WA company may play crucial role in pay-TV development

30/8/93

A Technology Park-based Western Australian company may play a crucial role in the development of pay-TV in Australia.

The company, Dr Sala and Associates, has developed an electronic system to allow TV images to be compressed, digitised and transmitted via conventional carriers, including satellite services.

DSA sees the system as a breakthrough which would dramatically improve picture quality of transmitted TV images.

The company has received a Federal Government grant of nearly $500,000 to develop the technology.

The grant was announced today by Deputy Premier and Minister for Commerce and Trade Hendy Cowan.  The Department of Commerce and Trade supported DSA's application for the federal funding.

"Developments like this image compression technology could play a major role in the pay TV industry," Mr Cowan said.

"Funding to allow the system to be developed here is another example of how Western Australian industry can successfully compete in world markets and increase exports."

Mr Monte Sala, DSA's principal designer, said:  "Initially the grant will provide for the development of a low-cost 'video codec' for video conferencing, which would be a first for an Australian technology company.

"But the video codec technology could play a crucial role in the broader pay TV industry, and DSA is currently negotiating a licence with one of the world's biggest electronics groups," said Mr Sala, who received the Order of Australia Award in 1984 for his contribution to the electronics industry.