Hitachi to carry out ISDB-T DTT broadcast testing in Mozambique

Friday, March 1st, 2013
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Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. to Carry Out Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Testing in the Republic of Mozambique

TOKYO — In order to contribute to the spread of the Japanese digital terrestrial television broadcast system, ISDB-T, Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. (TSE: 6756; “Hitachi Kokusai”) will conduct demonstration testing using digital transmitters in the Republic of Mozambique from this March. This test is being conducted as part of a research and investigation contract that was entrusted to Hitachi Kokusai by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The contract aims to encourage the adoption of the ISDB-T system throughout southern Africa.

This will be the first demonstration test of a digital terrestrial television broadcast system that Hitachi Kokusai has performed outside Japan.#1

Background and Goals

Aside from the ISDB-T system that is used in Japan, digital terrestrial television broadcast systems used around the world include DVB-T and DVB-T2, used in Europe; ATSC, used in the United States; and DTMB, used in China. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which counts Mozambique as one of its members, is currently investigating which system it will adopt while considering trends in surrounding countries. As part of its investigation, the Community is placing high importance on measures to support rural areas whose electrical infrastructure is underequipped.

In order to promote understanding of the effectiveness of Japan’s ISDB-T system, Hitachi Kokusai will construct a digital terrestrial television broadcast system in Mozambique for the test. Hitachi Kokusai will broadcast television programs over this system and confirm that the signals can be received by digital televisions, One Seg mobile TV receivers, and similar devices.

Details of the Test

1. Construction of an ISDB-T digital terrestrial television transmission system that provides One Seg broadcast capability

Hitachi Kokusai will construct a digital terrestrial television broadcast system. Using this system, Hitachi Kokusai will broadcast two programs in the SDTV#2 format and one program in the One Seg format. A demonstration of the Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) is also planned. The EWBS uses television signals to wake television sets from the standby state in order to broadcast emergency information, such as earthquake alerts.

2. Verification that the ISDB-T digital terrestrial television transmission system is effective in rural regions

A special feature of the ISDB-T system is its ability to simultaneously transmit multiple programs to both stationary and One Seg receivers through just one channel using just one transmitter. This feature makes it possible for a country that incorporates rural regions to provide information to all citizens with a minimum of capital outlay, no matter what the geographical conditions, thus narrowing the “information gap”.

Therefore, in addition to digital television sets and set-top boxes, One Seg receivers will be placed in locations – such as airports, government offices, and public facilities. The use of One Seg receivers as part of this test will demonstrate that television programs can be received on mobile TV receivers, and prove that the ISDB-T system is effective even in rural areas.

Future Developments

Hitachi Kokusai acquired 100 percent of the shares of a Brazilian television transmission equipment manufacturer (which is now known as Hitachi Kokusai Linear Equipamentos Eletrônicos S/A) in 2011, and is taking steps to strengthen its position in the global market for broadcasting equipment.

Going forward, Hitachi Kokusai will use the results of the demonstration test in Mozambique to continue its work with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, promoting the adoption of the ISDB-T digital terrestrial television broadcast system not only by Mozambique, but by the rest of the world as well.

#1 In December 2011, Hitachi Kokusai, in conjunction with Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, completed a demonstration test of the One Seg broadcast system in Indonesia. This test was entrusted to Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. However, the test in Mozambique will be the first demonstration test of a digital terrestrial television broadcasting system to be held outside Japan by Hitachi Kokusai.
#2 SDTV stands for Standard Definition Television, a picture-quality standard that corresponds to the NTSC system.