Possible short and long ‐ term roadmaps for the roll out of access services in Digital TV across Europe Dr Takebumi ITAGAKI Co-ordinator of DTV4All Project School of Engineering & Design Brunel University (UK)

DTV4All Project - introduction DTV4All is a project funded by the European Commission, under the CIP ICT Policy Support Programme, to facilitate the provision of access services on digital television across the European Union. Consortium –Brunel University (UK)project co-ordinator –Red Bee (UK) content provider –Danish Radio (DR) national public broadcaster –IRT (DE)research institute for broadcasting –RBB (DE)local public broadcaster –TVC (ES)local public broadcaster –Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona (ES) trial co-ordinator –RAI (IT) national public broadcaster

Main Aims of the Project (1) Offer and evaluate mature subtitling, audio description, audio subtitling and signing services in a minimum of four territories within the EU for at least 12 months –Optimising subtitle reception: subtitles for all. Large scale user evaluation of subtitles in seven European countries. [Pablo Romero, UAB] –How subtitles for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) should look like? How text service can be made barrier ‐ free on Hybrid Broadcast Broadband Television (HbbTV)? [Bettina Heidkamp, Rundfunk Berlin ‐ Brandenburg] –Demo: BBC content (currently available access services in UK)

Main Aims of the Project (2) Identify improvements in existing access services and ways of addressing the key technical, organisational and legal obstacles to the sustainable take-up of these services in the timeframe throughout Europe. –Possible short and long ‐ term roadmaps for the roll out of access services in Digital TV across Europe [T. Itagaki, Brunel University] –Recent developments of access services in a wider eInclusion context. Focus on Denmark [Peter Looms, Danmarks Radio]

Current Situation in EU (1) Most EU member countries started their digital TV deployment with or without access service provisions. Some high-end manufacturers have started using “pan-European” platforms with minor localisations in their own versions of middleware. Private Subscription Operators managed to implement access services ← in full control throughout the delivery chain (content production – broadcasting – receivers). Public Broadcasters may not be in the same position ← not in control of the receivers (Set-Top-Box, Integrated DTV), funding and resource issues.

Current Situation in EU (2) RF License ITU ITU Member State Regulatory Bodies Broadcaster Viewers Radio Frequency Allocation TV License Taxes Funding Technical, Regulatory Issues ** TV Content Technical Issues ** ** Representations at ITU could only be done through a member state. Manufacturer EBU DigitalEurope a joint forum – e.g. DTG (UK)

Current Situation in EU (3) DVB subtitles and audio access services could be available without drastic changes in transmission. ← DVB and MPEG standard are in place. STB may need some changes, but high-end STBs are ready for access services. ← Production Cycle, Consumer Regulations – need a clear road map Some EU member countries managed to implement access services with a help of a “technical forum” with regulator(s), broadcasters, manufacturers and user representatives. –UK: DTG, Nordic Countries: NORDIG… c.f. Japan: ARIB –Issuing “implementation guidelines”, checking “compliance”

Short Term Road Map Need for a “technical forum” with regulator(s), broadcasters, manufacturers and user representatives. Need for a “user forum” – prioritising access services, setting “quotas” and imposing “quality control”

Mid/Long Term Road Map Need to consider “production cycle” for a functionality update –“reasonable” STB/DTV replacement cycle (every 5 – 10 years) –5+ year old products may not be covered – need legal backing Need to prepare for “next generation TV” deployment –New standard / technology deployment (10 – 20 year span) –Switch over scheme and Switch off planning

Conclusion Short Term issues Necessary technical standards are available. Need implementation guidelines – to be generated by whom? Mid- and Long Term issues Clear Road Maps are essential –with a year span for additional functionalities –with a year span for a next generation TV deployment Recommendations are available on