June 2002 June Edition No. 02 02 No. Edition Return Push For

DVB - SCENE 02 Tune in to Digital Convergence Product Bulletin DVB-S powering distance learningDVB-S powering distance learning Patent Pooling MHP conformance testing DVB-T in Tawain Report on the current status ofReport on the current status of DVB-RCSDVB-RCS > >> > > > This issue’s highlights highlights This issue’s This issue’s >> The Standard for the Digital World TURBULENT TIMES FOR their arrangements, but there is no doubt that free-to-air will continue. At DIGITAL TELEVISION no time during the debate about why A word from the DVB Project Office business models are to be adopted, but ITV Digital or Quiero failed has the the failures in the UK and Spain will DVB-T technology underpinning the certainly provide food for further platforms been called into question. thought. One reassuring element is that On a lighter note, this issue of DVB receiver prices are now much lower Scene concentrates on three major than they were at the time of the UK areas. The first is recent developments launch, and thus in a better position to in the DVB’s powerful return channel compete with DVB-C boxes on cable satellite specification - known as and DVB-S boxes on satellite. satellite interactive terminals in some DVB remains a key facilitator for the quarters. Prof. Gunnar Stette, working for the European Space Agency, Peter MacAvock, Executive Director digital television industry. In the face of the collapse of ITV Digital and Quiero, explains recent developments in the Issue 2 of DVB Scene comes to you in DVB technology remains a shining area, and there are articles outlining the face of difficult times in the digital example of how a co-ordinated the impact that the specifications are television industry in Europe. This is approach to digital TV delivery can likely to have on the industry. MHP particularly so with the demise of the reap benefits. ITV Digital’s major remains a hot topic: Rainer Schäfer digital terrestrial pay-TV operators - ITV competitors are NTL on cable (using (IRT) outlines the MHP Test Suite Digital in the UK and Quiero TV in DVB-C) and BSkyB on satellite (using development process, while Jud Cary Spain. Failures of this magnitude will DVB-S). The content providers are able (CableLabs) guides us through the have a serious impact on the industry - to furnish content either for the DTT thorny field of intellectual property perhaps causing some change in platform, cable or satellite platforms, rights. direction on the part of regulators, but and other elements of the industry We hope you like this edition of DVB DVB-SCENE : 02 digital terrestrial TV (DTT) will carry on benefit from the cross-platform Scene. Our aim is to provide the - it has to. interoperability. As the free-to-air industry with up-to-date news on DVB A recent study by the European services in the UK shared common issues. Should you have comments or Broadcasting Union indicates that elements with the Pay-TV operator, e.g. suggestions for improving the content almost all European countries will have SI generation (Service Information), of DVB Scene, please don’t hesitate to DTT by 2005. It is unclear which there will need to be some revisions to contact us. Gunnar Stette GUNNAR STETTE CHAIRMAN DVB-RCS REPORTS ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE STANDARD

DVB-RCS, interactive digital to their citizens towards The first version of the RCS system broadcasting with return channel via effective broadband and higher was based on the use of transparent satellite, can be seen as the long bandwidth networks. satellite transponders, of the “bent distance version of the very successful DVB-RCS is based on the very pipe” type, for the return direction. With WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) successful digital TV broadcasting the general expansion of broadband systems of different types which are system via satellite, DVB-S. Digital systems, also systems using satellite, expanding rapidly, and where the broadcasting systems with return new satellite terminals are being provision of Internet services is the channels via different transmission developed. It is in everybody’s interest main driving force. media have been standardised within to harmonise the terminals and to The RCS systems provide broadband the DVB ETSI framework, and RCS, obtain any synergy that can be access independently of the local the last member of that family, can be achieved between different systems. infrastructure and are therefore implemented by an incremental The synergetic effects of this can result available universally, something that is investment to the existing systems. in a wider market with lower terminal recognised by governments and the costs. A new version of the standard has EU. National governments are keenly been produced on by the ad-hoc group Without going into details it can be aware of the need to provide universal and approved by the DVB Technical mentioned that additional elements broadband access, and are constantly Module. There are two significant have been incorporated into the first seeking ways to remove the digital changes in this new version of the version of the signalling system of divide. Many governments have targets standard whilst ensuring full backwards RCS. One is to define a destination in place for the provision of universal compatibility. forward link in a regenerative system C. Elia - ESA, M. Gouta - ESA, V. Foix - CNES, E. Weller - Eutelsat, J. R. Lopez - Hispasat, M. Battihka - Intelsat, J. Krause - SES-Astra, B. R. Anderson - Telenor, D. Mignolo - Alenia Spazio, Ch. Rigal - ASPI, S. Defever - Astrium DVB-RCS TERMINALS FOR REGENERATIVE SATELLITE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS DVB Return Channel via Satellite bands, multi-spot coverage areas and (DVB-RCS) forms the specification for high-speed digital signal processing on the provision of the interaction channel board the satellite. for GEO satellite interactive networks Following the emergence in Europe of with fixed return channel satellite a number of proprietary Regenerative terminals (RCST). The standard, Satellite Multimedia Systems (Skyplex, developed under the auspices of the Domino II, Web/West, Euroskyway) in DVB Forum, was created through the 1999 ESA took the lead to study cooperation of satellite operators and possible ways to facilitate convergence satellite equipment manufactures, of different systems towards a common including system providers, hub standard by harmonising the manufacturers and terminal Regenerative Satellite Access manufacturers. Companies from Terminals (RSATs). Europe, North America and the Middle AHG-RSAT reviewed a number of On ESA’s initiative, and with the East have been involved in this activity. reference models, service cooperation of the main interested DVB-RCS may well become a global requirements and system architectures parties, the Ad-Hoc Group (AHG- satellite standard that allows equipment for RSMS, typically featuring not only RSAT) was created with the aim of DVB-SCENE : 03 manufacturers to focus on the same on-board signal regeneration, but also developing recommendations that technical solution, thus providing a packet or circuit switching between could form the basis for standards for healthy and open competitive beams. satellite terminals to be designed to environment, providing enormous Star and mesh network topologies were operate within a variety of Regenerative benefits to industry and users alike. considered. The connectivity topologies Satellite Multimedia Systems (RSMS). span from point-to-point or multipoint- In recent years, the multimedia The basis of the technical work was the to-multipoint (physical or link or network revolution has created a huge demand DVB-RCS ETSI Standard. for high-speed connections to the layer) scenarios to point-to-multipoint Members of the AHG-RSAT group network. Satellite systems have been (including broadcasting) and multipoint- include ESA, a number of satellite designed to respond to such demand. to-point. operators (EUTELSAT, Hispasat, In particular, Regenerative Satellite The main result is the full convergence Intelsat, SES-Astra, Telenor), certain Systems will constitute the next among a number of initially different satellite system designers (Alcatel generation of telecommunication systems on the use of one and the Space Industries, Alenia Spazio, satellites. They will provide very high same ‘harmonised’ terminal. Astrium) and the French space agency speed Internet connections to Furthermore, the terminal CNES. European Commission and corporate and consumer users characteristics are based on the ETSI were invited as observers. equipped with small (60-80cm existing DVB-RCS. This means that the Membership of the group was on a diameter) antenna terminals. This is economies of scale are even greater. voluntary basis. achieved by employing high-frequency and another is to include an element to A detailed description of the new the market. identify the capability of a terminal to elements will be provided in the revised The lower limit for the symbol rate, support dynamic connectivity. Guideline Document, and the technical mentioned in the informative Annex of work is expected to be finalised at an The modifications to the standard the first version of EN 301 790, was RCS meeting in mid 2002. address the use of RCSTs for return 128k symbols per second. When channels in the DVB system with One modification of the standard is that transmit power is related to the symbol regenerative satellites, but at the same it is symbol rate independent. That rate, a rate reduction could lead to time incorporate some “hooks” that means that the system designers may lower transmit power and consequently would allow development of terminals specify, and the equipment to lower power amplifier cost. This is for operation in meshed networks. The manufacturer must declare, the range noteworthy since cost of the power incorporation of these hooks at this of symbol rates over which the amplifier in the outdoor unit of the stage does not create any backwards terminals are capable of operating. The terminal is significant. compatibility problems. The increased revised Guideline Document, TR 301 The revised standard makes provisions cost and complexity is negligible, and it 790, will also provide information on the for a couple of other optional designs represents a basis for further relationship between data rate and that could enable manufacturers to development to terminals suitable for other related technical parameters, offer terminals more suitable for the general broadband satellite networks such as the phase noise mask. The lower end of the market, related e.g. to with satellites having on board reason for this approach is to open the frequency hopping speed and the processing. possibility for developing terminals range of EIRP control. more suited to cover the lower end of DIck Bakker, Vice President, Sales SpaceBridge Semiconductor

DVB-RCS: STANDARDS AND COMPONENT MIGRATION

DVB-RCS is showing promise for signalling tables based on MPEG table securing market share in the emerging formats and system timing/frequency two-way satcom services world. While references based on PCR From a user terminal perspective the the main focus to date has been on the mechanisms. RCS supports both IP majority of 1st generation solutions DVB-SCENE : 04 European market in terms of initial and ATM return paths with several have leveraged existing DVB-S trials and planned system rollout, DVB- bandwidth servicing classes that can products and provided RCS RCS shows all signs of becoming a be used for a range of user functionality through programmable global satellite standard. applications. The provisioning of an components. With the advancement of DVB-RCS systems will initially be used MPEG return link provides a path for the specification, however, more to provide corporate services, however, integration into existing DVB systems. integrated ASIC solutions have been it is expected a migration into A terminal designed to the RCS developed that will be introduced into residential services will occur within 2-3 requirements can be adapted to systems in 2002. This silicon has been years as costs are reduced and system satellite hubs developed by a number developed with RCS as a key developers can support a larger of manufacturers. Equipment suppliers application but has not necessarily number of users on a single platform. can now take advantage of higher been developed solely for RCS. Ultimately the technology will play a volume manufacturing. A fully The next generation of RCS silicon is part in the convergence of satellite compliant RCS terminal allows a already under development. This work video and broadcast services. Building system operator the freedom to select has been undertaken given the signs upon the DVB-S standard, RCS a number of terminal vendors that can that RCS will succeed as a standard. provides a means to combine digital TV operate on the same hub equipment. In This silicon will implement the full and Internet services into a single the long term, a system integrator may specification and additionally use the gateway unit. be capable of selecting indoor and feedback from 1st generation systems The DVB-CS standard specifies outdoor units, each specified according in developing the functional blocks. flexible terminal requirements. The core to RCS, and mix and match them. This silicon will likely meet 2nd of RCS defines the Media Access First generation equipment has been generation of RCS equipment in 2003 Control (MAC) and Physical (PHY) developed in advance of the finalisation and beyond. Like many standards Layers for a satellite terminal. The RCS of the RCS specification and several before, RCS provides a means for specification extends existing DVB trials have been performed. further integration as the specification specifications with the addition of MAC Operational deployment of RCS matures and the market volumes justify systems supporting several thousand the cost. terminals will occur in the first half of Ultimately the goal of the OEM will be 2002. The services offered in these complete terminal units sold from the systems will utilise a key aspect of factory at costs below the threshold for DVB-RCS - the ability to scale the hub a viable high-volume market. For now, with the number of terminals and to the most say the goal is in the range of 500 provision of a wide range of services Euros for a residential unit. The use of based on the particular market of the DVB-RCS technology in digital TV/ service provider. For example, a service Internet access convergence products provider may flexibly build enterprise will provide further volume opportunities services like mail, web hosting, and for component suppliers and thus lower caching over the RCS air interface. price points to the OEMs. DVB-S POWERING DISTANCE LEARNING

Students at the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz school in Temascalapa, Mexico.

Children in schools across Mexico delivered over satellite, and built a enjoy access to a wider world of state-of-the-art-teleport housed in the “Dear Mr. Clifton: educational resources, thanks to the nation’s national video library “VINE” in ...I want to tell you that I am DVB-S technology of Canadian Mexico City. astonished by all the functions of los company International “We are particularly proud of our work IDC (SuperFlex). With SuperFlex we Corporation (IDC). In business since with Mexico’s public schools where our receive a satellite signal and are able 1984, IDC was among the first receivers are referred to as simply los companies in North America to adopt IDCs or the caja blanca [white box]” to watch educational videos about the DVB-SCENE : 05 Roman, Chinese and Greek the DVB standard. In 1997 IDC says IDC President and CEO, Ron civilizations, and the characteristics launched its SuperFlex family of Clifton, “but this is only one of many of living beings, among many, many products, which take advantage of the projects our team has carried out over other things. This is very nice and I flexibility of DVB technology to combine the last few years. We also have hope that you continue inventing data, video, audio, web pages, systems in use for university and post- more technology for the distance multimedia - any digital content at all - graduate level degree programmes, learning communication for rural into a single DVB transport stream. professional and corporate training, areas of the country and of all the With Mexico widely regarded as the continuing education and telemedicine, world, so that all the children like me regional leader for distance learning as well as e-government. We have can learn more and better...” The Secretaría de Educación Publica distance learning systems working Erika Nataly Pérez Islas (SEP) along with the Instituto across Latin America, in Asia, Europe, Latinamericano de la Comunicación and around the world.” Letter from a student Educativa (ILCE) produce and Michèle LeSaux, IDC’s Director of distribute 11 channels of educational Advanced Development concludes, programming distributed via proprietary “Our company is committed to open video systems to more than 29,000 standards and our customers see the schools across the country. IDC was benefits. In an environment of approached to help meet the challenge cooperative and collaborative learning, of distributing web content and digital it is the only strategy that makes files to schools unreachable by sense. This system has become a telephone lines and therefore excluded model for the region and for the world.” from Internet access. IDC did an overbuild-layering a SuperFlex system on top of the existing video system, using that uplink and receive site infrastructure. Schools are able to simply add one of IDC’s SR2000 receivers, which connects via its Ethernet port to a single computer or a whole local area network. In addition to the “SEC 21” programme providing basic learning support to rural A student watches a video on schools, IDC’s technology is used for IDC’s President and CEO Ron Clifton daily life in Southeast Asia. programmes including adult continuing with Lic. Norberto Arturo García, Computers are donated to education, and RedEscolar (Mexico’s teacher at the “Sor Juana” school. schools from both the public “SchoolNet”). Also, IDC worked with The school, which has no telephone and private sectors, in this case ILCE to develop what is essentially a is located in the “Rancho Las Ford Motor Co has provided a “video on demand” system for teachers Pintas” in rural Mexico. computer lab. who can select a video via a customised web page and have it Time to market is critical for SkyLife to Time in Korea. win the satellite market experienced Alticast provides a highly team that drives professional services multiple the integration between SkyLife vendors involved in the deliver and deployment to quickly MHP solution. deploy this large-scale the Skylife plans to announce of digital commercial availability interactive services to its subscribers in August 2002. SkyLife also selected Alticast for the flexibility of its digital broadcast working with Alticast is actively offering. other vendors to provide SkyLife with an upgrade path to the MHP set-top box for personal video recording The upgrade can be functionality. accomplished via the over-the-air system upgrade. SkyLife is one of the first service operators to deploy digital broadcast and enable subscribers to engage in DVB-MHP interactive applications. leading China’s Shenzhen Cable TV, is implementing a cable operator, similar project, working with Alticast to first interactive deploy China’s television services based on DVB-MHP. Both organisations are recognising that interactive services enable them to gain competitive advantages, benefit from cost savings and new revenue opportunities, and most importantly, attract and retain valuable subscribers. a satellite for broadcasting around the world. The International Broadcasting Center will be able to simultaneously transmit 200 digitally-compressed channels. from the location sites Transmissions to the Center will be carried via an optical link. existing Korea Telecom Scopus won the prestigious bid from the successful following Korea Telecom completion of extensive satellite and telecom network benchmark tests. Scopus is working with Samwoo Co. Ltd. and its Telecommunications representative in Korea, Dong-In Satellite Networks, to provide Korea technical support on site. Telecom MHP solution that holds with our digital reputation for broadcasting platform’s quality and flexibility.” During the May and June games, with Scopus will equip Korea Telecom end-to-end digital broadcasting systems to transmit the events digitally- throughout the world. Twenty compressed channels will originate from each of the ten stadia across Korea where the games will be played. These live feeds will be transmitted via SDH links to the International Broadcasting Center located in Seoul. There they will be routed and re- transmitted via SDH links to three earth stations in Korea and then up-linked to Mr. Sang-Kyu Park, Managing Director, Sang-Kyu Park, Mr. SkyLife IT Business Group at of this emphasises the significance DVB-MHP deployment: “By deploying we can services, to offering now enhance our service viewers with new interactive advantage of applications and take new revenue lower receiver costs and by DVB-MHP, opportunities created such as t-commerce and interactive TV shows.” SkyLife is deploying their digital television services in a phased approach. For phase one, SkyLife launched basic digital broadcast services in March 2002 to provide more than eighty-four video channels and sixty radio channels. With Alticast as the the primary solutions provider, deployment of digital interactive phase two of services kicks-off iTV implementation in June SkyLife’s 2002. Alticast was chosen to be the overall solutions provider for the digital interactive services deployment because of its comprehensive MHP solution that is readily available. uses a Because the Alticast offering widely adopted open standard platform, SkyLife can share and receive interactive services from content providers in Korea and other countries that use DVB-MHP or other standards. 2002 CUP WORLD SkyLife, Korea’s premier satellite SkyLife, Korea’s first has launched the world’s operator, commercial satellite broadcast of digital and DVB-MHP interactive television services. SkyLife selected Alticast to act as the primary solutions provider for their large-scale Digital Interactive Services deployment of the DVB-MHP implementation platform. SkyLife’s represents the first commercial deployment of DVB-MHP services by a and is a milestone satellite operator, event for the widespread adoption of DVB-MHP. has Scopus Network Technologies selected Pixelmatrix Corporation’s DVStation Monitoring Platform to monitor signal and image quality during Cup Football 2002 World the FIFA games this summer in Korea. modular “Scopus selected DVStation’s monitoring platforms because they and feature provide the most effective rich solution for analyzing several simultaneous MPEG signals in real- Scopus Keren, time,” said Yehiel President. Professional Services Vice Cup is the most sought World “FIFA’s after sports competition on the Globe and teaming with Pixelmetrix will provide Scopus with a more total LIVE VIA SATELLITE LIVE

DVB-SCENE : 06 DVB compliant satellite communication The first network system was delivered RESHAPING equipment manufacturer Newtec has to Dutch based Aramiska, which recently completed the first 2Way- started to deploy its services in the BROADBAND Sattellite Broadband IP-Access United Kingdom through its own sales Network, based on the recent RCS force and installation team, with other (Return Channel via Satellite) standard, European countries to follow. SERVICES for its customer Aramiska. The Aramiska network will dramatically Newtec together with its consortium reshape partners Alcatel Bell Space and SpaceBridge Semiconductor Corp., with the support of the European Space Agency, has been able to develop and deliver the world’s first DVB-RCS compliant Broadband Access Network in a record fourteen months. Newtec’s 2Way-Sat is based on a “turn-key” solution including the HUB station and Network Management as well as the Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) to be installed at the user’s premises. DVB-SCENE : 07 EXPLORING TV SERVICES

Scientific-Atlanta has announced its inaugural shipment of the new Explorer 8000 home entertainment servers, the world’s first complete personal entertainment platform for cable, for customer trials. GETTING The Explorer 8000 home entertainment server is designed to offer exciting new, next generation personal TV services. TOGETHER Consumers will be able to pause live TV, record one channel while watching SES GLOBAL, Gilat Satellite Networks five years. By 2005, approximately 8.6 another, record two channels and play and Alcatel Space/SkyBridge have million potential residential and SOHO back another simultaneously, and enjoy announced the formation of a 200 users in Europe will still not have picture-in-picture on any consumer million Euro joint venture to provide access to high-speed cable modem or television set. two-way satellite broadband services in Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services, The PVR aboard the Explorer 8000 enterprise, consumer and SOHO according to analysis by McKinsey & home entertainment server will be markets throughout Europe. The new Company. This represents an important powered by an eighty gigabyte hard company was formed to meet the market potential for the new venture. drive and will be capable of recording growing demand for broadband In the enterprise market and for some up to fifty hours of programming communications services in Europe via small and medium size enterprises without the need for a phone line. With advanced Advantage Very Small (SMEs), the venture will offer complete future added home networking Aperture Terminal VSAT satellite satellite communications services. capabilities, the Explorer 8000 platform technology. These services will be provided both will be capable of sharing a wide range Building on a strong base in the directly by the new company and of entertainment related content enterprise market, the new company through wholesalers and will utilize throughout the home such as video, will expand into the residential market Gilat’s Skystar VSAT product, as well music and digital images. to meet the growing demand for as SES ASTRA’s Broadband Volume shipments of the Explorer 8000 broadband services in Europe, which it Interactive System, which is based on home entertainment server are expects will increase at an annual rate the DVB-RCS standard. expected to begin in June. of more than 30 percent over the next .dvb.org. and has made arrangements to provide its to provide has made arrangements MHP property royalty-free to intellectual implementers. Coordinator will The DVB Patent independent, objective perform an determine if each declared analysis to the patent is necessary for relevant DVB implementation of the regarding specification. All information patent analysis the performance of the Once the is kept strictly confidential. it is expected analysis is completed, holders of that the identity of the other essential patents, and available to information, will be made the DVB membership. found to have Patent holders who are necessary intellectual property are encouraged to create a “one-stop- shop” license, also referred to as a an “patent pool.” Patent pools offer mechanism for making efficient necessary intellectual property available to implementers of DVB specifications. Patent pools are also patent holders, because for the efficient administrative, transaction, and other costs are shared, and kept to a minimum. With respect to the DVB-MHP specification, the potential efficiencies are even more apparent. CableLabs, the US cable specification organisation, recently made a similar call for intellectual property for its OCAP specification. OCAP is largely based on the DVB-MHP specification. CableLabs will use the same Patent Coordinator as DVB. For the same patent evaluation fee, a patent holder will receive an analysis with respect to both the MHP and the OCAP specifications. It is expected that subsequent licensing can also be coordinated among the common patent holders, on the one hand, and MHP/OCAP implementers, on the other hand. Other countries or organizations that are considering adopting the MHP specification would also stand to benefit from a central patent evaluation, and licensing, structure. Patent pooling and common licensing will fuel the widespread adoption of DVB specifications. DVB has been successful in facilitating the creation of other patent pools, including the DVB-T expect that licensing programme. We the industry will respond in a similar fashion, and DVB will have similar success with MHP and other DVB specifications. For more information on the specifications covered by the call for declarations, see www www.cablelabs.com. DVB extended the deadline for DVB extended the deadline to 31 May submitting declarations CableLabs, 2002. As discussed below, a similar effort in May 2002, launched Platform for its OpenCable Application (OCAP) specification. must take is The first step a company against to review their patent portfolio If a the relevant DVB specifications. have relevant company believes they which are patents - that is, those implementing necessary infringed when a specification — they should submit a declaration, the patent, evaluation fee ($3500 per patent), and any other requested materials to the DVB Patent the law firm of Wilmer, Coordinator, Cutler & Pickering (2445 M Street, D.C., 20037-1420, Washington, N.W., USA. contact [email protected]). Members of the DVB are required to license necessary intellectual property reasonable, and non- on fair, discriminatory terms. Such licenses can be royalty-free, or include a Sun, a large reasonable royalty. contributor to the MHP specification, CHALLENGE By Jud Cary, Assistant General By Jud Cary, Counsel, CableLabs The DVB Project has made a call for declarations of intellectual property required to implement various DVB specifications, including the . The challenge to the industry is to establish an efficient licensing regime for implementers of the MHP and other specifications. To has date, the DVB Project office received multiple patent declarations. Additional declarations are expected as THE INTELLECTUAL THE [PROPERTY]

DVB-SCENE : 08 CONFORMANCE TESTING THE MHP TEST SUITE

The MHP Test Suite consists of aspect of an API or of the MHP thousands of individual tests that specification (a so-called “assertion”) determine conformance of MHP and then verify the correct products. After successfully passing all implementation by running a small tests in a self-certification process set- MHP Xlet that has been created after top-box manufacturers will be allowed defining a strategy on how to test this to signal MHP compliance to the assertion. Every test must show a clear customer by using the MHP logo (fig. “pass” or “fail”. The Test Suite will be 1). Compliance with the standard is one delivered as a set of Xlets, class files - of the fundamental prerequisites for including corresponding source code interoperability between products in a for debugging purposes - and other horizontal market. Adequate testing is files that are usually broadcast to the unavoidable for horizontal markets, MHP in a DSMCC object carousel, however, MHP equally shows its Dr. Ing. Rainer Schaefer was senior together with a common documentation strength and advantages for operators engineer in the New Services and and instructions on how to apply them. in vertical markets by simplifying Media Infrastructure department at Java and JVM tests were approved by creation, exchange and integration of IRT (Institut fuer Rundfunktechnik). DVB during the first “Request for interactive content and by lowering Since April 2002 he is head of the Technology” (RFT) in July 2001 and are costs through strong competition. Production Systems TV department. currently updated in order to reflect any The MHP Experts Group (MEG), a sub- recent decisions. Under the second IRT is the Research and group of the Technical Module, has RFT scheduled for the June 2002 Development Institute of the public been working on the collection, review meeting of the DVB Steering Board, DVB-SCENE : 09 broadcasters in Germany, Austria and assembly of tests since early 2001 another eight bundles containing and Switzerland (ARD, ZDF, DLR, and is targeting mid 2002 for several hundreds of tests for the ORF, SRG/SSR) completion of the first MHP 1.0.2 Test remaining areas have been received Suite. Major hardware and middleware and already mainly approved by MEG vendors have contributed tests for the at the time of writing this article. Four development of the Suite especially in further submissions or updates will be the areas of the standard which are not received, two of them being major already covered by Sun Microsystem’s ones. Other ongoing work is concentrated on increasing the depth Fig 1: Certification Process and coverage of tests in these areas - especially for the HAVi APIs where tests already created by contributing members have been announced to the Experts Group. The DVB Project Office is already preparing for quick packaging and delivery of the Test Suite to ETSI, where it will then be obtainable for an administrative handling charge of 1,000 Euros after signing an agreement. More detailed information on related contractual arrangements can be found in DVB’s Blue Book A066.

contributions. MEG is also responsible for maintaining the Test Suite with improvements and the extensions to other profiles. The areas covered by the Test Suite (fig. 2) can be separated into a series of APIs (Java, Javax, DVB, DAVIC, HAVi) and into “basics” that are mainly related to more “human readable sections” of the specification and perform tests on e.g. graphics features or the application life cycle. The tests are typically organised to Fig 2: Test Suite Contributions identify a small and single testable Phil Sandberg is pretty sure he’s the publisher of online technical library www.broadcastpapers.com and Asia-Pacific Editor of TV Technology magazine.

In My Opinion - Phil Sandberg I WANT MY HDTV

It may not strictly be an example of was the small problem that no one case with some European operators, Australia’s post-WWII identity crisis, could see how they would make money meant they would have more freedom but the combination of a European out of being a datacaster. to experiment with content and how it is technology (DVB-T) and American Of course, there were also arguments presented (even if they were not business model (HDTV) could be seen raging over availability and affordability permitted to do so for a long period). In as fitting the bill. of receivers. With a DVB-T market in short, it helped “future-proof” their businesses and gave them flexibility.

DVB-SCENE : 10 When the Australian free-to-air industry Europe less than enthused with high announced its transition to digital would definition after the analogue HD And flexibility is what the Government take the form of DVB-T HDTV services, debacle of the 1980s, some wondered seems to be exhibiting at the moment. the Americans (well, the ATSC) were what the point of adopting an At a recent conference hosted by disappointed and the Europeans international standard was if we regulatory body, the Australian thought they were all mad (obviously couldn’t take advantage of international Broadcasting Authority, Minister for too much sun - and beer). economies of scale. After all, an HDTV, Communications Senator Richard Of course, it was all a bit more DVB-T receiver designed for use with Alston outlined details of a Government complicated than that with different 7MHz channel slots going to a market review that could see multichannel media organisations (both broadcasters of 20 million people did seem like a bit restrictions relaxed and weekly quotas and non-broadcasters alike) all jostling of a custom job. on HD broadcasts become annual for different outcomes and a However, the $100 gazillion HDTV sets quotas. The proposed changes would Government making regulatory never quite materialised. Of course, big be part of an overall review, due later concessions to everyone, yet satisfying widescreen displays/sets range from this year, of media policy that includes no one. £500-1000 right up to the price of a foreign and cross-media ownership, and rationalisation and digitalisation of HDTV was made mandatory for small, Japanese or Korean car, but we the nation’s cable networks. commercial broadcasters, while now have standard and high definition multichannel programming was set-top boxes for around £300. And, So, as the process of digital roll-out forbidden (except in the case of multi- despite being pronounced stillborn by continues to evolve down under, I view coverage of sporting events, etc). the larger Australian newspaper groups suspect analogue switch-off, while In short, it helped “future-proof” their businesses and gave them flexibility.

This allowed incumbent broadcasters (you might remember them from the inevitable, will be a little further down to migrate to digital without threatening datacaster category), the digital roll-out the track than most people first the fledgling pay-TV industry while continues to gather pace with a number thought, but then again I suspect there regulators arbitrarily created the of the larger regional centres coming are those in the UK having similar category of “datacaster” which on line and the major networks, most thoughts. Vale ITV Digital. prevented new entrants encroaching on notably Network Ten, pushing the While there are those who think we the established FTA market via a envelope in terms of MHP. should have waited, Australia adopted complex list of genre restrictions. So what has HDTV meant for DVB-T as its digital terrestrial platform Simple, except for the fact that no one Australian broadcasters? Most in 1998. With ISDB-T standardised a was happy. A split in the free to air important, whether some of them want year later and China expected to ranks (with more than one eye on to admit it or not, it has delivered announce its own digital standard next future multichannel, possibly bandwidth. Cooperating with the year, its probably good we didn’t. subscription services) led to the Government’s requirement of European, US and Asian elements may “triplecasting” scheme which required broadcasting single, high definition go well in the mix of national identity, broadcasters to simulcast programmes programme streams allowed them to but with television I think we’ve given in high and standard definition as well retain their full 7MHz channels. Not ourselves enough of a crisis. as conventional analogue. Then there having to share a multiplex, as is the TAIWANESE BROADCASTERS DISCOVER THE POTENTIAL OF DVB-T

Taiwan’s decision in 2001 to go for SNMP and ordered a single unit for date the final structure is not clear, the DVB-T technology was generally a testing. One very important criterion operators are looking at the surprise as initially the country had that Rohde & Schwarz had to fulfil for possibilities of sharing infrastructure favoured ATSC. Especially as Taiwan is this project was the very short delivery especially on the antenna side. The the first country with analogue 6MHz time, which was very critical to all three issue of sharing the multiplexers is not bandwidth to have opted for DVB-T broadcasters. The operators wanted to yet very clear. In total, with the five (also in 6 MHz). The main motivation go on-air by the end of April 2002, in broadcasters put together, it is for the operators in Taiwan to switch to order to complete their experience and expected that about 10 to 15 TV DVB-T was the mobile application, proceed towards the network programmes would be broadcast in which is seen as the application with expansion. Taiwan. the most potential for broadcasters in As part of the project, Rohde & It is expected that the SFN coverage Taiwan to go digital. Schwarz undertook to deliver 2.5KW & for the nationwide network, which is In the first step of DVB-T 1.3, 4KW liquid cooled transmitters already underway, should be completed implementation, three of the five private together with training, installation and by end of 2003. The final target, as broadcasters CTS, CTV & TTV decided commissioning. Rohde & Schwarz seen now, is to achieve SFN with to go together for their procurement in successfully performed the training and mobile applications and in future the order to optimise the information the technical acceptance procedures support data applications. All in all, the sharing and to get the best techno- during February 2002. The goal of progress so far towards DVB-T in commercial solution. As part of their Rohde & Schwarz was to get the Taiwan has been very rapid. It is the pursuit for detailed information, a transmitters on air by end of April and hope of all the operators that the delegation from the three broadcasters to provide the best possible support to benefits provided by this new

visited Germany and had a detailed the broadcasters in Taiwan. Currently technology will be appreciated by their DVB-SCENE : 11 look at the network solution as well as the operators are looking to get the viewers, which will certainly make this the hardware available. network planning in place for a new venture a technical and The detailed technical discussions and nationwide SFN network. Although to commercial success for the operators. presentations were very extensive and interesting for both sides. Rohde & Schwarz had no reference in Taiwan and as such the technology was new for the country. Because of this all three customers had a to make the difficult decision to arrive at a conclusive choice of a hardware supplier. Eventually the excellent system concept, strong performance and strong references in DVB-T helped Rohde & Schwarz gain access into this very important digital market. The broadcasters chose the Rohde & Schwarz NETLINK to provide remote control and monitoring over TCPIP/ UK TRIALS MOBILE DIGITAL TV NTL Broadcast has successfully could increase the scope of the digital robust signals. However experiments completed UK tests of mobile digital terrestrial platform for broadcasters and also showed that reliable reception terrestrial television (DTT) proving that viewers alike. could be maintained at higher data consistent high-quality video, audio and In the UK trials, which took place in the rates with increased transmitter power. data can be received in moving Oxford area over the last few months, a Steve Holebrook, business director for vehicles using existing frequency multi-channel service was broadcast media solutions at NTL Broadcast, spectrum. The work follows NTL’s over a single-frequency network. This said: “This initiative opens the way for building of the world’s first commercial was received in a vehicle equipped with development of the DTT platform. It’s mobile digital TV network in Singapore seat-back TV screens, demonstrating important that we explore this last year, which provides a service to excellent picture quality and signal developing technology to show what video screens installed on public robustness. Different transmission can be achieved in mobile TV with transport. modes were evaluated and the relatively little frequency spectrum. Using a rugged form of the established performance of various demodulator There is considerable interest world- DVB-T transmission format, digital chips was assessed in order to identify wide. The mobile audience is an terrestrial television has the potential to those most suitable for use in mobile untapped market for TV delivery and offer perfect pictures on the move. This receivers. The trials confirmed that one which only digital terrestrial unique feature allows applications that lower data rates delivered the most broadcasts can readily fill.” PRODUCT BULLETIN DVB Scene takes a look at some of the offerings from DVB members

Continental Microwave has the corporate VPN market with up to capture up to 96MB of the stream announced details of its full featured 5,000 terminals per hub or even whenever an error occurs. Once compact digital microwave transmitter beyond. Here the DVB-S carrier would captured, the data can be played back that uses fully integrated MPEG-2 scale between 2 and 38 Mbps for review, thus helping engineers compression and DVB-T (2k) COFDM transmission. The hub supports locate problems quickly without having modulation for exceptionally robust ‘on multiple transponders which can span to depend upon costly external test and camera’ transmission in live ENG, vial multiple satellite transferring data in measurement equipment to evaluate studio and OB applications. The IP over DVB-S format. The SITs the data. Reporter Series transmitter is both themselves are able to transmit back to Scopus Technologies has announced compact and lightweight at under 1.5kg the hub at up top 2 Mbps (MF-TDMA an addition to its CODICO product and is available with options for direct capacity assignment). To date, ND family with the RTM-3300, a 10-input,

DVB-SCENE : 12 camera mounting and backpack/ SatCom has partnered with Raytheon compact 1 rack-unit, DVB Statistical beltpack configurations. in the development of terminals and is Multiplexer / Re-Multiplexer and completing development of an transport stream processor. The RTM- Reporter Series integrated POP concept to permit 3300 is intended for medium size head Transmitter customisation of a service offering via ends and digital turnaround add-on router capabilities integrated applications. It is also suited to operate into the IDU. The feature set of the in instances in which broadcasters do integrated POP includes remote not require excessive capacity such as access control, a TCP PEP (including multi-channel DSNG and DENG data compression capability) a DHCP applications.Options include a built-in server, a full NAT implementation, DVB scrambler or can also be supplied covering all translation variants and as a standalone DVB scrambler. allowing a flexible interrelationship with Sofia Digital is now offering a the NAT capability already included in benchmark application for testing MHP the hub, plus a full router with IP/Sec terminals as part of its service portfolio authentication and encryption for MHP set-top box manufacturers. functionality. Raytheon and EMS supply The goal of using the benchmark the IDU portions of the terminals. application is to evaluate the Adding to its DVStation product line, performance and test the functionality Pixelmetrix have introduced the low- of different MHP terminals. It measures The company has also launched its cost DVStation-Pod, a complete single- the processing power and graphics CDX-T, a broadcast quality MPEG-2 channel preventative monitoring engine speed. It evaluates font support, encoder combining the features of an solution. Available in three support for I-Frames, and other image encoder, satellite DVB-T modulator and configurations, it can be used for formats as well as video scaling. satellite upconverter in a compact 1U integrating, installation and The company has also announced its rack mount unit. Specified for rugged troubleshooting in digital television launch of Backstage Publisher for operation in temperatures -10 to +50 facilities. The system is targeted at managing iTV services using MHP. degrees Celsius, the unit is ideal for satellite, cable and terrestrial Designed to control the content of iTV flyaway and mobile DSNG operations broadcasters. as well as main earth stations. services on any object carousel. The system enables an object carousel to Harris, through its ITIS Products add iTV services to the broadcast group, has launched a 50W version of DVStation-Pod stream to be received with the video SPOT, its intelligent repeater designed stream on a viewer’s TV. FM91D for gap filling. SPOT receives an incoming digital broadcast, then Tektronix has introduced a handheld decodes and recodes it before waveform monitor for broadcasters, transmitting it, ensuring signal integrity, network operators, and content and far higher resilience than a simple providers that need a fully portable analogue repeater. Also new to the Pixelmetrix DVStation instrument that can monitor both digital product line is TS Capture with On- and analogue signals from a single IBS is a corporate DVB-RCS solution Board Playback. The Transport tool. The WFM91D is a handheld, from ND SatCom. This network Stream module allows the operator to battery-powered, composite analogue infrastructure is more finely tuned to that has been designed to give TV Internet, sound and video streaming, Operators the security, flexibility and on-line shopping, interactive games, control over the distribution of digital etc.) provided they are offered by the content and t-commerce applications. network operator. The system is based on smart card Scientific-Atlanta claims its new technology featuring dual layer security. Explorer 2200 and 3200 digital Motorola has expanded its digital interactive set-tops deliver increased product family with three new DVB performance for interactive TV services compliant set-top boxes. The DVi1000 in a footprint significantly smaller with is for enhanced broadcasting on DVB- innovations and improvements such as C with more programming channels improved speed and performance with

and subscriber benefits. The DVi3000 a powerful 166MHz, 32-bit RISC DVB-SCENE : 13 provides expanded channel capacity, processor. Many of the set-top virtual channels, and hyperlinking functions, such as graphics, are capabilities, as well as supporting real- processed via dedicated integrated WFM91D time reverse-path communications, circuitry and not via the CPU, leaving providing a gateway to interactive more of the CPU’s power available for services such as video-on-demand, digital services. and SD-SDI component digital thin-client TV-based Internet, and waveform monitor that provides Viaccess SA has introduced Viaccess- electronic programme guides. The flexibility, portability, and powerful Net, a scalable conditional access DVi3500 is an advanced-interactive monitoring to users dealing with system for content distribution over IP. DVB-compliant digital decoder with an equipment installation, maintenance, It allows for the secure delivery of integrated modem. and field production. multicast and unicast content on all IP network architectures (satellite, cable, Tektronix has also launched a portable DVi3500 terrestrial, xdsl, LAN/WAN) and offers a MPEG testing device that provides a way to secure and manage access to first line of defence in analysing MPEG- many push services on the Web such 2 transport stream formats. The AD920 as video or audio streaming and file is a handheld, battery-powered MPEG downloading. transport stream confidence tester that reduces downtime, provides faster The company’s new MediaSuite-KV is installation time, and quickly identifies an end-to-end content management faults to help ensure quality and solution that enables providers of video Sagem has launched four new set-top reliability in networks that distribute over IP services to encode, enrich, video, audio, and data in digital boxes. The Sagem PVR 5000S plan, publish and distribute their formats, including DVB. Personal Video Recorder satellite content to the consumer, while series designed for digital quality controlling access and managing DVN Technology Limited is now reception and recording of contractual rights along the whole value offering J-Box, a digital cable receiver. unscrambled and encrypted satellite TV chain. Media-Suite-KV runs on any IP J-Box works like a client server and programmes that can record up to 40 infrastructure (proprietary operator only downloads appplications when hours of programmes on its integrated network, Intranet or Internet) and needed and stores only those that are 80 GB hard disk. The Sagem IXD500 delivers content to any IP receiving frequently used. for satellite, cable and terrestrial device (TV & set-top box, computer, television operators who want to carry PDA, mobile phone). out mass digitisation (conversion of J-Box analogue subscribers) at minimum cost. The Sagem ADSL5000 is for the reception of programmes broadcast over the ADSL network. And finally the Sagem ICD 5600-RC cable set-top with Also now availabe is JetCAS, the an integrated cable modem that makes company’s fourth generation DVB it possible to receive wide band and compliant conditional access system backward channel services (fast .dvb.org The in this views expressed arenewsletter those of indi- the members or guests and vidual DVB are not necessarily of the views the Project OfficeDVB or Steering Board. Published by the DVB Project Office, c/o European Broadcasting Union, 17a Ancienne Route, CH-1218 Grand Saconnex, Switzerland. http://www News Editor - William Daly Features Editor - Harold Bergin Editorial and Advertising enquiries to: London, WHD, PO Box 3035, Westminster, SW1P 3BH, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected] +44 (0)20 7799 3100 Tel: Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 0922 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior All content correct consent of the publisher. at time of print. (c) DVB-SCENE 2002. DVB, the DVB logo, MHP and the MHP logo are trademarks of the DVB. Certain other product names, brand names and company names may be trademarks or designations of their respective owners. Design by GryroGroup, Geneva, Switzerland. UK. Printed by Jensen Press Limited, Yeovil, Platform) standards in this regard. It is in this regard. Platform) standards that several understood are taking place. experimentations more significant One of the is the testing of developments the modulation to increase hierarchical This DVB service options available. effectively based technology can transmission provide within the one bit streams channel two quite separate different each having distinctly it can characteristics. For instance, to fixed provide an HDTV service same time receivers whilst at the but lower bitrate provide a more robust population. service to a mobile receiver definition This can be a standard service for portable and mobile receivers or indeed a multiplex of data or other products. No specific announcement has been made regarding service intentions but it is understood that the tests were the extremely successful. Clearly, Australians are doing some groundbreaking work in this area. SIDSA Xantic MTV Oy (Skylife) MPEG L.A. Vodaphone Optus Television Pixelmetrix Corp. ViXS Systems Inc ViXS Zentek Technology Inc. Zentek Technology NxtWave Communications Inc NxtWave NSI Communications Systems Inc. According to Digital Broadcasting According to report Industry sources Australia (DBA) of and February 2002, sales in January TVs were up 700% from widescreen a in 2001 (albeit from the same period that It is currently estimated low base). digital over 50% of prime time in 16:9 programming is available price of widescreen format. The also far lower converting to digital is ago - a than expected 12 months digital set-top widescreen TV with a as little as box is now available for low level of $1,600. Despite the initial receive sales, set-top boxes to have reduced in Standard Television just less than 12 price by up to 50% in months. It is believed that such reduction is attributable to the economy of scale that comes with the DVB system - it being now implemented in other countries around the world. Many such receivers are now being sold simply because it has been found that this is a cheap way to fix unsatisfactory reception of analogue signals because of multipath. DVB-T eliminates such reception errors. Other programming initiatives which digital receiver are likely to effect growth is the improvement to programming. This includes the provision of special digital channels. The ABC for instance has already introduced a twenty-four hour children’s are channel and other digital offerings in the pipeline. Consideration by the government is also being given to allow commercial channels to go to multichannel operation. This is currently not allowed under the existing licensing regime. Interactive services are the next focus and may prove to be the crucial element in the broadcaster’s business model. The industry has opted to adopt the DVB-MHP (Multimedia Home IN THE NEW MEMBERS Infonova ish GmbH Harmonic Inc. Groupe Canal+ Services GmbH DemoGraFX Inc. PICTURE Canal+ Technologies Agfa Monotype Corp. gcs-Global Communication & International Datacasting Corp. Broadband Wireless Association AUSTRALIA Korea Digital Satelllite Broadcasting Australia commenced implementation Australia commenced services of DVB based digital terrestrial over a year ago and this implementation process is proceeding on track. All capital cities are now provided with free to air commercial services as well as services from the government funded stations of the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and the SBS (Special Broadcasting Service). Some major regional centres have also come on stream and implementation to other areas will gradually continue until 2004 at which time most areas will be covered. The most recent commissioning occurred in Newcastle where test transmissions commenced early in April. Programming has been largely limited to the replication of programmes available on the analogue channels and therefore there has not been any great attraction up until now for people to invest in digital receivers. Some changes however are occurring which are starting to stimulate the market. Indeed High Definition transmissions are becoming increasingly available and coupled to the availability of HD decoders and general affordable digital awareness, receiver sales are on the way up. John Bigeni reports

DVB-SCENE : 14