世論 What Japan Thinks

japan.internet.com recently reported on a survey by JR Tokai Express Research into issues regarding television, including the upcoming switch-over to digital terrestrial broadcasting. They interviewed by means of a private internet-based questionnaire 330 members of their monitor panel; 59.7% were male, 20.3% in their twenties, 33.0% in their thirties, 27.3% in their forties, 14.5% in their fifties, and 4.8% in their sixties.

For my readers who might not have heard the news, on July 24th, 2011, all analogue terrestrial television broadcasting will be switched off. Most of the main population centres are already covered by digital broadcasting, and most of the new televisions either come with decoders built-in, or have ports (isn’t it a D-4) that allow a separate decoder box to be attached and full high-vision enjoyed, I believe. However, I cannot find any English site that describes what box might be necessary, and the main Japanese site, sponsored, I believe, by most of the major electrical manufacturers, seems keener to persuade you that you need a whole new television rather than just a wee box of tricks. If anyone knows of a clear English explanation of the whole affair, please let me know and I’ll add a link.

Q1: Please select the ways you can receive television broadcasts. (Sample size=330, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Terrestrial TV	298	90.3%
BS (satellite) analog	119	36.1%
Cable TV	113	34.2%
Terrestrial digital	86	26.1%
BS (satellite) digital	85	25.8%
CS (satellite) digital	35	10.6%
IPTV (TV over the internet)	27	8.2%
One Seg	15	4.5%
Don’t have a television	2	0.6%
Can’t remember or don’t know	1	0.3%
Other	1	0.3%

Q2: Do you know that on the 24th of July, 2011 analogue terrestrial television broadcasts will finish? (Sample size=330)

I know	92.1%
Heard something about it	6.7%
Don’t know	1.2%

Q3: Before the analogue television broadcasts cease, do you plan to buy a television or video, etc capable of receiving digital terrestrial broadcasts? (Sample size=330)

Already have one	21.5%
Have plan to buy one	50.6%
Will change to other delivery method (cable, satellite, etc)	4.5%
Will quit watching TV	1.8%
Not decided yet	20.0%
Other	1.5%

Hmm, 21.5% already have a digital-capable device, yet in Q1 26.1% said they watched terrestrial digital! Perhaps some people plan to buy additional digital terrestrial broadcasting-capable devices?