The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) announced the introduction of a voluntary labelling scheme (the Scheme) to facilitate consumers to make informed choice when they purchase receivers for reception of digital terrestrial television (DTT) (click here for the press release published by OFTA).

When DTT is launched at the end of this year, members of public will need to purchase a receiver, either a set-top box or an integrated television set, for the reception of DTT. The purpose of the Scheme is to provide guidance to consumers for purchasing DTT receivers, and help them distinguish, firstly, DTT receivers from conventional television receivers and, secondly, basic-tier DTT receivers from their higher-tier counterparts.

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 programme 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 suppliers of DTT receivers are voluntary to join the Scheme. 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.

Focusing on the capability of receiving DTT programme channels, the Scheme will not be concerned with whether the registered DTT receivers are capable of supporting the optional services which the broadcasters may provide, such as datacasting and interactive services.

To understand more about the Scheme, please visit OFTA website.