The federal Government is considering funding the mass distribution of set-top boxes at a cost of millions of dollars to speed the switch to digital-only TV broadcasts after a slow take-up by viewers.

The original date of 2008 set by former communications minister Richard Alston to switch off analogue signals and move to 100 per cent digital broadcasts has proved unrealistic.

But current minister Helen Coonan is still keen to make the move sooner rather than later, canvassing the set-top box distribution as part of an overhaul of media rules slated for next year.

Digital TV signals give vastly increased picture and audio quality and also free up spectrum for possible extra channels and interactive applications.

But Australians have proved reluctant to buy the boxes, which retail at $120 or more and which at this stage only offer improved quality and no extra services.

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Source: Australian IT