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RP to shift to digital TV in three years - GMA exec
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines may shift to digital broadcast from the current analog setup in two to three years, GMA Network, Inc. president Felipe L. Gozon said. The migration, however, will not be easy as replacement of television sets and the additional set-top box for access to digital content may be costly for consumers, Gozon told reporters. He added local broadcasters will also have to adopt to the technology but the transition will "not be in the immediate future." Digital broadcast would allow multiple content transmission to a digital television, a laptop and even to handheld devices like mobile phones or personal digital assistant units. It gives viewers a variety of options in selecting services and programs that they prefer to watch. GMA Network already has a pending application with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for the use of digital broadcast. It aims to convert its channel 27 UHF (ultra high-frequency) station to digital television. The migration will cost the broadcast giant an estimated investment of P35 million. Of the capital requirement, GMA Network said P22.33 million will be allocated for the transmitter, P6.58 million will be used for the antenna system, P3.34 million will finance the electrical support system, P2.15 million will cover the cost of peripheral equipment. The rest of the amount will be used for tower improvements, commissioning and installation, and other electro-mechanical equipment. âThe introduction of digital tv broadcast would allow network operators to conceptualize new revenue streams that were not possible in analog TV. But the more immediate benefit to the network operators is that the transmission operating expenses per program can significantly be reduced due to the efficient of DTV (digital television) transmission techniques that would result into less capital and operational expenses in the long run," GMA Network said. GMA Network is the parent company of www.GMANews.TV. - GMANews.TV
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