Brazil Adopts Japan Digital TV Standard

Brazil has selected a HD digital television system based on a Japanese standard for its more than 120 million television viewers, instead of the standards used in Europe and the United States. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday signed a decree authorizing the use of the Japanese standard in a ceremony attended by Japanese Communications Minister, Heizo Takenaka. The new system is expected be operational within seven years and the transition to digital television from the current analog model will occur over 10 years, the presidential press office said in a statement.

“The big advantage of going digital with the Japanese standard is the portability and mobility it offers the consumer,” said Ronaldo Seron, commercial director of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., or JVC, in Brazil. “The ability to receive TV signals on cell phones and small portable sets will open up brand new horizons for manufacturers who will benefit from increased sales and for TV networks who will see their audiences soar,” Seron added.

Jose Inacio Pizani, president of the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Stations, said “mobile and portable TV receivers will soon be part of the daily lives of all Brazilians just like cell phones and portable radios.” He added that the portability and mobility of the Japanese system is superior to the American and European versions. Continue>>