More than 40% of households ready for terrestrial digital TV in Japan (2)

While the penetration rate of terrestrial digital TV receivers for households in Japan, 43.7% at the end of FY2007, is growing roughly as expected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), some disquieting figures gloom from the recent survey carried out by the MIC.

The figures include the percentage of those who know when the current terrestrial analog TV broadcasting will stop and the percentage of those who specifically know how they can receive the terrestrial digital TV broadcasts, 64.7% and 50-60% respectively.

More than 40% of households ready for terrestrial digital TV in Japan (1)

Vista to install terrestrial digital TV function

Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corp., said in Tokyo, Japan on May 7 that Windows Vista will be equipped with features that allow for display of Japan's terrestrial digital TV broadcasts as soon as June 2008.

Specifically, Windows Media Center for Windows Vista will be compatible with the ISDB-T (integrated services digital broadcasting-terrestrial) system, or the specifications adopted for the terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in Japan.

More than 40% of households ready for terrestrial digital TV in Japan (1)

The nationwide survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) shows that the penetration rate of terrestrial digital TV receivers is 43.7% for households in Japan at the end of FY2007, up approximately 16% from the previous year.

The MIC expects the rate will be 62% at the end of FY2008, 100% at the end of FY2010.

Uh, that's just wishful thinking on their part, I guess.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (5)―step-by-step notification of farewell to analog TV
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (4)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (3)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (2)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (1)
Unsolicited digital broadcasts?
Analog BS to disappear in 2011
Migration to Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (5)―step-by-step notification of farewell to analog TV

The panel under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to gradually announce on TV screen the end date of the terrestrial analog TV broadcasting.

The announcement will begin on July 24, 2008―just three years before the analog TV stops―with the ticker that says “You are watching analog TV,” or the full screen “The analog TV you are watching will cease...,” or something like that.

From July 2009, or around next summer, a letter box will appear on TV screen that emphasizes the farewell to the analog TV.

Now you have no way to escape from the digitization of TV in Japan.

Any time you have a problem with that, I the blogger will be glad to talk it over with you. The consultancy fees are negotiable.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (4)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (3)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (2)
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (1)
Unsolicited digital broadcasts?
Analog BS to disappear in 2011
Migration to Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting

NHK to launch pay VOD service

Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) is slated to start a video-on-demand (VOD) service in December this year.

The service will be provided through broadband lines on a pay-per-view (PPV) or a fixed monthly charge basis.

It will allow you to watch the NHK news programs you have missed or the archived NHK special ones.

Analog TV wave to stop simultaneously nationwide in Japan

The panel under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided not to make any time difference among areas about the deadline for ceasing the terrestrial analog TV broadcasting.

The analog broadcasting is expected to stop by July 24, 2010.

The decision may prevent the stakeholders from verifying the stop processing in the field in advance.

Digital TV tuner for PC poised to hit the market

The Association for Promotion of Digital Broadcasting (Dpa) officially unveiled a guideline for the specifications of external digital TV tuner.

The tuner is used for receiving terrestrial/BS/CS digital TV broadcasts on PC in Japan.

The guideline allows that kind of tuner to be available alone, or unbundled with any other components such as a video graphics board and a display, from the market.

To use the tuner, you will need a B-CAS card.