Today saw the start of a trial of digital TV. 1,000 people in Dublin and Louth are taking part in the trial, which is due to last 18 months. All going well, this trial signals the beginning of the end of analogue television.
I’m not so sure about digital television. It means investing in new equipment, and it’s going to cost. It also means new DRM schemes, and new ways for the content companies to make money by selling you multiple copies of the same program/ DVD / music. The content companies want you to buy a separate copy for your computer, your DVD player, and your personal jukebox. Who’s to say that with the advent of digital television that you’ll have to pay an exorbitant fee just to record your favourite program? Or worse, that you’ll be prevented from making any recordings? With digital broadcasts these are a possibility.
If implemented properly, digital television services promise a much better viewing experience. Better quality reception, more channels, and better integration with the Internet. Convergence is the name of the game, with all your media and network requirements available at the touch of your television remote. There’s a lot of hype to live up to, and we’re reliant on the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to do the job properly. Hopefully they’ll handle this better than the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government handled the electronic voting fiasco.
Digital TV is coming and there is no way to stop it. Analogue services will be switched off in 2012 whether we like it or not. I just hope than when it does, we’re not going to be held to ransom by content providers.