1. Arasu Cable TV corporation limited
2. What is this TRAI? Why are they controlling? What are they controlling?
3. Switching to Compulsory DAS and what it means?
4. Why this migration?
5. Pros
6. DTH and DAS
7. What are STBs
8. Cons
2. What is this TRAI? Why are they controlling? What are they controlling?
3. Switching to Compulsory DAS and what it means?
4. Why this migration?
5. Pros
6. DTH and DAS
7. What are STBs
8. Cons
Arasu Cable TV corporation limited:
* We all know tamilnadu government has been long trying to enter into the foray of tv channel distribution with the formation of Tamilnadu Arasu cable TV corporation limited in 2007.
* But Tamilnadu Government cannot enter broadcasting segment by the latest given set of TRAI recommendations.
* According to this set of recommendations no central/state governments, govt. undertakings shall be allowed in broadcasting, or distribution of TV channels to maintain the freedom and independence of television media.
* Even if some governments are into the business, should come out as soon as possible.
What is this TRAI? Why are they controlling? What are they controlling?
* The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is a regulating body for all telecommunication related activities, they regulate right from your telephone, mobile, internet, broadcasting etc.
* Main aim is to create transparent policy environment in above fields so that there is a fair competition, quality service to public.
Ok we have one more question do these people have any role in the directive for all cable operators to digitize their services by the end of 2014?
What is it all about?
* The answer is a ‘yes’, of course and suddenly now questions arise is govt. trying to force DTH to every house, favoring some private operators, and dooming the lives of local cable operators?
* The answer to this question has two parts. Firstly lets deal with the exact order. Then let’s move on to discussing the pros and cons.
Switching to Compulsory DAS and what it means?
* The TRAI recommendation was actually all local cable operators/distributors should switch to Digital Addressable Systems from the current analog system of distribution.
* And the Time Table given for such digitization:
- Before 30th June 2012- Metros Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai[of course we are past that date for which the deadline has been extended now to march 2013].
- Before 31st March 2013- to 38 million plus cities [population exceeding 1 million].
- Before 30th September 2014- whole of India.
* This conversion is mandatory meaning post the deadlines all analog cable networks will be blacked out.
* Also your current cable provider i.e. LCO [local Cable Operator] himself can provide service in DAS mode.
* And regarding tariff and service:
* Also your current cable provider i.e. LCO [local Cable Operator] himself can provide service in DAS mode.
* And regarding tariff and service:
- Maximum Rs.82[revised now and then to inflation] for providing basic Free-to-Air channels can be charged for the network, infrastructure.
- And this basic pack of FTAs called ‘Basic Tier’ should include mix [like a masala pack] of channels from entertainment, movies, sports, news. Minimum 30 channels to be provided.
- And most importantly DD-Loksabha, DD- Rajyasabha, Gyandharshan, DD-sports are compulsory.[and Guys if at all you have some time please have a look they are of course good].
So why this migration?
* The current system wherein the signals are brought through cables in analog form is similar to your pipe connection corporation carrying water, i.e. if you can just extend the hardware through a pipe to your home you get water even if you don’t pay your water taxes or have not registered for a legitimate connection. It means until detection you are using the service.
* Now this digital addressable system also involves cables to transmit signals but circumvents theft by addressable system in which the signals are in encrypted [similar to password protection, technically some random generated codes are mixed which requires special hardware to crack open wherein your set top box comes in ] form.
* So main aim of this DAS to reduce piracy, theft like what people normally do get one connection give it to as many TVs in their home.
* So main aim of this DAS to reduce piracy, theft like what people normally do get one connection give it to as many TVs in their home.
But it has other benefits also:
* Larger bandwidth= more channels than a traditional analog cable system which can support anywhere from 80-100 channels.
* High quality like your HD transmission, also supports 3D viewing.
* A-la-carte system= You can choose individual channels and pay for what you see which at any instance is impossible with the traditional system.
* Other improved services like IPTV, so called triple play services [voice + video+ the special one DATA] gaming like interactive services, that requires two way communication channel, for example movie on demand= you send the request for movie sitting in your home though your cable network itself, even broadband can be availed through your cable network connection.
* Better than DTH in the sense no disturbance during bad weather, as it is a cable mode of transmission, but problems of laying, repairs, maintenance exist.
Everything Ok but what is this DTH? Is it different from this DAS?
 |
| A typical DTH transmission |
* Yes indeed your DTH is similar to DAS only in the sense both are digital means of transport and both require STB [Set Top Box], but DTH receives signals directly [as the name implies Direct to Home] through the dish antenna, whereas DAS is a cable network runs physical cables.
* DTH also receives encrypted form of signals in digital format, hence no need for switching to DAS format following current ruling, you can happily continue with your present network.
Ok, STBs have been mentioned twice what are they?
* Set top box is like a translator [technically not correct, lolz..], for example you speak tamil your friend knows only Chinese, you pay a translator to translate for you the audio signals of your friend.* Similarly a channel owner for example star tv telecasts its signals but to avoid illegal users it modifies its signals by a process called encryption, after which only paid members can access it.
* Here the set top box has a smart card which after verifying payments, decrypts the incoming signals for your viewing.
* So hereby you can see there is a compulsory need for a STB hereafter in each house, and if you have more than one TV in your house you will be needing more than one of these.
Now Cons??
* Compulsory purchase of STBs.
* As of now no portability of STBs possible like your mobile phone SIMs, so if you need to change provider, you are shifting your home you have to purchase afresh or else go for rented service.
* And the DTH and DAS systems are per se incompatible and hence not interchangeable, if you got one, have to stick with it.
Summarily:
* As of now Arasu cable denied permission.
* Digitization compulsory- Dateline repeated extension, shall happen by 2014 end it seems.
* DTH is definitely different from DAS.
* DAS has many inherent advantages= mainly quality service.
* STBs in future may be made provider portable.
* As of now no portability of STBs possible like your mobile phone SIMs, so if you need to change provider, you are shifting your home you have to purchase afresh or else go for rented service.
* And the DTH and DAS systems are per se incompatible and hence not interchangeable, if you got one, have to stick with it.
Summarily:
* As of now Arasu cable denied permission.
* Digitization compulsory- Dateline repeated extension, shall happen by 2014 end it seems.
* DTH is definitely different from DAS.
* DAS has many inherent advantages= mainly quality service.
* STBs in future may be made provider portable.
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