Both e.tv and M-Net are doing simply terrific work (despite huge uncertainty, a tedious government and several regulatory setbacks) in forging ahead with South Africa's process of switching over from analogue TV broadcasts to digital broadcasts, a process known as ''digital migration'' that will result in digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The two commercial broadcasters - the free to air e.tv and pay channel M-Net - are working together for the common good of South Africa's DTT future and will be expanding its current DVB-T trial to the new DVB-T2 - the latest upgraded version of this digital broadcasting standard. While the sadly confused South African government lately made akward noises and seemingly want to backstrack on the already agreed upon DVB-T standard - the most widely used standard worldwide for DTT that the government already approved in 2008 - e.tv and M-Net are working really very hard on testing, refining, enhancing and putting infrastructure in place for DVB-T broadcasts.
M-Net and e.tv - working together in this, as well as individually - need to be commended for their really stellar work in working towards DTT. This process is costing these broadcasters millions of rands on their balance sheets as they're working to create a better broadcasting technology infrastructure for viewers in the future. Both broadcasters today announced plans to bring the DVB-T2 to a group of Soweto residents who will be trailing the new standard after the broadcasters started lab tests with DVB-T2 at the beginning of this month. Trial participants in Soweto are currently being recruited. DVB-T2 also provides the possibility for high definition services to be provided in DTT broadcasts.
''DVB is the right choice for South Africa,'' says Marcel Golding, group CEO of e.tv. ''T2 is a more efficient version of DVB-T and is available should we choose to use it.''
''We are aiming for these trials to be as inclusive as possible,'' says Patricia Scholtemeyer, M-Net CEO who says that once the trial participants have had time to fully experience the DTT technology ''we will be inviting the industry bodies, academia and the media to share in the trial experiences and results.''
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