bassethound
29-02-12, 14:27
Freeview electronic programme guides (EPGs) are to get enhanced functionality such as backwards compatibility and remote recordings as part of new technology standards announced today.
The Digital TV Group (DTG), an industry body which represents broadcasters and technology companies, has issued the latest enhancements to the Freeview and Freeview HD platforms.
The improvements, part of the DTG's D-Book 7 technical standards first published last year, include the ability for Freeview EPGs to scroll backwards seven days as well as forwards, in a move designed to open up more options around presenting catch-up TV.
Also covered in the changes is 'remote booking', involving recordings or reminders being set remotely by users via a mobile device, similarly to the existing Sky+ Remote Record app and the TiVo app offered by Virgin Media.
All these new technical standards can now be used by manufacturers to make Freeview products.
Much of this technology is also expected to be in YouView, the BBC-led joint venture that aims to develop new Freeview set top boxes that can support video on-demand, advanced functionality and internet services later in the year.
D-Book 7 was a key turning point in the UK digital terrestrial television platform, essentially Freeview, as it introduced new standards for the emerging web-connected TV products and services.
The DTG has also included improvements to the current Broadcast Record Lists feature on Freeview, and introduced references to the latest European ETSI standard for MHEG interactive applications.
Simon Gauntlett, the DTG's Technology Director and editor of the D-Book, will discuss the enhancements in detail at the DTG Summit in London on March 2.
DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies said: "The Digital TV Group has balanced UK business requirements and high consumer expectations with the increasing demands of globalisation and business complexity to deliver another world leading digital television standard for Freeview."
The DTG said that it recognises the importance of emerging technologies such as 'second-screen' - involving people watching TV while using using a laptop, tablet or smartphone - and Home Networking. More development work in this area will continue in the spring, it added.
The DTG will also focus on future uses of spectrum, such as long-term evolution (LTE) and White Spaces, a technology that uses unoccupied radio waves in bands reserved for TV broadcasts and could be used for a new range of wireless electronic devices.
The Digital TV Group (DTG), an industry body which represents broadcasters and technology companies, has issued the latest enhancements to the Freeview and Freeview HD platforms.
The improvements, part of the DTG's D-Book 7 technical standards first published last year, include the ability for Freeview EPGs to scroll backwards seven days as well as forwards, in a move designed to open up more options around presenting catch-up TV.
Also covered in the changes is 'remote booking', involving recordings or reminders being set remotely by users via a mobile device, similarly to the existing Sky+ Remote Record app and the TiVo app offered by Virgin Media.
All these new technical standards can now be used by manufacturers to make Freeview products.
Much of this technology is also expected to be in YouView, the BBC-led joint venture that aims to develop new Freeview set top boxes that can support video on-demand, advanced functionality and internet services later in the year.
D-Book 7 was a key turning point in the UK digital terrestrial television platform, essentially Freeview, as it introduced new standards for the emerging web-connected TV products and services.
The DTG has also included improvements to the current Broadcast Record Lists feature on Freeview, and introduced references to the latest European ETSI standard for MHEG interactive applications.
Simon Gauntlett, the DTG's Technology Director and editor of the D-Book, will discuss the enhancements in detail at the DTG Summit in London on March 2.
DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies said: "The Digital TV Group has balanced UK business requirements and high consumer expectations with the increasing demands of globalisation and business complexity to deliver another world leading digital television standard for Freeview."
The DTG said that it recognises the importance of emerging technologies such as 'second-screen' - involving people watching TV while using using a laptop, tablet or smartphone - and Home Networking. More development work in this area will continue in the spring, it added.
The DTG will also focus on future uses of spectrum, such as long-term evolution (LTE) and White Spaces, a technology that uses unoccupied radio waves in bands reserved for TV broadcasts and could be used for a new range of wireless electronic devices.