DigiTAG

Web Letter

August 2007 | # 62

DigiTAG seeks to inform members and non-members about important developments in the digital terrestrial television market. Each month, DigiTAG distributes its web letter with news updates and further exploration of one topic.

To subscribe to the DigiTAG Web Letter, send an email to the DigiTAG Project Office.

DVB-T2 - Facts and Fiction

In April the DVB Steering Board formally approved the publication of the Commercial Requirements for DVB-T2, as captured by the Commercial Module's Advanced Modulation for Terrestrial sub-group. The Technical Module took these requirements and annexed them to its formal Call for Technologies for DVB-T2, which was addressed without restriction to any DVB or non-DVB member companies who felt they had some technology to offer. In total 31 proposals for technology from 21 companies were submitted to the Project Office by the closing date in June. The complicated process of sifting through these proposals to find the combination which has the potential to meet best the Commercial Requirements has now begun in earnest.

But with the publication of the Commercial Requirements came voices from countries which are close to launching DVB-T services, and those which have yet to choose their preferred terrestrial broadcasting technology: "Is there something wrong with DVB-T?", we heard, and, "Do I need to wait for DVB-T2 to be able to deliver HDTV?".

Well, of course, the answer to both questions is a resounding NO! All over the world DVB-T has proved itself as a brilliantly successful method of broadcasting digital terrestrial TV and can be seen supporting MPEG-2 high definition TV in Australia and soon MPEG-4 high definition TV in France.

To look for a moment at the United Kingdom, the first European market to roll-out terrestrial DVB-T services, the latest research figures published by the government's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator Ofcom show that with over 80% of homes now converted to digital reception, close to 19 million DVB-T devices have been sold. One third of homes rely upon DVB-T for their primary TV set, and the other devices are used with the second and third sets in kitchens and bedrooms. Such a buoyant mass market is a direct result of the economies of scale which have been achieved in highly sophisticated consumer products, and this applies also to professional equipment for the transmitter network. Selecting DVB-T for new services to launch over the next several years is an obvious way of removing financial risk from the business plan.

So what exactly is DVB-T2 going to offer that DVB-T does not? Well it should not be surprising to anyone, 12 or more years after the definition of the original Commercial Requirements, that we can look back in 2007 with '20-20 hindsight', and exploit recent advances in semi-conductor and digital signal processing technology.

In fact, what is surprising is just what has been achieved by DVB-T over the years. For instance, who would have predicted that hundreds of thousands of Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles are factory fitted with full-diversity DVB-T in-car TVs? At the other end of the scale, some of us saw a prototype standard definition plasma display panel with its large rack of associated electronics at Montreux in 1991, but we heard no one predicting the present 'must-have' popularity of large flat screen HD-Ready IDTVs in the consumer market.

In defining the Commercial Requirements for DVB-T2 we have focussed on market pressure for ever increasing payload capacity over the digital multiplex. This is driven by interest in both multi-channel standard definition TV and new high definition TV services linked with the high market uptake of HD-Ready flat screen TVs. The number of these sold in Western Europe is already around 24 Million units and this is predicted to more than quadruple to 115 Million by 2010 (Understanding & Solutions).

Broadcasters are gradually gearing up to produce more and more programming in HDTV, and DVB-T2 aims to be an efficient way of delivering this attractive material to every home.

The principal Commercial Requirement is for DVB-T2 to offer at least 30% more payload capacity than DVB-T under similar reception circumstances. The main application for DVB-T2 will be to allow broadcasters to launch new terrestrial broadcasts, alongside existing DVB-T Services, whilst benefiting from increased capacity of the DVB-T2 System. The DVB-T2 System is designed from the outset to be received by existing domestic DVB-T antenna systems and to co-exist with existing DVB-T transmissions.

The products and services using DVB-T2 are intended to be commercialised from 2009, but with a particular sweet spot of opportunity from 2012 when 'Analogue Switch-Off' is planned to be completed in much of Western Europe. A typical scenario could be the launch of high definition TV services over DVB-T2 on new frequency allotments alongside existing standard definition TV services using DVB-T, after analogue broadcasts end.

So good luck to DVB-T2, but please don't interrupt your plans for DVB-T services!
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Source: Ed Wilson, DigiTAG Project Office from his article in DVB Scene (www.dvb.org)

About DigiTAG

DigiTAG aims to encourage and facilitate the implementation and introduction of digital terrestrial television services using the Digital Video Broadcasting Project's Standard (DVB-T). It has some 60 members from broadcasting, network operators, regulatory, and manufacturing organisations throughout Europe and beyond.

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DTT NEWS ROUND-UP

For access to the full articles archive, please go to DigiTAG News

Spain - Government prepares regulation for mobile TV

The Spanish Government is currently finalising the necessary regulation to allow for the launch of mobile television services. The new regulation is expected to be completed by September.

The Government plans to make one multiplex available for mobile TV services and issue a public tender for the network license. Operators interested in the network license include network operators Abertis and Axion as well as telcom operators Telefonica, Vodafone and Orange.

Source: advanced-television.com

United Kingdom - Half of homes ready for switchover

According to research published by Ofcom and Digital UK, half of all homes in the United Kingdom receive digital services on all of their television sets.

The research also shows a steady increase in public awareness and understanding of switchover.

The latest digital television progress report published by Ofcom in June stated that more than four out of five homes now have digital television.

Source: Digital UK press release

France - Four candidates for HD/DTT licenses

The broadcast regulator Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) announced that four commercial broadcasters have applied for the two available HD/DTT licenses. The CSA expects to deliver the licenses by the end of the year.

The commercial broadcasters M6, TF1 and AB NT have each applied for the delivery of a free-to-air HD/DTT service while Canal+ has applied for a pay HD/DTT service.

Source: CSA website

Germany - Local DTT services in Leipzig

Several commercial broadcasters have expressed their interest in joining the DTT platform in the city of Leipzig.

These broadcasters include Leipzig Fernsehen, BBC World, Bibel TV and a new local city information service. In addition, two local radio services also want to join the DTT platform.

Source: Broadband TV News

United Kingdom - Channel 4 launches 4+1

The broadcaster Channel 4 has launched a time-shifted version of its flagship television programme service, Channel 4, on the DTT platform. Channel 4+1 offers viewers the replica of Channel 4 with a delay of one hour.

Channel 4+1 is the first time-shifted service available on the terrestrial platform. The service is also available on the satellite and cable platforms.