Image quality improves with the switch from analogue to digital signals

A March survey conducted by Marktest of Portuguese homes not subscribing to pay-television services shows that households which are able to receive DTT and which currently receive the digital signal cite an improvement in image definition over the picture provided with the analogue signal (64%), while 25% see no change in quality.

This result partly stems from the fact that the transition to digital TV has entailed an improvement in reception. 23% of surveyed household respondents which were able to receive DTT at the time of the survey reported that with analogue television they had received at least one of the four general channels with interference or that they had been unable to receive all channels, whereas 8% group of this group reported that they had previously received all channels with interference. With digital television reception, among households which are ready for the switch off occurring on 26 April, only about 4% report that they sometimes receive interference or that they have experienced instances where the picture has frozen momentarily.

While 41% of households report an improvement in sound quality, most consider that there has been no change (51%).

31.3% of households able to receive DTT and currently receiving the digital signal are satisfied with the possibility of having a electronic programme guide with DTT. However, about 40% of households reported that they had not yet made use of the programme guide.

Among homes that are able to receive DTT after purchasing a set-top box or a complementary kit for satellite access and currently receive a digital signal, 26.3% have DTT equipment with advanced features such as programme pausing, broadcast recording or recording scheduling.

1603 interviews were conducted for the survey with households which, at the time of surveying, did not have a subscription television service and did not have free access to the four generalist channels via cable. Interviews were conducted between 5 and 19 March.

Notwithstanding the existing improvements in quality and the improvements perceived by viewers, there will be a further period of adjustment during which further improvements will result, given that DTT makes it possible for all families to receive the four channels in perfect conditions.

The final switch off of analogue television takes place on 26 April, when all broadcasting in Portugal will be digital only.

Related information on ANACOM's website:

DTT dossier http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=344249