Rapid TV News

Argentina selects Japan’s ISDB

Chris Forrester ©RapidTVNews | 30-09-2008

A delegation of TV experts and government officials from Argentina is to travel to Japan in October, to discuss adopting Japan’s ISDB (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting) standard.

ISDB has already been selected by neighbouring Brazil as its digital TV standard and the Argentinian news is a major disappointment for Europe’s DVB-T standard which has now lost access to South America’s two major TV markets.

A special adviser to Brazil’s office of the President,  André Barbosa, is quoted as saying that a delegation of Argentine officials will travel to Japan in October.

ISDB-T is the least widespread digital-terrestrial television standard. Only two countries - Brazil and Japan - have adopted it. Brazil received a good deal from the Japanese electronics manufacturing sector, and lower royalties per set produced, compared to the USA’s ATSC or Europe’s DVB-T, as well as the possibility of inward investment in a local semiconductor factory for chipsets as well as some funding for development.

Argentina had already (back in 1998) decided on the USA’s ATSC standard, but subsequently changed its mind. Chile is also reportedly yet to decide, but the prospects do not look good for DVB-H.

However, Multicanal, an Argentinean pay-TV operator, is already transmitting a DVB-T service in neighbouring Uruguay, and pay-TV broadcaster Antina is reported to be starting a DVB-T system in Argentina’s capital city Buenos Aires.

© Rapid TV News 2008