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In order that consumers may make an informed choice when they purchase receivers for reception of digital terrestrial television (DTT), the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (November 22) announced the introduction of a voluntary labelling scheme.
When DTT is launched at the end of this year, members of the public will need to purchase a receiver (either a set-top box or an integrated television set) for reception of DTT.
"The purpose of the scheme is to provide guidance to consumers for purchasing DTT receivers, and to help them, firstly, to distinguish DTT receivers from conventional TV receivers, and secondly, basic tier DTT receivers from their higher tier counterparts," a spokesperson for OFTA said.
"Only DTT receivers capable of reception of local DTT services will be affixed with the label. There are two labels under the scheme, namely the basic-tier receiver and the higher-tier receiver. The basic-tier receiver is for receiving the four existing channels transmitted in digital format i.e. Standard Definition Television (SDTV) programmes. The higher-tier receiver is for receiving both High Definition Television (HDTV) and SDTV programmes," the spokesperson explained.
"With the support of the two free-to-air television broadcasters, the Hong Kong Consumer Council and trade associations representing the suppliers of DTT receivers, the scheme will be introduced with immediate effect," the spokesperson said.
"The scheme is voluntary. Suppliers of DTT receivers (including manufacturers and their dealers) are welcome to join the scheme. To indicate that their products are in compliance with the relevant requirements prescribed by OFTA, the suppliers may affix the labels to DTT receivers on display or for sale, or use the labels in their promotional materials."
The Government will publish a register of the brand names and models of all DTT receivers on which the label for basic-tier receiver and the label for higher-tier receiver are used. The scheme is based on self declaration of the participants and testing by third-party testing agencies is not required. OFTA will conduct random inspections to detect any unauthorised use of the labels to ensure that the registered DTT receivers comply with the relevant requirements.
"The focus of the scheme will be on the capability of receiving DTT programme channels. As such, the scheme will not be concerned with whether the registered DTT receivers are capable of supporting the optional services (such as datacasting and interactive services) which the broadcasters may provide," the spokesperson added.
Details about the registration procedure for joining the scheme can be downloaded from OFTA's website at: www.ofta.gov.hk. The list of registered DTT receivers will be available on the Government's digital television website at: www.digitaltv.gov.hk.
Background
According to the Government's implementation framework for DTT, the two free-to-air television broadcasters, namely Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), are required to start DTT broadcasting with simulcast of existing programme channels in both analogue and digital format by end 2007 at the latest.
Having assessed the proposals submitted by ATV and TVB, the Telecommunications Authority (TA) announced on June 4, 2007, the adoption of the national standard for DTT. The TA subsequently published the technical specification entitled "HKTA 1108-the Technical Specification for DTT Baseline Receiver Requirements".
The implementation of the scheme with reference to the salient requirements of HKTA 1108 is one of the measures to enhance public awareness of DTT. The Government, in collaboration with the broadcasters, will conduct other publicity campaigns to promote DTT before its official launch, which is scheduled on December 31, 2007.
Ends/Thursday, November 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:30
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