Note for usage of EN 302 755 v1.1.1 

The current version of the DVB-T2 standard is EN 302 755 v.1.3.1.

Version 1.2.1 of DVB-T2 made some changes to the Receiver Buffer Model (defined in annex C), which included the requirement that ISSY be used in all but the simplest of cases. The result is that the set of configurations that are permitted by versions 1.2.1 and later is a restricted subset of the configurations allowed by version 1.1.1.

Network operators should therefore be aware that signals that are allowed by version 1.1.1 but prohibited by version 1.2.1 might not be correctly received and decoded by receivers designed to the later versions.

It is therefore recommended that only parameter combinations permitted by version 1.2.1 and later be used. The L1 signalling may however be transmitted according to version 1.1.1.

What are the implications of DVB-T2 for countries where DVB-T services are already on air?

DVB-T is the most widely deployed DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) system worldwide, with over 60 countries that  have adopted or deployed the DVB-T standard and more than 200 million receivers deployed. Economies of scale have pushed receiver prices downwards constantly, with basic receivers now readily available at a retail price of less than EUR15. 

In the years ahead, in countries where DVB-T services have become well-established (Europe mainly), regulators will be keen to achieve full Analogue Switch-Off (ASO), and in the process release valuable UHF and VHF spectrum for other purposes. The introduction of new services using DVB-T2 technology at ASO could enable, for example, the roll-out of new nationwide multiplexes offering multichannel HDTV services, or perhaps innovative new datacasting services.

The transition from DVB-T to DVB-T2 will need to be carefully managed in such countries. The DVB Project fully expects DVB-T and DVB-T2 services to co-exist side-by-side for some time to come.

What are the implications for countries planning to launch DVB-T or DVB-T2 services?

A significant number of countries on all continents are planning for the launch of DVB-T and DVB-T2 services in the next 1-5 years. These countries can benefit from the use of DVB-T as a mature technology with very affordable receivers being the key factor or they can choose DVB-T2 to benefit from the best technical performance and the highest efficiency.

The considerations for choosing DVB-T or DVB-T2 can only be judged on a case-by-case basis, but generaly the drastic decrease of DVB-T2 receiver prices has made the choice for DVB-T2 an easy one. In addition, DVB-T2 is the ideal solution when different service characteristics need to be supported in one multiplex such as high data rate for HDTV via roof top antennas together with transmission to portable TVs with indoor antennas.

What are the implications of DVB-T2 for countries that have not yet decided which DTT transmission system they will adopt?

In some countries debate continues as to which of the available DTT transmission systems should be adopted and deployed. The DVB Project believes that the adoption of DVB standards in such territories would bring maximum benefit for all stakeholders, including broadcasters, regulators, manufacturers and, perhaps most importantly, viewers. Regardless of which analogue transmission system is used, and regardless of the channel bandwidth used, both DVB-T and DVB-T2 offer a uniquely flexible solution that will enable a smooth transition to DTT. For the time being, the key factor, particularly in countries with a high penetration of terrestrial TV and relatively low average incomes, will be the price and range of receivers.

The same choice between affordability (DVB-T) and technical performance (DVB-T2) mentioned above applies to these countries. The further away the ASO date, the lower the DVB-T2 receiver prices will have dropped by the time that receivers are deployed, and the more likely it is that the price difference will be negligible.

Does DVB-T2 offer any opportunities for countries that have implemented non-DVB systems for DTT?

DTT is designed to facilitate the switch-off of analogue terrestrial transmissions. It’s more efficient than equivalent analogue technologies, and less wasteful of spectrum especially if you’re able to deploy single frequency networks. Not all countries use DVB-T; some, like the United States and South Korea, use ATSC and Japan has deployed ISDB-T.

But each of these countries will see analogue switch-off just as in DVB-T markets. The difference is that ATSC has no solution to exploit the better spectral efficiencies possible with modern technology, and ISDB-T has likewise not sought to exploit the unique opportunity afforded by ASO to update its systems.

Is DVB-T2 a candidate for advanced services in territories which don’t use DVB-T and which are switching off analogue television in the coming years? Of course it is!

The streams can be downloaded from the following BBC FTP site:

ftp://ftp.kw.bbc.co.uk/t2refs

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