Singapore to test local HDTV market

Singapore will launch a six-month trial in June to test the local market for high-definition television (HDTV), Channel NewsAsia reported Wednesday.

A large number of HDTV programs, featuring sharper resolution and better sound quality than traditional ones, will be transmitted to some 2,000 households on both cable and terrestrial platforms.

The report quoted industry players as saying that it is the right time for Singapore to introduce HDTV on a trial basis as broadcasters are ready with ample content, and consumers have bought an estimated 200,000 flat panel HDTV sets, which is about one in every five households.

StarHub, Singapore's sole cable TV operator, plans to launch its HDTV service by the end of this year, while a full roll-out of HDTV programs on the six terrestrial channels of MediaCorp, the city state's major broadcaster, will be decided later, the report said.

It is estimated that the adoption of this new technology costs at least 100 million Singapore dollars (about 63 million U.S. dollars).

Source: Xinhua