Coming soon in Israel: Free digital-quality TV

On August 2, Israeli TV viewers will begin being able to receive free digital-quality broadcasts of channels 1, 2, 10, 33 and 99 via special decoders.

There are simple decoders on the market, for tuning in to these stations, but the electronics chain stores are advertising only sophisticated devices that also record programs, play music and show photos. Some even receive HD (high definition) broadcasts, digital radio and broadband transmissions - even though these are not yet available in Israel.

TheMarker has compiled some tips to help you choose a decoder for watching the free channels - whether via TV or computer.

DTT stands for digital terrestrial television. These TV broadcasts require both a decoder and an antenna. Most of the decoders on the market have a built-in antenna that is supposed to receive the digital broadcasts from the 65 transmission antennas erected by the Second Authority over the past year, but some decoders need a connection to an external antenna.

There are three main types of decoders, and the most readily available models are made by Apex Digital and Konka, although the Israeli company NowCom will soon market its products as well.

In addition to receiving broadcasts, basic decoders can (or will soon be able to, following a software update) record, pause or rewind TV programs, play music files, display photos and more. Price: NIS 377-400.

More advanced decoders offer all these functions and can also receive HD broadcasts. Price: NIS 600-700. There are still no HD broadcasts in Israel, though.

The third type of decoder connects to the USB port of a desktop or mobile computer, and will transmit TV programs directly to the computer screen. These decoders can also be used for recording, and their big advantage, at least for mobile computer owners, is the option of turning a computer into a mobile TV.

USB decoders are also inexpensive, so if your children want a TV in their bedroom and they already have a computer, you can grant this wish for just NIS 200-300.

Many TVs are now sold with built-in DTT decoders. Their drawback, however, is that most of them are not fully compatible with the broadcast protocol that will be used here. Ofer Laor, who owns the hometheater.co.il Web site, says this incompatibility could affect the quality of the broadcasts and make it impossible to decode the broadcasts that the Second Authority will be issuing in the coming weeks.

The TVs with built-in decoders are usually the high-end models, and are marketed by AOC, Pioneer, Loewe, Sony and Philips. The Pioneer model with the built-in decoder, for example, is the H5090.

Another way to turn your mobile computer into a TV is with a Huawei cellular modem, which Partner Communications will start marketing next week. It will cost about NIS 100 a month for 6 months, including an Internet service package. Since it is a modem, rather than a decoder, it cannot be used for recording.

The DTT products on the market today are apparently just the beginning. Avi Chaim, electronics manager at Brimag Digital Age, which imports Apex products, says that there are already many other products with built-in decoders, such as portable TVs with DVD drives, GPS devices and even cellular telephones.

"In the meantime these devices are not imported to Israel, due to the difference in the standards," says Chaim, who figures such devices will be available in Israel within a year. Konka, for example, will be marketing mobile TV for about NIS 400, within three months.

Sources at Telran Communications, which imports Konka products, say that within eight or nine months there will be devices on the market, with basic connections and no recording capability, at prices about 30% lower than the cheapest devices available today. On the other hand, there will also be sophisticated multimedia products that will do far more than just receive TV broadcasts. One such device is the Streamer, which will be marketed by the Israeli company PeerTV, and will be able to import movies, photos and music from other computers and to download content from specific Web sites and display them on the family TV.

Which stores sell decoders?

Most electrical appliance, electronics and computer chain stores do, such as Bug, Traklin Hashmal, Machsanei Hashmal, Shekem Electric, Alam, Big Box, Walla Shops, Bezeq Store and Office Depot.

Do I need an external antenna?

Although most decoders have built-in antennas, if your home is far away from the Second Authority's antenna network, you will need to connect the decoder to an antenna on your roof, or buy a special antenna. A compact (70-centimeter) antenna made by Konka costs NIS 150 and can be attached to a roof or the outside of a window.

Starting next week, Telran will be operating a question and answer forum at http://www.DVBT.telran.co.il. The technical specifications include details on bandwidth support and video and audio formats.

What does all this mean?

The Second Authority broadcasts using a certain protocol that includes specific measurements, such as broadcasting on a bandwidth of 8MHz. You don't have to learn all these details, but do have to make sure the manufacturer declares that the product is compatible with the Second Authority's requirements.

What does the decoder need to record programs?

The decoders have a USB port to which you can attach an external memory device that can record. The recording capacity depends on the type of memory device. Video files need about 1.5 megabytes per minute. The Second Authority has not yet completed its preparations for issuing an electronic program guide (EPG) that can be downloaded and used to set the decoder in advance to record programs. Until EPGs are issued, programs will have to be recorded in real time.

What connectors do I need to connect the decoder to the TV?

A Scart connector will work. Since there are no HD broadcasts in Israel yet, you don't need an HDMI connection (unless you're planning for the future). Even so, many TVs do not have a Scart port anymore, so you will have no choice but to use an HDMI connector. For regular TVs a composite connector is sufficient.

Does the DTT connection to the computer always work?

No. There are certain system requirements, such as the operating system and minimum available memory.