HDTV format to enable sharper viewing of Commonwealth Games
31 Jul 2009
The 2010 Commonwealth Games would also be available for viewing in the high-definition (HDTV) format from Doordarshan. The union cabinet has granted Rs1.65 billion for a plan to upgrade Doordarshan's signals to the new, sharper format.
While the funds will come from the 11th plan allocation of Prasar Bharati, the equipment may have to be imported.
The approval to the proposal moved by the I&B ministry was given by the union cabinet committee on economic affairs. A pilot scheme for the new technology will be conducted prior to the start of the games next year.
Doordarshan and All India Radio are the host broadcasters for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
HDTV provides viewers with pictures that are 16 times as sharp as those in normal analog television. The viewers would require an HDTV-enabled television set or a set top box fitted television to receive the broadcast.
Since Doordarshan uses analog mode on its 1,400 transmitters, the entire system may require an upgrade to the digital system. By one estimate, this may cost about Rs430 crore. The finance may come from the Rs220 crore provision already made by the government for the games broadcast.