Digital Broadcast 2022, What Should Society Prepare?

Photo illustration (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - The year 2022 will mark a new era of the television industry, Indonesia plans to completely migrate to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

The government is gradually turning off analog terrestrial television broadcasts, or known as analog switch off (ASO) starting April 2022.

Digital television broadcast plans are getting closer. However, there are still many people who do not understand this broadcast.

There are a number of things that must be understood so that when it starts later, people will still be able to enjoy their favorite broadcasts.

1. What is digital broadcasting?

Terrestrial television broadcasts are television broadcasts that people usually watch on a daily basis. Currently, the majority of television broadcasts in Indonesia still use analog technology.

Digital terrestrial television broadcasting uses digital technology, namely digital signal modulation and compression systems to provide the best broadcast quality when viewed on television sets.

2. What is paid digital broadcasting?

Not. Terrestrial television broadcasts are free to air or free broadcasts, as people have watched today. This broadcast does not need a subscription fee like the one on cable tv or streaming services.

3. Is digital broadcasting the same as streaming services?

Digital terrestrial television broadcasts are different from streaming services that are usually watched through apps.

Terrestrial television broadcasts still use UHF/VHF radio frequencies, the same as analog broadcasts. Meanwhile, streaming services are internet-based broadcasts that require subscription fees.

4. Do I have to use a smart tv to watch digital broadcasts?

To watch digital terrestrial television broadcasts, people need to use television sets that can capture digital broadcasts.

Indonesia uses DVBT2 technology for digital broadcasting, therefore it needs television equipment that supports this technology.

If you are still using an old model television set, which does not have DVB T2 technology, you will need a device called a set top box, or often called an STB, so that the television can capture digital broadcasts.

5. Is it necessary to use a digital antenna?

Digital terrestrial television broadcasts can be captured with UHF and VHF antennas. A satellite dish is also not required to capture digital broadcasts.

6. Is my place of residence covered by digital broadcasts?

A number of television stations are currently broadcasting simulcast, analog and digital broadcasts simultaneously, in several areas.

If the television set already supports digital broadcasting, simply scan the television broadcast. If it already exists, the digital broadcast will automatically appear.

To check whether your residence is covered by digital broadcasts, use the digitalTV signal application, which can be downloaded on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

7. What kind of set top box can be used?

A set top box device is needed to watch digital broadcasts if you are still using an old model television set, which can only capture analog broadcast signals.

In order for the set top box to comply with the technology used in digital broadcasting in Indonesia, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology certifies STB devices circulating in the market, marked with the "Digital Ready" label and an image of the Indonesian digital broadcast mascot, MODI.

The set top box device that has been verified by the ministry can be viewed on the broadcast digital.kominfo.go.id page or the SIRANI application.

8. Where to buy a set top box?

Set top box devices can be purchased at stores that sell electronic devices, both online and offline stores.

9. Will television broadcasts be lost if you move to digital?

No, television broadcasts still exist, only in digital format. If you use an analog television set, the device cannot pick up digital broadcast signals.

Therefore, it is necessary to use a set top box or television set that can capture digital signals.

10. What are the advantages of digital broadcasting?

The technology used in digital terrestrial television broadcasts promises a much clearer picture and sound than today's analog broadcasts.

In digital broadcasting, as long as the television set can capture digital broadcasts, a clear image will appear. If it can't capture, then no broadcast at all appears on the screen.

Difference with analog broadcast

In contrast to analog broadcasting, which is greatly influenced by the distance from the transmitter tower to the television set. Therefore, in analog broadcasts, when you are far from the transmitter, the image that appears on the screen will be grainy.

Digital television broadcasts will also be equipped with features that have not been available in analog broadcasts, namely parental control so that they can regulate what broadcasts children can watch.

Digital broadcasts will also have a disaster notification feature. When there is a disaster, a warning will appear on television sets in the vicinity of the disaster site.

The benefits of broadcasting digital terrestrial television are not only beneficial for the community, but also for the efficiency of limited natural resources, namely the radio frequency spectrum.

Analog terrestrial television broadcasts run in the 700MHz band, the entire 328MHz bandwidth is used for analog broadcasts.

In fact, this frequency is also a "golden band" for cellular communication services because it has a wide range.

When Indonesia has completely shifted to digital broadcasting, it is estimated that all broadcasts only require a bandwidth of 176MHz. There will be a digital excess or dividend of 112MHz and a reserve of 40MHz.

With digital broadcasts and digital dividends, the 700MHz frequency can be used for communication needs, for example making internet services faster.