DigiTAG

Web Letter

March 2007 | # 60

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.

System Software Updates on the terrestrial platform

The digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform is a great success in many parts of Europe. Already, an estimated 35 million DTT receivers had been sold by the end of 2006 and a dramatic increase in sales is expected in the next few years as further countries roll-out DTT services and increasingly prepare for analogue switch-off.

Yet, as more and more DTT receivers enter homes, it becomes increasingly necessary to make changes to the evolving terrestrial platform without requiring viewers to purchase new receivers. Because DTT receivers increasingly rely upon software for their functionality, such technical evolution can be made by upgrading the software in consumer products as necessary, taking the opportunity to carry out 'bug' fixes.

The broadcast industry can rely upon System Software Updates (SSU) transmitted over the air to update receivers in a simple and efficient manner that does not place any burden upon viewers. Already, SSU has been used in Europe to provide such new features in DTT receivers as support for a 7-day electronic programme guide (EPG), implementation of a phased conditional access (CA) service, and to cater for a larger than anticipated programme service offer.

DVB-SSU standard

Making upgrades in a horizontal market has special challenges given the number of different operators and manufacturers involved in the delivery of services. It is for this reason that the DVB Project developed a common approach for upgrading the software of digital receivers in a manner that is not cumbersome for the viewer and without adverse effects on the mixture of receivers from multiple manufacturers which are to be found in the market.

The DVB-SSU standard, approved by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in October 2002 and updated in May 2004, provides much flexibility. The optional nature of the standard allows service providers to choose between the different tools available in the specification's toolkit. Two different profiles, the simple and enhanced profiles, have been defined.

Other SSU systems

Other systems have been developed to provide SSU services. In 2000, the United Kingdom specified its own system since, at the time, the DVB-SSU standard did not yet exist. While the system has proven to be very successful, the United Kingdom is expected to migrate towards DVB-SSU in order to be able to make better use of available transmission capacity.

Similarly, Nordic members of NorDig established an SSU system in 1998 prior to the development of the DVB-SSU standard. Because the NorDig specification does not include the same flexibility as DVB-SSU, NorDig has begun to recommend the use DVB-SSU.

Several proprietary update systems also exist. They include variations on the UK system and the DVB-SSU standard as well as the broadcast of SSU data using Teletext.

SSU benefits to the broadcast industry

The benefits of SSU implementation to the broadcast industry is most evident in countries that have successfully adopted SSU services as part of their DTT platform.

With SSU, broadcasters are able to offer viewers new services since receivers can be upgraded easily to take into account new developments in the industry. In addition, broadcasters are not constrained to multicast different services to the different types of receiver models available on the market.

SSU services provide manufacturers with the means to improve their products and to ensure that their products work reliably and function correctly. The availability of SSU services eliminates the need for an expensive product recall and helps manufacturers maintain their reputation.

Depending on the business model adopted for the implementation of SSU services, it is possible that network operators are able to generate revenue since the use of their network is essential to the transmission of data services.

Viewers can benefit from new service offerings without an onerous download process or the purchase of a new receiver. This is especially useful when viewers purchase expensive receivers, such as iDTVs, and will want to enjoy a long product life time.

SSU business issues

Setting up the necessary infrastructure to implement an SSU service requires the cooperation between the various members of the broadcast industry. Industry will need to determine how costs are shared and clearly to define roles and responsibilities.

Broadcasters and manufacturers will need to work together to decide which types of upgrades should be made, network operators will need to make available their transmission network and, depending on who has been allocated frequencies, will need to make capacity available. Government regulators can play a key role in ensuring the continual availability of an engineering channel.

Different SSU business models have been adopted in Europe usually depending upon how broadcast frequencies are allocated and how capacity is made available to manufacturers. Such business models include SSU management by the network operator, SSU management by an independent third-party and SSU management by organisations providing initial receiver certification.

Most countries in Europe have adopted or plan on adopting DVB-SSU services on the terrestrial platform. These countries include Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. Other countries rely upon SSU services but, for the present, not necessarily the DVB-SSU standard.

DigiTAG SSU Handbook

In order to better understand how to implement SSU services, DigiTAG has put together the DigiTAG Handbook on DVB-SSU: Implementing SSU on the terrestrial television platform.

The DigiTAG SSU Handbook provides an overview of the DVB-SSU standard, including technical and business aspects, and explain the benefits that it brings to the broadcast industry as a whole. It also provides a summary of SSU activities in Europe and concludes with several recommendations on how to ensure the success of these services. The DigiTAG SSU Handbook can be downloaded directly from the DigiTAG website.

The DigiTAG Project Office is also making available a list of contacts that can provide further information on their SSU services. Please contact the DigiTAG Project Office if you would like your company to be included in the contact list.

Source: Natalie Mouyal, DigiTAG Project Office

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 all articles, please go to DigiTAG News

New DigiTAG Handbook on SSU services

DigiTAG has published a new handbook that provides an overview of System Software Updates (SSU) services.

The SSU Handbook explores some of the key technical and business issues of SSU services and explains the benefits that these services can bring to the broadcast industry as a whole.

The SSU Handbook can be downloaded from the DigiTAG website.

South Africa - ASO set for November 2011

Digital switchover plans are underway in South Africa. In February, the Cabinet approved the analogue switch-off date of 1 November 2011. DTT services are expected to begin on 1 November 2008 to allow for a three year simulcast period.

Broadcast network operator Sentech has stated that 56% of its sites would be ready to broadcast DTT services by 2008 and anticipates a DTT population coverage of 78% by 2010.

Source: IT Web

Spain - 3.8 million DTT receivers sold since launch

The latest figures published by the DTT promotions organisation, Impulsa TDT, show that over 3.8 million DTT receivers have been sold in Spain. Of these, 900,000 were sold in the December to January period.

GfK estimates that a total of 5.7 million DTT receivers will be sold by the end of 2007.

Source: El Mundo

United Kingdom - Digital TV penetration reaches 77%

The Christmas season proved to be a strong time of year for continued DTT growth. In the last three months of 2006, 2.4 million DTT receivers were sold making it the quarter with the highest sales figure.

IDTVs proved popular. A total of 2.4 million iDTVs were sold in 2006, of which 1 million iDTVs were sold in the last quarter. In comparison, 900,000 iDTVs were sold in 2005.

Source: Ofcom DTV report

Czech Republic - Digital switchover group set-up

The broadcast industry has created a new association, Digi Monitor, with the aim of following digital switchover. Digi Monitor is based on an initiative of the Czech Telecom Office (CTU) and the Czech Association of Competitive Communications (CACC).

Members of Digi Monitor include UPC, O2, the Czech Digital Group, Rohde & Schwarz and the three broadcasters on the analogue terrestrial platform, Czech Television, TV Nova and Prima TV.

Source: Broadband TV News

Germany - Further DTT coverage in the North

DTT services have been launched in Lüneburger Heide and Wendland, located in the north eastern part of the Land of Lower Saxony.

Viewers in these areas are able to receive 11 television programme services and 1 data services including Das Erste, PHOENIX, ARTE, EinsExtra, NDR, WDR, MDR, HR Fernsehen, ZDF, 3sat, KI.KA as well as a ZDF digitext.

Source: Das UberallFernsehen website

European Commission calls for single mobile TV standard

The EU Commissioner for the Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding, has called for a proactive and coordinated European strategy for mobile television. Currently, countries are developing independent mobile TV solutions.

Reding has also expressed her position in favour of the adoption of the DVB-H standard stating that she is "very confident that on the basis of DVB-H, Mobile TV services can develop the economies of scale they need for take-up across Europe and around the world."