Peru selects Japan’s ISDB

Chris Forrester

After more than 6 months of intensive tests, Peru has decided against adopting the European DVB transmission standard, instead selecting the Japanese/Brazilian variation of Japan’s ISDB-T format.

The selection process has perhaps as much to do with Brazil, a near-neighbour, having also chosen to base its transmission on the Japanese system. Peru’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Enrique Cornejo, made the announcement after meeting the President, Alan García, and the special Japanese Prime Minister's representative, Shunichi Yamaguchi. The decision was made, said the Ministry, after analyzing the American, Chinese and European standards for several months recently.

Mr Cornejo pointed out the mobility possibility offered by ISDB. "The Japanese standard will enable the viewer to participate in interactive debates from his or her mobile telephone," he said.

"The Japanese-Brazilian standard has the advantage of being interference and noise proof; therefore, the people will be able to enjoy a good television broadcast anywhere," Mr Yamaguchi stated.

TV Telco reported that the DVB consortium made a last-minute pitch to the selection board, arguing that the Peruvian consumer would end up paying a high price for ISDB receivers. Low-cost DVB receivers can cost as little as $28, while the lowest-cost Japanese ISDB receiver is $82. However, the Brazilian variant adds even more dollars to the cost, and the lowest-cost digital receiver in Brazil costs $138.

Peru is planning to start ISDB transmissions later this year.