Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (45) -- Large-scale trial run set for transition

Today the countdown counter indicates “658 days” to the complete transition to the Chideji and the digital BS system.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) announced on October 1 that it will halt the analog TV airwaves in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture from noon on January 22 to noon on January 24, 2010 to conduct a large-scale trial run targeted for the complete transition from analog to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting.

In addition, the MIC said that in the city it will carry out the complete transition on July 24, 2010, one year earlier than the nation-wide one.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (44) -- IPTV on NGN covers Hokkaido
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (38)--First-stage dry run has been done
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (27)--Trial run for transition

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (44) -- IPTV on NGN covers Hokkaido

NTT Plala Inc. and I-Cast, Inc. announced Thursday that it will begin to relay terrestrial digital TV broadcasts in some areas of Hokkaido Prefecture through their IPTV service Hikari TV on the NGN platform Flet's Hikari Next on November 4.

NTT Plala and I-Cast have begun that in Osaka, Tokyo, Aichi, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Hyogo, and Kyoto Prefectures so far.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (43)--¥5,000 chideji tuner debuts
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (34)--IPTV on NGN covers Hyogo and Kyoto

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (43)--¥5,000 chideji tuner debuts

Aeon Co., Ltd. and Pixela Corp. announced on September 4 that it will launch a stripped-down chideji (terrestrial digital TV broadcasting) tuner priced at ¥4,980 on September 19.

The tuner, PRD-BT102-PA1, has minimum features necessary for converting digital to analog terrestrial TV broadcasting signals so that you can watch digital broadcasts on an analog TV set.

The PRD-BT102-PA1 will hit the shelves of JUSCO and SATY supermarkets.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (42)--Buffalo and I-O Data deliver barebones chideji tuners
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (41)--Barebones chideji tuners to be installed on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (37)--600,000 units of chideji tuners are procured

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (42)--Buffalo and I-O Data deliver barebones chideji tuners

The group operated by NTT-ME Corp. under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to promote installation of tuners designed for chideji, or terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, announced Monday that it has selected Buffalo Inc. and I-O Data Device, Inc. on an open competitive bidding basis as the suppliers that will deliver barebones tuners to it.

The tuners will be provided for free to some of the households receiving total exemption from NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai: Japan Broadcasting Corp.) viewing fee.

The successful bid was about ¥2.5 billion in the sum total aggregated by the two suppliers.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (41)--Barebones chideji tuners to be installed on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (37)--600,000 units of chideji tuners are procured

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (41)--Barebones chideji tuners to be installed on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the group operated by NTT-ME Corp. under the MIC to promote installation of barebones tuners designed for chideji, or terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, announced on August 27 that they have begun to advertise for subcontractors who help households install the tuner.

The households are some of those receiving total exemption from NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai: Japan Broadcasting Corp.) viewing fee.

The subcontractor will be selected with respect to each prefecture; it is to visit each of the households in the prefecture, install the tuner, instruct the resident(s) how to use it, and modify the TV antenna and/or wiring of the stand-alone houses.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (40)--More HDTV channels get on Flet's
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (37)--600,000 units of chideji tuners are procured

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (40)--More HDTV channels get on Flet's

NTT Plala Inc. and I-Cast, Inc. announced Wednesday that they will renew the program channel line-up for their IPTV service Hikari TV in October and November, which is provided on the Flet's series FTTH platform of NTT East Corp. and NTT West Corp.

The renewed line-up includes seventeen HDTV programs that are fresh for the Hikari TV service, ten of which will be broadcast in hi-def for the first time ever in Japan such as AXN, FOX CRIME, and MTV.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (39)--Download music via TV airwaves
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (25)--SKY Perfect! e2 gets on Flet's Hikari
Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (24)--CS HDTV on FTTH

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (39)--Download music via TV airwaves

Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd., a Japan, Tokyo-based FM radio station, on July 29 in Fukuoka Prefecture began an experiment in pay content download service provided via TV airwaves.

The commercial service will capitalize on the TV airwaves that are due to be freed up by the complete transition of analog to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (38)--First-stage dry run has been done