Singapore Minister Calls For Common Specifications For DVB-T2 Receivers For Asean

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, March 1 (Bernama) -- Asean should develop common specifications for the DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial)receivers so that equipment manufacturers can benefit from economies of scale. In making the call, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Grace Fu Hai Yien said this in turn will lower the cost of set-top boxes for consumers. "With digital broadcasting promising to provide the public with better viewing experiences, we also need to ensure that Asean content remains engaging to our audiences. "More can be done to promote co-productions of high-definition content among producers in Asean. We can leverage on each other’s strengths and develop content that appeals to the Asean sensibility as well as international audiences," she said in her address the 11th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and associated meetings in Kuala Lumpur. The text of her speech was made available here. Fu said last year, Singapore announced it was studying the feasibility of adopting the DVB-T2 standard for Digital Terrestrial Television. "I am pleased to inform you that we have successfully completed the trial for the DVB-T2 standard and are looking into its nationwide implementation. "We expect to offer high-definition broadcasting for all Free-to-Air TV channels in Singapore," she said. Fu also said that she was glad to learn that some Asean members, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam, have also decided to leapfrog to DVB-T2. She also pointed out the Asian Development Bank will embark on the joint production of “Colours of ASEAN”, a television series in High Definition (HD) that is expected for completion by December 2013. She said Asean should support such collaborations and encourage the grouping's broadcasters to work together and continue participating in meaningful projects that celebrate the unity within Asean’s diversity. Such partnerships, she said will also give broadcasters an additional platform to learn from each other and enhance their production expertise. Fu suggested that Asean can similarly explore creative and strategic partnerships between public and private broadcasters, content producers and government agencies. -- BERNAMA