State still mulling digital TV options

21 Sep 2011

Many of the details of the process for migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial television still need to be debated and finalised, including who will qualify for subsidised set-top boxes, says communications minister Roy Padayachie.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, 20 September 2011, Padayachie says the biggest obstacle facing digital TV is finalisation of the "set-top box access control mechanism". He says there are a number of problems around access control, the first of which is the "perplexing question of encryption" and whether or not it should be a requirement.

The department of communications is considering the impact encryption would have on the cost of the boxes, he says. "We are told that the cost of encryption may add US$4 to the box."

This additional cost, he says, may be untenable.

Continue reading the full story on www.TechCentral.co.za.

See also:

Channel24: State wants total digital TV control

Source: TechCentral

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Craig Wilson

About Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson is an ICT journalist and speaker based in Johannesburg. He is deputy editor at TechCentral, the South African source for technology news, reviews and opinion, and regularly provides insight into the technology industry for radio and television. Email him at az.oc.lartnechcet@giarc, follow @craigwilson on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn.