HDTV channels hit nation’s airwaves

The Viet Nam Multimedia Corporation (VTC) yesterday officially launched the second generation digital television receiver and high fidelity TV channels to satisfy the first-ever standard of High Definition Television (HDTV) in Viet Nam.

The new product services, which were researched and produced by VTC, will serve the demands of Vietnamese people nationwide with 40 special digital television channels, including 8-HDTV channels and 32- Standard Definition Television (SDTV) channels.

All channels are broadcast through the national satellite VINASAT-1, which was launched successfully last April by the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) at a cost of more than US$200 million.

The satellite's footprint is expected to cover Viet Nam, Laos, East Asia, India and Australia, as well as help extend communications services to rural and remote areas where ground infrastructure, which often requires prohibitively expensive investment, is not adequate.

According to VTC, most channels on LCD and Plasma televisions only receive SDTV signals, with a limitation of 400,000 picture points leading to low quality signals, while HDTV channels can collect approximately two million picture points to provide better quality images and sound.

HDTV receivers and spare parts are now sold on the domestic market for over VND3.5 million (US$205.8) each.

Customers who still use traditional televisions can buy VTC's satellite television receivers, with SDTV receivers worth more than VND2 million ($117.6). (VNS)