Industry more upbeat on DTT HD timescale

The UK broadcasting industry is increasingly positive about the launch of high definition Freeview channels next year as work progresses on new transmission technology.

The new terrestrial HD services are expected to be the first time the new DVB-T2 transmission standard, which was only agreed internationally at the end of last month, is employed in a major project.

Manufacturers and broadcasters still have reservations as to whether DVB-T2 receivers can be produced for the mass market by the end of next year, when Ofcom intends for the new channels to launch.

However, there is now more enthusiasm and, barring any major hitches, the "late 2009" target may be possible, according to Simon Gauntlett, technology director of the Digital TV Group.

DTG members met the day after DVB-T2 was agreed in Geneva and work has begun on updating its D-Book, which specifies how UK DTT receivers should work. The BBC, which took a leading role in developing the standard, has begun test transmissions.

"There is a lot of work going on and we are moving quicker than we had originally anticipated," Gauntlett said. He said the public service broadcasters were engaging with the DTG and manufacturers in developing their proposals for services on the newly cleared Multiplex B.

Later this year, when Ofcom has decided who will be awarded the capacity, service and equipment specifications can be developed in more detail.

Gauntlett said a possible test demonstration of DVB-T2 at this year's International Broadcasting Convention would improve the possibility of manufacturers meeting the 2009 target. "I think there is a lot of excitement around and there are a lot of people who are looking to see what happens at IBC in September. If not, then maybe it will have to slip to 2010."

He also confirmed that Ofcom was hoping to begin transmission of the new services in London "considerably before 2012" if suitable frequencies can be found. They will otherwise be launched region-by-region in line with the digital switchover.