sky and Bharti Telemedia, which are soon expected to announce their entry into the domain, are also equipped to provide HD platforms to its audiences.
"We have the HD technology ready with us, but there is no content in India at the moment. We will bring the technology in the market whenever the market is ready for it," Tata Sky Chief Marketing Officer Vikram Mehra said.
Similarly, Bharti Telemedia Executive Director N Arjun said, "The equipment which we are using is HD enabled, at the moment we will launch the service in standard definition but going forward will bring in HD."
MPEG 4 can provide 30 per cent more channels than the present technology. On MPEG 4, 21-22 channels can be beamed, on the other hand only 16-17 channels can be beamed by MPEG 2.
Besides HD, the service providers are also expanding their offerings by introducing digital video recorders which would enable the consumers to record the content as and when desired.
Towards the end of this year, Dish TV would launch its Digital Video Recorder DVRs, while Tata Sky would introduce Personal Video Recorders PVRs in the market.
And also this
DishTV's own satellite to be launched by June
Essel Group owned direct-to-home (DTH) service DishTV is all set to extend its satellite channel capacity to 420 with the launch of its own satellite Argani scheduled by June-end this year. Once operational, the satellite would also enable DishTV to provide broadband internet service to its subscribers.
DishTV, which has offered a free-of-cost set top box (STB) to all new subscribers with new connections, is looking at doubling its customer base of 31 lakh within next 45 days. The same is planned ahead of its Rs 800 crore satellite project being handled by Chinese satellite company ProtoStar.
Speaking to Business Standard , a DishTV official close to developments said, "Protostar has almost finalised the schedule for launch of DishTV's satellite from Kourou from French Guyana. We expect a launch in the last week of June the satellite would be operational by July second week. We will then have additional 14 Ku-band and 12 c-band transponders for satellite TV broadcast."
DishTV presently holds 9 c-band transponders on a European satellite NSS-6 and can show 220 TV channels. Being the oldest company in the market, it enjoys market leadership ahead of Prasarbharati's DD Direct Plus, Tata Sky and Sun TV services.
"We are planning to provide internet connection through DTH platform. Once the new satellite is operational, internet services would be feasible technically. Present DishTV users would have to exchange their STBs and dish to avail internet service if needed," the official added.
With the launch of its satellite and the scheduled entry of new players like Reliance and Airtel in the DTH market, DishTV has decided to offer free STBs to all its new subscribers. New subscribers who opt for the annual maxi package worth Rs 3,990 will also get to watch 67 movies-on-demand (MoD) free of cost.
A number of airlines are also in talks with DishTV to provide TV entertainment during flights. Presently, 20 planes operated by Kingfisher Airlines have DishTV systems installed. Indian Railways is also considering a proposal to install DTH systems in long distance trains, for which, DishTV remains a preferred player, the official added.
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