Dr Peter Siebert, executive director of the DVB Project, explained why digital terrestrial television is the only way forward for broadcasters
In the April 2017 issue of APB, the argument put forth was this: if broadcasters were to harness the full benefits of emerging technologies such as 4K/Ultra HD (UHD), 8K, virtual reality (VR) and IP, all roads start with digital.
Today, that position has not weakened; on the contrary, the case for broadcasters to complete the transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT) is perhaps stronger than it has ever been.
While broadcast TV started with analogue terrestrial transmission, which for a long time was the preferred way to receive TV signals, many countries have now switched off analogue signals and commenced digital terrestrial transmission, notes Dr Peter Siebert, executive director of the DVB Project.
He tells APB: “Digital can offer more choices, better video and audio quality, and because of additional metadata, greater ease-of-use. Whereas these advantages apply to all delivery schemes, there are additional benefits for the terrestrial platform.
“It is the easiest to set up for the end-user — no cable connection is necessary and no satellite dish needs to be installed and pointed. For portable in-door reception, a simple rod antenna may give reception in any room of the household, without the need for heavy indoor networking. Furthermore, DTT is the only broadcast platform supporting mobile reception, at least as a best effort service.”
Read more about this in the APB March 2018 issue.