IRT and BR to add HEVC to DVB-T2 testbed in Munich

Germany’s Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) has announced that with Bayerische Rundfunk (BR) it is planning a trial of DVB-T2 broadcasting using HEVC compression. The trial is an extension of the DVB-T2 trial that the companies began in the Munich area in 2010. Portable and mobile receivers will also be tested as part of the new trial.

The test setup uses a single frequency network (SFN) on channel 43 (650 MHz) with transmitters located at Munich Broadcasting House and in Freimann and Ismaning.

BR and IRT are currently in discussion with various suppliers regarding the supply of HEVC encoders.

The trial is part of the companies’ preparation for the introduction of DVB-T2 broadcasting in 2016.