Aerial Empire swops thousands of analog decoders to digital
26 Jan 2000
News
Phillip Austen
The first batch of conversions in Sentech's analog to digital satellite TV swop-out have been successfully completed. Aerial Empire, Sentech's installation contractor has installed more than 4000 digital satellite decoders across the country. The swop-out is taking place in the wake of the SABC's intention to halt broadcasting via its analog satellite system by the end of October 2000.
Aerial Empire was contracted by Sentech to handle the first 15 000 swop-outs. The program entails swopping analog satellite receivers for Sentech's state-of-the-art VIVID digital decoders. Sentech is subsidising the project with R30 million, more than half of which was expended towards the end of November 1999. Aerial Empire is able to execute 400 job cards a day and approximately 3600 a month.
Although Sentech had undertaken to subsidise the first ±20 000 conversions that fell within its swop-out criteria, only 12 900 applicants out of 17 300 qualified. Sentech has therefore decided to extend the campaign; the only swop-out requirement will be a valid TV licence.
Sentech's VIVID digital decoder offers superior technology and ease of installation. Customers are also finding them extremely user-friendly. Should a DSD be switched off due to power failure or bad weather, it will automatically reprogram itself when switched on. This decoder is made by UEC and uses a NagraVision encryption, a system used widely in Europe.
Sakkie Redelinghuys, project consultant for Sentech says VIVID's digital platform will also allow consumers the possibility of tuning into Pay TV. This option offers an extra bouquet of channels by simply inserting a smartcard into a slot. A second smartcard option has been designed to facilitate other interactive features such as electronic banking. These optional features will be introduced by Sentech as and when there is a demand for them.
For further information contact Phillip Austin, (011) 402 1166.
Further reading:
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...
Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...
European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.
Read more...
Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.
Read more...
Siemens acquires Canopus AI
ASIC Design Services
News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.
Read more...
Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.
Read more...
Texas Instruments announces planned acquisition of Silicon Labs
News
Texas Instruments Incorporated and Silicon Laboratories recently announced a definitive agreement under which Texas Instruments will acquire Silicon Labs, combining two leaders in semiconductor technology.
Read more...
AI-fueled supercycle doubles memory market revenue
News
The ongoing surge in artificial intelligence is set to propel both the memory and wafer foundry sectors to unprecedented revenue levels by 2026, according to TrendForce.
Read more...
Research agreement for EUV tech
News
Gelest, Inc., a Mitsubishi Chemical Group company, recently announced a research agreement with IBM to test Gelest precursor materials for dry resist EUV lithography.
Read more...
printer friendly version