Japan proposes common set-top for digital TV

Japan proposes common set-top for digital TV
TOKYO — Japan's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) intends to prepare a universal set-top box specification in an effort to lower costs for consumers and promote a rapid shift to digital TV broadcasting in Japan.

Digital TV broadcasting is scheduled to begin in Japan soon via satellite, terrestrial and cable delivery systems. Kaoru Kanazawa, the director general of MPT's Broadcasting Bureau, said this week that MPT is working with the industry to prepare a set-top box specification that can receive digital signals for TV programs delivered using any of those methods.

Full-fledged digital TV broadcasting will at first be delivered via broadcast satellite in December 2000. Around the same time, a new communication satellite will also begin high-quality digital TV broadcasting. In 2003, terrestrial digital TV broadcasting will begin in Japan's three large cities and be expanded to other areas by 2006. Cable operators here are also considering a shift to digital broadcasting.

Common traits

A unique front-end tuner is required for each broadcast format. However, once the digital signal is demodulated, processing the digital TV content signal — which includes error correction, demultiplexing and decompression of the MPEG-2 stream — is the same for satellite and terrestrial broadcasting.

The overall standards effort will be rolled out in phases. Broadcast satellite receivers equipped with a standard connection for terrestrial digital TV reception are expected to be the first to benefit from the standards effort. Those receivers will be ready by next summer.