Thrissur: The Doordarshan Kendra here, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the state, still uses outdated technology such as Low Power Transmission centres and spends lakhs of rupees to maintain them.
The centres were started to support LPT in the regional base. Such a mode is used to support terrestrial transmission for those who receive signals through the antenna. This is when technology has developed and satellite and cable networks have become common.
According to DD technical sources, there are only five families receiving the signals through low power transmission from Thrissur Kendra, which is the biggest LPT centre in the state.
It can be easily substituted by using Direct-To-Home (DTH) receiver, which costs only Rs 2,500 each and can receive signals directly from the satellite.
But Doordarshan continues to maintain LPT centres across the state. At Thrissur centre, there are over five staff members and about Rs 30 lakh is being spent to maintain the centre, excluding salary, sources said.
There are 22 LPT centres and five Very Low Power Transmission Centres in the state. “Low Power Transmission is wasted in a state like Kerala, where cable network is common,” says a senior DD official on condition of anonymity.
The Thrissur Kendra is not only operating as an LPT centre, but also as a Programme Generating Facility (PGF) Centre, where programmes are produced for narrow broadcasting. But nobody watches them through an antenna-receiving mode,” he adds.
The technical support for television transmission is upgrading fast across the globe. But Doordarshan still refuses to welcome emerging technology.
