ZDF's Bruno Krüger [Technische Grundsatzangelegenheiten] reporting to DVB members about the first case of complete cutover from analog to digital broadcast, had the following news from Berlin today...
"Since the early morning of last Friday, 28.02.03, people in Berlin can receive 22 TV programmes via DVB-T. Most of the former PAL channels have been converted to digital. 6 DVB-T multiplexes with data-rates of about 13 Mbit/s each are already on air. The number of channels will even improve when four remaining PAL channels will be switched off later this year.
About 150.000 households without cable or satellite reception are affected. More than 70.000 DVB-T set-top-boxes have been sold so far. Prices start from 169,- EURO.
The switch-off of analogue TV in Berlin is unique. There had been no experiences how people would cope with the hard switch-off of analogue TV. It even turned out, that many of the people, who are affected, weren't sufficiently aware about the situation.
All in all, the big step towards digital television in Berlin went well: No public uprising, a mainly constructive press echo, properly working transmission networks and till now only minor and solvable problems. We directly talk with the people and assist them. Only very, very few of those people complain about receiver cost and insufficient system quality. The majority are really happy and regard DVB-T as a progress with enhanced reception quality and a lot more programmes."
