In India Only reliance uses Mpeg4 set-top-boxes other DTH players oppose new tech, cry input cost hike
Fearing that they may be forced to migrate to MPEG 4 (an advanced compression format 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.
Fearing that they may be forced to migrate to MPEG 4 (an advanced compression format 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.
