This issue's highlights
Major Study Mission On Long Term Vision For Satellite Broadcasting
New Wideband Study Mission Group Announced
DVB Attends IRIB's Annual Media Technology Conference
Successful UHD Webinar Paves The Way For Future Events
DVB Speakers' Corner
Standardization Activities
Join the Global Community of Digital Experts
Don't Miss The Vienna DVB World Experience - Last Chance For Early Bird Discount
2017 Brings Big Hopes for Virtual Reality
Deadline Extension For National Technology Awards
With the general acceleration of satellite technology developments both in the professional and consumer segments, DVB embarks on a major new Study Mission into the long term vision for Satellite Broadcasting. See story below for more. 
Major Study Mission On Long Term Vision For Satellite Broadcasting

The launch of a DVB Study Mission into the long term vision for satellite broadcasting was approved at this week's 77th meeting of the Commercial Module (CM). This followed a decision at the last Steering Board meeting when it was agreed 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.

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 in relation to video consumption. This followed discussions among DVB Member companies Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES.

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  to identify the likely evolutions of terrestrial broadcast and the associated need for updates/changes in DVB's technical specifications.

The CM has advised that in this process it will be very important to get inputs from the stakeholders beyond the CM-S participants, and chiefly from all DVB Members.
New Wideband Study Mission Group Announced

A new Study Mission Group has been formed to evaluate a possible future of a Wideband reuse-1 system. WiB is a relatively new system concept for DTT where potentially all frequencies within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band are used on all transmitter sites (i.e. reuse-1). Interference, especially from neighboring transmitters operating on the same frequency and transmitting different information, is handled by a combination of a robust transmission mode, directional discrimination of the receiving antenna and interference cancellation methods. With this approach DTT may be transmitted as a single wideband signal, covering potentially the entire UHF band, from a single wideband transmitter per transmitter site. Thanks to a higher spectrum utilization, the approach allows for a dramatic reduction in fundamental power/cost and about a 37-60% capacity increase for the same coverage as with current DTT. High speed mobile reception, as well as fine granularity local services would also be supported without loss of capacity.

The evaluation will include the technical potential, the technical consequences and feasibility issues of the system. Any potential obstacles to sharing the same spectrum for both broadcast and mobile communications, as well as any technical challenges for higher layers, such as SI carriage or stat-muxing will also be considered.

The Group will be chaired by Chris Nokes, BBC R&D.

It is expected that the Group will present its report in October 2017 at the scheduled Technical Module meeting. The final report would then be delivered in January 2018.

For further information and the terms of reference for the WiB Study Mission Group click here.
DVB Attends IRIB's Annual Media Technology Conference 

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) organization holds a monopoly on radio in television in the country. It is one of the largest broadcasters in the Asian and Pacific region with about 13,000 employees worldwide. IRIB produces a wide range of TV and radio channels, which also includes radio World Service in several foreign languages.

Iran opted for DVB-T with H.264 and began its digital migration in 2009 with analog switch-off in 2015. It primarily offers a SD service, however there are plans to migrate to DVB-T2 for a greater HD offering. In addition, IPTV for content distribution is being looked into and HbbTV is being considered for interactivity.

IRIB hosts a yearly Media Technology Conference at its headquarters in Tehran. The 13th annual conference took place on 17 - 18 January with about 500 broadcast engineers in attendance to listen to technical presentations and to discuss the latest trends. The event also included an exhibition with about 40 exhibitors. Owing to the embargo, IRIB relies heavily on local manufactures.  This has created a vibrant broadcast equipment industry that is now eager to enter the international market.

This year, for the first time, international guests were invited to the event. Participants from NHK, ABU, DVB along with others took part. Peter Siebert gave a presentation on the latest developments in DVB with a focus on terrestrial transmission and DVB's cooperation with HbbTV. In addition he met with the Technical Director of IRIB and discussed how the two organizations might work closer together.

At the official closing ceremony international guests received a 'Letter of Appreciation' for their attendance.
Successful UHD Webinar Paves The Way For Future Events

DVB has embarked on a new initiative to present a series of webinars to provide information on its latest technologies. With the recent decision of the DVB Steering Board to approve a new version of the audio-visual coding specification, TS 101 154,which adds support for High Dynamic Range (HDR), Higher Frame Rates (HFR) and Next Generation Audio (NGA), the subject was the first in the series of webinars. The well supported event was held on 18 January and was hosted by Virginie Drugeon (Panasonic), the Vice-Chair of TM-AVC and chief editor of the UHD specification. Virginie provided an explanation of all the new features of this impressive new specification and fielded questions from the participants. The new specification is considered to be a major milestone for the industry offering the necessary interoperability to allow broadcasters and CE manufacturers to provide enhanced video and audio in their products and services.

If you missed the opportunity to participate, don't worry, you can still catch-up on the webinar by visiting the DVB website.

Stayed tuned for further announcements on future webinars.
DVB Speakers' Corner

DVB's Executive Director, Peter Siebert will Chair the session 'Digital Terrestrial TV Transmission (DTT): Emerging Scenario' on 3 February at the forthcoming BES Expo 2017 in Delhi, India. He will also give a presentation on UHD Phase 2 in the session 'Technology Trends & Challenges in 4K/8K UHD' on 4 February.

Eric Deniau, VP Operations & Innovation at ENENSYS will also speak at BES on 3 February on 'Single Illumination - How to Combine DTH Distribution and DTT Contribution'.
www.besindiaexpo.org

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.
Standardization Activities

The DASH task force under TM-IPI led by Jeff Goldberg from Cisco continues to work on a new revision of the MPEG-DASH profile for the transport of ISO BMFF based DVB services over IP networks with its weekly online meeting (30 January) and a first face-to-face meeting scheduled on 31st January at the DTG in London. This work will lead to a specification for UHD-1 Phase 2 DVB DASH Streaming including support for HDR, HFR and NGA (object-based audio).

Following the approval by the SB of the Commercial Requirements for ABR over multicast, Muriel Deschanel, the TM-IPI chair, set up a dedicated task force within TM-IPI to take on this new specification work.  The task force, led by Richard Bradbury from the BBC, is holding weekly online meetings beginning on 31 January with fortnightly plenary meetings for all interested parties. On alternate weeks there will be a focus meeting to discuss specific technical topics.  The technical specification will aim at fulfilling the Commercial Requirements for the transmission of media streams at multiple different bit rates and qualities, in which at least part of the transmission is achieved using IP multicast.

The PCM will meet on 15 February in Geneva. The agenda includes event planning for Broadcast Asia, IBC, various workshops and webinars.

The Steering Board will meet on 15 February in Geneva. The agenda is to be confirmed.

TM-GBS will meet on 21-22 February in Geneva. Work involving DVB-SI Guidelines TS 101 211 maintenance update, DVB metadata information update and DVB-SI Specification EN 300 468 maintenance update will be discussed.

TM-SUB will meet 22-24 at the EBU in Geneva. The agenda includes work on existing bitmap subtitles standard (EN 300 743) and new TTML based standard. Issues to be addressed; compatibility issues and guidelines for compositing with both HLG and PQ10 video.

TM-JSI will meet on 22-23 February in Geneva. Single Illumination is a technology that allows for feeding satellite receivers at home and terrestrial transmitters with (partly) the same services - in the latter case for terrestrial retransmission. The meeting will continue challenging a Strawman System Proposal for Single lllumination (used as reference point) with more complex Use Cases - including the assembly of T2-MI streams and streams of DVB-T megaframes by the Terrestrial Stream Adapters (TSA).
Join the Global Community of Digital Experts

DVB Member
It's never been a better time to join DVB. Membership of the DVB Project is open to all organisations involved in digital broadcasting and offers involvement in the development of the DVB specifications. Joining the DVB Project involves signing the Memorandum of Understanding and payment of an initial annual membership fee of 6,000 Euros. Thereafter, there is an annual membership fee of 8,000 Euros.

The key advantages of becoming a DVB Member are to:
  • Co-develop future specifications through technical proposals, IPR, Steering Board, etc.
  • Gain early view of specifications through DVB meetings, documents, email lists
  • Network with other DVB Members and industry partners at meetings and events
  • Promote DVB standards through workshops, seminars, conferences, trade shows
  • Promote your company and DVB products through DVB events, meetings and publications.
Employees of member companies gain the following benefits:
  • Access to DVB documents, meeting reports, draft specifications, etc.
  • The right to submit documents for consideration by modules and sub-groups
  • The right to join, follow and contribute to the DVB email reflectors
  • The right to attend module and sub-group meetings and conference calls
  • Take part in the DVB specification process, with the right to stand for Steering Board election.
In addition to the above benefits, DVB Members will also be invited from time to time to contribute to the promotion of key DVB standards, whether through trade shows, conferences or seminars. These opportunities can increase market awareness of your company and bring you to the forefront of your respective area of expertise.

Join now to be part of the most successful organization of its kind. For more information about joining the DVB Project, contact Eva Markvoort.
Don't Miss The Vienna DVB World Experience - 
Last Chance For Early Bird Discount

This year the DVB World Conference and Exhibition will once again take place in a city renowned for its historic architecture and cultural attractions. Vienna, the capital of Austria, with its splendid location on the banks of the Danube River is known for its splendid palaces, baroque parks and gardens, opera, cafes, bars and many more cultural activities.

DV B World 2017 takes place March 13 - 15. The three day Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel, overlooking the River Danube. The hotel is close to Vienna city center and is a 20-minute ride from Vienna International Airport.

With this year's theme of 'Unlocking the Digital World', leading industry figures will update us on digital TV technologies, standards and business models. Keynote speakers André Kudelski - Kudelski Group, Albert Heuberger - Fraunhofer IIS and Andreas Gall - Red Bull Media House will open the conference.

A Pre-Conference Masterclass by Peter Kauff & Oliver Schreer from Fraunhofer HHI will inform us on the latest developments in Virtual Reality. This will be followed by a packed three day event.

The DVB World dinner on the evening of the first day will be an ideal setting to connect with other delegates, exchange ideas and explore new perspectives. On the second day a Networking Lunch and a Vienna sightseeing bus tour in the evening will provide further time to catch up and share opinions.

Coffee breaks throughout the three days will provide more opportunity for networking and visiting the accompanying exhibition as well as sampling the famous Austrian pastries and cakes.

There will also be 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 65m 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 movie adaption of Graham Greene's novel "The Third Man".

Don't delay, the DVB World early-bird registration offer closes on January 31, so visit the DVB World website now to register and take advantage of the generous discount.

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.

For details on the Sponsorship deals on offer please contact  Désirée Gianetti .

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. 

2017 Brings Big Hopes for Virtual Reality

A new survey by ReportLinker on Virtual Reality Technology reports that awareness of VR rose in the last part of 2016. According to the new poll, 31% of American respondents say they are very familiar with virtual reality technology, meaning this statistic has nearly doubled since last September (16%).

With marketing efforts and the availability of VR headsets in stores before Christmas, more respondents were able to try them (+20pts compared to last September), which explains the better awareness of VR technology and brands.

The report states that "with 83% of American respondents having a positive attitude towards Virtual Reality, the technology is much more appreciated than 3 months ago (+11pts) and therefore the VR market might begin opening and reaching an early majority of customers".

Millennials were early adopters of VR technology, according to the last ReportLinker survey. However, they have now been overtaken by older generations who are more positive toward this immersive reality (83% are positive vs. 68% in September).

Source: ReportLinker Insight  


Deadline Extension For National Technology Awards

DVB World Media Partner CSI reports that after a phenomenal response and numerous extension requests, the deadline for entering the inaugural National Technology Awards has been extended until 17 February 2017. The awards celebrate the pioneers of technology and encourage excellence in over 30 categories. The awards are free to enter and you can enter as many categories as you wish. Don't miss your chance to win one of these prestigious awards.

The winners will be announced on 17 May 2017 at the Millennium Hotel, London Mayfair.

 


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