UK’s DTG publishes new version of D-Book

The UK’s Digital Television Group (DTG) has published the latest version of the D-Book – the accepted technical standards for digital-terrestrial TV in the UK – including new requirements for HEVC, HDR and HFR.

D-Book 11 provides requirements for implementation of HEVC, HDR and HFR where receivers support the technologies for broadcast. This is backed up by test coverage in the DTG Testing test suite. The aim of this is to prepare a large portion of installed receivers for a potential future service introduction, according to the DTG.

The book also updated its HbbTV requirements to accommodate the updated HbbTV 2.0.2 specification and DVB-DASH.

Other updates include one on RF testing to accommodate the clearance of 700MHz spectrum. The RF test process has been updated to test LTE co-existence performance in the 700MHz band instead of the 800MHz band. This will ensure that TVs are ready for the arrival of 5G mobile services in the coming years, according to the DTG.

The DTG has also removed two standard-definition TV device profiles for receivers and recorders following digital-terrestrial platform provider Freeview’s withdrawal of its logo from SD TVs and set-top boxes last year.

Richard Lindsay-Davies, CEO of the DTG said: “DTG has been specifying every television in the market for more than two decades, ensuring viewers enjoy a world-class experience. The pace of change and complexity for our industry increases every year, with PSB prominence and new technologies being discussed in Parliament. It is now more important than ever that industry collaborates to sustain the delivery of cutting technology with the levels of performance, quality, resilience and universality they expect from UK television. Bridging the old with the new and delivering a world-leading television experience for consumers wherever they are, on whatever device”
Guy North, managing director, Freeview said: “In an increasingly complex market, the Freeview trademarks continue to provide consumers with the reassurance that they are purchasing a high-quality product. The D-Book ensures that all devices conforming to the new specification, and that carry the Freeview brand, will deliver consumers the very best viewing experience.”