The Paris Olympics in 2024 could coincide with plans by the CSA to modernise the French DTT platform.
First launched in March 2005, its most recent upgrade came on April 5, 2016, since when the vast majority of channels have been broadcast in high definition.
Last year the CSA launched a public consultation into what a future platform might look like and the findings have now been made public. An upgraded platform would be likely to include ultra high definition broadcasts, enhanced coding and interactive services from the latest version of HbbTV.
In order to begin the transition the CSA wants the various standards to be agreed by the end of 2018. This would allow manufacturers to build the technology into their new receivers and a transition period established that would take place no later than the first quarter of 2024.
Support for viewers would be provided for, similar to the earlier transition to HD.
It’s now planned to launch a three stage programme that would begin with a technical project that would define the image and sound formats, the technological standards for interactive services, the broadcasting and coding standards and the methods for introducing these new technologies on DTT. 4K, HDR (High Dynamic Range), WDR (Wide Color Gammut) and Next Generation Audio are all up for consideration.
The technologies would require the use of DVB-T2 and HEVC video compression.
A regulatory project would then work with broadcasters to ease the transition.
Both projects will then contribute to a final project that will support the implementation of the programme as a whole.
