DTG next-gen FTA spec for Freeview Connected
August 8, 2014
DTG members are about to begin work on the evolution of the technical specification for digital terrestrial television (D-Book 8) to introduce support for Freeview Connected and much more, with Working Group meetings due to begin after the summer break.
Simon Gauntlett, the DTG’s Chief Technology Officer, has circulated a plan of activity to the relevant expert Working Groups which includes the following work areas:
1. reviewing the current logical channel number (LCN) swapping and regional handling behaviour;
2. preparations to smooth the potential 700 MHz clearance transition;
3. a profile for tablet DTT receivers;
4. the potential for a UHD-1 Phase 1 profile;
5. support for the HbbTV profile for Freeview.
The fifth area listed has now become possible thanks to support from HbbTV allowing DTG Working Groups to discuss the draft HbbTV v2.0 specification and an agreement from Digital UK to discuss the Freeview Connected Technical Requirements Specification.
This new activity sits alongside current work at the DTG, which includes the UK UHD Forum, the Mobile Video Alliance, the Dynamic Spectrum Access Forum, Multicast and Home Networking activity and ongoing Accessibility work. Simon Gauntlett commented “there is a huge amount of industry activity at the moment, across a wide range of TV and related technologies, proving once again that the UK can lead the world in collaborative innovation and that the DTG remains uniquely placed to bring together all the key stakeholders in a trusted environment.”