Nationwide digital TV transmission from Oct 31
Malaysia will fully shift to digital television transmission from the analogue terrestrial TV service from Oct 31, signifying a new era of broadcasting in the country.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a statement the broadcast would start on Sept 30 for the central and southern regions, Oct 14 for the northern and eastern regions and Oct 31 for Sabah and Sarawak.
It said the new myFreeview Digital TV transmission was the government’s effort to reduce the digital gap between people in rural, urban and suburban areas.
“This is also in line with the government’s vision of ‘Shared Prosperity’, which allows the people to enjoy free and quality digital TV services.
“The myFreeview Digital TV also offers the option to tune to television and radio channels, as well as the latest applications for online shopping, current information and interactive education.”
MCMC said the latest applications, such as online shopping, would allow people to generate income using the digital TV platform.
For a start, 15 TV and six radio channels under Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Media Prima Bhd, TV AlHijrah and Bernama News Channel will be available on the myFreeview Digital TV platform.
“A few other channels are expected to be aired on myFreeview digital TV in the near future.”
Langkawi was the first area to fully receive the myFreeview Digital TV broadcast when the pilot transition was carried out on the island on July 21.
It was reported the myFreeview Digital TV broadcast offered better and clearer audio and picture quality in standard and high definitions.
Viewers need to pay once to buy a new Integrated Digital TV (IDTV), a DVB-T2 decoder or the UHF aerial, and pay for installation fees should they need assistance in installing outdoor UHF aerial or maintenance services.
To receive the myFreeview Digital TV broadcast, they need to connect the DVB-T2 decoder and UHF aerial to their TV set, or via an IDTV that comes with a builtin decoder, and install a UHF aerial.
There are 13 IDTV brands in the market, which have been approved by Sirim. These TVs are sold online, in hypermarkets or at selected electrical stores nationwide.
The myFreeview Digital TV covers 98 per cent of populated areas through infrastructure buildings, Digital Terrestrial Television transmission, and Direct-to-Home (DTH) through satellite service support.
The DTH service ensures digital TV coverage is available in remote areas.