Italy sets out hybrid rules

The Italian digital television association DGTVi has added broadband connectivity to its specifications for HDTV receivers.

The Broadband Addendum to the HD Book DTT 1.0 explains that while the MHP interaction channel has been previously specified, no provision has been made for accessing media content over broadband IP. DGTVi anticipates that the majority of content delivered in this way will be for on demand services. The original specification was published in October 2008.

Minimum specifications have been based on the work of the Open IPTV Forum and its R1 specification. H.264/AVC video up to 1080i25, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus audio, MHP, EBU Teletext over DVB streams and DVB subtitling are all mandated.

Italy’s move again illustrates the patchwork quilt of technologies that is emerging for the delivery of on demand content through hybrid receivers. While the UK is looking to the BBC-led Project Canvas, France and Germany HbbTV, Italy is going back to the future through MHP, while taking on board the work of other standard committees.