Following the first series of High-Definition reception tests through France’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network, Eutelsat has renewed its support for the second phase which began yesterday (18 September) and runs through to 8 January 2007. The CSA (Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel), France’s broadcasting authority, has selected BFM TV, Canal+, Direct 8, M6, NRJ 12, as well as channels in the France Télévisions group and Arte for this new phase which, as for the first phase which ran from 28 May to 17 July, will take place in Paris, Lyon and Marseilles.
Eutelsat is partnering with TDF to transmit HDTV content encoded in MPEG 4 in two carriers to DTT transmitters in France’s three largest cities. The objective of the tests, which are coordinated by the CSA, is to validate the full HD broadcasting chain, from encoding, transport and broadcasting, through to reception in DTT homes. The capacity provided by Eutelsat is on Atlantic Birdâ„¢ 3 which is also the satellite already used to deliver all five DTT multiplexes to over-the-air transmitters in France since the full commercial launch of DTT in March 2005.
(Source: Eutelsat)
