Two multiplexes to launch using MPEG-2
It is expected that Croatia will use the MPEG-2 compression format when it launches two DVB-T multiplexes next month.
This information has been given by a representative of the broadcast network operator OiV, which holds the licence to operate the two multiplexes and contradicts earlier reports that MPEG-4 would be used.
The multiplexes currently provide 87% population coverage which will be extended to 90% by the end of June.
The licensing conditions require coverage of 95% and 98% of the population by the completion of the digital switchover.
It is not yet clear if further DTT multiplexes will be launched and whether or not the MPEG-4 (H.264, AVC) compression format will be used.
Source: Digitag attributed to OiV
Item added: 1st June 2009
OiV awarded DTT licence
The communications regulator HAKOM has awarded a 10-year licence to operate two DTT multiplexes to the broadcast network operator OiV.
An unsuccessful bid for the licence was also submitted by the incumbent telecom operator in Croatia, Hrvatksi Telekom (HT).
OiV will be required by the licence conditions to roll-out the DTT networks to 95% of the population, using MPEG-4 AVC compression and DVB-T.
Digital switchover is expected to be completed by the 1st January 2011.
Source: Hakom website
Item added: 8th May 2009
Croatia gets 2 bids for DTT
The Croatian Agency for Post and Electronic Communications (Hakom) has received two bids in the tender for digital TV frequency licences. The regulator will reach a decision by 28 April, according to local media reports. The bids came from Odasiljaci i Veze (OiV) and T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT). Hakom published the tender at the end of January, with a 30 March deadline for submitting bids. The tender is for a DTT network operator in the 470-862 MHz band for two multiplexes. The licence will be issued for a 10-year period to a company registered in Croatia that can guarantee at least 95 percent population coverage
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 7th April 2009
Candidate invited to bid for DTT licence
The Post and Electronic Communications Agency has invited candidates to tender for a DTT licence. The licence will provide the right to operate two DTT multiplexes for a ten-year period.
Both multiplexes must provide services to 95% of the population.
Candidates must submit their applications by 30 March 2009 and a decision is expected by 28 April 2009.
This invitation follows on from the strategy presented by the government in July 2008. It is expected that the MPEG-4 AVC compression technology will be used.
Source: Hrvatska agencija (2 Feb) items thanks to Digitag
Item added: 9th February 2009
Seven new DTT channels for Croatia
HRT, the Croatian state broadcaster plans to launch seven new digital channels during the next few years. The first new channels will deal with sport followed by a news/information and production channel dealing with Croatian issues. Later after the analogue switch of in 2011 other channels dedicated to music, TV series and movies, documentaries and kids will be added. HRT’s main competitor is also increasing its channel offer.
The launch of DTT in the country will increase the number of national channels from 5 to 32 with up to 5 local channels available on first multiplex.
HRT has also launched a trial HD service for Euro 2008 in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek, which covers around 1.5 million people. MPEG-4, H.264 coding and DVB-T are being used to provide the HD service.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 26th June 2008
Croatia update
Pilot DVB-T transmissions started in 2002 from two transmitters in Sljeme and HRT dom.
There are now nine DVB-T transmitters in operation:
Sljeme (14.0kW ERP), HRT dom (1kW ERP), Unka (Mux1, 100kW ERP), Ucka (Mux 2, 16kW ERP), Josipovac (1.0kW ERP) Labinstica (5.0kW ERP) Srd (5.0kW ERP) Ugljan (2.5kW ERP), Brac (8.0kW ERP).
All are set for 64QAM modulation, a code rate of 2/3, a guard interval of 1/8th and use 8k carriers in an 8MHz bandwidth.
The current single multiplex carries 4 TV programmes and covers 70% of the population.
The coverage of the first multiplex was complemented by additional gapfiller sites in Vsar, Pula II, Porec, Buje, Rovinj, Pazin, Plomin, Umag, Novigrad, Pula, Koromacno, Plovanija, Rabac, Rasa and Trget.
A second multiplex is planned for launch initially from one transmitter site in Ucka with gapfillers in Vsar, Pula II, Porec, Buje, Rovinj, Pazin, Plomin, Umag, Novigrad, Pula.
An HDTV trial by HRT in Zagreb started during 2007 on Ch 26 with 1500Watts ERP. The picture resolution is 1080i and uses MPEG-4, H.264 compression.
The video bit rate is 18.5 Mbit/s on a 64QAM modulated transmission with a code rate of 2/3 and a guard interval of 1/8th .As with the SDTV transmissions 8k carriers are used in an 8 MHz channel.
Source: DVB-T in Croatia presentation from Odasiljaci I Veze d.o.o. Transmitters and Communications Ltd. December 2007.
Item added: 1st April 2008
Two new DTT services for Croatia
The public service broadcaster HRT has been given permission to launch two new television services by the competition body AZTN. The services known as HRT3 and HRT4 and will start broadcasting after analogue switch off, which is planned for 2010.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 11th February 2008
Croatia encourages DTT pilot with financial help
A DTT pilot programme in the coastal region of Istria is to be helped by the use of special coupons.
The coupons worth HRK 200 (€27) go towards the purchase of a Set Top Box and will be distributed to viewers until the 20th November for use by the 30th June 2008.
Viewers will be able to access DTT services on two multiplexes, one on UHF channel 28, providing commercial broadcasters from Nova TV, RTL Televizija and two additional services not yet licensed.
The remaining multiplex will provide services from the public service broadcaster, which includes HRT1, HRT2, HRT3 (sports and entertainment) and HRT4 (news).
Analogue switch-off is expected to be completed by 2010.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 16th October 2007
Croatia prepares for DVB-T/DVB-H trial
Broadband TV News reports that Croatian satellite service provider Croatel has obtained permission from the country’s telecommunications agency to undertake a DVB-T/DVB-H trial in Zagreb and other major cities. It now plans to establish an MPEG-4 platform offering one HD and five SD channels. No final decision has yet been made by the Croatian regulatory authorities on what compression standard will eventually be used, or indeed the method of funding set-top boxes.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 13th February 2007
Croatia DTT update
Preparations are well underway for an official launch of DTT services in 2007. A DTT trial has been running since May 2002 providing 4 television programme services in a single multiplex using MPEG-2.
Content comes from HTV1 and HTV2 (both public service broadcasters) and from RTL and Nova (both commercial broadcasters). Regional content may also be made available this year as well as an additional multiplex.
A DVB-H trial is also planned fro Zagreb.
DVB-T signals currently cover 75% of the population, broadcast from 7 transmitters.
An additional 10 transmitters will be added by the end of the year increasing coverage to 90%.
It is hoped that the legislation to provide a framework for the launch of DTT services in Croatia will be approved by the end of the year.
80% of the population watch terrestrial TV, 10-15% Cable and approximately 2% satellite TV.
Source: Digitag Web Letter July 2006
Item added: 17th July 2006
Croatia starts DTT trials
Croatia has begun DTT broadcasts in the capital, Zagreb, and coastal town of Rijeka. In Zagreb, broadcasts are undertaken through two transmitters – HRT Dom (UHF 56) and Sljeme (UHF 27) – while in Rijeka, broadcasts are employing the Ucka (UHF 28) transmitter.
The transmissions from Sljeme can also be received in parts of neighbouring Slovenia, while those from Ucka cover the Adriatic and Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. A fourth transmitter will soon also be activated in the eastern town of Osijek (UHF 33) and cover parts of neighbouring Serbia. The DVB-T multiplex currently carries Croatia’s four principal channels – HRT1, HRT2, Nova TV and RTL Televizija
Source: Digitag
Item added: 27th June 2005
Croatia Background
An experimental DVB-T system was started in May 2002. Two transmitters were installed by Croatian national television (HRT), each of approximately 250W. They cover the city of Zagreb and the surrounding area, which has a population of around 800,000. The objective of the trail is to test different modes of operation and in particular SFN’s and the protection ratio’s necessary for co existence with analogue TV transmissions.
It is expected that 6 multiplexes will finally be needed but at present there are no free channels available.
The government has still to announce official plans for the introduction of DVB-T and a switch off date for the present analogue TV transmissions.
Source http://www.ero.dk/dvbt-impl
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Last page update: 1st June 2009, Barry Tew
