Edition No.15 September 2005 DVB - SCENE Tune in to Digital Convergence

15

The Standard for the Digital World

This issue’s highlights

> 2ND Generation STBs > New Features For MHP > Advanced TV Displays Forecast Take > Analysis: DAB > Choosing An IPTV Solution > Market Watch It Outside A word from the DVB Project Office the various DAB based systems being considered for standardisation. Satellite delivered HDTV services in MIGRATION Europe are driving frenzied development of DVB-S2/H.264 set-top boxes. BSkyB, Premeire and DirecTV Peter MacAvock, in the US have announced plans to Executive Director TIME launch with the advanced set-top box. Not entirely coincidentally, we have SCENE brings you topical articles on seen the emergence of two both of these subjects and more groundbreaking technologies: one for besides. Looking beyond the transmission and the other for video immediate confines of the world of coding, which make economically After the nice European summer, DVB, we have a piece on the current viable the migration from MPEG-2 for September brings heightened activity status of DAB deployments, HD services at least. The question is in the form of IFA (Berlin) and IBC technology and set of services with whether affordable consumer (Amsterdam), amongst others. The hot renewed interest following the equipment is going to be available on topics this year are likely to be the development in Korea of the two time for the planned launches. Either launch of HDTV and the continued distinct systems, T-DMB and S-DMB. way, we are witnessing important extraordinary interest in handheld DVB continues its efforts at fostering steps in Europe towards an HDTV broadcasting. This edition of DVB- interoperability between DVB-H and future – it’s been a long time coming.

Arqiva DPC-Digital Playout Center GmbH DVB-SCENE : 02 NEW Envivio Freescale Semiconductor Hewlett-Packard MEMBERS MPC Data Ltd. LIKE (Technical University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual DVB members or guests and are not necessarily the views of the DVB Project Office or Steering Board.

Published by the DVB Project Office, c/o European Broadcasting Union, 17a Ancienne Route, CH-1218 Grand Saconnex, Switzerland. www.dvb.org & www.mhp.org

Printed by Lithmark Limited.

Editors: William Daly, Harold Bergin Editorial and Advertising enquiries to: WHD PR Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)20 7799 3100

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. All content correct at time of printing. (c) DVB-SCENE 2005. DVB and MHP are registered trademarks of the DVB Project. Certain other product names, brand names and company names may be trademarks or designations of their respective owners.

To obtain extra copies of DVB Scene please contact Eoghan O’Sullivan at [email protected].

Delivery charges will apply. Jean-François Buggenhout, Networked Audio-Visual Systems, European Commission, Information Society and Media Directorate-General SUPPORTING SUCCESSSUCCESS The world of television is moving Through the cooperation with of a new plan for terrestrial digital towards high quality digital interactive organisations from Latin America and television (DVB-T/DVB-H/…) in about services. Satellite and cable operators Asia these projects contribute towards 120 nations. During her speech1 at the are progressively deploying their HDTV the development of early consensus, Seventh Radio Spectrum Policy offerings in Europe, while the switch easing the standardisation process. Group, the Commissioner Reding has from analogue to digital terrestrial With research being a long term stressed the importance of having a networks is improving the quality and investment, the European Commission coordinated action at European Level increasing the number of programmes is already preparing the next Framework and announced a Communication on offered to us. At the same time digital Programme (Seventh) of EU funded the preparation of the RRC-06 recording and time-shifting equipments R&D, covering the period of 2006-2010. conference which should come out in are becoming more affordable, and the second half of this year. Thanks DVB-SCENE : 03 In the field of broadcasting to mobile large HD flat screens are entering our to the analogue switch-off that would devices, it is expected that the DVB-H living room. Behind all those devices take place before 2012, as standard will be one of the major players and applications, the DVB family of recommended by the EC in its in Europe as well as in other countries standards is the guarantee for openness Communication on Accelerating the around the world. Its close relationship and interoperability. transition from analogue to digital to DVB-T, as well as its ability to broadcasting2, there should be enough Through its Research Framework manage power efficient reception, even spectrum available for all those Programmes, there is no doubt that the at high speed, makes DVB-H an promising applications, making European Commission (EC), has highly excellent candidate for this kind of interactive digital television a very contributed to the success of DVB application. However, the question of exciting experience, be it on your technologies in terms of research, spectrum availability is still open. development, cooperation and handheld device on the road, or your Next year, the ITU Regional standardisation activities. The EC ‘HD ready’ labelled flat screen display Radiocommunications Conference contribution to the DVB standards at home. RRC-06 is expected to revise the started with the work carried out by frequency plans for the use of the VHF/ 1 The views expressed in this document are of the research projects of the Third author and do not necessarily represent the views of UHF bands, including the development Framework Programme in the early 90’s the European Commission. on audio and video compression and 1 7th RSPG meeting, Brussels (June 16, 2005) – Speech from the Commissioner Ms Reding: transmission technologies. The results http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/374 2 EC Communication on Accelerating the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting (May 24, 2005): of these projects still find applications in http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/ecomm/useful_information/library/communic_reports/index_en.htm a wide range of domains, from digital television transmissions to the Information Society Technologies Research Framework Programmes lightweight portable music players. Later DRM on, the research projects pursued the COMPRESSION DELIVERY INTERACTIVITY MOBILITY efforts on an integrated and secure 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 MPEG-2 delivery chain, as well as the development of better compression FP3 FP4 FP5 FP6 FP7 algorithms standardised within MPEG-4. DTTB ATLANTIC CISMUNDUS INSTINCT Finally, other projects contributed to the HAMLET MOMUSYS CONFLUENT MHP-KDB ISIS SAMBITS MHP-CONFIDENCE further validation and evolution of the VALIDATE SAVANT PARTAKE DVB standards and participated in the EMPHASIS NEXTV PHENIX-SSA development of interactive satellite, VIPER MASCOT VAS-CHINA MPEG-4 PC MOWGLY cable and terrestrial broadcasting MOBILITY MIRADOR TPMHP models, with a special emphasis on TALISMAN CODIS MHP. Today in the context of the Sixth ADPS GMF4ITV Framework Programme of EU funded CODEC MONASIDRE QUOVADIS R&D (2002-2006), several DVB and DIGISAT MHP related projects are being carried CINENET out addressing convergent services, that INTERACT DVBIRD combine interactive digital broadcasting MOTIVATE and cellular communication networks. 22 ND GENERATION HDTV STBS Aidan O’Rourke, Marketing Director, IP Multimedia Access, Broadcom Corporation

Before we discuss the evolution of Audio capabilities of the current crop features and capabilities of second of HD STBs usually include Dolby 5.1 generation high definition TV set-top surround sound, as well as support for boxes, we should look at first stereo mix down. BTSC encoders, for generation HD boxes. HD STBs are encoding stereo audio to a remote starting to become commonly second TV may also be provided. available from cable or satellite Finally the security features of these service providers, and their popularity existing boxes are primarily concerned is being fuelled by the availability of with conditional access. Security is attractively priced, large screen covered by either smart card based plasma or LCD slim TVs, and a supporting standards such as greater variety of high definition CableCard or other proprietary programming. solutions or it can also be network Current HD STBs employ MPEG-2 based. video decompression. MPEG-2 was As we look to the next generation of HD STBs, there are many technology

DVB-SCENE : 04 standardised and developed in the early 1990s and provides a level of changes and usage model changes compression that is adequate for the that are driving major revisions of HD transmission of standard definition STB architectures. The following TV but requires significant bandwidth represents a list of what are probably (c. 20Mbps) for the transmission of the most significant of these changes: HD. High end Media Gateways, - MPEG-4 AVC video compression, additionally provide MPEG-2 providing an additional 2-3x compression for recording analogue improvement over MPEG-2 content to an embedded hard drive. - Upgrading of security to support HD STBs have many features such downloadable/renewal security as personal video recorders, dual mechanisms tuners for watch and record, - Client/Server networking architecture embedded cable modems for IP data/ video delivery, analogue video - Integration of in-home networking remodulation to a second TV, IEEE and auto-discovery capabilities 1394 and USB interfaces for - Digital Rights Management connection to consumer electronics - Inclusion of IP Video and IP devices such as digital camcorders networking functionality or cameras, HDMI for secure digital - Improved graphical user interfaces connection to an HD display. An and graphics performance Ethernet port is also usually provided for connection to a variety of - Increased prevalence of hybrid digital networking devices such as terrestrial/IP STBs IEEE802.11b/g wireless adapters or - Internet browser support and support one of the many forms of home for Internet video download formats networking technologies now under - Advanced audio codec support, consideration by the various cable, Dolby Digital (+), HE-AAC, MP3, etc. satellite and telco TV service These new features are driving up the operators. The Ethernet port may level of chipset integration needed to also be used for connection to an deliver cost effective STBs to ADSL or VDSL modem in the case of operators. A great deal of system video delivery by a telephone experience is required to pull all of operator. An integrated analogue these elements together and support modem may also be provided to the very aggressive operator plans for support basic interactive services in a deployment of HD AVC boxes. broadcast only network. GET SMARSMARTT Jon Piesing, Sr. Technical Consultant, Philips & Chairman DVB Technical Module for Technical Aspects of the MHP

Features of PersonalJava Features of PersonalJava removed from MHP 1.0 by DVB but removed from MHP 1.0 included in Personal Basis Profile (1) by DVB (2)

JavaJava platform platform for for MHP 1.0 defined by DVB (3) DVB-SCENE : 05 Personal Basis Personal Profile complete Java for desktop Profile (the union of the complete PersonalJava computers PersonalJava and Personal Basis Profile)

Last April DVB released three major As well as the new features, MHP The figure shows the relationship new MHP specifications. Two of these 1.1.2 significantly upgrades the between PersonalJava, PBP and relating to PVR were described by support for using smart cards. It is other related specifications. At its Paul Bristow in the last issue of DVB- now possible to use a smart card to heart is the DVB defined subset of SCENE. Now it is the turn of the third authenticate a consumer to a PersonalJava in MHP 1.0. The of these, MHP 1.1.2 also known as government or other server via the direct replacement of PersonalJava DVB Blue Book A068 rev 1. return channel. This is based on the is Personal Profile which includes The MHP 1.1 series of specifications PKCS #11 protocol widely used in all of PersonalJava. Personal extend the MHP 1.0 series with smart card systems. Due to variation Basis Profile includes all of the support for features like local storage in the implementations of this by smart DVB defined subset of of applications in the receiver, cards, a Java adaptor (called a PersonalJava but omits many of download of applications via the Provider) is needed that is aware of those features of PersonalJava not

“...bringing to MHP the benefits of 7 years experience in the global Java community.” internet and access to smart cards. the details of the particular smart card. required by MHP 1.0. Smart card access is focused on For many people, the largest change MHP 1.1 has been sitting in some applications such as t-government, in MHP 1.1.2 is the upgrading of the kind of limbo since it was first health and perhaps supermarket loyalty base Java platform from PersonalJava completed in 2001. There has not cards. There is also an optional HTML to Personal Basis Profile (PBP). been any substantial component and the optional internet PersonalJava essentially dates back implementation activity and the access profile enabling control of a web to the early days of Java in 1998. The development of test suites for browser and email client where included version of PBP in MHP 1.1.2 is Java product certification has not in the receiver. version 1.4.2 from 2003 hence happened. This is expected to Substantial features new in MHP 1.1.2 bringing to MHP the benefits of 7 change with MHP 1.1.2. From past include a definition of how MHP should years experience in the global Java experience, the process of work in a HD video environment, community. PBP also brings some developing the test suite for MHP support for MHP in 525-line/60Hz new features including better support 1.1.2 will generate enough countries and support for implementing for text input and output for non- significant feedback on the a UK DTT MHEG-5 decoder as an MHP Western markets, better support for specification to require the creation application. A number of smaller graphics on interlaced displays and of an MHP 1.1.3. This latter features are also included of which optionally support for the IPv6 protocol specification is likely to be the first probably the most significant is support which could be a requirement in the specification in the MHP 1.1 series for the ‘drop call’ technique for counting future as the number of connected for which there will be a DVB votes in tele-voting. devices grows. approved test suite. AND NOW THE SHIPPING FORECAST...

Pete Gamby, Pete Director, Research Ltd Meko Meko has a bullish forecast for plasma TV sets and shows a strong seasonal increase for Q4 in each of the forecast years. Much of this continued growth is dependent on price reductions and there’s no evidence to suggest that the plasma panel makers are unwilling to try to compete with the LCD suppliers. The plasma market is still and will continue to be dominated by the 42" screen size products. This screen size will increase its share of the market from around 80% at the moment to nearly 85% by the end of the forecast period. So why is the share so low today? According to the latest set of data Overall, the drop in unit sales from Q4

DVB-SCENE : 06 The example of the UK market is from Meko’s DisplayCast ATV market to Q1 was steep at about 30% for all perhaps a relevant one. intelligence service, sales of flat panel types. LCD shipments declined by 19% TVs were down sequentially in the first quarter on quarter. With a TV set to household ratio of nearly two to one, there are potentially quarter of 2005 and concerns over So that was Q1. What of the future? 40m installed TV sets in the UK that inventory build-up appear to have Meko’s forecast for the European TV are analogue. Many of these will be pushed shipments down further than set market goes out to the beginning of 21" and smaller. This means there is a the usual seasonal trend would 2008 and covers each of the product huge potential market for set-top otherwise have done. types by size and by country. boxes still to be fulfilled whilst the price for a replacement, integrated digital TV is still high and while there are so few sets at or below 21" with that feature. A recent report from Ofcom suggests that ‘around 1.1m [digital tuners] have been bought for use on second sets by viewers who already have digital (either Freeview or Sky or cable) on their main set’. The regulator also reckons that nearly 25% of FreeView STBs are bought for this purpose. At present, sales of integrated digital TV sets are proving very tricky to estimate as many manufacturers are unable (or unwilling) to disclose shipments by model. However, despite an increasing number of models with integrated digital becoming available the data that is being reported suggests that the share of sales for this type of set is still in single digits. Pete Gamby is the research director at Meko Ltd. Meko’s data suggests that the share Meko is a specialist market research consultancy and of set sales for integrated digital TVs publisher whose topic is ‘moving pixels’. The company is very low and probably reaches only

combines technical and product understanding with practical DVB-SCENE : 07 5% to 6% in the UK but is as low as experience of the world of high technology marketing. 1% for Europe as a whole and across all technologies. Away from the traditional main room viewing market, the take up of PC- based TV viewing (and more importantly, recording) is also helping to drive digital take up. Tech-savvy users can get all the benefits of a fully functional PVR with the addition of a digital tuner card to an existing household desktop or notebook PC. As home networking becomes more widely adopted, this may help to convert more analogue sets to digital viewing since a PC can provide a composite or S-video signal via a SCART socket to an analogue set. Unlike the situation in the US, there cannot be Europe-wide legislation implemented to mandate set makers to provide digital capable sets and this will hamper more rapid adoption in Meko’s opinion. The EU may try to implement something for its member states and has recently announced that it would like its members to drive for a coordinated 2012 switch over. From the set makers point of view, the marketing of digital TV will more or less be taken care of by the broadcasters. After all, the last thing they will want is for 20% of the population of Europe to wake one day to a blank TV screen! One strong conclusion offered by Ofcom in a report last year was that the announcement of a firm switch-off date would be a key driver for digital TV adoption. SWING TV2 Mr. Carlos Pardo, SIDSA’s Strategic Technical Director

Since late 2004, DVB-H technical field trials have been underway in Barcelona, Spain. These trials are continuing under the auspices of the SwingTV2 programme funded by the Spanish government. The SwingTV2 DVB-H trials involve the fabless design house and conditional access service provider SIDSA, the Spanish national DVB-SCENE : 08 broadcast network Retevision and The ESG allows the user to select support within a DVB-H broadcast Ramon Llull University - La Salle services or items for viewing and to network is determined by the ability (Digital TV competence centre). search for services stored as to synchronise the IP encapsulators Rather than simply verifying the ‘favourites’ in the handheld terminal. used to generate these time slices. DVB-H standard, the SwingTV2 The structure of DVB-H services is The SwingTV2 project proposes a project will help determine how hierarchical with the IP streams Master-Slave architecture with two revenue streams can be generated transported in services consisting of different levels of synchronisation for from handheld devices. Four areas components transported in packets. bursts and IP content. have been selected for investigation. The services are grouped in service In conclusion, because bandwidth is The first area involves trials of sets, which are presented under a scarce resource, interactive interactive applications and data common categories. These services applications and data carrousel, CAS carrousel transmission. The delivery are also accessible as groups. entitlement, ESG and handover must of interactive applications to The fourth area of study is the use bandwidth efficiently. The results handheld devices will be investigated handover support between DVB-H of the SwingTV2 project will help to based on data carousels in SAP, cells. Handover is complicated by determine which methods are more DVBSTP, WFDP, FLUTE protocols. the fact that each DVB-H service is efficient and provide useful The DVB-H standard supports transmitted as bursts to conserve information for revenue generation transmission of interactive the battery life of the handheld studies of DVB-H interactive applications, data and video in the terminal. Therefore, the handover services. same time slice (burst) with overlaying service information. The second area is the integration of conditional access (CAS) for pay-TV programmes and services. Content protection systems compliant with DVB standards such as SIDSA’s ‘KeyFly’ will be ported to handheld receivers. The return channel available via the mobile telephone network provides numerous interactive opportunities. The third area under development is transmission of the Electronic Service Guide (ESG). An application called ‘Service Discovery’ allows the handheld terminal to recognise which services are available through the network interface to generate a list of Example of a Hierarchical Structure of DVB-H Services both free-to-air and encrypted pay- TV options. THE ULTIMATE ENABLER

With the introduction of 3G with improved data rates and speed, the fast growth of sophisticated phones and the availability of adequate content, mobile TV streaming becomes a highly interesting application. With personalisation and fast channel switching user acceptance is guaranteed. DVB-H broadcasts will later complement the streaming service especially to cover the capacity demand in metropolitan areas as it is ideal for broadcasting TV content to a large number of mobile devices simultaneously. Taking TV content directly to a mobile phone makes it the ultimate enabler for bringing content, applications and services together in one unique device. Not limited only to TV programmes, DVB-H also allows, in combination with the cellular network, access to background information relating to the broadcasts, the buying of products online and even bringing city maps to the user’s fingertips. This Siemens concept device will be fully featured with a DVB-H broadcast receiver, stereo sound and a large VGA-Touchscreen. DVB-SCENE : 09 OXBRIDGE EDUCATION

Adriana Mattei, Arqiva Business Development Manager and Mike Brooks, Arqiva New Product Development Manager

Arqiva’s long term datacasting trial in and around Cambridge (UK) in partnership with Microsoft, using a variety of converging technologies to achieve multimedia delivery, has already been described in a previous issue of DVB-SCENE (Issue No. 11). At that time it comprised a combined DAB and DVB-T network delivering multimedia content to both fixed and Other objectives include: provided by Harris. Around 350 trial portable devices. ·Developing and testing mechanisms participants are being issued with Additional elements have now been which allow receiving devices to DVB-H capable mobile phones and incorporated to explore further switch seamlessly from one type of will provide valuable feedback on opportunities. Most significantly, the network to another their preferences and experiences of viewing up to 16 ‘linear’ TV channels. DVB-T transmission has been ·Running user focus groups to help upgraded to a QPSK DVB-H service, to evaluate why, when and how The combination of the research in which will deliver a combination of people interact with the different the Oxford and Cambridge trials will live TV and download files to enabled types of devices and multimedia give the partners a unique insight devices. The target devices will content. For example, do people into the user habits, preferences in include not only mobile phones, but have different viewing habits how they consume the different also PDAs, laptop PCs and portable depending whether they are viewing types of content and the usage of the media devices. mobile TV on a laptop rather than a different types of receiving devices. DAB transmissions to handheld mobile phone? What types of user In the long term, additional devices continue as part of this interfaces do they require? What’s infrastructures (such as WiFi and project, and one of the development the peak time of a mobile TV day? ADSL) will be added, and the objectives is to seek a common set Meanwhile over in Oxford, Arqiva is interaction of broadcast of applications across this and the beginning a much publicised user transmissions and in-home networks DVB-H network, in line with a recent trial of multichannel mobile TV in explored, with seamless roaming initiative between the DVB and partnership with O2, using a network across all of them being the ultimate WorldDAB organisations. of eight DVB-H transmitters, goal. Time to rethink DAB strategies ANALYSIS: DDABAB Alexander Shulzycki, Senior Media Analyst, EBU

DAB is at a critical juncture, stalled in many countries and taking off in only a few. After ten years, what are the prospects of this traditional new media? So far the technology has established a mass market only in the UK with 1.2 million digital radio receivers sold in 2004. There’s a thriving receiver market with entry level sets below £50, over 150 different products available, and some auto makers offering DAB Commercial and Public DAB population coverage (%) receivers as standard features on new models. High-end models have pause/ 100 re-wind functionality and can record and download to SD/MMC cards. Commercial Importantly, both public and 80 commercial radio have contributed to Public developing the technology. DVB-SCENE : 10 Meanwhile, in the other big markets the situation could not be more different. In 60 Germany, DAB has a presence but not much more. There have only been 100,000 units sold to date and there is what one observer calls a ‘political 40 moratorium’ on DAB in the northern regions. France declared 2005 the official year of digital radio and formed an industry committee to promote the 20 spread of the technology, however, the degree of commitment of the major radio channels is not yet clear and sales are certainly not booming. And so it goes in many of the smaller 0 markets. Last year only nine European y UK countries had coverage levels over Spain France Norway Belgium Austria 50% of the population. German Denmark Portugal Finland Sweden Switzerland Source WorldDAB, Eureca Research In the tech-savvy Nordic countries the picture is mixed but developments there may offer some glimpse of DAB’s future. qualified success. How did it happen? digital packages and you have an offer The laggard is Finland where public Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR, that listeners can’t refuse. The strategy broadcaster YLE constitutes the only launched 18 popular DAB channels with worked and budgets were held under offer with three channels. Sales in 2004 only a marginal increase in its overall control. were flat and bordering on nonexistent. budget. The company followed the So, can DAB get back on track in the According to the Nordic Radio Digital typical strategic learning curve. After it rest of Europe? Realising that analogue Initiative only 27 DAB receivers were became immediately clear that simulcast is not enough and producing sold in Finland last year. With 930 sales improved sound quality was not going to new content is too costly, other last year, Sweden did not do much better be a driver, the idea was that original countries are looking at new cost on a per head basis and Norway and exclusive content would do the trick. effective approaches like the Danish registered a respectable but To some extent that worked, however, model. Receiver prices have dropped to unimpressive 4000 sales. Although new digital-only content had one other mass market levels. Commercial radio Finland seems likely to retrench further, important aspect: it was very expensive is becoming more involved, partnering there are hopeful signs in Sweden and and limited the number of channels that with their public radio colleagues. The Norway as public and private radio could be launched. DR hit upon a new elements for success are in place but stations have agreed on joint initiatives strategy: launch a wide range of new the window of opportunity is limited as and coordinated marketing. channels, exclusively designed for DAB other digital media and devices continue In contrast to its neighbours, Denmark but repurpose existing material and to draw radio listeners into different stands out with 2004 sales of more than draw heavily on archives. Put this all consumption patterns. For DAB, it may 34,000 units and has achieved a together into targeted and formatted be now or never. DVB-SCENE : 11 is at least used to the concept of is at least used to the TV. for terrestrially delivered paying of the Canal+ has been a feature the 1980s television landscape since DTT to hold onto and will be looking to it has so far not those subscribers that the competing been able to convert to of satellite, cable, platforms digital and more recently IPTV. There is no reason to assume that anyone who moves to digital will television, on any platform, suddenly have a desire to subscribe to television when they have previously been content with free-to- just that the new pay air services. It’s will look to capture more platforms than a handful of converts. Julian Clover is managing editor of Broadband TV News. Choose from three weekly editions at www.broadbandtvnews.com. 250,000 needed to break even. Added even. 250,000 needed to break that intends to to this is the BT project alongside use the free-to-air DTT premium services. IPTV-delivered already boast a The Nordic countries service in Sweden’s successful pay-TV responsible for 34% of which is Boxer, television 1.3 million digital the nation’s The size of the Scandinavian homes. and the same is true for other markets, small countries, means that if DTT is to succeed beyond a handful of public service channels then some sort of element will be required. pay-TV The most recent European DTT nation to go live is France where the technical infrastructure will deliver a mix of free Those who have services. and pay-TV rushed out to buy their MPEG-2 DTT boxes will have to return to the stores if services that they are to enjoy the pay will use MPEG-4 transmission. France

Everyone has a piece of clothing that is kept at the back of the wardrobe in case it might come back into fashion. For those involved with digital the item terrestrial television in Britain of clothing is pay-TV. Palace transmitter When the Crystal in probably was lit up by On Digital, belief that it was the the mistaken was seen as an pay-TV Tower, Eiffel essential component of the UK DTT all know the story of how We offering. venture failed as On Digital the pay-TV became ITV Digital fading into before television history. it was a similar story as the In Spain – entertainingly named Onda Digital had operation had also the Spanish Carlton as a shareholder – the UK’s changing its name to Queiro before also disappearing into the ether. Rightly or wrongly the UK is seen as a market that leads the way in television both in regulation and developments The Nordic technical infrastructure. TV countries have modelled their system of a public broadcaster sitting alongside a commercial broadcaster holding some public service obligations – even if the ITV of today is more likely to pick and choose As Norway and which ones it honours. Denmark look to launch DTT services their eyes may turn towards the UK The small scale pay- TV. Up Top and TV service founded by former Sky executives David Chance and Ian has not revealed how many West subscribers it has, but I understand they have upwards of 150,000 of the In My Opinion - Julian Clover - Julian In My Opinion AND THE THE AND WARDROBE THE LYIN’, THE WHICH THE LYIN’, THE Source MRG, 2005 Source MRG, conscious subscribers to option to choose content and solution option to choose all over the world, providers from diversity of their service adding to the and Content portfolio. offering written to the MHP applications any MHP can run on standard regardless of compliant set-top box cost making content manufacturer, from one and interoperable effective have a Telcos to another. platform providers worldwide roster of content better whose motivations for graphics are technology and killer spurred by fierce competition. sleek, fast and IPTV set-top boxes are networking. easily adapted to home with a wide They are cost effective brands available variety of major name in the market and can motivate techno cost weary, switch to IPTV with hybrid boxes that deliver terrestrial or satellite along with IPTV to the home. IPTV is a natural environment to offer services value-added differentiating was MHP TV. such as interactive specifically designed to support interactive services, providing viewers with up to the minute weather and news updates, banking, shopping, and EPG services. Interactive services movies, give telcos the ability to offer news, sports, and many other services to their subscribers and are a great way to generate additional revenue. As with any business proposition, choosing a company to provide strategic services can be the deal Some vendors provide only breaker. one piece of the pie, and others provide a turnkey solution, and still others form strategic alliances of their own that pull together ‘best of breed’ in the telcos an each category to offer end-to-end pre-integrated solution, the telcos to find taking the burden off the pieces of the puzzle themselves. telcos When choosing a vendor, should keep in mind that vendors have a responsibility to prove they are and have the experience to capable TV services. deploy interactive the beginning phases of their IPTV deployment. that utilises is an open standard MHP, API for digital a common Java based set-top boxes. MHP was designed for and has been TV environment the proven repeatedly in large scale commercial deployments, ensuring that IPTV can exceed viewers’ The integration of the expectations. middleware with telcos’ existing infrastructure can be easier and require less investment with open open standard The MHP standards. would allow telcos to choose the ‘best of breed’ solutions for each phase of their IPTV deployment, preventing vendor lock-in. No vendor lock-in means service providers have more options for content, hardware, system flexibility and software, just the tip of the And that’s expansion. iceberg. open standards telcos have the With open standards, SOLUTION

In a fiercely competitive converging technologies market, interest is quickly moving to IPTV as a viable option for telcos to compete head-to- head with cable and satellite service in the early providers. It is important of any burgeoning technology stages to give careful consideration to upfront to and early partnerships investments ensure both long term success and minimised financial risks. are in a unique position to offer Telcos a coveted quadruple play with video, and mobile or wireless voice, data, The trick is to avoid connections. being guinea pigs in the quest for IPTV deployment that includes value added interactive services to entice viewers from the cable and satellite subscriber base. vs. proprietary Open standards systems is the central theme facing telcos when considering interactive services and is a critical decision in CHOOSING AN CHOOSING IPTV IPTV Alticast, Inc. President, Yun, Eunsang Dr. DVB-SCENE : 12

e, © Twentieth Century Fox e, © Twentieth i DVB-SCENE : 13 is now offering its end- is now offering is introducing version 2.0 of its IMK well known JAME iTV production and authoring system. By adding return channel capabilities, the system now also allows the creation and operation of fully interactive services like voting, billing and transactions. (HTTP, Based on open standards SSL) and providing an open interface to existing web and application server infrastructure, the new enhancement continues the JAME practice to focus on high performance, flexibility and reliability. Additional graphical and functional components enable a new range of dynamic and personalised services. event Local area weather forecasts, or restaurant information using personal information stored on a server are only some of the new scenarios supported by JAME 2.0. Nagravision to-end push content-on-demand The Nagra DVR security solution. is Push Content-on-Demand wishing to designed for operators content- provide transaction based Content is on-demand on DVRs. and transferred encoded, encrypted, drive, and to the DVR hard disk or for rental to the subscriber offered purchase. Content can be in any format as file based transfer is used games, to push audio, video, data, etc., onto the hard disk. While file based systems are typical in IP networks, Nagravision provides of a content- the first implementation on-demand system using MPEG-2 TS ‘files’ that can be downloaded The quickly over DVB networks. solution has already been successfully launched by German operator Premiere. Nagra DVR Push Content-on-Demand WATCH has introduced its now offers the VC-1 now offers MTS4EA Video Elementary Video MTS4EA

© Pro7Austria 2004 ATI Technologies ATI PCI Express X800 XL All-In-Wonder Tektronix Analyzer Stream Next generation video compression such as VC-1 are critical standards for future high volume consumer such as set-top boxes and products Advanced video high definition DVD. decoders such as VC-1 are finding a features of Internet role as standard The MTS4EA Protocol set-top boxes. enables developers and Analyzer ES manufacturers of these technologies to competently and confidently design and test devices using next generation compression standards. Tektronix Tektronix video codec advanced compression Elementary Video MTS4EA within its The MTS4EA Analyzer. (ES) Stream a flexible, Analyzer offers ES for next upgradeable test solution video and current generation compression technologies. ATI Technologies ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL PCI Express X800 XL All-In-Wonder video card that enables the reception transmissions and also of DVB-T TV high definition-ready supports output for PCs. It has PVR functionality that allows users to record programmes on their hard and resume TV live drive, pause broadcasts. It is a dual tuner with picture-in-picture capabilities.

continues to enrich its has developed DVB-S2

TeamCast ModulCast products family of solutions for transmitter manufacturers, base- station manufacturers, ENG providers and system integrators. Based on the these new latest digital technology, ModulCast family members integrate all the functionalities of high end modulators including SFN capabilities, seamless hierarchical input switching pre-correction. and very efficient digital They constitute a compact, high performance and cost effective solution, easy to integrate in either VHF or UHF The ModulCast or L-Band transmitters. family includes digital modulators, professional receivers, up-converters and synthesisers, all packaged as ‘ready to integrate’ modules and all providing high performance core technologies to the broadcast market sector.

Newtec Azimuth its modulation schemes for of the This latest version product family. version) or modulator NTC/2280 (L-band will handle the NTC/2277 (IF version) in QPSK, data rates up to 65 MSymbols (per 8PSK, 16APSK, and 32APSK in the 3 application) and will work VCM and standardised modes (CCM, AZIMUTH ACM). DVB-S2 based modulator equipment provides more than 30% bandwidth savings typically for IP trunking, interactive satellite and TV contribution services, satellite distribution. For 2-way broadband via satellite networks, like the DVB-RCS standard based networks, the DVB-S2 equipment will provide bandwidth gains up to more than50%.

MARKET Modulators TeamCast Newtec Azimuth DVB-S2 Modulator Newtec has a

claims to be setting a new has added a dedicated L- a dedicated has added Microtune Mobile MicroTuner MT2262 Microtune Mobile MicroTuner Micronas for high quality video, standard audio, de-interlacing, scaling and controller functionalities. Optimised for LCD TVs, The has company TV functions, integrated all essential into one QFP including memory, The new VCT69xyP package. video decoder with 3D multi-standard motion-adaptive de- comb filter, micro-controller interlacer and scaler, stereo and graphics processor, decoder and audio sound processor. directly drive the LCD. outputs LVDS Microtune of mobile new family to its Band tuner Complying with the DVB-H TV tuners. new Mobile the industry standard, MT2262 is a specialised, MicroTuner that TV tuner silicon ultra low power range the L-Band frequency supports for mobile (1670-1675 MHz) licensed in the US. It TV services broadcast the to target enables manufacturers high quality US market in bringing entertainment TV and digital broadcast laptops, services to mobile phones, devices PDAs and mobile handheld solution. with a cost optimised pending patent Built with Microtune’s the technology, Mobile MicroTuner to MT2262 is a sister device MT2260 multi-band DVB- Microtune’s the first member of the TV tuner, H product line which the company recently unveiled. Micronas VCT69xyP Philips Philips DSR 320 Philips has introduced a DVB-H Philips DSR 200 Philips SIDSA laboratory and field trial kit which broadcasts DVB-H with content from DVB-C or DVB- streams, DVB-T, IP generators. S antennas and traffic and reception Mobile handsets prototypes can be verified with a proven DVB-H transport stream IP generated from SIDSA’s TV Broadcast Encapsulator. programmes from satellite, terrestrial and cable antenna feeds are TS processor converted by SIDSA’s into IP streams for TV’ based ‘Ether The trial kit also 24 hour testing. includes a DVB-H modulator and transmitter. The company is also licensing its DVB-H demodulator reference This reference design platform. allows semiconductor development teams to accelerate their time to market by integrating DVB-H demodulator functionality in mobile applications chips. New free-to-air, digital satellite and digital New free-to-air, terrestrial set-top boxes from are now available for retail outlets in are now available for retail outlets Two selected European countries. satellite STBs – the DSR 200 and DSR 320 – will be launched in and two Turkey, Germany and terrestrial receivers – the DTR 200 and DTR 320 – will be introduced in The the UK. France and Germany, extensive offer new products features to suit the viewing and price requirements of a broad range of consumers. hierarchical mode. The data rate is mode. hierarchical adapted to the chosen automatically (HP/LP) when the TS priority PT mode is selected. hierarchical to MIP TPS extends the 8736 DVB-H specific parameters include DVB-H slicing status, interleaver-depth, time Full control of and MPE-FEC status. with PT the MIP Inserter via ethernet and Client / WebLink, 8727 SNMP system on-the-fly selection of (8,7,6,5MHz) with PT bandwidth 8728 Multi-BW. NDS has has announced the latest VideoGuard Express VideoGuard

IDway MHP Solution ProTelevision Technologies ProTelevision added four functions to their third generation MIP Inserter PT 5879. 8733 the PT The system now offers hierarchical mode option that both hierarchical and non- supports Third Technologies ProTelevision Generation MIP Inserter PT 5879 IDway middleware MHP release of its product. Complying with the MHP 1.0.3 specification, it also supports conditional access systems, download advanced software mechanisms and complete STB memory features management. Its footprint and performance makes it a perfect choice for implementing the market-ready A standard. MHP MHP version of the company’s solution called Italy@IDway, supporting Nagra and Irdeto CAS, is market DTT available for the Italian and is already deployed by leading STB manufacturers. For smaller pay-TV operators, For smaller pay-TV offers VideoGuard Express, a new Express, VideoGuard offers Access entry level Conditional the solution that gives platforms they robust security and flexibility price. need, at an affordable gives operators Express VideoGuard to the path the freedom to choose right for their budget TV that is digital choice of A and strategy. while configurations minimises costs a range of add-on modules provides the opportunity to deliver advanced services in the future. pay-TV NDS

DVB-SCENE : 14 DVB-SCENE : 15 DM240XR

has introduced the is the Radyne DD240 Modulator Radyne is introducing a range of DVB- is introducing a range New from rates with data DVB modulator, fully compliant reaching 250Mbps, DVB-S and DVB-S2 including DVB-S2 ACM mode support. BS and DVB-S2 All existing DM240 interfaces can be used in the DM240XR modulator. Radyne is also announcing one of the first commercially available DVB-S2 / rates DVB-S demodulators. With data and the ability to as high as 155 Mbps choose either DVB-S, DVB-S2 and any demodulation mode from QPSK, 8PSK or 16QAM, the DD240-S2 is / claimed to save up to 30% bandwidth power. Neotion Modules, CI & CableCard plug-n-play patented NP4 -NEOTION powered by its to integrated Processor4 that will bring TVs (iDTV) and CI receivers, both digital wireless capabilities (ability to pull IP VOD, and enable quadruple interactivity, and play), and MPEG-4 decoding MPEG-2 transcoding features. Rohde & Schwarz DVM400 for monitoring, R&S compact analysing, recording and replaying MPEG-2 transport streams. When it it is noteworthy comes to analysis tasks, functionality in data extensive for its broadcasting. Protocols can be specifically and conveniently analysed, for example for transmitting MHP and IP is contents in DVB transport streams. It of special interest in the research and Other development of DTV components. fields of application include troubleshooting in DTV networks. It can by the R&S DVM120 to be expanded monitor up to 20 transport streams in parallel. Rohde & Schwarz DVM400 Neotion MPEG-4 IP Input Module Neotion MPEG-4 a , HE4000

is the is introducing a new is Tiernan’s new HD/SD is Tiernan’s

Tiernan HE4000 Encoder Tiernan Tiernan has added a new 10” multi- has added a new 10” HD4000

Scientific-Atlanta high density networked MPEG the Digital Content processing platform, Manager (DCM), that will provide the versatility and processing power simulcast, necessary to deliver digital broadcast, more HD and switched digital channels, and on-demand digital ad insertion opportunities. expanded DCM will provide The Scientific-Atlanta process up the ability to simultaneously or up to 500 definition to 2,000 standard high definition MPEG video streams from a single platform. simultaneous HD AND SD MPEG-2 HD simultaneous The upgradeable). video encoder (AVC HD to SD down HE4000 offers conversion, SD to HD up conversion, 4:2:2, 4:2:0, encode up to two independent video sources with up to 4 stereo audio simultaneously pairs. The MPEG-2 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 decoder / IRD. ASI, to the HD4000 include direct Inputs satellite demodulator QPSK / 8PSK or T2/E2/T3/E3/DS3 16QAM or terrestrial interfaces. JVC DT-V100CG Monitor JVC DT-V100CG New from JVC the DT- colour monitor, standard monitor DT-V V100CG to its compact The cost effective, range. end users monitor is ideal for high the are to monitor whose requirements SDI signals output of HD SDI and flexibly and affordably. accurately, created on a ‘first in, first out’ basis. This basis. in, first out’ on a ‘first created out of date material is means that allow for fresh recordings, removed to be locked to can segments and selected or from being removed prevent them can video IP The recorded overwritten. back to any be subsequently played video player. remote machine with a TV-Stick is a low TV-Stick has launched the hard disk has announced the has announced Techno Trend Trend Techno Harmonic Electra introduction of the DiviCom compression 5000 which delivers and emerging flexibility for existing applications. Basic configurations encode two full simultaneously either resolution channels using (H.264) or MPEG-2 AVC MPEG-4 a mix of while others provide and MPEG-4. resolutions in MPEG-2 is the Also new from Harmonic that platform DiviCom HD encoding delivers high quality MPEG-2, and SMPTE VC-1 AVC MPEG-4 The new HD platform HDTV. multiple audio encoding supports formats to provide the full HD experience. Pixelmetrix DVStor-IP Harmonic DiviCom Electra 5000 Harmonic Techno Trend TV-Stick Trend Techno Pixelmetrix based DVStor-IP that allows non stop based DVStor-IP recording of multiple simultaneous channels of transmitted IP video. The video is recorded by specifying the source IP address and destination IP A address of the transmitted video. continuous archive of recorded video is The cost, high performance DVB receiver that allows for connection to a notebook or personal computer TV-Stick The via USB version 2.0. features a complete DVB receiver for reception of data broadcasts TV or radio such as digital programmes and provides high speed access to internet technology can based services. The TV-Stick also be used for extended such as using a functionality, notebook for digital content recording, and for time shift features. 6WDQG '9%3DYLOLRQ

ZZZSURWHOHYLVLRQFRP