Government threatens digital TV manufacturers

The Brazilian Government has threatened to liberalise the import of DTV converters from China if local manufacturers do not succeed in meeting the December 2nd deadline to offer DTT boxes which cost $100 or less, according to advanced-television.com.
Manufacturers claim that it will be difficult to produce set-top-boxes for Brazil’s unique digital TV system, (which is based on Japan’s ISDB-T), for less than $200.
To ease costs manufacturers have requested tax benefits, which they say, could reduce the box cost by 36%. The Government in reply says that it can import boxes from China for as little as $75.
Main source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 26th June 2007