Experience High-Definition TV with Hi-Def Showtime!

Dated: 8 February 2007

Singaporeans and residents now have a chance to experience High-Definition Television (HDTV) in a fun and interactive way with Hi-Def Showtime. The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) today announced the start of a creative contest, Hi-Def Showtime, which provides an online platform for the public to showcase their talents and learn about HDTV at the same time. Held from 10 March to 14 April 2007, Hi-Def Showtime aims to raise awareness of the benefits of HDTV and complements ongoing initiatives to engage the community in the nationwide deployment and adoption of HDTV.

To participate, contestants simply have to visit Hi-Def Showtime roadshows held at malls and Ngee Ann Polytechnic and perform a 30-second creative routine on the attributes of HDTV. These will be filmed in HD and posted on the Hi-Def Showtime website showtime.hdtv.org.sg) for the public to vote for their favourite performance. The top two winners from each roadshow as determined by public voting will face off in a Grand Finale in April (please see Annex A for details).

The development of HDTV in Singapore started with HD public trials over the terrestrial and cable platforms by MediaCorp and StarHub respectively in June 2006. Said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA: “The global media and entertainment industry is shifting to digital technology, of which HD is the top standard, and Singapore is no exception. HD channels are already available on cable TV, while other broadcasters have announced plans to carry HD programmes on other platforms such as IPTV.”

“With the arrival of HDTV in Singapore, Hi-Def Showtime becomes a good platform for everyone, from young to old to share their innovative expressions on HDTV.

While the more creative can showcase their talents in front of a HD camera, the public can visit the contest’s dedicated website and vote for their favourite performance. Through this fun and engaging manner, we hope to share with every Singaporean, the benefits of HDTV and encourage the community to embrace it as part of their daily entertainment”, he added.

Community engagement
Besides helping to create mass awareness of HDTV, Hi-Def Showtime brings together some nine partners - Astel Solution Pte Ltd, Chimei, Courts (Singapore) Limited, Jetstar, Junction 8, JVC, Pismo, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Film &Media Studies, and Vivocity - providing support in various aspects such as sponsorship of prizes and venues for hosting roadshows as well as technical expertise (please see Annex B for details).

Attractive prizes are in store for both the winners of the contest and online voters.

For participants:

• In the solo category, the top six winners as determined by online voters will face off in the grand finale on 14 April. The winner will walk away with a Chimei HDReady TV plus S$500 worth of Courts vouchers, while the remaining finalists will win S$800 cash each.

• In the group category, four groups will be shortlisted via online voting for the grand finale, with the winning group walking away with a Chimei HD-Ready TV for each member plus Courts vouchers worth S$500. The other groups will win S$2,000 cash each.

For online voters

• 12 travel vouchers from Jetstar are up for grabs in weekly draws for online voters.

The contest is also endorsed by local media personalities and professionals who have contributed HDTV message clips for the contest’s website. They include local thespians Hossan Leong and Tan Kheng Hua, theatre director Loretta Chen, Nathan Hartono and Ming Bridges- jazz musicians and Teenage Icon Winners for 2005 and 2006 respectively, journalist Nicholas Fang, MTV VJs May and Choy, filmmaker Eric Khoo and Zhao Wei Films producer Gary Goh. The panel of celebrity and industry judges for the Hi-Def Showtime finale, which will be held at Courts Megastore, will include Courts ambassador Jamie Yeo.

Helping to undertake filming of the performances at all the roadshows and editing of the clips are students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film &Media Studies. The experience will give the students first hand exposure to production work in HD.

About HDTV
HDTV is the top-tier digital standard in the broadcast and display of TV programmes. Not only does it enhance picture quality by up to five times with far, superior resolution, it also provides an almost cinematic experience with surround sound capabilities.

Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to launch HDTV services. In line with its deployment, MDA has heightened awareness through messages on outdoor billboards, cafes and in cinemas, as well as public outreach programmes including a dedicated HDTV website (www.hdtv.org.sg);placement of brochures at partnering manufacturers' and retailers' outlets;training sessions with HDTV equipment retailers to enable better customer service and advice on HDTV;roadshows and exhibitions at selected libraries, community clubs/ centres and Singapore Changi Airport Terminals One and Two to bring the HDTV experience closer to the masses. MDA is also collaborating with local producers to produce quality HD content for local and international audiences.

For more information, please contact:
Ms Tessa Monteiro
Manager, Communications
Tel: 6837 9757
Email: Tessa_Mae_Monteiro@imda.gov.sg

Ms Phoebe Seow
Assistant Director, Communications
Tel: 6837 9369
Email: Phoebe_Seow@imda.gov.sg

Media Development Authority of Singapore

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. More information on MDA can be found on www.mda.gov.sg.

ANNEX A: ABOUT HI-DEF SHOWTIME

What is Hi-Def Showtime?

• A fun contest with a High-Definition TV (HDTV) theme. There are two categories: solo and group (2- 5 persons).

How to participate?

• Pre-registration forms are available at selected schools, community clubs/ centres and libraries, and on showtime.hdtv.org.sg.

• Alternatively, visit any of the roadshows below. Pre-registration is compulsory for group participants.

• In 30 seconds, perform a creative routine on the features or benefits of HDTV.

What happens next?

• Selected performances will be uploaded on showtime.hdtv.org.sg each week for online voting.

• Online voters stand a chance to win prizes such as travel vouchers in a lucky draw each week.

• Shortlisted performers as determined by online voting get to perform in a grand finale on 14 April.

ANNEX B: QUOTES FROM HI-DEF SHOWTIME PARTNERS/ SPONSORS

"Astel is honored to be chosen as a technology partner by MDA for the Hi-Def Showtime to increase public awareness on High-Definition which is the future broadcast standard.”

- Mr Ricky Koh, General Manager, Astel Solution Pte Ltd

"CHIMEI is very excited to partner the MDA in Hi-Def Showtime as we share a common belief in public education. With regards to the new media and technology, there is a need to raise awareness. Hi-Def Showtime offers us a strategic platform to reach out to the community and educate them. With their involvement and participation, it will be easier to get them to understand about Hi-Def and above all, in the fun and entertaining way."

- Mr Daniel Tan, General Manager, CHIMEI Group – Singapore

“Courts is delighted to be one of MDA’s partners in this nationwide event. Through Hi-Def Showtime, we can communicate the concept of HDTV to the masses and further ready Singapore for the rollout eventually.”

- Mr Terry O’Connor, Managing Director, Courts (Singapore) Limited

“Jetstar is happy to be part of Hi-Def Showtime led by MDA. In the future, as Singaporeans move towards the adoption of High Definition (HD) technology, perhaps Jetstar may explore to conduct Best Holiday Videos Contest shot in HD quality. We certainly look forward to being part of the excitement and partnering MDA in their future HDTV projects.”

- Ms Chong Phit Lian, Chief Executive Office, Jetstar

“JVC is proud to support MDA's Hi-Def Showtime with our latest ProHD Hi-Def cameras and VTRs. The GY-HD100 and 200 series cameras are popularly used around the world by more than 20,000 satisfied professional users including broadcasters, schools, production companies, and even filmmakers. JVC's ProHD progressive format offers the best high definition video at the most affordable price, making it readily accessible to all professional and broadcast users alike."

- Mr James Yap, Sales &Marketing Manager, JVC Asia Pte Ltd

“We are proud to be part of this initiative amidst the buzz towards HD technology. This project gives them an excellent opportunity to learn about the production process and also first hand experience with new technology.”

- Mr Henry Tan, Director, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Film &Media Studies

“High Definition is today the single most important advance in how we engage with the world around us. Just as Singapore keeps pace with the very latest technology in every sphere, so it is with Pismo and HD. Today, Pismo works with television stations, production houses, film &television institutes and the education sector to provide them comprehensive yet cost-effective professional solutions for media content production, distribution and storage. Our aim is to make HD accessible, affordable and enjoyable to everyone.”

- Mr BK Ang, Technical Director, Pismo Pte Ltd

“VivoCity is glad to partner MDA to raise the public awareness of High Definition Television through its first online talent contest filmed with HD Camera. We are confident that this contest will give the public a great opportunity to learn more about HDTV.”

- Ms Wendy Low, General Manager, VivoCity Pte Ltd (as trustee of VivoCity Trust)