DTG announces launch of Freeview HD test and conformance regime

LONDON — The DTG, the industry association for digital TV in the UK has confirmed that the test and conformance regime for the Freeview HD and Freeview+ HD service is to launch on schedule in September 2009 with product testing commencing in October.

“Delivering the test and conformance regime for DVB-T2/MPEG-4 services in the UK has been a key priority for the DTG this year,” said DTG Director General, Richard Lindsay-Davies. “The introduction of high definition services to the Freeview platform is one of the most significant milestones in the history of UK broadcasting and I am intensely proud of the role the DTG is playing.”

“Testing against Freeview HD brand requirements will mark a step change in market compliance. The DTG can now utilise eight years of test suite development as a foundation to ensure that Freeview HD receivers will meet levels of compliance, only achieved previously on vertical or lower volume proprietary standard platforms. This world first will deliver the best of both worlds, the high volumes of an open standard, horizontal market, but with the compliance levels of a vertical or lower volume platform.”

Freeview HD Test Suites, which include MHEG-5 with HD and IC extensions, Freeview HD SI and Freeview HD Linear Services are now available from the DTG’s test and conformance centre, DTG Testing.

The test regime will receive its official launch on the DTG’s stand (5.a45) at IBC 2009 in Amsterdam from 11th-15th September.

DTG Testing is already taking bookings for Freeview HD product testing which gets underway in October.

As with the Freeview and Freesat services, DTG Testing will manage the Freeview HD Engineering Channel for over-air upgrades to receiver software and interactive application testing.

To arrange a meeting with the DTG at IBC, please contact Hannah Langston hlangston@dtg.org.uk