Though the Philippines's National Telecommunications Commission has been moving faster than a slug in the effort to decide which format will be used in the country's shift to digital television, most don't realize that flickers of hope are popping up for people who want digital TV right now. Check your options .
SkyCableFolks in Metro Manila currently have two options on how they want to go digital. Believe it or not, one can experience digital television though Skycable. There is some confusion though on whether or not you need to subscribe to their Platinum package. if the company says the digibox has been rolled out to most parts of the metro, then they better change their FAQ's that describe Platinum as digital while the other packages don't get the same treatment. Or perhaps they simply want people to subscribe to Platinum.
Regardless one can easily tell the difference between picture quality. There are two downsides, one is a huge chance that what you're watching are analog signals that was simply converted to digital and the only video connection is RCA.Because of those two the picture quality can only go so much. The good news is that if your area is already digital then you are eligible to experience two High Definition channels, History HTDM and Discovery HD. You'll be needing another set-top-box plus and additional Php 500 per month for two channels.
CignalIf your Skycable area is not yet digital, or you live outside metro Manila another recourse is to get satellite TV. Cignal is the newest kid on the block offering satellite direct-to-home services (they haven't offically launched yet). What's great about the new player is that they are offering HD channels right off the bat. Subscription is fairly cheap at Php 390 per month for a measley 20 channels or Php 790 if you wanna toss in History HDTM and Voom HD. That's Php 100 cheaper that what skycable is offering (but Discovery could be a game changer).
Good news for Cebu residents, there is already a Cignal dealer in the area. They told me they are selling the combo package (20 SD and 2 HD channels) at Php 4,700 for the set-to-box (which includes an HDMI port, perfect for your LCD TV). Installation fee is Php 1000 within Metro Cebu, Php 1200 outside the Metro, and Php 1500 for areas beyond 50 km.
Parasat CableSince Cignal can be deployed nationwide, Mindanao can also get this option. However if you are an existing Parasat cable subcriber you are in lucj because the cable company has just announced its plans to transition into the digital platform. They will be the first company outside of Metro Manila to do so. The launch is pegged tomorrow, July 8 at the LimKetKai center.
By July 10, 15 of the foreign channels they are offering will transitioned into the digital format. The packages are actually more attractive than the two earlier options presented. The subscription starts from Php700 for 70 channels, Php 950 for 82 channels, and Php 1150 for all the channels plus 7 premium ones (EuroSport channel anyone?)
Parasat also has plans to offer HD channels within the year though I suspect they will also charge the same way as Skycable and Cignal does.
ConclusionThe choices may be bleak for now but most of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao is covered. This means we don't have to wait for NTC or 2015 to get our hands on digital television.
You can get more information about the packages through their respective websites except for Cignal. Rumor has it that July 14 will be their grand launch.
www.skycable.com
www.parasat.tv
