DVB-H
You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|September 2005|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
DVB-H stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld. DVB-H is a technical specification for bringing broadcast services to handheld receivers and was formally adopted as ETSI standard EN 302 304 in November 2004. The DVB-H specification (EN 302 304) can be downloaded from the DVB-H Online website ([1]).
Technical Explanation
DVB-H is the latest development within the set of DVB transmission standards. DVB-H technology adapts the successful DVB-T system for digital terrestrial television to the specific requirements of handheld, battery-powered receivers. DVB-H can offer a downstream channel at high data rates which can be used standalone or as an enhancement of mobile telecoms networks which many typical handheld terminals are able to access anyway. Time slicing technology is employed to reduce power consumption for small handheld terminals. IP datagrams are transmitted as data bursts in small time slots. The front end of the receiver switches on only for the time interval when the data burst of a selected service is on air. Within this short period of time a high data rate is received which can be stored in a buffer. This buffer can either store the downloaded applications or playout live streams. The achievable power saving depends on the relation of the on/off-time. If there are approximately ten or more bursted services in a DVB-H stream, the rate of the power saving for the front end could be up to 90%. DVB-H is a technical system which was carefully tested by the DVB-H Validation Task Force in the course of 2004 (see ETSI Technical Report TR 102 401). The term IP Datacast is used by DVB for the technical elements required to create DVB-H based services and those that are necessary to integrate DVB-H in a hybrid network structure consisting of both a mobile communications network such as GPRS or UMTS and an additional DVB-H downstream. The set of specifications for IP Datacast (phase1) was approved by DVB in October 2005.
IP Datacast Specifications
With the advent of DVB-H, there are significant challenges for the systems which underlie DVB broadcast services. Amongst the issues are the harmonisation of service discovery and selection, purchase and protection between the broadcast and the mobile telecommunications worlds. In the IP world of DVB-H, such issues need to build upon the stability of the broadcast world, and embrace the successful methods of the telecommunications world. If there are 30 DVB-H services available, one will need to ensure that there are appropriate electronic programme guidelines and service protection arrangements. In November 2005 DVB finalised a set of specifications for the IP datacasting domain which will be published by ETSI at the beginning of 2006.
DVB-H in S band
DVB-H in S band is a hybrid approach using S band. It incorporates an high power geostationary satellite for outdoor e light indoor coverage integrated with a terrestrial repeater (low power gap-filler) network for indoor coverage in urban areas. Alcatel expects to deliver DVB-H S band terrestrial repeaters in 2007 and to launch, with Eutelsat, a DVB-H S-band satellite (covering Europe) in 2008. Talks are also ongoing with the DVB Forum about evolving the DVB-H standard for use in the S-band. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
DVB-H Trials
DVB-H trials are now underway in Helsinki, Berlin, Oxford, Pittsburgh, Paris, Madrid, Sydney, South Africa, The Hague, Dehli, Bern and Erlangen ([8]).
DVB-H Service Launches
Commercial launches of DVB-H services are expected in 2006 in Italy and the USA.
In Italy, TIM and 3 announced their plans to launch DVB-H services in June 2006.
See also
- DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)
- DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)
- DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)
- DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale)
- Electronic Service Guide
- MediaFLO
External links
The official DVB-H website of the DVB Project
Technical information about DVB-H from EBU (European Broadcasting Union)
- A 10-page article "DVB-H — the emerging standard for mobile data communication" from EBU Technical Review
- A collection of articles on DVB (including DVB-H) in the archive of EBU Technical Review
In-depth technical information on DVB-H from ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
- ETSI Specification EN 302 304 "Transmission System for Handheld Terminals (DVB-H)" (this will open ETSI document search engine, to download the latest version of the document enter a search string "EN 302 304")
- ETSI Technical Report TR 102 377 "DVB-H Implementation Guidelines" (this will open ETSI document search engine, to download the latest version of the document enter a search string "TR 102 377")
- ETSI Technical Report TR 102 401 "DVB-H Validation Task Force Report" (this will open ETSI document search engine, to download the latest version of the document enter a search string "TR 102 401")