IBC 2012 – AMSTERDAM. DVB Project Office executive director Peter Siebert has told Broadband TV News that the organization would be interested in bringing HbbTV under its wing.
“If I had a Christmas wish then that would be to have HbbTV in the DVB,” said Dr Siebert. “It’s logical sense when you look at the membership because it is basically the same.
Although there had been discussions “in the corridor”, Dr Siebert said, but added there had been no official activity even though there is an overlap in membership between the two organisations of some 90%. “I travel a lot outside out of Europe and the further I go the more people think HbbTV is a DVB project.”
The HbbTV consortium has a wide range of supporters from across the broadcaster and CE industries. The HbbTV steering group members are: Abertis Telecom, ANT Software, Digital TV Labs, EBU (European Broadcasting Union), France Televisions, Institut für Rundfunktechnik, OpenTV, Opera, Philips Electronics, RTL Group, Samsung, SES Astra Sony and TF1.
A move to inside the DVB is not without precedent. Last year CI Plus was brought into the DVB having previously been a project within the organization.
Recent development work will see an improved browser capability within the new version 1.4. A significant change will take place with the introduction of version 1.5 where the commercial group is currently working on requirements for a new, smaller, form factor.
Dr Siebert said this would take the form of a USB or mini USB interface.
