The DVB is to draw up the technical requirements for adaptive bit rate streaming over any IP network.
Last week the DVB Steering Board gave its backing to a report from the Geneva-based organisation’s commercial module, the first step in the creation of a specification. The Technical Module’s brief will be to provide a harmonised solution to the problem of transmitting linear video at scale across IP-based networks.
Thierry Fautier of the Ad Hoc Sub-Group of CM-AVC, which is tasked with defining the Commercial Requirements for ABR Multicast, said “Adaptive bitrate streaming delivered over the top on managed networks is based on unicast technology, making it difficult to scale for live applications. To resolve this issue, the DVB has decided to develop a specification that will enable ABR multicast distribution via any bidirectional IP network, including telco, cable, and mobile.”
The technical specification resulting from these Commercial Requirements will be applicable to both managed and unmanaged networks. The aim is to leverage existing media workflows and transmission infrastructure while retaining support for security and stream manipulation features.
DVB standards cover all aspects of digital television from transmission through interfacing, conditional access and interactivity for digital video, audio and data.
DVB dominates the digital broadcasting environment with thousands of broadcast services around the world using DVB’s standards. There are hundreds of manufacturers offering DVB compliant equipment. To date there are over a billion DVB receivers shipped worldwide.