Advanced Television

D-Book 7 for Connected TV

April 5, 2011

D-Book 7, the detailed interoperability specification for digital terrestrial television with extended Connected TV functionality, is now available from the UK’s the Digital Television Group website.

D-Book 7 is the product of 18 months of industry collaboration between manufacturers, service providers and technology companies. The seventh edition builds on previous editions of the D-Book and provides an industry-agreed baseline specification for Connected TV products and services that Sky, Virgin Media, YouView and others can build on for trademark requirements to support their services. The specification is a major step towards an interoperable, horizontal platform that unites broadcast and broadband delivery services.

D-Book 7 is divided into two parts: Part A, the broadcast specification, enhances the current D-Book 6.2.1 in a number of ways. Video and audio handling of advanced codecs has been clarified including maintaining consistent audio levels. Service Information has been enhanced and clarified, particularly in the areas of regionalisation and logical channel numbers. The RF sections have been updated to reflect the new Northern Ireland Multiplex and protection against interference from new technologies, such as LTE.

D-Book 7 Part B beta v0.9 contains the architecture and protocols which may be used for interoperable IP delivered services in the UK. To ensure international commonality of Connected TV standards, the DTG is currently liaising with HbbTV, ETSI, MPEG, the Open IPTV Forum and DECE. This release is yet to include a device profile and some sections are under review, mainly due to awaiting the completion of international standardisation work.

To access the D-Book please log-in to the DTG members area and go to the D-Book page

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Connected TV, DTT/DSO