MARCH 2021 DVBSCENE ISSUE 57 Shoot for the stars with DVB-TA

4 7 9 14 DVBSCENE Ready for the challenge? CONTENTS • MARCH 2021 A year has passed since COVID-19 began to turn our 5 From the DVB Chair world upside down. The pandemic has been a disaster for human 6 Developing the DVB-I reference client: an society and the global economy unexpectedly adventurous journey – Juha but, even amid so much hardship, Jokia (Sofia Digital) one must say that this period has 7 Enabling enhanced linear TV experiences with presented a golden opportunity for DVB-I – Jan Müller (Dolby) video and media. Opportunities tend to arise 8 Why specify new video codecs in DVB? – Jan when there is a challenge to be Outters (SES) & Jason Power (Dolby) met, and our industry has seen, 9 DVB Native IP: fast track to DTH 2.0? – Jean- inter alia, a tremendous increase Claude Sachot (Broadpeak) in viewership, along with a shift in consumption patterns. A 10 Targeted Advertising: from specification to huge amount of work has been implementation – Stefano Braghieri (Mediaset) Emily Dubs undertaken behind the scenes to Head of Technology, DVB Project 12 A leap forward in TV advertising efficiency – successfully handle this sudden Paola Colombo (Publitalia ‘80) disruption. 13 New V&V test package for DVB-S2X beam Some DVB Members have been the specificities of each. hopping – Avi Freedman (Satixfy) instrumental in accelerating a In this way, one could say that shift, working hard to achieve in DVB is now shifting its focus 14 An oral history of the birth of DVB Simulcrypt the space of a few months what towards the service as opposed 16 DVB-HB: an in-home bridge from broadcast to would have normally taken a to the physical layer. In today’s IP – Davide Milanesio (Rai) couple of years, while still actively fragmented landscape, metadata is contributing to DVB’s work. the ‘intelligence’ aspect of media 17 Mission accomplished: Russia’s massive Indeed, in this context, more than and needs to be leveraged. DVB-I analogue switch-off project – Andrey ever, the value of open standards is is a first approach, building on Chernikov (RTRN) acknowledged. Standards are the ETSI TS 103 770 that defines the 18 New DVB solutions for a post-pandemic most efficient way both to deploy mechanisms for internet-based world? – David Wood (EBU Technology and new technologies at scale and service discovery. This is now Innovation) monetize content. This is borne being complemented by the Native out, for instance, in article from IP work (see page 9) that further 19 Ofcom shines a light on technology futures for Mediaset on page 10 related to reflects this move towards IP- media – Simon Parnall (Ofcom) the forthcoming market launch centric solutions and the service Published by the DVB Project Office, of standards-based targeted layer. c/o European Broadcasting Union, advertisting, implementing DVB- Our Members are thus now 17a Ancienne Route, TA and HbbTV-TA. defining the tools required CH-1218 Grand Saconnex, Switzerland. to get through this long SEAMLESS FRAGMENTATION transitional phase, where multiple Editorial Board: Peter MacAvock, I believe that DVB retains a combinations of networks, Eva Markvoort, Emily Dubs, Elfed Howells. critical role in today’s standards platforms and devices must Editor: Eoghan O’Sullivan ([email protected]) landscape, being at the forefront coexist, delivering an ever- All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be of the convergence of regular growing content offer. From this reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. All broadcast with broadband and 5G fragmented ecosystem, viewers content correct at time of printing. © DVB 2020. media delivery. In fact, rather than expect a seamless and unified The views expressed in this newsletter are those of convergence, I would say it’s more experience, while operators in the individual DVB Members or guests and are not about sharing the strengths of the turn, want to ensure prominence necessarily the views of the DVB Project Office or various types of network, allowing for their services! All of this adds Steering Board. a seamless use of any of them. up to a challenging and ambitious DVB is defining the solutions mandate for the DVB Project. DVB and the DVB logo marks are registered trademarks of the DVB Project. Certain other product that will allow content – from Needless to say, contributions names, brand names and company names may be prime-time fiction and live events from the wider membership – trademarks or designations of their respective owners. to the long tail – to be seamlessly including those who have not been Printed by Graphius. delivered through multiple actively involved in recent years or Cover photo: Mari Guti/iStockphoto networks, taking full advantage of perhaps ever – are essential. Location icon by Pngtree To subscribe to DVB Scene free of charge visit: www.dvb.org/dvb-scene 2 www.dvb.org • member.dvb.org • www.dvbworld.org • www.dvbservices.com DVB News NEW & UPDATED SPECIFICATIONS Below we list DVB documents published since the last issue of DVB Scene. They include the first ETSI- published versions of DVB-I, DVB-MABR and DVB- TA, as well as the BlueBook publication of DVB-HB.

ETSI TS 103 769 V1.1.1 DVB BlueBook A083-2r2 (Draft EN 302 307-2 Adaptive media streaming over IP multicast (November 2020) V1.3.1): Second generation framing structure, channel coding and ETSI TS 103 770 V1.1.1: modulation systems for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, Service Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I News Gathering and other broadband satellite applications; Part (November 2020) 2: DVB-S2 Extensions (DVB-S2X) (February 2021) ETSI TS 103 752-2 V1.1.1: DVB BlueBook A178-1r1 (Draft TS 103 752-1 Dynamic substitution of content in linear broadcast: interfacing V1.2.1): an advert decisioning service and optimal preparation [DVB- Dynamic substitution of content in linear broadcast: carriage TA, part 2] (December 2020) and signalling of placement opportunity information in DVB ETSI TR 102 376-2 V1.2.1: Transport Streams [DVB-TA, part 1] (February 2021) Implementation guidelines for the second generation system for DVB BlueBook A179: Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News Gathering and other Service discovery and delivery protocols for a DVB Home broadband satellite applications; Part 2: S2 Extensions (DVB- Broadcast system [DVB-HB] (February 2021) S2X) (January 2021) All available from: dvb.org/specifications DVB BlueBook A001r17 (Draft TS 101 154 V2.7.1): Specification for the use of Video and Audio Coding in Broadcast and Broadband Applications (February 2021)

NEW DVB MEMBERS Find out how to join the DVB Project by visiting: dvb.org/join

Quadrille, based in Paris, is an Synaptics Inc, headquartered in Twise SAS, based in the south of France, independent software and service provider California, develops integrated circuits for specializes in the development of secured specializing in over-the-air content user interface solutions, with differentiated solutions for the digital pay-TV market, delivery. Its multicast solutions target technologies in touch, display and mostly for products such as CI Plus real-world requirements in industries biometrics that can be combined with a modules (in both USB as diverse as media, entertainment, new generation of advanced connectivity and PCMCIA form factors). Its mission transportation, and public and military and AI-enhanced video, audio, speech and is to provide flexible turnkey solutions infrastructures. (www.quadrille.fr) security processing. (www.synaptics.com) compliant with any environment and respecting the operators’ standards. “For Quadrille, joining the DVB “The network of DVB Members and (www.twise.fr) Project was a priority as we the associated access to digital media increasingly focus on using IP delivery insights complement the “The ultimate goal is to contribute multicast technologies to deliver increasing focus and commitment of to the CM / TM groups for CI Plus, any kind of content over broadcast Synaptics to continued technological which is our core business, and to encourage new DVB initiatives to networks.” Xavier Battas, CEO innovation at the edge.” Nick Dunn, Senior Director of Marketing, Multimedia build our future.” Xavier Teil, President SOC

DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 3 Did you miss this showcase of DVB’s next gen specs?

A year without trade shows meant Thanks to all our exhibitors: a year without those landmark ATEME, Broadpeak, Dolby, ENENSYS events that provide a focal point Technologies, Google, Harmonic, for driving industry innovation Kineton, OnScreen Publishing, forward and without an opportunity OTT Broadcast, Sofia Digital, TPV to demonstrate the latest DVB Technology, Unified Streaming, specifications in action. To fill this gap, Verance, and -Orca. the DVB Project Office put together The morning session is available to the inaugural DVB DEMOS event on watch on demand. Just visit the event 26 November. page, where you’ll also find direct links A word from It was a little different in the way to each exhibitor’s section: dvb.org/ the PCM chair it combined two distinct blocks: demos2020 ELFED HOWELLS (HISILICON / HUAWEI) the morning offered a two-hour The stream ends with a wrap- live stream where each of the 15 up from DVB Head of Technology In January 2021, with pride and “exhibitors” presented short, sharp Emily Dubs. She explains how the excitement, I took up my new role demos of products and services that aforementioned new DVB specs, along as the chair of the PCM. I’ve been implement the newest DVB specs with ongoing work on Native IP and overwhelmed by the support received (DVB-I, DVB-DASH, DVB-MABR and 5G, will come together to create a new from our group, and the increase in DVB-TA). And then, in the afternoon, unified future for media delivery. participation and contributions (up to we switched to a different mode, with Another edition of DVB DEMOS will 25 members at our meetings) has been each exhibitor available for one-to- be held in the autumn. DVB Members heartwarming. one private sessions where they could should join the PCM group to follow The PCM is responsible for the show their demos in more detail and developments: member.dvb.org/wg/ promotion and communication of DVB’s answer questions. PCM/dashboard work. We work with the Project Office to help ensure that DVB’s publications, events, social media presence and press releases reflect its work, while also shaping our conversation with our Members and with the outside world. Since January we have enhanced the way the PCM functions to reflect the dynamic nature of the specifications under development at DVB. We now meet every two weeks and touch on all the aspects of our remit at each meeting. These include the news items that are in focus, our DVB events, participation in external events, publications, and our outreach to Members and non- members, in companies, organizations, industries and countries worldwide. The recent and ongoing specification work from DVB, focusing on next generation media delivery via broadcast, mobile hybrid and OTT is keeping everyone busy. PCM participants are contributing to the creation of our new narrative that ties together existing and forward-looking technology specifications, to convey the possibilities these can offer to both enhance and expand media delivery. We would welcome your input and cordially invite you to join us at the PCM! Thanks for the welcome, and the ongoing support. 4 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 Internet-centric, broadcast-bred – a challenging mix

PETER MACAVOCK, CHAIR OF THE DVB PROJECT “My old adage is that “turkeys never vote for Christmas”: some of the changes being proposed are hard, and some are unpopular. But I believe they are necessary.”

organizations vying for relevance in the year will be to ensure that DVB is able broadband media delivery space, each to maintain its V&V effort, maximizing with its own unique proposition. What its usefulness and minimizing its makes DVB different? Is it its focus administrative impact. on media? Its market-led, consensus- based approach? Its unique make-up NEW BLOOD of big media companies, big vendors And have we really transitioned and lots of technology providers? We DVB into this new – more agile – cannot be certain, but it’s likely to be a organization? Well, honestly, no; not combination of all of these. yet at least. The intention is there Over the last two years or so, DVB has We have been working on DVB’s among those who care most about DVB shifted to promoting itself as internet- new direction for some time. Many of itself, but transitioning the existing centric. But what does this mean? It’s the elements are already in place, like membership is sometimes a struggle. about changing mindsets, shifting DVB-I, targeted advertising, DVB- Consensus is still very valuable, and we focus, revamping old working methods, DASH, DVB-MABR. The task now is do have means of overcoming obstacles and accompanying (encouraging? to paint a clearer picture of how these to consensus where they appear. We dragging?!) industry stakeholders into elements – and others in the pipeline – need to be quicker to apply them and the future, all while retaining their fit together and can enable the next great we may even need to revisit the working support. My old adage is that “turkeys transition, a transition that has already methods as described in our tried and never vote for Christmas”: some of the begun. trusted Rules and Procedures. changes being proposed are hard, and What, in practice, does an internet- Furthermore, many DVB-ers have some are unpopular. But I believe they centric approach entail? We have tried been around for a long time, and are necessary. to instil a faster time-to-market and, attracting the new blood necessary to critically, a greater focus on aids-to- generate the exciting work items and CROWDED FIELD interoperability. This latter element to work in these new ways requires The DVB Project is uniquely placed has meant that we don’t standardize DVB to sell itself to a new audience, to serve an industry that is changing our output until such time as the one that doesn’t care about heritage and faster than ever. Its heritage as the ‘verification and validation’ (V&V) reputation. With our new PCM Chair, cornerstone of the analogue-to-digital phase of our work is complete. The Elfed Howells, now firmly in place with and SD-to-HD transitions is useful, thinking here is that if a specification an innovative and ambitious agenda, we but in many ways constraining. In is valuable, then its proponents will have an opportunity to revamp DVB’s years gone by, DVB was on its own as work to produce the tools necessary to public image. And, for the first time in a the solutions provider in the digital help the market deploy interoperable long time, we have the internet-centric broadcast space. While we believe in solutions. ingredients to provide substance to the DVB’s credentials, there are a lot of One of the challenges over the coming messages.

Peter MacAvock is the Chair of the DVB Project. He is also Head of Distribution Platforms and Services at the European Broadcasting Union.

DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 5 Screenshot of the HbbTV version of the DVB-I reference client DVB World conference was cancelled. It was to have been the first public demonstration of the DVB-I reference client. Instead, we settled on bringing the planned DVB Masterclass sessions online, showcasing the DVB-I reference client project in a webinar on 1 April. (See: dvb.org/webinars) The subsequent cancellation of the IBC exhibition and various related difficulties led to the original delivery schedule for Phase 2, with its myriad of small and bigger features, slipping. After quite a bit of struggle, and with weekly calls with the DVB experts Jon Piesing, Paul Higgs and Emily Dubs, the final version was delivered at the end of the year.

IMPROVING THE SPEC During the first phase of the project our focus was clear: the feature list consisted of the absolute essentials of a DVB-I client, namely the channel list, the EPG, the info banner and the player. In addition to this, the backend service list editor was developed to help us to understand the Service Developing the DVB-I reference Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I specification (then published as BlueBook A177) and its implications for client: an unexpectedly the client. However, the second phase was more about handling many small but useful features and thus a feature adventurous journey tracker was applied. It was surprisingly JUHA JOKI (SOFIA DIGITAL) time-consuming to complete everything and during the work we found elements of the specification that were unclear or There was a lot of excitement in the Because of this, we decided to recycle not fully fleshed-out – which was exactly air when we received the news that we some of our existing codebase for the the original intention of the project. It had been chosen to deliver the DVB-I HbbTV implementation, modifying it was also a great privilege to participate in reference client. The contract was signed enough so that it could be released with the regular calls of the DVB TM-I group on 6 January 2020 and the work began. the open-source MIT licence to GitHub, during the project, to assist in getting The project was divided into two phases: as requested by DVB. For the Android the specification in even better shape Phase 1 covered the most basic and implementation everything was coded and seeing everything come together, essential use cases and Phase 2 was from scratch. including the low-latency streaming about packaging some more ‘nice-to- The first phase was successfully effort together with FFmpeg. have’ features together. delivered on 28 February, complete The GitHub repository and our with the service list editor (backend), example hosted implementation will OPEN SOURCE grid-based EPG, channel selection, and remain available for the foreseeable The project is hosted on a public GitHub stream playout. It was finalized, after a future. We can see that there is a lot of server registered by the DVB Project. few corrections, on 11 March. We had interest – more than ten different forks The first commit to the repository to be careful not to design a client that have been made by interested parties was made on 20 January after the first was too good looking: as the chair of studying the code and UI. DVB-I is in a two-week sprint. The initial delivery the Technical Module, Jon Piesing, had very strong position to gain worldwide deadline for Phase 1 was already on remarked, “DVB is not paying for user implementation and we hope that the 31 January, with the final Phase 1 interface design!” reference client developed by Sofia delivery scheduled for 28 February Around this time the COVID-19 Digital remains helpful in fulfilling that – a particularly challenging timeline. situation had worsened, and the planned potential.

Juha Joki has many years’ experience in DVB and HbbTV technologies. Currently he is in charge of DVB broadcast products and testing and certification services for DVB and HbbTV at Sofia Digital.

6 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES In enabling viewers to choose their Enabling enhanced preferred audio experience, DVB-I can bring the level of personalization interactivity usually associated with linear TV experiences watching internet content to the world of linear TV. At its simplest, this can be a choice of languages, the option to add with DVB-I director commentary, or to choose a dialogue version more appropriate for children. Personalized audio can also go beyond dialogue preferences to make the whole audio scene more individual, for JAN MÜLLER (DOLBY) example with adjustable or even team- biased crowd noise in sports content. The ‘preselection’ concept within DVB-I TVs and mobile devices are increasingly running a prototype DVB-I client. and DVB-DASH provides a standardized capable of reproducing enhanced viewing This utilized an AC-4 audio stream, framework for the selection of different experiences that bring us closer to enabling fully immersive 360-degree audio versions via the DVB-I client, all reality – with UHD high dynamic range audio reproduction with its built-in derived from a single audio bitstream. video, for example, and immersive 3D loudspeaker system, without requiring DVB-I doesn’t come with a complete audio. But while some bigger streaming any additional speakers. new set of requirements for codec and pay-TV services have been able to support and media delivery – it builds take advantage of these new capabilities ACCESSIBLE CONTENT FOR ALL on top of existing DVB standards for already, it can be more challenging DVB-I also provides new opportunities receiver interoperability. As proven with for broadcasters to find the spectrum to increase content accessibility. Again the prototype, compliant DVB devices on to innovate, especially over congested through support of the latest NGA market today can be used to implement a terrestrial networks. codecs, DVB-I offers extensive features DVB-I client application and reproduce DVB-I offers a solution for including dialogue enhancement an immersive experience for consumers broadcasters to innovate and launch new and audio description. Dialogue using built-in technology. enhanced television services, making enhancement enables the user to adjust The opportunities with DVB-I in terms use of flexible broadband delivery while the level of dialogue within a programme of enhancing the user experience even achieving scale with an open, cross- compared to the background audio to further are huge and user interaction platform approach. Through enhanced maximize intelligibility. And extended for accessible and personalized content audio capabilities, DVB-I enables support for audio description can adds great value for consumers. To give new possibilities to improve service provide audio commentaries in a more the viewers access to those features accessibility and to meet the preferences extensive and scalable way – for example, the DVB-I client needs to implement of individual viewers. making it possible to offer description a corresponding user interface; we for different language versions and across are looking forward to seeing the first IMMERSIVE AUDIO stereo, surround and immersive listening prototypes soon. We’re excited to see how Immersive audio wraps the viewer in scenarios, or to change the level of the broadcasters choose to leverage DVB-I to detailed 3D sound from all around, descriptive commentary versus the main innovate with new immersive, accessible including overhead. It has been used for programme. and personalized services. several years now to make movies and episodic dramas much more exciting and is increasingly used for live broadcasts to recreate a realistic atmosphere for sports, concerts and other events. By enabling use of the latest next generation audio (NGA) codecs, DVB-I enables immersive audio to be included in linear broadband services in a single data-rate-efficient bitstream. Dolby and TP Vision recently A prototype from Dolby collaborated to show how DVB-I of how DVB-I can enable can deliver a UHD service complete viewers to personalize with immersive audio to an off- their audio experience the-shelf Philips connected TV

Jan Müller – Commercial Partnerships and Standards Manager at Dolby. He works with the industry on enhanced media experiences in horizontal ecosystems and is involved in standardization activities within DVB and HbbTV. DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 7 Why specify new video codecs in DVB?

JAN OUTTERS (SES) & JASON POWER (DOLBY)

Video codecs timeline, courtesy of Harmonic Inc.

At the time of writing, the participants “Clarity around licensing terms will be an essential factor in DVB’s CM-AVC sub-group are particularly active. The goal is to agree in the successful growth and adoption of any technology on a set of commercial requirements that in the marketplace.” will ultimately lead to the addition of one or more new video codecs to DVB’s toolbox. This current phase of work was kickstarted with an online workshop broadband like 8K, and also accelerate LCEVC – all reaching key milestones. that took place last September. For DVB adoption of 4K UHD on terrestrial The standards work is generally done for Members only but featuring several guest networks. all of these codecs and volume shipment speakers, the workshop attracted more It has been suggested that the success of devices can be expected in 2021–23 than 140 participants, which provides of codecs is heavily influenced by the depending on the technology and an indication of just how important this “three Cs”: compression, complexity demand for it. topic remains for the industry. of implementation, and commercial All five of these codecs were presented characteristics. And while current by their proponents during the MAIN DRIVERS technology is sufficient to meet some September workshop. DVB Members There was a strong mandate from near-term opportunities like 8K, there can access the individual presentations DVB’s membership for further work is general agreement that new codecs via the CM-AVC workspace. They in this area. In a survey that had been will be needed for the longer term, from provide a wealth of information about undertaken prior to the workshop, 94% 2023 onwards. Clarity around licensing the technology used, performance, of respondents indicated that they would terms will be an essential factor in the commercial factors and the status of like to see one or more new video codecs successful growth and adoption of any licensing. added. While the phenomenal growth in technology in the marketplace. The CM-AVC group has a target to OTT video traffic is perhaps the biggest deliver first commercial requirements driver for the emergence of new video THE YEAR OF CODECS around the start of Q2 2021. The codec solutions, these codecs could also 2020 was a landmark year for video TM-AVC group has already begun be important enablers of new enhanced codecs, with several – AV1, AVS3, preliminary work in anticipation of the video experiences for broadcast and MPEG-5 EVC, MPEG-I VVC and MPEG Steering Board approving the next step.

Jan Outters is Senior Engineer – Product Management with SES; Jason Power is Senior Director of Commercial Partnerships and Standards with Dolby. They are, respectively, vice-chair and chair of the DVB Commercial Module sub-group on audio and video coding, CM-AVC. 8 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 could be switched off. However, when a new technology DVB Native IP: fast track proves to be mature, brings benefits to consumers as well as content to DTH 2.0? distributors, and offers good prospects for profitability, the next step for the industry is to identify a viable migration path that permits its early market introduction and the progressive JEAN-CLAUDE SACHOT (BROADPEAK) withdrawal of the previous generation. For technologies that rely on legacy consumer-premises equipment, The DTH 2.0 platform migration obviously cannot happen overnight. The migration path is usually long, but as with the shutdown of analogue television or and format transitions, the recipe for success is good planning and a willingness to move forward. Given the long legacy the satellite industry has to live with when new generations of TV sets or set-top boxes hit the market, I believe that now is the right time to engage in serious planning activities for introducing Native IP delivery to satellite broadcast.

MIGRATION PLANNING Most content providers already have OTT streaming playout capabilities that can be leveraged for Native IP distribution via broadcast. When it comes to transmission bandwidth, Aside from the introduction of new benefits offered are wide-ranging, and a viable migration path could be to codecs and formats, direct-to-home not only in the context of satellite. reduce the number of live TV channels (DTH) digital has not A first important milestone was distributed by satellite (offloading improved much since the mid-1990s: achieved last summer when the the low audience channels to OTT it remains limited to the TV screen, DVB Steering Board approved the distribution only) and reuse the released in most cases connected to a bespoke commercial requirements for Native IP. satellite spectrum to simulcast high- satellite receiver decoder. However, This subsequently triggered the creation audience channels or live events in we have now reached the point where of the new Technical Module Native IP Native IP, addressing all consumer the broadcast of live video channels sub-group (TM-NIP) at the beginning devices. using video packaging formats such as of November, to deliver a specification Legacy set-top boxes pose perhaps DVB-DASH or HLS can revolutionize and implementation guidelines. the biggest challenge. Nevertheless, we video content distribution by natively have demonstrated that the software of addressing all types of screens. LOOKING AHEAD eligible set-top boxes can be upgraded to At the start of 2020, amid growing Moving from a specification to support Native IP redistribution across momentum, several industry players broad market adoption, however, consumer homes. Native IP satellite joined forces within the DVB Project will not be straightforward. There gateways could present another solution to initiate work on producing are understandable fears that the here. commercial requirements for a Native demand for solutions targeting the The vision that drives us is enabling IP specification allowing the delivery, B2C segment, such as next-generation providers to operate all of their via broadcast means, of media content DTH, may still be many years away. broadcasting and OTT streaming with natively tailored for distribution over The most common concern is that, for one single distribution platform, rather any IP-capable network, using the same broadcasters, deploying Native IP would than operating two siloed ecosystems media packaging formats that have require additional transmission capacity forever. Native IP is a clear opportunity enabled OTT streaming. From unifying for quite a long time on top of the for significant short-term cost savings systems on the headend side to enabling conventional MPEG Transport Stream- and greater consumer satisfaction, and new business models, and beyond, the based transmissions, until the latter paves the way for a successful DTH 2.0!

Jean-Claude Sachot is the Business Development Director for Broadpeak. He has more than 30 years of experience in digital video processing and delivery, and was previously vice president of pre-sales – video CPEs at Technicolor. DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 9 enabling personalized ad substitution in Targeted Advertising: from live broadcast. CLIENT-SIDE SUBSTITUTION specification to implementation Figure 1 shows a high-level diagram of the implemented solution where the STEFANO BRAGHIERI (MEDIASET) Mediaset Play HbbTV application, with a CSAS module running, is compared to a terminal not providing the application. The solution uses synchronous triggers instructing the HbbTV application to: • Start dialogue with the advertising server and pre-load into the device memory the advert that will be inserted; • Perform the switch from broadcast content and play pre-loaded content; and • Switch back to broadcast content. The proprietary solution used to trigger the application, and integrated into our Figure 1. HbbTV 2.0 implemented solution legacy playout system chain, provides a working mechanism to achieve a satisfying level of performance on deployed HbbTV Mediaset, the major Italian commercial in order to ensure either incremental 2.0 terminals. broadcaster, has been involved as a DVB reach or additional frequency. It also The solution was deployed in 2019 Member for many years, taking advantage makes television accessible for first-time and since then is up and running as a of the opportunity to contribute to the advertisers, such as SMEs and local commercial product; nevertheless, we definition and standardization of new businesses, since it requires lower budgets, faced some relevant issues: technologies. avoids ad waste and allows geographic • Some terminals did not successfully Since the days of MHP, we have segmentation. implement the HTML5 video element understood that a deep involvement in Not least, TA allows broadcasters to functionality DVB and other standardization bodies is prevent video ad budgets shifting away • Switching time and accuracy key to maintaining a leading position in from television towards ad-funded online performance on the broadcast to the competitive environment where new platforms from the likes of Google, broadband transition, and vice-versa, technologies come along more and more Amazon and other digital players. were not defined, leaving terminal frequently. From a technical point of view, in 2017 performance dependent on terminal This article describes how Mediaset has we understood the potentialities offered by implementation developed a proof of concept based on the HbbTV 2.0 core specification thanks • No requirements for buffer size the newly released Targeted Advertising to early terminals deployed in the Italian • No requirements about the supported (TA) specifications, aiming at real market at that time. Italian broadcasters codec product deployment to offer personalized agreed on a “Statement of Direction As a consequence, we were not able advertising slots to our advertising agency Towards HbbTV 2.0” in 2014, moving to count on a well-functioning and and its clients (see page 12). away from MHP in a green-field HbbTV predictable set of reachable terminals context that avoided an HbbTV 1.5 legacy. without putting in place a managed WHY TARGETED ADVERTISING? Such a choice allowed us to count on terminal “whitelist” to address only the For the Mediaset Group, TA is strategic terminal implementation compliant with subset of well tested and verified HbbTV mainly because it offers the best of the the HbbTV 2.0 core specification, which 2.0 terminals. two worlds of television and digital: brand introduced HTML5 functionalities and In June 2018 a set of commercial safety in a curated editorial environment, in particular, within the scope of TA, the requirements for TA were approved by viewability, regulation, and addressability. HTML5-video-element and the DSMCC the DVB Project; the technical groups It is therefore essential for our company to do-it-now stream event. delivered their work around the end invest in the development of such formats, Based on those HbbTV 2.0 core of 2019, offering a TA framework that in order to satisfy the evolving needs of functionalities, a client-side-ad- includes the specification for the “Carriage our advertisers. substitution (CSAS) module was and signalling of placement opportunity TA can be used in an upselling developed and integrated in Mediaset information in DVB Transport Streams” strategy towards brands that already use Play, the Mediaset broadcast-related (DVB-TA Part 1) and the guidelines for television advertising, by extending their catch-up and VOD HbbTV application “Interfacing to an advert decisioning linear campaigns on connected TVs signaled on all Mediaset channel line-ups, service and optimal preparation of

Stefano Braghieri has more than 25 years of experience in broadcast technologies in various capacities, from code writing to standard definition. He has been working for Mediaset since 2011, involved in technical and commercial support for new technologies and product innovation. 10 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 provisioning and (b) the ad substitution process reporting. The existing Mediaset infrastructure was already compliant with DVB-TA Part 2; we had just to generate different configurations of the backend services, setting up a validation environment providing support for this activity. To test the whole chain, a great deal of effort went into defining and building a validation package to test the three areas just described. The validation package includes: • Recorded transport streams: a set of streams, carrying signalling for the HbbTV application, provide timelines and placement opportunities for all the use cases to be tested. The streams also cover the set of broadcast audio Figure 2. TA specification area of applicability and video formats in use at Mediaset in compliance with the TA specifications. media” (DVB-TA Part 2). The HbbTV cooperating closely with technology • Substituted advert content: a range Association, on the other side, provided providers to develop headend of advertising content in various the terminal specification to be applied apparatus implementing DVB-TA audiovisual formats and durations was on top of an HbbTV 2.0 compliant Part 1 signalling, we were able to prepared. terminal, providing new functionalities to generate signals correctly simulating • A test protocol: the validation package an application in order to perform the ad the payload of the placement came with detailed instructions to run substitution in a predictable and invariable opportunities. Once the real headend tests to avoid misunderstanding of the way (HbbTV-TA). product became available, no changes expected results. were required in the terminal block – STANDARDS-BASED APPROACH just minor changes in the application READY TO LAUNCH The arrival of the new set of TA and a no-regression test phase were The proof of concept and the test activities specifications and guidelines allowed us necessary. have been successfully completed. The to remove the proprietary solution and (2) In the second area, strong implementation of various use cases resolved the aforementioned issues. The collaboration with terminal required by Mediaset confirmed what was new solution is still based on a CSAS manufacturers was established, foreseen by the specifications. module which is integrated in the HbbTV achieving fully open contributions The terminal executes the ad Mediaset Play application. Figure 2, generating a positive win-win substitution within the time constraints related to an HbbTV terminal running process where terminal firmware and imposed by the HbbTV-TA profile #2 for Mediaset Play, illustrates where the new applications were developed step by all audiovisual content formats considered TA specifications apply. step, sharing and discussing topics relevant. Because the whole set of TA and issues, including those arising The whole project has been performed specifications were brand new, when we from different interpretations of the 100% in agreement with the TA standards, started to study how to best implement specifications, finally reaching the providing solutions for issues we found them, there were neither products nor goal of having an implementation in early implementations based on prototypes for any of the blocks in the compliant with the HbbTV-TA the HbbTV 2.0 core specification and end-to-end chain; once again we faced the specifications. allowing a forthcoming launch on the well-known chicken-and-egg scenario, (3) In the third area of work, a dialogue market of TA based on DVB-TA and which led us to develop a proof of concept with backend services was defined HbbTV-TA specification. in collaboration with technical partners to test (a) the correct ad substitution involved in the whole production chain. Three main areas of work, depicted in Figure 3, were identified: Backend (1) The HbbTV-TA specification provides Headend Terminal Application Services a means of decoupling the terminal implementation from the signal carrying placement opportunities, as Figure 3. TA specification area of applicability per DVB-TA Part 1. While we were

DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 11 promote their new “smart EQ fortwo” hybrid electric car is a good illustration A leap forward in TV of these technologies in action. Together we planned an addressable campaign on advertising efficiency mobile and connected TVs. The audience targeted in this project PAOLA COLOMBO (PUBLITALIA ’80) was a premium custom target, based on the intersection of some variables identified with Mercedes-Benz on connected TVs. It was enriched by the A recent Pubitalia ‘80 campaign “driving” interest of users who usually leveraging targeted advertising browse the automotive sections of the Mediaset digital property network and other partner sites, including DriveK, a European web platform for configuring new cars. The profile was further enriched with geo-behavioural data relating to users who had visited car dealers and who attended points of interest perfectly aligned with the target indicated by Mercedes-Benz. In particular, the targeted advertising campaign on connected TVs was combined with a mobile rich-media campaign with a “drive to dealer” call-to- action to point out the closest Mercedes- Benz dealer.

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS Measuring the effectiveness of targeted advertising campaigns on connected TVs in terms of store visits was the goal Recent developments in television its enrichment with data from other of the “attribution model” developed by technology have had a direct impact sources, we can now offer our clients the AdTech team of Publitalia ‘80 with on TV advertising campaigns, with an even more efficient ad service. New Beintoo, another Mediaset company, significant benefits for advertisers, innovations that are made possible specializing in geo-marketing solutions agencies, broadcasters and end users. include: that track users on the move. For Publitalia ’80, the advertising • The definition of ad targets based on The Beintoo attribution model, agency owned by Mediaset Group, geographical, socio-demographic, which verifies the progress of a mobile using the DVB and HbbTV Targeted behavioural and attitudinal advertising campaign in relation to the Advertising standards in connected characteristics, according to the accesses generated in the store, is now TVs marks a crucial step forward. This objectives of our clients. applied to the connected TV campaigns integration of broadcast and broadband • Real-time replacement of managed by Publitalia ‘80; analysis allows on TV sets means they join other digital broadcast commercials based on the evaluation these new advertising touchpoints in our portfolio, such as the characteristics of the chosen formats by comparing visits to dealers by mobile and portable devices. If we target, known as Dynamic Advert customers who have been exposed to the add also the possibility of interaction Substitution. targeted advertising compared to a non- between the main TV set and portable • Re-targeting, which means exposed control group with the same devices – also known as companion optimization of reach and frequency demographic. devices – we see this whole ecosystem as objectives based on the accurate daily Applying this to the Mercedes-Benz a gamechanger that offers the best of the analysis of campaign performance “smart EQ fortwo” advertising campaign two worlds of television and digital. across multiple media at the same time. told us that targeted advertising on Combining the advent of platforms • Analysis of ad campaign performance connected TVs led to an uplift of 43% like Mediaset Play – the broadcast- with timely attribution of the compared to the control group; it is a related catch-up and VOD HbbTV app contribution of connected TVs. valid tool for our clients for measuring signalled on all Mediaset channels – with the efficiency of targeted ads and the real the collection of user data via digital MERCEDEZ-BENZ CAMPAIGN impact of Mediaset Play’s addressable properties, the analysis of this data and The Mercedes-Benz Italia campaign to campaigns on sales.

Paola Colombo is General Manager of the Adtech and Business Development unit at Publitalia ’80, where she focuses on new business strategies, partnerships, and technology-driven innovation.

12 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 The specific objectives of the V&V Use case Reference Reference package are: Simulator Values • Ensure the unambiguous description of use cases, protocols and formats. • Facilitate the standard implementation process. • Ease interoperability between implementations from different manufacturers. For now, the package includes only computer files. Further activities, including actual equipment tests against a satellite emulator and plug fests between different manufacturers, are envisaged for the future. The V&V package includes a set Figure 1. DVB-S2X V&V structure of reference streams and waveforms that allow validating different implementations of the DVB-S2X extensions for beam hopping. Several test cases are provided, to allow for a thorough verification of the beam- New V&V test hopping formats. Other features of the DVB-S2X standard can also be tested. The V&V structure is shown in Figure package for DVB-S2X 1. Each test case is defined as a set of files that contain configuration parameters as well as a description of the test; the input beam hopping data file to the modulation function; AVI FREEDMAN (SATIXFY) and the output files, starting from the baseband frame, and ending with the physical layer frame (PLFRAME), which is the set of symbols to be In July 2019, the DVB Steering Broad VERIFICATION & VALIDATION transmitted, including preambles, pilots approved a revised version of the However, specifications alone do not and postambles, scrambled according DVB-S2X (EN 302 307-2) specification, assure interoperability! In 2018 the to the standard specification. Thus, adding support for beam-hopping Steering Board mandated a policy an implementor can make use of the systems. By that, and with the wherein every specification going package for development and debugging, completion of the signalling specification to ETSI will be accompanied by a beyond its function as a verification tool. for beam hopping and advanced satellite V&V – verification and validation Verification can be performed either systems, expected this quarter, DVB – package. Typically, this comprises by an independent modulation function, offers a suite of solutions for the new reference streams and signals, verified generating output files according to the era of satellite systems, be they high and validated by several entities as input and configuration parameters, and throughput GEO satellites or even LEO complying with the specifications. comparing them to the output files in constellations. These standards are key to Although this policy came into effect the package; or by a receive simulation an open market, leading to real market only after the beam-hopping revision function, which would take an output growth. was approved, the TM-S group, with file at its input and compare the decoded The interoperability made possible the endorsement of the CM-S group, stream to the input file. The test cases by standards brings many benefits: end elected to produce a V&V package for cover a large variety of possible waveform users can freely choose between service this revision. streams and superframe formats. providers and equipment types, and have The purpose of the V&V programme Interoperability cannot be achieved open access to different systems; service is to verify equipment compliance to without cooperation. Production of providers can offer a wider variety of the standard and interoperability in a the package would not have been services to their customers; content defined set of configurations that are possible without the cooperation of all providers can extend their audience considered most significant to reach the of the DVB Members that participate in reach; and satellite operators are freed scope. The complete V&V package has TM-S, contributing to the effort in so from the burden of micro-managing been available to the public via the DVB many ways for the benefit of the whole customers, and even gateway operation. website since February 2021. industry.

Avi Freedman is a director of system engineering at Satixfy, involved in R&D for modems and smart antennas for satellite communications. He has been active in DVB standards development efforts for eight years.

DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 13 An oral history of the birth of DVB SimulCrypt In January 2021, we learned that DVB’s work on common encryption was to be recognized with a Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award. To mark this honour, we invited some of those who were involved in the commercial and technical work that led to Simulcrypt to share their memories of that time.

CONTRIBUTORS Robin Crossley worked for SES Astra between Andrew Glasspool began his career in the 1986 and 1989 and again between 1991 and television industry with BSB, after which he 1995. From 1995 he worked for Sky until his founded Farncombe Technology. He still works as retirement in December 2020. a consultant on a wide variety of digital television and telecoms projects, when not sailing around the world. David Cutts, now retired, worked with several Erik Lambert joined the Canal+ group in 1986 companies in the pay-TV sector, including BSB in and partook in the DVB Project’s work as a the UK and France Télécom, before forming S&T representative of Canal+ until 2002. Lately he has (with Nick Birch). helped launch two SVOD platforms, HBO Nordic and StarzPlay Arabia.

Andrew Glasspool: SimulCrypt, just the broadcast so that individual users a word, with a simple definition, meant PRESS RELEASE can descramble at the receiver. This so many different things to the different May 2, 1997 requirement was met by the common For Immediate Release

players in the industry. And ironically Tel: +41 22 717 2719 scrambling system, a core part of the Fax: +41 22 717 2727 Contact: Martin Jacklin, DVB Project Office it delivered something that went far Ancienne Route 17A problem. 1218 Grand Saconnex beyond its original scope. The technical Geneva, Switzerland Another key part of the DVB activity

working groups brought together DVB approves Part 1 of SimulCrypt Specification was in defining the architecture,

th experts from each of the conditional Geneva, 16 April 1997 - the Steering Board of the world-wide Digital Video Broadcasting Project its standardization and regulation (DVB) approved Part 1 of the SimulCrypt specification. access (CA) system vendors in a way “SimulCrypt” is a process that facilitates using several Conditional Access (CA) systems in parallel, in such that it could support at the that had never happened before. At conjunction with the DVB Common Scrambling Algorithm, to control access to pay-TV services. same time both a high-volume SimulCrypt involves the interoperation of two or more Conditional Access Streams in a DVB times these experts, having worked in environment. The DVB’s SimulCrypt specification addresses specifically the requirements for implementation of the underlying interoperability between two or more conditional access systems at a head-end. isolation for much of their careers, were The DVB SimulCrypt technical specification is divided into two parts: silicon hardware and customized • Part 1 - Head-end Architecture and Synchronisation. surprised to find that their solution for • Part 2 - Extended Interoperability and Control. and secure implementations of the th messaging and interfacing was not the The 16 April meeting of the DVB Steering Board has approved Part 1 of the specification, which will security mechanisms required to now be released to the EBU / CENELEC / ETSI Joint Technical Committee for standardisation. In the only way and perhaps not even the best meantime, work continues in the DVB Project on Part 2 of the specification which will also be released deliver descrambling keys to individual to the JTC upon completion. way. This created interesting dialogue fromSimulCrypt the forms cablean integral part one, of DVB’s due Conditional to Accessdifferences Package, adding to its existing customers. elements:

and challenges for the specification, in• theDVB Common commercial Scrambling Algorithm policies. Thus was DVB set up a specialized policy/ given than none of the systems had born• DVB Commonthe ideaInterface (EN of 50221) a common scrambled commercial group, reporting to the • Code of Conduct for Conditional Access been designed to interoperate at a DVB signal• Anti-piracy and recommendations a common signal architecture, Steering Board and chaired by Eamon While the DVB SimulCrypt specification is not mandatory for the interoperation of multiple conditional headend. associatedaccess systems, or “SimulCrypting”, with several it facilitates this. CA Upon completionsystems, of Part 2 ofthat the specification, Lalor, from the European Commission, operators will have the choice of using either the new SimulCrypt specification or the existing Common is, InterfaceSimulCrypt! specification. that set out to give structure and Erik Lambert: The idea of SimulCrypt During the first yearsBackground of the 90s it resolution to these issues. At the heart The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB) is a consortium of over 200 broadcasters, was born in the analogue era. At becamemanufacturers, clear network operators(at least and regulatory to thebodies intechnically more than 30 countries worldwide, of the whole solution is the common committed to designing a global standard for the delivery of digital television. Numerous broadcast the end of the 1980s, Canal+ was in savvy)services usingthat DVB thestandards future are now operational, of inbroadcasting Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia,scrambling algorithm (CSA). The and Australasia. Page 1 of 1 discussions with France Télécom about would be digital. The 02/05/97European DVB Members involved put together using D2-MAC transmissions (an LaunchingDVB_pr034.doc Group (precursor to the DVB a specialist team of cryptographers of analogue standard with some limited Project) was created, and the European global stature to work out how to provide data capacity) to feed both the DTH pay-TV operators, who had toyed with this function. and cable markets. A standardized CA the idea of each controlling their own system was being developed – Eurocrypt digital transmission system, joined the Erik: Scrambling and CA became a – but Canal+ quickly identified two common standardization effort in 1993. contentious topic, and immediately major issues. The first was linked to positions (and camps) mimicked the the change of CA in case of a major David Cutts: Critical to making the earlier French debate of a single system system breach (this was quite a frequent DVB system as close to standardized vs. multiple coexisting systems. Under occurrence) with the necessity to as possible was the requirement for a the constant push of Eamon “how to temporarily associate two systems to the means, analogous with the ‘cut and rotate’ eat an elephant, one spoonful at a time” same scrambled signal; the second to the scrambler of MAC, that would scramble Lalor, the concept of SimulCrypt was, necessity to isolate the DTH network the video and audio transmission in after a while, accepted by all parties. 14 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 First meeting of the Simulcrypt sub by any multiplexer manufacturer, is a The inaugural meeting of the above group was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel at ParisDVB Charles-SIM 004 -group of the Guidelines Group de Gaulle airport on Thursday 27th June 1996. A list of attendees is included here as Robin Crossley: The challenge for this Appendix A. great tribute to the skills of the people

work, of course, was that there were that came together in the SimulCrypt 1. Approval of Chairman very strongly held views about the group. Today the output of this group Andrew Glasspool had previously been nominated as chairman of the group by David Cutts. This nomination was approved by all those present at the meeting. need to use proprietary technology goes far beyond just enabling two CA

(secret, with lots of IPR) versus ‘open’ 2. Agenda systems to work together. The standard

The draft agenda (Appendix B) was approved by the meeting. technology (not secret and not so that was created is implemented much IPR). One testing question in every DVB headend, allowing 3. Introduction

someone once asked was “ask In introducing the discussion on the role and future activities of the Simulcrypt Group, the manufacturers since the mid-1990s to Chairman referred to a paper published by the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry (the UK DTI), entitled “The Regulation of Conditional Access Services for Digital Television ”. yourself who’s going to pay to fix it This document represents the UK government’s interpretation of the European Union make equipment without concern for the directive on conditional access and states that under SimulCrypt “the broadcaster is, in when it gets hacked?” principle, guaranteed access to decoders operating with different CA technologies”. This CA system or systems that might be used. comment can be considered as representative of the expectations of the SimulCrypt concept, Most of my memories relate to and it should be the objective of the SimulCrypt Group to ensure that this can be achieved in SimulCrypt has therefore become practice.

the workings of the sub-sub-group Bob Ely noted that similar documents were known to be in preparation by other members of one of the longest lasting, the European Union. that was tasked with inventing a important but little- However, the Group felt that one of the objectives stated in the UK DTI paper, that a common scrambling algorithm, broadcaster should be able to adopt a SimulCrypt solution without the cooperation of the known standards other broadcaster, is not feasible.

needed if SimulCrypt was going to created by the work. Because of the nature of this work, DVB Project. it was a restricted group; in fact, Frits Schreuder (SES) and I were the only two Erik: Today, who weren’t ‘super mathematicians’! Each the basic of the main protagonists of encryption concept of nominated their own expert: Dr Amos SimulCrypt Fiat for Canal+, Professor Adi Shamir for attempts by the US with a common NDS (now Synamedia), Louis Guillou secret service to activate scrambling for CCETT/France Télécom, and Donald a passive microphone in applied to the Davies for Irdeto. a Russian embassy building audiovisual content across the river. They apparently signal and several access Erik: Difficult discussions with the beamed so much microwave energy at management systems European security administrations it that the window glass got hot! associated with this introduced extra constraints on the system: it was to be highly asymmetric David: SimulCrypt, strictly defined – the encryption equipment difficult as allowing different CA systems to to implement and under severe export control a single TV transmission, has scrambled control, so as to allow for the free been rarely used, in each case in the signal, is also circulation of the decryption chips. process of switching from one CA smart the standard Furthermore, the administrations were card system to another. But the work mode of operation not happy with the real entropy of the done to define how a headend supports for OTT system (the resistance to brute force SimulCrypt and common scrambling has services. attacks) so there was to be a CSA1 and been used throughout the industry. From a CSA2, with an over-the-air upgrade, analogue to allow for the base requirement of Andrew: That a solution was found that broadcast to life-length for the system: the upgrade accommodated every “security” quirk of the internet, was done very soon after the commercial every system, yet could be implemented the long life of a launch of digital pay-TV in 1995–96. simple idea!

Robin: These people were all top David: What ‘algorithimists’ and spent much of their we managed to time trying to outscore their peers on achieve, between intellectual prowess! There were more us – companies often than a few tense moments and tantrums strongly competing in and even walking-out-of-the-room the market for viewers, episodes. A particular memory I recall content and technology- is Adi Shamir saying to Amos Fiat “did platform share – was to pull you not listen when I taught you this stuff together the different threads in university?” These two are famous into technical, commercial for the Fiat Shamir ‘zero knowledge’ and regulatory consensus that authentication algorithm. enabled the industry to grow There were some interesting ‘cold war’ based on what we all wrote down. stories discussed over dinner, as most This was enshrined in EU regulation, of these guys had connections with or thus enabling a high-volume base to be were directly employed by government built for digital television in Europe and intelligence agencies. I particularly across the planet. pixy.org CC BY-NC-ND pixy.org remember Donald Davies telling us of DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 13 and discovery, generation of the service HB list, etc.) and operational phase (e.g. optimization and exposure of available resources, selection of a specific service by the client, content publication by the local server, etc.). In order to address all significant deployment scenarios and allow backwards compatibility with already deployed standards, two profiles are defined: • Profile A is based on the SAT>IP specification, further extending it with additional optional features. The selected television services are redistributed on the LAN as Transport Figure 1 – DVB-HB concept Stream over IP; • Profile B allows compatibility with DVB-I clients, including browser- based client applications. The selected DVB-HB: an in-home television services are redistributed on the LAN in DVB-DASH format (this implies audio/video transcoding bridge from broadcast or at least repackaging), together with service discovery metadata according to IP to the DVB-I specification. END-TO-END BENEFITS DVB-HB allows users to transform any of their IP devices into a TV receiver, for consumption of live/linear television DAVIDE MILANESIO (RAI) services at ‘broadcast quality’, also in areas with no or poor broadband User habits are rapidly changing as the I am at home, if the same service is coverage (sometimes referred to as widespread diffusion of IP networks already available in full quality at my TV Digital Divide areas). allows audio and video services to be antenna plug? Broadcasters can offer live/linear consumed on any networked device, television services with improved QoS from widescreen connected TVs THE DVB-HB SPECIFICATION (quality of service) also to their users to personal devices like tablets or Published in February 2021 as consuming them on an IP device, smartphones. DVB BlueBook A179, the DVB-HB and benefit from a reduction of costs Broadband networks enable specification enables consumption of associated with CDN transport. (It is consumption of audiovisual services traditional DVB broadcast services (that somewhat like transparently moving their both live and on demand. However, it is, delivered via satellite, terrestrial or streaming servers into users’ homes.) is recognized that it is still popular live cable networks) on in-home networked Finally, designers of in-building events that attract massive audiences, devices like smartphones, tablets, PCs, network infrastructures (e.g. for causing traffic peaks that potentially IP-enabled TV sets and set-top boxes hospitality, campus, etc.) can more easily stress the delivery capabilities of (Figure 1). It defines the interfaces integrate TV distribution with other IT IP networks. In such cases, users through which a DVB-HB local server, services, while consumer electronics may experience video freezing or a i.e., a device connected to an antenna manufacturers may consider adding new reduction of picture quality, while from plug acting as a remote tuner, can features to their products covering the a broadcaster’s perspective broadband redistribute broadcast signals and entire home entertainment ecosystem. delivery is clearly not as cost effective associated metadata to DVB-HB clients DVB has recently initiated work on as traditional broadcast networks when connected to the same LAN (e.g. in an Native IP delivery on broadcast networks, it comes to simultaneously serving a apartment, hotel/campus, hotspot, etc.). targeting both TV screens and personal multitude of users. The DVB-HB reference architecture IP devices (see page 9). Many DVB- But why should I need to connect to includes various functional blocks, HB functional blocks are likely to be the internet to receive a linear television covering the installation and set-up leveraged when designing the Native IP service on my IP-connected device when phase (e.g. local server announcement receiving side.

Davide Milanesio is a senior research engineer at Rai CRITS (Centro Ricerche, Innovazione Tecnologica e Sperimentazione). He is involved in the latest technologies for television distribution over fixed and mobile networks and is chair of the DVB TM-HB group. 16 DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 of the Russian Federation. 4. Attracting volunteers to assist the Mission accomplished: population in setting up equipment for receiving DTT. Russia’s massive analogue 5. Creating the Digital Switchover Task Force with representatives of the Russian government, regional switch-off project authorities and all organizations involved. ANDREY CHERNIKOV (RTRN) 6. Monitoring the cost of the television reception equipment in retail stores. 7. Carrying out inspections of community antenna TV systems for DTT broadcasting in apartment buildings and, if necessary, repairing and upgrading them. 8. Developing mechanisms and conditions for providing the population living outside the DTT coverage area with satellite equipment at a reduced price. 9. Providing targeted assistance for vulnerable and/or low-income citizens.

PR CAMPAIGN During 2010–2018, RTRN held 500 PR events. During its 2019 awareness- raising campaign, the international information agency (MIA) “Russia Today” organized 11 public events and PR actions (flash mobs) and six press Russia’s digital terrestrial television FIRST AMONG THE BRICS conferences. There were more than (DTT) network is the largest operating Over a period of 10 years, about 100 200,000 reports in the printed and broadcast network in the world. It million TV sets and about 20 million online media and more than 20,000 TV includes 5,040 transmission sites and digital set-top boxes were sold. This had advertisements about the DSO and the 10,080 transmitters. It took just 10 years set the stage for the analogue switch- ASO. to transition from analogue to digital off (ASO) and on 29 November 2018, Over 10 million people visited the broadcasting, with the digital switchover the Russian government approved the DSO website and over 3.6 million (DSO) completed in late 2019. roadmap. people called the federal call centre for On 3 December 2009, the Russian In December 2018, the pilot region, consultation and help. In June 2018, government approved a federal the Tver Region, phased out analogue RTRN added a letter “A” icon next to the programme titled “Development of TV broadcasting of 20 federal television logo on analogue federal TV channels. and Radio broadcasting in the Russian channels. Then, during 2019, Russia Marking the analogue video signal in Federation in 2009–2018”. switched off analogue television this way helped viewers identify their The main objective of the programme broadcasting in four stages: eight type of TV reception. was to provide the people of the Russian regions in February, 20 in April, 36 in 100% of the Russian population now Federation with free-to-air digital June, and 21 in October. Russia thus has guaranteed public access to 20 television and radio. became was the first BRICS1 country to must-carry public television channels The Federal State Unitary Enterprise complete the ASO. and three radio stations, 98.4% of them “Russian Television and Radio Preparation for each stage of the ASO through DTT. ASO saw 15,973 analogue Broadcasting Network” (RTRN) was included several activities: transmitters put out of operation. appointed to execute the deployment 1. Informing the population, both The DTT transition helped to bridge of the DTT network using the DVB-T2 through federal and regional media. the digital divide and has laid the standard. Almost 75% of the 5,040 2. Placing information materials in post foundations for the development of new transmission sites were built from offices, social services centres and services (HD, UHD, HbbTV and so on). scratch. retailers of electronic appliances. 3. Door-to-door activities in all localities 1 Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa

Andrey Chernikov is Director of Business Strategy and Technical Polices at RTRN in Russia. He is a member of the DVB Steering Board.

DVB SCENE | MARCH 2021 17 in the content. This would be the case for sports events. Here the viewer would be given maximum image and sound fidelity, and a range of options for sound channels to suit their personal choices. The second experience model is the viewer as observer of events. This is the case for fiction. The viewer here needs to enjoy the content (the ‘suspension of disbelief’) as a work of art, but not feel they are participating in it. Movie makers achieve this ‘look’ (inter alia) using 24 Hz frame rates. Today the compression and parameter values used for digital cinema delivery – the DCI specifications – are not the same as for broadcast or broadband delivery. Is there a case for bringing the movie and broadcast/broadband New DVB solutions for industries together, instigated by DVB, to create a phased move to a universal a post-pandemic world? delivery system for in or out of home? TECHNOLOGY AS COMPANION The pandemic has also brought more loneliness into the world. Maybe we can help alleviate this using media DAVID WOOD (EBU) technology. Can we evolve the television, tablet, or smartphone, to The COVID-19 pandemic has as social contact, and this meant staying become a friend and companion? brought an unforgiving illness to the at home. There could be no cinema, Are there user interfaces that would world and has changed the way we live. theatre, or sports stadium visits. If the make the user feel less alone and offer The media have played an indispensable content these venues offer was to be companionship? Could voice activation part in providing information and seen, it meant streaming or broadcasts systems be developed to use photo- advice; there are also consequential to the home, with obvious differences realistic on-screen avatars having a secondary effects on the media in our in the atmosphere for experiences personality compatible with ours? Could lives. typically shared with many others. Sad, they share and discuss the content we Television and OTT audience-time but if – out of necessity or habit – we are watching, and learn to recognize us? surged in lockdowns, advertising fell, must continue to reduce collective Should DVB work with others on non- loneliness increased and there were experiences, will there be a need to intrusive media-delivered AI that would effects on mental health. We cannot augment the home media experience, to allow this? foresee what the pandemic’s legacy will make it more like in-person collective We also know that COVID-19 has be, yet we should ask if there is a role experiences? complicated the lives of those with for DVB to play in the ‘new normal’. Are It may make sense to merge the sensory or intellectual differences. Is there additional standards that need to formats and technologies of cinema, there a role for DVB? Furthermore, be developed? Are there new alliances broadcast, and broadband media, in a world with increased media that need to be formed? Is there work to whether experienced in or outside the consumption, is it also the moment be done by DVB to remain purposeful home. The ‘parameter values’ would to consider technologies that reduce and relevant? need to meet the needs of the different energy consumption? content types. There may be two DVB members must always be COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCES ‘experience modes’ to be catered for. The realistic about the cost, commercial The pandemic demanded reduced first is the viewer as virtual participant value, and difficulty of introducing new technology. But in the past, DVB has made a difference with innovative “It may make sense to merge the formats and technologies standards for disruptive technologies. Is of cinema, broadcast, and broadband media, whether this the moment to reflect on whether DVB can do yet more, and help the experienced in or outside the home.” post-pandemic world adapt?

David Wood is a consultant to the EBU Technology & Innovation Department. He has chaired several standardization groups at the ITU and the DVB Project, covering areas such as digital television, HDTV, UHDTV, next generation audio and media accessibility. 18 ever-expanding range of consumption devices will provide new constraints, Ofcom shines a light on challenges and opportunities. The first object-based media might technology futures for well have been the invention of closed captioning in the late 1970s. Today, it offers the promise for viewers to be media able to customize the experience to suit their viewing conditions, screen angle, SIMON PARNALL (OFCOM) listening preferences, their interest in the performance statistics of football players – even their preference for the Ofcom is the UK’s independent DRAMATIC CHANGES two teams playing in the game and telecommunications and broadcast The report covers several key areas of the time available to watch the match. regulator, with a remit to encourage interest to Ofcom – fixed, mobile and Television becomes no longer a one- innovation and to ensure that we are wireless technologies; satellite; broadcast size-fits-all medium, but adaptable across emerging technologies in all our and media; and the document’s first and malleable to meet the needs of sectors. In spring 2020 we decided to chapter takes an aspirational overview individual viewers. produce the first of what we expect to of the direction of travel towards be a series of reports on game-changing truly immersive communications and ROLE FOR DVB-I? technologies, shining a light on the applications. Just as a mobile phone user will be innovative technologies that could The chapter on broadcast and media largely unaware of whether a call or shape the communications industry looks at the changing landscape of email has come via 5G, 4G, 3G or in the future. We issued an invitation television and radio, in production, Wi-Fi, so viewers in the future might to anyone with insight and evidence consumption, navigation and – of course reasonably expect their devices to access to contribute to our research and we – distribution. Cloud-based content content via the communication channels carried out dozens of interviews with production, 5G contribution, the use of that are available and preferable. The many leading technologists. artificial intelligence and object-based report looks at content distribution The Technology Futures report, which media (including next generation audio both today and in the light of all the was published in January this year, is – NGA) will all dramatically change opportunities above – and the role available to download. (Find it via the nature of what we can see and hear; that DVB’s standards might play in dvb.org/ofcom-report.) and voice assistants, immersive screen supporting a world in which the user technologies, virtual reality and an is ‘abstracted’ from needing to know exactly how content has been delivered, and a world in which content might be composed of multiple object elements, assembled according to our preferences and needs by our devices. DVB-I is mentioned as one technology that could potentially play a role here. Our cars too are changing dramatically – connectivity is now the norm for navigation, safety and maintenance, and integrated systems with voice assistants offer new paradigms for in-vehicle entertainment. The medium of radio will evolve to meet these opportunities and challenges, and continue to explore the hinterland of multimedia, with supporting text, graphics, pictures and video. Both radio and television are on a path of inevitable change, driven by evolution in production capabilities and “Television becomes no longer a one-size-fits-all medium, consumer experiences. New distribution technologies will be key in facilitating but adaptable and malleable to meet the needs of this change. individual viewers.” DVB has a pivotal part to play.

Simon Parnall has been Principal Advisor Broadcast Technology for Ofcom since 2016. Previously he worked in broadcast research and development, for NDS, Cisco and BBC R&D. His work has primarily been in the creation and standardization of new television and radio technologies, and he has led a number of European and global initiatives 19 Our growing V&V collection DVB has fostered the creation of a growing collection of resources for the verification and validation of its specifications. I Reference application with implementations for HbbTV OpApp and Android, along with various other tools for testing DVB-I Service Lists.

DASH We collaborated with the HbbTV Association to extend the DASH-IF Conformance Tool to handle DASH-related specs from DVB and HbbTV.

S2X A set of test cases to allow for a thorough verification of the newly added beam-hopping formats in DVB-S2X along with other features of the spec. T2 A set of 80 test streams covering single PLP (including with ACE enabled), multiple PLP and T2-lite formats. TTML Created and originally published by IRT, these streams allow the testing of DVB-TTML subtitles, including with downloadable fonts.

AVC Streams to test the interoperability and functionality of DVB HDR dynamic mapping implementations both in Transport Streams and DVB-DASH streams. More information and links: dvb.org/vv