PHL SHIFTS FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL TV

By Fr. Joselito Jopson

   The Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Television or ISDBTV, the official Japanese system of digital TV, will slowly be implemented in the Philippines starting late this year or early next year.

   An ISDBT International Conference was held last Jan. 13 – 14, 2014 at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel to orient Philippine broadcasters to this new system.  Another conference will be held this March 2014 to allow more participants in the Electronics Engineering division to know and design the system.

   The event was highlighted by the signing ceremony between the Philippines and the Japan, represented by Japanese Minister Yoshitaka Shindo, head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Philippine Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa on the cooperation of the two countries in the field of information and communications technology.

   In a speech delivered by Sec. Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology, he underscored the advantages of such system: “ISDBT provides better viewing experience, and education opportunities, disaster management, wider TV space… we have to plan before adopting a system that best suits the county.” 

  He acknowledged that the Philippines is in a critical transition to digital terrestrial TV that would change viewer expectations.   

   Minister Shindo on the other hand promoted the system as able to “protect life and to enjoy our lives.”

The ISDB TV’s infinite possibilities

ISDBT, promoted as having “infinite possibilities” has three features favorable to both consumers and businesses - social innovation, data broadcasting, and technological innovations.

Social innovation

   ISBDT provides real time enjoyment connected with advertising.  It is an interactive device in which one can order products or participate in game shows in the convenience of his own home as in Japan’s JOIN TV.

   ISDBT works in harmony with social networking such as Facebook and Twitter.

   It can also serve as a tool for measuring surveys and public opinion.

Data broadcasting

Also known as datacasting, TV experience will now be active in providing information of almost anything like weather forecast, food and restaurants, and even police information with a system that is friendly to children and the elderly.

   Government information is easily accessible, providing knowledge, education, information, service and formation among the viewers.

Contribution to education

   Universities and other educational institutions can avail of services of ISDBTV.   In a test broadcast in Botswana, the Department of Agriculture teaches the public on how to breed cattle. 

   There is also a “telehealth” that informs the people on how to take care of their health.

ISDBT’s greatest contribution: emergency warning broadcast system

   Also known as EWBS, there will be a real-time government response during emergencies like typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, and even terrorism.  The greatest fear a citizen can have is isolation and a lack of information.  Through ISDBT, the government can give regular and fast updates that could save people’s lives in an instant.

Technological innovation

   With this technology, the TV will not be confined simply in the home; one can watch programs anywhere using their smartphones and tablets.

   In an island without electricity, TV can be viewed because it doesn’t require power.  The program is free-to-air and transmitted through terrestrial and satellite transmission.   Thus, TV information can easily be attained by many, eliminating digital divide.

Implications for the Philippine Church

   With this new technology already in its experimental and implementation phase, with existing broadcast stations already shifting their systems to the digital format, the Philippine Church cannot continue lagging behind digital TV to the point of default.  Digital TV will soon catch fire among the viewers, affecting 80% Catholics.

   At present, the Catholic Church will still have to wait for the National Telecommunications Commission to reclassify frequency assignments and accommodate even just one channel for it.  There is no available frequency of the TV channels in Metro Manila. 

   Second, this new technology will bring a paradigm shift in people’s viewing habits.  Among the changes are as follows:

  1.  There will be a plurality of TV channels.  The perennial battle among Media giants will be a thing of the past.  Every products and services will try to get into the arena by getting a channel and introduce a world that favors their product, just to catch the attention of the market.  Would the Catholic Church join the bandwagon of TV channels and be one of the many voices eager to communicate to the viewers?

   2.  Digital TV can eliminate the digital divide and provide relevant information and education to people even those living in far-flung places.  This is a great opportunity to increase literacy among our people in faith, politics, media, and in all areas of life.

   3.  TV will not be found in the homes; every person who has cell phones, tablets, and mobile computers.  This may affect person-to-person communications what is already happening in today’s times.

   4.  TV will save lives, prevent disaster victims, and decrease fatalities arising from unexpected calamities.  Japan, learning from its major disaster last 2011, shares this technology to the Philippines having the same predicament.

   5.  A great tool for measuring public opinion, the Catholic Church, can now monitor the level or degree of public opinion it is molding according to Gospel values.

Conclusion

   As it is said that this technology has “infinite possibilities”, ISDBT also prepares itself to make the world smaller by providing information at a global level.

   In whatever technological advancement there may be, the Church is at the frontline of this journey, leading the people of God to the Father.  The document Comunio et Progressio has it:  “The People of God walk in history.  As they, who are essentially, both communicators and recipients, advance with their times, they look forward with confidence and even with enthusiasm to whatever the development of communications in a space-age they have to offer.” (CP # 187)

   May we be enthusiastic to use the digital TV to proclaim the goodness of God!