Freeview HD box tests to start next month

Digital TV Group has announced that the test and conformance regime for Freeview HD and Freeview+ HD receivers will commence in October.

Back in March, the DTG published D-Book 6 to outline the interoperability specifications for Freeview HD equipment in preparation for the first broadcasts at the Winter Hill transmitter on December 2.

Therefore, DTG Testing is now taking bookings for sessions in the Freeview HD Test Suites, including MHEG-5 with HD and IC extensions, as well Freeview HD service information and Freeview HD Linear Services, with appointments to get under way next month.

The testing regime will be officially launched by the DTG at the IBC 2009 conference in Amsterdam, which runs from September 11 to 15.

DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies said: "Delivering the test and conformance regime for DVB-T2/MPEG-4 services in the UK has been a key priority for the DTG this year.

"The introduction of high definition services to the Freeview platform is one of the most significant milestones in the history of UK broadcasting and I am intensely proud of the role the DTG is playing.

"Testing against Freeview HD brand requirements will mark a step change in market compliance. The DTG can now utilise eight years of test suite development as a foundation to ensure that Freeview HD receivers will meet levels of compliance only achieved previously on vertical or lower volume proprietary standard platforms.

"This world first will deliver the best of both worlds, the high volumes of an open standard, horizontal market, but with the compliance levels of a vertical or lower volume platform."

Meanwhile, Ofcom yesterday indicated that it is likely to permit a BBC scheme designed to ensure that Freeview HD boxes will be equipped with copy protection technology.