DTG publishes D-Book 7

The DTG anticipates that D-Book 7 will be used by manufacturers, service providers and platforms for the delivery of connected TV products and services.

The connected TV specifications include: IP delivery structures supporting video, audio and access services; HTML profile for interactive applications with enhanced graphics; metadata to improve search and discovery of services; support for improved audience measurement and targeted advertising; new structures to enable support for multiple DRMs.

Enhancements to the existing broadcast specification (which was published as D-Book 6 by the DTG in 2009) include: clarifications of video and audio handling of advanced codecs, including maintaining consistent audio levels; enhanced service information (SI) particularly in the areas of regionalisation and logical channel numbers; RF sections updated to reflect the new Northern Ireland multiplex and protection against interference from new technologies such as LTE.

DTG chairman David Docherty said: “The completion of an industry-agreed interoperability specification for connected TV is another landmark moment in UK digital television, following on from last year’s introduction of HD services on Freeview.

“A key finding of our recent consultation on the future of the horizontal digital television market was that there is a real desire to make sure that the platform continues to evolve after switchover. D-Book 7 will help us ensure the platform continues to advance and innovate while ensuring that the consumer is protected by a robust, industry-agreed interoperability standard.”