Italian broadcasters will be able to test the new DVB-I standard after Vestel announced plans to release the first DVB-I-compatible Smart TV.
The Italian Market Trial will allow Vestel customers to experience the reception of linear TV channels received from both broadband internet and any traditional broadcast network.
DVB-I mixes online and broadcast channels in a fashion that the viewer is in theory unable to distiquish the source. If the regular broadcast channel became unavailable due to reception problems, DVB-I allows the receiver to default to a broadband version.
“At Vestel we feel it is important to stay always at the forefront of innovation, allowing our customers to experience new ways to enjoy all the entertainment they like. This is our mission all around Europe and this is why we took the chance in Italy of being part of this Market Trial supporting with our technical expertise any broadcaster willing to test such new European standard” said Baris Altinkaya, VP Marketing and Product Management, Vestel.
The Italian Market Trial will see the Mediaset main channels (Canale5, Italia1, Retequattro, 20) made available at 1080p full HD quality at channel numbers 505, 506, 504, 520. Vestel has said its Smart TV will receive any channel broadcast using DVB-I.
“Mediaset has always supported the evolution of DVB and European open standards, so the DVB-I standard represents for us a natural step forward in the evolution of the TV ecosystem and we feel it is very important to test this new technology in a real market environment,” said Alberto Bruno, Deputy Director of Strategy and Corporate Marketing, Mediaset.
The functionality will be available to any user who chooses to opt into the trial. Those not opting in will be unaffected by the trial.
