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| A report on the state of digital video shows a strong indication that the TV is still the preferred device for viewers with 89% of total video time consumed on TV sets. See story below for more. |
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Steering Board Approval Paves Way for UHDTV With HDR, HFR and NGA
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The DVB Steering Board approved a new version of the audio-visual coding specification, TS 101 154, adding support for High Dynamic Range (HDR), Higher Frame Rates (HFR) and Next Generation Audio (NGA). The new specification is a major milestone for the industry, allowing broadcasters and CE manufacturers to provide enhanced video and audio in their products and services. This will enable DVB services offering UHDTV with HDR. This would be the first element of UHD-1 Phase 2 features to be implemented and could be available from next year.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) significantly increases the contrast ratio and results in pictures with more 'sparkle'. The DVB HDR solution supports Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) transfer functions. Furthermore, the new specification defines Higher Frame Rates (HFR), offering sharper images of moving objects by going beyond the current 50/60 frames per second. When it comes to audio, DVB has added the latest Next Generation Audio (NGA) schemes to provide immersive and personalized audio content using object- or scene-based coding.
The specification has been published as
BlueBook A157
and will be passed to ETSI for formal publication as TS 101 154 v2.3.1.
Commenting on the new specification, DVB Chairman, Peter MacAvock said "Today's approval of the specification is the result of enormous effort from the contributors, and further evidence of DVB's leadership in the broadcast industry. DVB views the extended audio-visual coding specification as a key enabler for exciting new products and services."
Completing the specification on time required great dedication, with over 30 companies and other interested parties participating in the Technical Module group on audio-visual coding, TM-AVC. It is estimated that some 50 online meetings and 10 days of physical meetings took place in TM-AVC during the year that it was working on the specification. Commercial guidance on Next Generation Audio was provided by CM-AVC, whilst commercial guidance on UHD-1 Phase 2 video was provided by CM-UHDTV. This commitment by DVB Members bears testament to how standards' bodies play an important role and emphasizes the importance of getting consensus and wide approval for new standards.
Ken McCann, Chair of TM-AVC, said "This latest revision of the TS 101 154 adds important new features to ensure that DVB continues to meet the industry's demands for ever-improving video and audio quality. It's a great team effort that marks the culmination of the most intense year of work in TM-AVC's history, 21 years after the first version of the specification was published as BlueBook 001."
Virginie Drugeon, Vice-Chair of TM-AVC and chief editor of the specification, added "This new revision of the TS 101 154 specification is a major technical milestone that was made possible by the huge amount of excellent technical work performed by the many highly qualified television engineers involved in DVB TM-AVC. DVB Members are now looking forward to new exciting television services, including sparkling images, better motion representation, as well as new immersive and personalized audio services."
David Wood, Chair of CM-UHDTV who oversaw the work on the Commercial Requirements for UHD-1 Phase 2, commented "When they draw up the history of television, the agreement by the DVB Steering Board to this specification will surely be writ large. It marks the culmination of many years work by scores of DVB Member engineers, and is probably the tipping point for the new age of UHDTV."
Congratulations to all those who contributed to the huge team effort required to get this important document agreed on time and particularly to Virginie Drugeon for her excellent editorial leadership.
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Commercial Requirements For Work On ABR Multicast Approved
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After consideration of the Commercial Requirements for ABR (Adaptive Bit Rate) Multicast presented to the 84th meeting of the DVB Steering Board (SB) last week, the decision was made to commit the Technical Module (TM) to produce a specification. The scope of the work will pave the way to providing a harmonized solution to the problem of transmitting linear video at scale across IP-based networks. The TM is now set to proceed on work to deliver adaptive bit rate streaming for live applications in a scalable way using multicast techniques over any IP network.
The purpose of the work is to help meet the growing consumer demand for superior quality OTT multiscreen services. In today's environment operators and content providers are under increasing demand to deliver video content anywhere, over any network to any device.
The technical specification resulting from these Commercial Requirements will be applicable to both managed and unmanaged networks. The aim is to leverage existing media workflows and transmission infrastructure while retaining support for security and stream manipulation features.
Commenting on the new work item, DVB Chairman, Peter MacAvock said "The broadcast industry faces the challenges of serving multiple devices across broadcast and broadband networks. It's essential to have a good set of tools to help, and DVB's work in adaptive bitrate streaming continues to be a cornerstone of industry efforts in this area."
Thierry Fautier of the Ad Hoc Sub-Group of CM-AVC, which is tasked with defining the Commercial Requirements for ABR Multicast, said "Adaptive bitrate streaming delivered over the top on managed networks is based on unicast technology, making it difficult to scale for live applications. To resolve this issue, the DVB has decided to develop a specification that will enable ABR multicast distribution via any bidirectional IP network, including telco, cable, and mobile".
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Longterm Strategy Vision For Satellite
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Following discussions among DVB Member companies Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES earlier this year, the CM-S Sub-Group made a proposal to the Commercial Module (CM) to start work on a "Long Term Vision Study for Satellite Broadcasting". The background for such a study is the general acceleration of technology developments both in the professional and consumer segments as well as the now noticeable change in consumer habits vis-a-vis video consumption. At the recent SB it was decided that such work should progress.
It is intended that the study will look at a 2020 to 2035 time frame, analyzing the competitiveness of both existing and emerging satellite video and data delivery solutions, the emergence of new standards addressing a 'beyond transport stream' future and the frequency resources and in-orbit infrastructure that satellite providers will need to address the identified new demands.
As return channel concepts, whether based on terrestrial or satellite technology, may play a key role in any future satellite system, the Chairs of both CM-S and CM-RCS proposed that the two Sub-Groups would merge, which was approved by the CM. As a consequence the merger will allow for a more time efficient and focused work on satellite related topics in the CM and will also make available the expertise of the DVB-RCS member companies for the long term vision study.
For structuring the proposed study, CM-S intends to orient itself with the successful "Long-Term Evolution Study Mission" of the CM-T group led by Vincent Grivet of TDF, which addressed and analyzed similar questions related to the long term development of the terrestrial broadcasting environment.
The proposed study by CM-S will start in early 2017 with the presentation of a mission scope statement to the January CM meeting.
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Proposal For Improvements to EWS Accepted
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The capability to inform a population of immenent dangers such as an earthquake or tsunami is a relevant feature for every broadcast system. The Emergency Warning System (EWS) defined by DVB provides the necessary mechanisms to distribute relevant information to the general public in case of emergencies. The necessary signalling for DVB EWS is defined in the DVB Service Information (SI) standard [1] in combination with the Specification for Video and Audio Coding [2]. These two documents describe a general solution, which can be used worldwide to deliver warning messages to the end user.
As new demands and requirements have arisen, a proposal to define a second-generation EWS solution was proposed at the recent Steering Board meeting and accepted.
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VR Recommendations Receive Backing Of SB
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All VR systems have the same fundamental purpose, to give the viewer the sense of being present in an electronically projected environment. The idea of media that provides Virtual Reality (VR) has been in the air for many years; but, in recent years, improvements in technology have made higher quality immersive image and sound systems increasingly more realizable in consumer equipment. Because of this, we are perceived by some to be on the threshold of the age of Virtual Reality systems.
In late 2015, the DVB established a Study Mission under its Commercial Module tasked with determining whether Virtual Reality video is likely to be commercially successful, and to consider whether there is a role for DVB to play in VR, and if so, what it might be. Last month the CM-Virtual Reality Study Mission Group, chaired by David Wood, submitted its report that included input from Sony Interactive Entertainment, Fraunhofer HHI, Harmonic, DTG, Simon Gower, Qualcomm and b<>com to the Steering Board. At the 84th Steering Board meeting last week, the Board decided to back the recommendations in the report.
The Executive Summary of the report is available to view on the DVB website.
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Would You Use A DVB Virtual Reality Specification
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The DVB Commercial Module welcomed the recent report of the DVB Study Mission on VR. It suggests that there could be a case for a DVB VR specification for use in the immediate future, as usual, drawing on the work of standards bodies. This kind of system is sometimes called 'panoramic/3DOF+'. But before setting up the group to prepare the commercial requirements, the CM asked for an investigation to be made about whether members would use such a specification, and whether the DVB Project is the right place to prepare it. A decision will be taken in February 2017.
DVB Members will shortly receive a request to complete a 'survey monkey' short questionnaire, inviting their current views on VR and on the option of a near term system standard. A few minutes to complete the questionnaire will be a major help in deciding the next steps for DVB.
The Executive Summary of the DVB VR report is available to non-members, and non-members with a genuine interest in VR can also request to complete the questionnaire by contacting the DVB Project Office. Respondent's company details can be kept confidential, if so requested.
You can download a summary of the report here.
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TV Still Commands 89% of Total Viewing Time
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The latest report from the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) shows that while there is a sharp increase in viewing on multimedia devices, television viewing still commands 89% of total video viewing time. The latest VAB State of Digital Video report is showing
that although the juggernaut of mobile phone use is changing the viewing dynamic, it is not in the way most assume. Viewers continue to leave the desktop for smartphones in droves as they take advantage of more on-demand options, while viewing on enabled smart TVs and multimedia devices grows significantly. Still, 89% of viewing is on TV with 8 out of 10 minutes being with live TV; and time watching TVs beats time watching on smartphones 9 to 1 (desktop time also beats smartphones, 7 to 1). What isn't changing is what they're watching - predominantly TV shows.
"Of all the emerging platforms, enabled smart TVs are growing the fastest," said Evelyn Skurkovich, VP/strategic research and insights at the Video Advertising Bureau and author of its State of Digital Video report. "This reinforces the fact that people dedicate the most attention to TV content, and to watching on a TV screen."
Through to June this year, smartphone use was up 9% over the same period last year, while SVOD increased 18%. Multimedia device use bumped 23%, and enabled smart TV use climbed 33%.
Fully 85% of time people 25-54 spend watching video is with TV, vs. 82% for all viewers 18-49 and 76% for the 18-34 set.
Interestingly, gaming consoles are winning over 25 to 64 year-old viewers the fastest, with growth averaging 15% for over 25s vs. flat for under 25s.
The Video Advertising Bureau is an advocacy group dedicated to providing advertisers and their agencies with the most current, complete and actionable media insights on the expanding world of premium, multiscreen TV content.
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Standardization Activities
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The TM-IPI is having a weekly Monday meeting from 28 November through to 19 December. The group is working on a new revision of the MPEG-DASH profile for the transport of ISO BMFF based DVB services over IP networks to fulfill the Commercial Requirements for UHD-1 Phase 2 for Adaptive Bitrate Streaming. This includes support for HDR, HFR and NGA (object-based audio). The weekly conferences are intended to progress the work.
TM-AVC is meeting at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits in Erlangen, Germany on 6 and 7 December. The group will continue to consider potential enhancements to TS 101 154, following the approval of TS 101 154 v2.3.1 at the Steering Board. The meetings will focus on video issues, building on the work to provide solutions for UHD-1 Phase 2, and audio issues building on the work to provide solutions for Next Generation Audio.
TM-SUB will meet on 8 - 9 December in Nuremberg at Dolby Germany. The agenda includes work to finalize two subtitle specifications - EN 300 743 bitmap based subtitles and the new TTML based subtitle specification, in time for the January TM meeting.
The Technical Module is meeting in Geneva on 11 January where progress of ad-hoc groups will be discussed. Items expected to be covered include ongoing work on textual subtitles and Joint Signal Illumination as well as the start of work on Multicast ABR.
The SB Study Mission Group - Beyond TS is meeting in Geneva on 12 January where the draft report will be discussed.
A Commercial Module meeting will take place in London on 25 January. Items on the agenda include feedback on the January TM meeting and updates from each of the active CM subgroups. More specifically, discussions will be held on: Targeted Advertising and whether there's a need for any DVB specifications work in that area; What steps to take next on VR delivery standards, specifically Panoramic 3 degrees of freedom solutions for smartphone-based applications, which will be the most popular VR services initially; The Harmonized Security Framework will get its regular update and it is expected to be ready to ask for CM approval of the latest version; The terms of reference for a new piece of work on the Long Term Vision Study for Satellite Broadcasting; The need for any further work on UHDTV Phase 2 that may be required beyond the core specification.
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Last Chance - Register Today For DVB Asia 2016
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With just a few days left this is your LAST CHANCE to join us in Bangkok for the tech-packed DVB Asia Conference. The 3-day event will be filled with DVB and digital TV technology presentations and discussions, starting with the DVB-T2 Masterclass on November 29th and ending with the UHD Bonus session on December 1st.
Speakers over the three days include experts from some of the biggest names in the industry such
as: ABU,
Akamai, b<>com, Cisco, DVB, Dolby, EBU, ENENSYS, Ericsson, ESA, Fraunhofer HHI, Harmonic, Multichoice, NBTC Thailand, NHK, Rohde & Schwarz, Samsung, SAT>IP, SES, Sony, and TU Braunschweig.
Find out all about DVB-T2, DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2, IPTV, DASH, OTT, HbbTV, UHD, 8K, 3D, mobile TV, SAT>IP, HDR, HFR, NGA, VR, IP studios, media consumption trends, video and audio codecs, DTT in Thailand, South Africa and other countries, and all that is DVB.
Members of the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) get the same 100 EUR discount as DVB Members.
Book your room now to benefit from the special DVB Asia room rate at the Bangkok InterContinental Hotel. - 165 EUR / 6355 THB incl. taxes.
DVB Asia 2016 - Bangkok - Nov 29 to Dec 1 - *LAST CHANCE - BOOK NOW*
Don't miss this opportunity.
Register today
!
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EBU Says Legal Certainty For DTT Is Crucial
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Following the recent vote in the European Parliament's Industry Committee on the draft EU UHF Spectrum Decision, the EBU has welcomed proposals which aim at strengthening legal certainty for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) until 2030 in the sub-700 MHz Band.
The EBU also deems that offering Member States an additional two years to smooth the transition from broadcasting to mobile broadband in the 700 MHz Band is a positive step forward.
Reacting to the recent Industry Committee vote on the spectrum rules, EBU Deputy Head of European Affairs, Wouter Gekiere said: "We welcome the Committee's move to better take into account the needs of broadcasting and its request to ensure legal certainty for DTT services in the sub-700 MHz frequencies until 2030. This is crucial for broadcasters, their audiences and the European cultural and creative industries."
He added: "There is however still scope to improve the draft during the EU interinstitutional negotiations and ensure that this request for long-term legal certainty is reflected consistently across the legislation. EU legislation should fully reflect the decision of the 2015 ITU World Radio Conference to retain the bands below 700 MHz for broadcasting use."
TV broadcasters have already left the 800 MHz UHF Band for mobile use and are preparing to clear 700 MHz UHF Band by 2022. The sub 700-MHz UHF frequencies (470-694 MHz) will be the only frequencies available for DTT.
Once broadcasters move out of the 700 MHz Band - in line with the
decision adopted by the International Telecommunication Union last November
- mobile broadband in the EU will have 1260 MHz of spectrum at its disposal, which is already more than anywhere else in the world and exceeds the EU's target of 1200 MHz.
Broadcasters also share UHF spectrum frequencies with wireless audio microphones, which are widely used in cultural and media events. Uncertainty regarding future access to UHF frequencies puts this successful spectrum sharing model at risk.
DTT remains the most popular way of watching TV in Europe, reaching over half of Europe's population. It ensures universal and free-to-air access to public service TV programmes for viewers. Its popularity and broad outreach directly sustain investment in original European content, and its efficiency and reliability are indispensable for the distribution of TV content to Europe's audiences, in particular when live events are being watched by millions of people at the same time.
Source: EBU
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DVB World Media Partner Host National Technology Awards 2017
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Don't miss the National Technology Awards 2017, 17 May being held at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair. The event is hosted by DVB World Partners CSI Magazine, Perspective Publishing.
Open for entries - free to enter. Deadline: 17 January 2017
Technology has revolutionized the world of business and enhanced the lives of consumers, and these inaugural awards aim to recognize the pioneers of new technology, help drive standards and encourage excellence.
Bought to you by organizers with over two decades' experience reporting on developments in the finance, retail and broadcast sectors, the 2017 National Technology Awards will be the year's most comprehensive celebration of technology.
With over
30 categories
to choose from, technology experts focusing on innovation in areas such as virtual reality, finance, travel, gaming, IoT, analytics and the cloud are encouraged to submit their entries by 17 January 2017. The awards are free to enter and open to any organisation with a UK office.
Find out more here.
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Each year directly after IBC, the DVB World planning committee gets together to create the framework for the coming year's event. This year is no different except the committee is more than happy with the progress at this stage. The DVB World 2017 Conference & Exhibition will take place in the Austrian capital, Vienna on March 13 - 15. The three day event will be held at the city's Hilton Danube Waterfront Hotel, overlooking the River Danube. The hotel is close to the Vienna city center and is a 20-minute drive from Vienna International Airport.
Plans for making the program are well underway and DVB World is pleased to announce that Prof. Albert Heuberger, Executive Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is to deliver one of the keynote addresses. The Pre-conference Masterclass will be on the subject of Virtual Reality, following the recent publication of the Executive Summary of the in-depth DVB Study Mission on VR.
Topics on the agenda for the first two days include:
DVB Receiver Technology; TV Business Models; OTT; Digital TV in Austria; DTT; Satellite Now and in the Future; DVB UHD-1 Phase 2 features, test results and in practice; HbbTV 2.0 roll Out (Italy, UK); IP; ABR and UHD.
Day three will be given over to Crystal Ball Gazing with issues including: - Is VR Virtually Certain? - The DVB Virtual Reality Report; Can Sensory Sickness be Mastered?; The Most Exciting VR Project Ever? VR Olympics etc.; the session will round off with a Panel asking - When and How Will VR Succeed? What Role for DVB?
Other burning topics on day three will be - The Next Generation Video Compression Standard; The Next Generation Image Solutions - VR, AR, display technology, etc.; The Next Gen. Delivery system?; 5G/mobile.
The event starts with the morning Masterclass followed by informal lunch and opportunity for introductions. Lunches and a night out for dinner and celebration will be an opportunity to connect with other delegates, exchange ideas and explore new perspectives. The DVB World evening networking event will include the chance to take a ride on the Riesenrad, Vienna's giant Ferris wheel and one of the oldest operating Ferris wheels in the world. The 213-feet high attraction provides exceptional views over the entire city of Vienna. The Riesenrad was built in 1897 to honor Emperor Franz Josef I's 50th Jubilee and has been one of the city's most beloved attractions ever since. It has even played a prominent role in the classic movie adaption of Graham Greene's novel "The Third Man".
The next evening you will be invited to join a one hour sightseeing bus tour leaving from the Hilton Danube Hotel. Before returning to the hotel, the bus will stop in the city center so you can take time to enjoy the lovely city of Vienna. On the closing day of the conference an informal buffet lunch will be on offer.
Further announcements and details of the conference including speakers and keynotes will be made in the coming weeks. K
eep up to date on the latest news and announcements on keynote speakers and the overall conference program by signing up to receive the
DVB World News e-newsletter
or follow us on Twitter:#dvbworld.
Further information including the conference program, Masterclass and hotel reservations will be available on the DVB World 2017
website
.
For details on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities that are on offer please contact Désirée Gianetti. Don't delay as available exhibition space is limited and sponsorship opportunities tend to go quite quickly. Contact Désirée today to get the appropriate prospectus.
Don't forget to save the date in your diary, 13 - 15 March to take part in what promises to be an outstanding DVB World.
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Speakers' Corner is a regular column of DVB Scene eNews that serves to promote Members the are giving DVB related presentations at the various conferences, seminars and events around the world. DVB Scene eNews is published 10 times a year (each month with combined issues for Dec/Jan and July/Aug). Publication is on the last Thursday of each month with a copy deadline on the preceding Friday. The eNews is distributed to over 5,000 subscribers.
So, if you are a DVB Member speaking on a DVB topic at an upcoming event
get in touch and let us know and we will publish it here.
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