IFA 2008 – BERLIN. The German public service broadcasters ARD and ZDF want a fast analogue switchover on satellite in order to introduce HD broadcasts in 2010. Keeping analogue and both SD and HD transmissions on air would be too expensive.
Speaking at the technology update session, Andreas Bereczky, production director at ZDF, said the public broadcasters are on track for HD deployment. During the IFA a large number of HD programmes are broadcast on the Eins Festival Channel, to be followed by a similar wave of test during Christmas 2008.
Bereczky acknowledged that there are indeed a lot of HD ready and full HD flat screens in German homes, but still very few HD capable receivers in the marketplace. That is why the public broadcasters have opted for a better SD quality rather than to quickly start HD broadcasts.
But ARD and ZDF are now contemplating a faster analogue switch-off on satellite in order to make room for HD transmissions. For the remainder, the HD roll-out schedule remains unchanged. The launch date will be the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
In 2009, the public broadcasters will have a single HD satellite transponder for use by all public broadcasters. At the end of 2011, both ARD and ZDF will each have their own HD transponder. For the time being, the public HD channels will only be available on satellite. Cable distribution is not foreseen until 2012, when analogue cable switch-off will take place.
