The collective switch to digital TV — which means sharper resolution and better sound quality — will result in economies of scale and lower the cost of digital TV set-top boxes for over 540 million people in the region, said the Media Development Authority (MDA).

Speaking yesterday at a seminar held in conjunction with BroadcastAsia 2007, Ms Ling Pek Ling, MDA’s director of Media Policy Division, said: “If we give manufacturers a clear message that we are heading towards switch-off by a certain year, then that will boost their confidence to bring more equipment into the market, both in terms of set-top boxes, as well as TV sets.”

It is not decided when the 10 countries will completely do away with the current analogue broadcasts.

Malaysia has already set a target of 2015 while Indonesia has mentioned that it plans to do so in 10 years. By comparison, Europe has set a target of 2012 while the United States plans to switch-off analogue broadcasting by February 2009.

But officials of the ASEAN Digital Broadcasting Cooperation Initiative — which is spearheaded by Singapore and Brunei — said discussions by three new working groups would provide a clearer picture on how and when to make the switch.

It is looking to set up a list of criteria to encourage the adoption of digital TV in the region by 2008.

Reducing the cost of digital set-top boxes from between US$80 and US$250 to under US$50 is imperative as high costs will slow down the adoption of technology, officials say.

Digital broadcasting will open up more opportunities for both industry players and viewers.

For example, high-definition content can be delivered through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and Video On Demand (VOD) mobile TV services.