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The switch from sending and receiving television contentusing analogue signals to now using digital signals
To keep up with the worldwide change to digital TV broadcasting and to provide more benefits to TV viewers such as better picture and sound quality, more access to information, more channels, and much more.
DSO started in Jamaica in January 2022. and will continue in different stages until the switch off of old analogue television signals.
We are now in the stage where TV Broadcasters are their plans and testing the new technology for Digital TV in Jamaica.
Digital TV is the biggest change in television since the change from black & White to color TV in 1954. This is a more modern way of TV broadcasting using digital signals instead of the older analogue signals.
With digital TV, you can get:
NEXTGEN TV™, also called ATSC 3.0, is the latest digital television technology that will be adopted by Jamaica during the Digital TV Switchover (DSO).
ATSC 3.0 is another name for NEXTGEN TV™.
With NEXTGEN TV, you may: experience better picture and audio quality, Up to 4K Ultra-High Definition image, get better TV reception, see more local channels, get new local content, get emergency messages, view closed captioning, and more.
Check out more features here: https://youtu.be/uSu0fC71z5w
Your TV will still work but if you have a TV that uses rabbit ears or a roof-top antenna to see channels, you will need a Set Top Box to convert your TV signals to a digital signal. This will allow you to continue seeing your local channels on your current television.
You may also buy a new NEXTGEN TV which is a digital TV that is made with ATSC 3.0 technology.
Without doing these, your TV will not be able to receive any signals after DSO is complete.
You should get a NEXTGEN TV to experience the full benefits of Jamaica’s Digital TV Switchover. Without a NEXTGEN TV, you can still get access to digital TV with a Set Top Box but you may miss out on some of the awesome features offered by a NEXTGEN TV.
A Set-Top Box is a device that will allow an analog TV (a TV that uses an antenna on the TV or on the roof-top) to get digital TV signals.
A set-top box will allow you to switch to digital TV reception without buying a new television.
There are a number of Digital TV technologies available worldwide. NEXTGEN TV is one of them. NEXTGEN TV is the latest digital television technology.
No, it is not.
No, it will not.
If you have cable TV, you will still be able to access your usual content including local TV channels and programming such as local news from your cable provider. You won’t however access the new features unique to NEXTGEN TV unless your cable operator chooses to transmit in the new digital format.
Look for the NEXTGEN TV logo, the label ‘ATSC 3.0′ or any other approved marking that the GOJ may announce, wherever you buy your TV. You should also make direct inquiries of your sales representative when shopping.
The cost of your NEXTGEN TV will be based on the brand you purchase. More information on costs in Jamaica will be shared here soon.
The cost of set-top boxes will be based on the brand you purchase.
More information on costs in Jamaica will be shared here soon.
This information will soon be available and will be shared here soon.
No. If you have an analogue TV (a TV that can use an antenna on the TV or your rooftop) you can choose to keep it and get a Set Top Box to change the signal from analogue to digital OR you can choose to buy a new ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV
If you have a smart TV but it is not certified as having an ATSC 3.0 or NEXTGEN TV tuner, you can choose to keep it but you will need a Set Top Box or other similar device to watch the new TV programming; OR you can choose to buy a new ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV.
It is possible to have a digital TV that is not compatible with ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV. If you have a digital TV but it is not certified as having an ATSC 3.0 or NEXTGEN TV tuner, you can choose to keep it but you will need a Set Top Box or other similar device to watch the new TV programming; OR you can choose to buy a new ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV.
You shouldn’t be but you should be aware that TV Broadcasters will need to follow the rules of Jamaica’s Data Protection Act which protects the privacy and any personal information they may collect from Jamaicans. If you have any concerns about your privacy, you may contact your broadcaster directly to get information on how they collect and protect your personal information. Any further queries should be raised with the Information Commissioner.
You may visit the NEXTGEN TV website for more information – https://www.watchnextgentv.com/
You may visit the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica’s website (www.broadcom.org) or follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @bcjamaica) for more information.
You may visit the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica’s website (www.broadcom.org) or follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @bcjamaica) for more information.
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