DTG unveils 'one stop shop' for Connected TV, HbbTV, Freeview and Freesat Test and Conformance at IBC 2010

Saturday, September 11th, 2010
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AMSTERDAM — IBC stand 5.A45, Amsterdam — The Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for digital TV in the UK, has announced that DTG Testing, the digital television industry’s test and conformance centre, is to provide manufacturers with a single facility for Connected TV, HbbTV, Freeview, Freesat and Digital Tick test and conformance.

Additionally, DTG Testing is working with Project Canvas on the development of a test and conformance regime for the service.

DTG Connected TV test suites will be available to purchase from DTG Testing in March 2011 with product testing launching in May 2011.

“A robust and reliable test and conformance regime is crucial if consumers are to put their faith in emerging technologies such as Connected TV.” said Richard Lindsay-Davies, Director General, Digital TV Group.

“By applying our proven approach to test and conformance–developed through testing for the Freeview, Freesat and more recently Freeview HD services, to Connected TV and HbbTV, the DTG is continuing to fulfil its crucial role in enabling the development of fully reliable and compliant digital TV and media products and services.”

The announcement that the DTG is working with Canvas on the development of a test and conformance regime for the service builds on the Group’s current engagement with Canvas which has seen the project make a substantial contribution to the DTG’s Connected TV programme to aid the development of D-Book 7.

The DTG is working with its members to develop the technical specification for UK Connected TV that will form the 7th edition of the DTG D-Book. D-Book 7, to be published in December 2010, will provide the core technical specification that service providers such as Canvas, Sky and Virgin Media can build their trademark requirements on.

“We are working closely with the DTG to create a competitive market for Connected TV”, said Richard Halton, Director, Project Canvas. “Part of that engagement is to ensure a robust standard for connected TV devices and we are pleased to be exploring with the DTG how that may be evolved into a conformance and compliance regime for connected TV more widely.”

DTG Connected TV test suites will incorporate HbbTV and TV Anytime technology allowing a wider range of receivers to be tested against the specification, including products manufactured for sale in the UK and those designed for the European market.