IBC 2007 – AMSTERDAM The Digital TV Group (DTG) is to provide test and conformance for the Freesat platform scheduled to launch early in 2008. Representatives from the BBC-ITV free-to-air satellite venture are in Amsterdam for discussions with both receiver manufacturers and content providers.
Richard Lindsay-Davies, DG of the DTG, told Broadband TV News that the four lead manufacturers, Panasonic, Sagem, Alba and Humax, were being given a six-month exclusivity before the market was opened up to all comers.
Lindsay-Davies said the DTG would be looking to capitalise on the experience its testing centre, DTG Testing, had gained from the Freeview DTT platform. He expressed a desire that Freesat might benefit from a more rigorous regime.
Freesat is looking to offer more than 200 channels. It will include HD support from the start and use the same MHEG-5 middleware employed by DTT. It is also hoped that a broadband return path will be included.
