Version 1.5 of HbbTV Specification Released

Four new members added to Steering Group

The HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) consortium today announced the publication of version 1.5 of its hybrid TV specification. Building on existing standards and web technologies, the HbbTV specification provides the features and functionality required to deliver feature rich broadcast and internet TV services.

Version 1.5 of the HbbTV specification notably introduces support for HTTP adaptive streaming based on the recently published MPEG-DASH specification, improving the perceived quality of video presentation on busy or slow Internet connections. It also enables content providers to protect DASH delivered content with potentially multiple DRM technologies based on the MPEG CENC specification, improving efficiency in markets where more than one DRM technology will be used. Version 1.5 significantly enhances access to broadcast TV schedule information, enabling operators to produce full 7-day electronic programme guides as HbbTV applications that can be deployed across all HbbTV receivers to provide a consistent user experience. The latest advances are based on activity within the HD Forum in France as part of the development of the TNT 2.0 specification.

Since opening for membership in May 2011, the HbbTV Consortium now has over 60 members. Four new Steering Group members were elected at the consortiums first AGM to provide further representation from across the industry. Abertis Telecom, Digital TV Labs, Opera Software and RTL Group have joined the existing group of Steering Group representatives from ANT Software Limited, EBU, France Televisions, Institut für Rundfunktechnik GmbH, NAGRA, Samsung, SES ASTRA S.A, Sony Corporation, Television Francaise 1 – TF1 and TP Vision.

In May 2012 the HbbTV consortium will hold its tenth interoperability workshop. The event, to be hosted by IRT (Institut für Rundfunktechnik) in Munich, Germany will once again demonstrate the wealth of interest from STB and Connected TV manufacturers targeting the fast growing HbbTV market.

Klaus Illgner-Fehns, Chair of the HbbTV consortium said: “The publication of version 1.5 of the HbbTV specification responds to strong market demand for new features to be included as soon as possible. We are already working towards version 2.0 of the specification. I am delighted to welcome the new Steering Group members and look forward to working with them on the consortium’s future development.”