DTG welcomes Intellect HbbTV consultation
July 11, 2012
By Colin Mann
The Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for digital television in the UK and an active member of the HbbTV hybrid TV standard, has said it welcomes the decision by Intellect, the UK’s trade body for the high technology sector, to consult with broadcasters regarding its preferred way for aligning the UK with HbbTV.
The DTG publishes the specification for Freeview, Freeview+ and Freeview HD, commonly known as the D-Book, which among other features includes ‘red button’ and hybrid TV. In April 2011, the DTG issued D-Book 7, its specification incorporating HbbTV. In development since 2009, D-Book 7 adds essential elements to HbbTV to meet UK service providers’ business requirements and to ensure existing and new services can coexist and interoperate. The DTG says it looks forward to working with others in the digital industry to continue to develop the D-Book.
The DTG points out that as with all its specifications, the main UK service providers and manufacturers have led and contributed to the development of D-Book 7 via industry-chaired technical working groups. YouView and Freesat use the D-Book specification as the foundation for their respective services and both have played a consistently strong role in shaping UK connected TV standards.
The DTG says it consistently works to harmonise international standards, while ensuring the UK maintains its reputation as a leader in digital television. In support of DTG members’ requirements and the European Commission’s Digital Agenda for Europe (2010 -2020, Digital Single Market: Pillar I), the DTG routinely feeds back D-Book enhancements to the appropriate international standards, including HbbTV.
In conclusion, the DTG confirms that it is committed to ensuring a highly stable, open and innovative digital television market in the UK and will work with industry partners across the sector to enable the continuing success of that market.