DTH players oppose new tech, cry input cost hike

[colorsviacom18]

Fearing that they may be forced to migrate to MPEG 4 (an advanced compression format technology that enables broadcast of more channels) set top boxes (STBs) from their current MPEG 2 STBs for their new subscribers, the existing DTH operators (on MPEG 2 technology) have approached the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) to address their concerns.Voicing concern, Jawahar Goel, managing director, Dish TV Ltd, said, “Our analysis shows that apart from broadcasting more channels per transponder, MPEG 4 doesn’t offer any advancement in the quality of picture in comparison to MPEG 2 technology as claimed by some quarters. This is what we wanted to communicate to the ministry. On the other hand, given the present pricing, MPEG 4 boxes are around 50% costlier than MPEG 2 boxes, and in dollar terms, the difference comes out to be about $20. This will make subscriber acquisition for DTH players expensive and also hurt their bottomlines more”.Currently, two DTH operators, Tata Sky and Dish TV, who claim to be addressing over 4 million DTH subscribers combined, are using the MPEG 2 technology. The soon to be launched Reliance Blue Magic Ltd, Bharti Telemedia Ltd and the existing Sun TV Direct have favoured MPEG 4 format by claiming that it offers substantial video quality improvements and 25% saving in transmission bandwidth enabling broadcast of a higher number of channels.According to Goel, there are only around 2 million subscribers on MPEG 4 worldwide, while MPEG 2 supports around 100 million DTH customers currently and also one has to monitor how this technology withstands monsoon in the country, implying that performance of the new format is yet to pass the litmus test. “We have no immediate plans to shift to MPEG 4, it is not feasible for us cost wise also, considering that we have recently introduced free-set-top boxes scheme,” says Goel. Moreover operators on MPEG 2 feel that if technical interoperability of STBs has to be made possible, as mandated by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the onus should lie on new players who are entering with the new format, as MPEG 4 is not yet approved by BIS or Trai and doesn’t conform to the existing licensing and BIS norms.

 

[~Hami~]

Dear colorsviacom18., pls Always post the source of the news.

Here it is..:

DTH-players-oppose-new-tech-cry-input-cost-hike

 

[amish]

i dont understand, what right does Tata Sky have? when they launched their services, MPEG4 tech was already there. why didnt their smart sky partner suggest them that?and abt STB, why r they still providing MPEG2 STBs, why cant they start giving MPEG2/4 compatible STBs. so atleast whenever they upgrade in future, there wud be only 2-3 million customers who wud need to be upgraded

 

[Dushie]

i dont understand, what right does Tata Sky have? when they launched their services, MPEG4 tech was already there. why didnt their smart sky partner suggest them that?

and abt STB, why r they still providing MPEG2 STBs, why cant they start giving MPEG2/4 compatible STBs. so atleast whenever they upgrade in future, there wud be only 2-3 million customers who wud need to be upgraded

The reason they didn't launch Mpeg 4 boxes at that time, because they cost a bomb and no one would pay so much for a Mpeg 4 STB box, Mpeg 2 was cheaper and easily available and commonly used hence the used Mpeg 2.

The reason they are not providing Mpeg 4 Stb is again the cost is high and they are transmitting everything in Mpeg 2, so Mpeg 4 box will not be of any use, plus the inital cost of production and final cost of Mpeg 4 box will be very high.

Reliance and Sun dth will be able to manage as they will be producing very high nos of the same, as volumes increase the cost per box comes down

 

[amish]

Mpeg4 STB costs are no more so high. Sun and Reliance both are giving STBs at rate same or less than their rate

 

[dhoni]

Fiat car cannot ask to stop the production of Zen becuase it is more value for money! Time for TS & Dish tv to improve their services rather than fighting.

 

---

[amish]

they are just buying time by keeping TRAI/TDSAT/Govt busy. they know themselves that they cant stop reliance or sun, when both are politically and financially strong.