Cork firm offers HD TV via phone line

A Cork-based digital television company has developed a set-top box capable of transmitting high-definition television through the telephone line.

Digisoft is planning to launch the MPEG4-high definition (HD) box for internet protocol television (IPTV) at a forum in London next week. It will retail at a maximum of €75 and will be customised to suit different markets.

As well as bringing high-definition television into the home, the box will also enable users to programme content to suit their own interests and interact with what they see on their screen.

However, despite being designed in Ireland, it is likely to be some time before Irish consumers can avail of the new product. One of its requirements is the existence of a high-speed internet network, something that Ireland is lacking.

Other countries are more advanced in this area and considerable interest has already been expressed in the system, which is aimed at telecom firms and internet service providers keen to make their mark in digital media. DigiSoft expects the number of people with IPTV to rise from 2.5 million last year to more than 100 million by 2010.