BBC succeeds with world’s first reception of HD pictures over DTT using DVB-T2
Test transmissions in the UK have successfully received high def pictures compliant to the DVB-T2 standard using a real-time demodulator.
The BBC, which performed the tests, says this is the first time anywhere in the world that a live end-to-end DVB-T2 chain has been demonstrated.
DVB-T2 is a new version of the DVB-T standard currently used for digital terrestrial television in the UK.
It offers an increase in efficiency over DVB-T, which means more bandwidth will be available on the multiplex when it is reconfigured in tandem with digital switchover to permit the carriage of high definition services.
That, combined with a switch from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, will allow for increased HD content.
The UK’s analogue transmission ends in 2012 but some parts of the country will get the benefit of DVB-T2 earlier, with a few places going live next year.
The current estimate is that in 2009 there will be three HD channels available in the UK, one of which goes to the BBC and the other two going to ITV, Channel 4 or Five.
The BBC started DVB-T2 test transmissions from the Guildford transmitter in June.
Justin Mitchell, leader of the BBC’s DVB-T2 modem development team, said: “Following the approval of DVB-T2 in June and the launch of test transmissions from Guildford transmitter the next day, we are delighted that on Kingswood Warren’s 60th anniversary our team has been able to deliver a working demonstration of a DVB-T2 modulator and demodulator.”
The modulation and demodulation devices will be made available for licensing.
There will be a demonstration of the DVB-T2 modulator and demodulator on the DVB stand 1.D81 at IBC in Amsterdam.
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