| 1997
1998
For further information contact Donald
Robertson, ABA Manager, Media & PR, on +61 2 9334 7980 or
e-mail donald.robertson@aba.gov.au
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NR
123/1998
17
December 1998
WARNING
TO CONSUMERS ABOUT ‘DIGITAL’ TELEVISIONS
Consumers
should be wary about buying what are alleged to be ‘digital’
or ‘digital ready’ television sets, the Australian
Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission said today.
Sets
currently on sale which bill themselves as digital may use digital
signal processing systems to create a better picture from the
analog transmissions currently broadcast by television stations,
but they will not be able to receive and display the digital
signals due to begin in 2001. They are in essence still analog
sets and viewers will not be able to use them to enjoy the
enhanced features of digital television.
"A
number of people have called the ABA about ‘digital’
television sets they have seen advertised or for sale," said
Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman, "The ABA is most anxious
that consumers have clear information before spending perhaps
thousands of dollars on such equipment. Television sets able to
receive digital television transmissions are not currently
available on the Australian market."
The
ACCC has emphasised that any such advertising may be misleading
and could be breaching Australia’s trade practices law.
Digital
television broadcasting must commence in the mainland metropolitan
markets on 1 January 2001. Digital television receivers
which will be able to pick up the new digital signals will not be
available until mid 2000, according to industry sources. Because
the final technical specifications for the Australian digital
television transmission system will not be finalised until early
1999, Australian manufacturers have not yet started building
prototype sets. Because the Australian system will be slightly
different than the American or European systems, it will not
simply be a matter of importing sets from overseas.
It
is likely that digital set top boxes, which convert the digital
signal back to analog form so that existing analog receivers will
be able to display it, will be the first new item of digital
hardware to become available. While not enabling viewers to see
the enhanced features of the digital signal, like high definition,
these will provide clearer, sharper pictures for viewers in
built-up areas or hilly terrain who have problems with
interference and ghosting. A fully integrated digital television
receiver will follow.
The
15 television markets where digital transmissions are due to start
on 1 January 2001 are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, the Sunshine Coast,
Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central
Coast and Bunbury. This means that about eighty per cent of
Australians will potentially have access to digital television
transmissions on 1 January 2001. However, it is
important to note that the existing analog services will continue
to be broadcast for at least eight years to allow time for
consumers to buy new television sets able to receive digital
transmissions.
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