At the end of June the citizens of Caracas had an opportunity to experience digital terrestrial TV first hand when a technical demonstration was set up to coincide with the start of the Copa América football tournament. At six different points in the city, each located in the crowded commercial centre, a public demonstration point was installed.

These demonstration points included an old TV set and a new plasma display, both receiving the standard analogue transmissions. Alongside these there was another old TV set,  but this one was connected to a standard low-cost DVB-T set-top box costing less than US$ 50. It was clear to everyone that viewed the demonstration that the DVB-T transmissions offered a superior picture, even on a standard TV set using a small indoor antenna.

A DVB-T transmitter had been installed at a high site in Caracas , providing coverage to almost all of the city for the demonstration. The trial was sponsored by INDRA, a Spanish company and also by CONATEL, the Venezuelan regulatory authority for communications. The Venezuelan authorities are currently considering which system will be adopted for digital terrestrial TV. DVB-T is one of the options they are considering. 

A number of other official activities, involving representatives of the Venezuelan and Spanish governments as well as broadcasters and industry representatives, also took place at the end of June. These included a one-day seminar sponsored by the Spanish goverment  dealing with a range of topics related to DVB-T and DVB-H.  This was followed by a one-day seminar dedicated to digital mobile TV organised by Nokia.

Source: DVB
Item added: 24th July 2007


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Last page update: 24th July 2007, Barry Tew