CCTV to launch HDTV in Beijing Jan 1st

China's Central Television will launch High Definition TV services starting January the 1st. The service will first broadcast in Beijing, and then rollout throughout the country over the next few years.

This new HD channel will be transmitted through wireless broadcasting system. These high-definition programs will give Beijing viewers a new, sophisticated experience.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has unveiled the technical standards to receive the HD channels' signals.

Zeng Qingjun, deputy director of tech dept, said "Viewers have to buy high-definition TV sets. However, if it is not compatible with CCTV's HD technical standards, viewers will have to buy an additional set-top box. For other TV sets, it is also necessary to have set-top box to receive the HDTV signal. However, it will be in normal definition. If you want to watch real high-definition program, it's necessary to buy an HDTV set."