Press Release

Introduction of Labelling Scheme to Facilitate Informed Choice of Digital Terrestrial Television Receivers

In order that consumers may make informed choice when they purchase receivers for reception of digital terrestrial television (DTT), the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (22 November 2007) announced the introduction of a voluntary labelling scheme (the Scheme).

When DTT is launched at the end of this year, members of the public will need to purchase a receiver (either a set-top box or an integrated television set) for reception of DTT.

"The purpose of the Scheme is to provide guidance to consumers for purchasing DTT receivers, and help them distinguish first DTT receivers from conventional TV receivers; and secondly basic tier DTT receivers from their higher tier counterparts," a spokesperson of OFTA said.

"Only DTT receivers capable of reception of local DTT services will be affixed with the label.There are two labels under the Scheme, namely the Basic-tier Receiver and the Higher-tier Receiver. The Basic-tier Receiver is for receiving the four existing channels transmitted in digital format i.e. Standard Definition Television (SDTV) programmes. The Higher-tier Receiver is for receiving both High Definition Television (HDTV) and SDTV programmes," the spokesperson explained.

With the support of the two free-to-air television broadcasters, the Hong Kong Consumer Council and trade associations representing the suppliers of DTT receivers, the Scheme will be introduced with immediate effect," a spokesperson of OFTA said.

"The Scheme is voluntary. Suppliers of DTT receivers (including manufacturers and their dealers) are welcome to join the Scheme. To indicate that their products are in compliance with the relevant requirements prescribed by OFTA, the suppliers may affix the labels to DTT receivers on display or for sale, or use the labels in their promotional materials," continued the spokesperson.

The Government will publish a register of the brand names and models of all DTT receivers on which the label for Basic-tier Receiver and the label for Higher-tier Receiver are used. The Scheme is based on self declaration of the participants and testing by third-party testing agencies is not required. OFTA will conduct random inspections to detect any unauthorized use of the labels to ensure compliance of the registered DTT receivers with the relevant requirements.

"The focus of the Scheme will be on the capability of receiving DTT programme channels. As such, the Scheme will not be concerned with whether the registered DTT receivers are capable of supporting the optional services (such as datacasting and interactive services) which the broadcasters may provide," the spokesperson supplemented.

Details about the registration procedure for joining the Scheme can be downloaded from OFTA's web site at: http://www.ofta.gov.hk and the list of registered DTT receivers will be available in the digital television web site of the Government at: http://www.digitaltv.gov.hk.

Graphics giving details of the labels are as follows :

Background

According to the Government's implementation framework for DTT, the two free-to-air television broadcasters, namely Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), are required to start DTT broadcasting with simulcast of existing programme channels in both analogue and digital format by end 2007 at the latest.

Having assessed the proposals submitted by ATV and TVB, the Telecommunications Authority (TA) announced on 4 June 2007 the adoption of the national standard for DTT. The TA subsequently published the technical specification entitled "HKTA 1108-the Technical Specification for DTT Baseline Receiver Requirements".

Office of the Telecommunications Authority
22 November 2007