High-definition TV 'in shortage'

[BGonaSTICK]

A Europe-wide shortage of TV set top boxes means fewer viewers will watch the World Cup in high definition than expected, says a report.

The tournament had been expected to showcase HDTV but a Screen Digest study says a decoder chips shortage means the opportunity will be "partly missed".

"European players are struggling to get HD-capable set-top-boxes in sufficient numbers for consumers," says the study.

HDTV provides a sharper image than the current standard television picture.

Analyst Vincent Letang, who wrote the Screen Digest report, said the delay would only be a short term problem.

"The World Cup in Germany was supposed to be the perfect kick-start for HD in Europe and its full thrust will be partly missed, but this does not jeopardise the introduction of HDTV."

Mr Letang said the conditions were in place for HDTV to "become the standard quality of television".

The report said Europe had two million "HD-ready" households by the end of 2005 - and by 2010 there would be more than 50 million HDTV sets in place.

Cable company Telewest recently launched the UK's first high definition service, while Sky intends to launch a HD service in April, offering film, sports and documentary channels.

Source: BBC