Transcript Digital Switchover and Ofcom Review

Digital Switchover:-
By
Murray Niman G6JYB
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
1
Digital Switchover
Digital Switchover is the adoption of DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting
• The end of all UHF Analogue Television
• Every ordinary TV and Video Recorder affected.
• Function will be lost unless adapted or replaced
• Replacement Sources maybe any combination of Digital Terrestrial,
Cable, Satellite, and now Broadband (Homechoice)
• Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is Freeview (and TopupTV)
• Prospect of Freesat from BBC/ITV - not Sky!
• UK is over 50% Digital ready
- 7 million have Sky, 4 million on Freeview ( growing at 40000 units/wk)
- see later for Radio Broadcasting
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
2
Digital Around The World
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We are not alone . . .
DVB is widespread
US is ATSC
UK takeup is a leader
Berlin already Digital only
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
3
Why Switch?
• Digital terrestrial transmission allows at least four times the number of services
available as analogue on the same bandwidth
• Current Analogue TV restricts digital terrestrial coverage and signal strength;
20-25% of households are unable to receive digital terrestrial. These homes will
only be able to get digital TV through an aerial when we switch off analogue
transmissions
• Improved transmission efficiency - services now available on DTT will only use
two-thirds of the spectrum currently used in analogue
• Spectrum can be released for new services such as for broadcasting, interactive
services or mobile communications. Examples: DVB-H, but HiDef-TV unlikely
• Broadcasters will save on transmission costs (by ending the duplication and will
not have to pay for upgrading the present analogue transmitters which would
need major investments to keep running
• Estimates of net benefits are in the billions of pounds, and also coincides with
lower cost and newer consumer electronics - such as the end of the video tape
recording
• Its not just a UK thing - we don’t wont to be left behind….
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
4
Freeview
• Digital Television via your aerial
• BBC/CrownCastle/BSkyB joint venture, replaced ITV Digital.
• Just needs a DTV Adapter or an iDTV
and card compatibility if you want TopupTV
• Will be the only TV via an aerial after Analogue shutdown
• Channels are transmitted in Multiplexes, interleaved between
existing Analogue TV
Analogue: 5 Channels (A few sub carriers AM, FM, PM modulation)
Freeview: 6 Multichannel Multiplexes, with 4-8 video channels each
(1705 subcarriers/COFDM - 18 or 24 Mb/s)
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
5
Freeview Video Channels
Mux-1 (BBC)
BBC-1
BBC-2
BBC-3/CBBC
BBC-News24
Mux-2
ITV-1,2,3
ITV-News
Ch4 , More-4
E4 ?
Mux-A (SDN)
five (Ch5)
QVC
Bidup, PriceDrop
abc1 (plus TopupTV)
Mux-B (BBC)
BBC-4/CBeebies
BBCi Video(701/2)
BBC Parliament
Community
Mux-C
UK History
Sky News
Sky Sports News
Sky Travel
Mux-D
TMF
The Hits
FTN / UKBrightIdeas
Ideal World
Over 20 radio stations as well
Ofcom has recently designated Mux 1, 2, B
as Public Service Broadcast (PSB) multiplexes
- So Ch5 may need to move as part of Switchover
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
6
London TV Transmitter Powers
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Crystal Palace & Croydon (Ch5)
Current Analogue = 1MW Peak, Digital = 20kW (17dB down)
Digital Channels are within enhanced Aerial Group-A
Raising digital powers further would start to interfere with Analogue
Close Analogue, move Digital to Analogue freqs which have
international clearance for high power
• Digital Powers will be within 6-10dB of current Analogue peaks
Analogue Digital
ITV
2
BBC1
1
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
BBC2
CH4
B
D
Murray Niman G6JYB
A
CH5
C
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
7
UHF Spectrum
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UHF TV has 48 x 8MHz channels
Band IV 470-598MHz & Band V 598-854 MHz - 384 MHz total bandwidth
TV is regional , but goal is to free common spectrum across the UK
Plan is to release 14 UHF Channels:- 14 x 8 MHz = 112MHz released
Probably done as per below.
Upper Channels are adjacent to 2G Mobile Phones - 3G in future
Subject to confirmation at Europe Conference
UHF TV Channels:
BLUE = Retained for TV
RED = Released for Sale GREEN = Radar & Astronomy
Implications: Crystal Palace ITV, BBC1, Ch4 can be reused for Full power
Digital at 100-250kW, compared to 20kW at present
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
8
Sudbury
Tx Power,
dBW
ITV
2
4
1
Analogue = Blue
5
Digital = Orange
B
2
A1
D
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•
C
2
Sudbury - Digital Powers are much lower relative to Analogue
Digital Channels are outside Aerial Group-B - need Group E for ITV/Ch4
NB Sudbury-B on UHF Ch-68 can clash with Sky Boxes etc
Digital-Only Sudbury would be much higher power and less critical on
need for wideband aerials
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
9
Timetable for TV Switchover
• Planning started years ago. ‘The Digital Television Project’ in DCMS
• Will occur on a phased region by region basis. More detail in 2005
• Each TV Region will be given a 2 year warning, then phased switch
switchover over 6months, probably starting with BBC2
• Probable start is 2007 in the Border/Tyne Tees TV region
• Government has not officially confirmed the start date, but their agents
have set the backstop deadline !
• Ofcom has issued DRLs - Digital Replacement Licences to all
broadcasters which oblige them to be Digital Only by Dec-31 2012
• SwitchCo being formed by Ofcom along with huge PR budget
• In Wales one area has already switched . . .
• Timetable can be subject to politics - General Elections etc
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
10
Wales - The Ferryside Trial
• Started Nov-2004
• Local relay for 250
homes converted
to digital
• Free boxes given
to assess how well
householders can
install use, record
• Analogue ends
Feb 2005
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
11
Switchover Detail
• Full Freeview is currently on 80 Transmitters at low power
• Requirement is for similar 95%+ coverage
- compared to the patchy 75% for Freeview at present
• Transmitter powers will rise to within 6 or 10dB of analogue
• Plan is that all 1154 transmitters will carry at least the
three Public Service Broadcast (PSB) Muxes 1, 2, B.
• Ch5 will probably be moved from Mux-A to Mux 2 or B
• The 80 main transmitters and ~130 relays will have all 6 Muxes
• Most relays will only have 3 PSB Muxes
• Plans/Benchmarking for boxes, aerials, cable etc done
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
12
Hi Definition TV
• Enhanced or Hi-Definition is 720 or 1080 lines:• Freeview Plans are for Standard TV - not Hi-Def.
But widescreens are supported
• Hi-Def easier by Satellite & Cable as huge Bandwidth needed
• BBC has asked for use of released Spectrum for Hi-Def
• WARNINGS:
• Sky Hi-Def in 2006 will encrypt signal on new interconnects so
many new widescreen and flat panel TVs with Scart-only
connections may be incompatible - no raw video!
• DVD Disks will be superceded by Bluray or HD-DVD soon as well
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
13
Approved Aerials as at 9-Dec-2004
• Only certain aerials are approved for DTT
• Approved Aerials have this Logo from the
Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI)
• Beware of the Cowboys !
Gain Standard: 1=Highest 4=Lowest
Antiference Ltd
XG10EW
Standard 2
Blake UK Ltd
DMX10A
DMX05WB
DMX10WB
DML26WB
SR10WB
SR13WB
SR18WB
VW5WB
VW10WB
Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 2
Standard 4
Standard 3
Standard 3
Standard 3
Standard 3
Standard 2
BLU420F
BLU220+
Delta 500
Delta 800
LP45N
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 3
Standard 2
Standard 4
Fracarro (UK) Ltd
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Masterplug Ltd
AERO6
AERO15
AERO16
Standard 2
Standard 3
Standard 2
Maxview Aerials
ASY18W
Standard 3
Philex Electronic
27869R
Standard 3
Televès UK Ltd
X43 Ref 8044
DAT45
Infinito 1126
Standard 2
Standard 2
Standard 3
Triax UK Ltd
Unix 52 CDW
Standard 2
Vision
V10-LP SUPER
V10-321 CDW
V10-481 CDW
Standard 4
Standard 3
Standard 2
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
14
Cables & Connections
• Only CT100, 125 and 165 is approved - CAI have a Cable list as well.
• Good quality double-screened coaxial cable of a type approved under
the CAI cable benchmarking scheme is recommended for the aerial
downlead and for all RF connections between equipment within the
household.
• Inferior cable with poor screening, often referred to as “low loss”,
should be avoided as it will almost certainly result in an increased
susceptibility to impulse interference.
• Unless the level of the signal on a down lead is very high, it is strongly
recommended that a replacement cable of an approved type should
always be fitted.
• Coaxial fly leads should conform to BS EN 60966-2-4:1997.
• “F” connections should be crimped type taking care to choose the
appropriate “F” connector to match the diameter of the coaxial cable.
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
15
Recording . . .
• Ideally Recorders need their own tuner so it can record whilst you
watch something else
• Trend will be to Disc based recording - either DVD or Hard Drive
• Some Freeview boxes feature hard drives like SkyPlus
• Many DVD recorders are Analogue only tuners!
• Issue with Programme Delivery Control - PDC is Analogue only
• Freeview Recorders can use Programme Guide and Signal Info
• Look for full 8 Day EPG support. Many boxes haven’t had their
software updated for full EPGs . . .
. . . and in the near future this:
TV-Anytime
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
16
So, Be Careful . . .
• You need to think about digital switchover today as it will happen in the
lifetime of any new TV or video recorder that you buy now.
• Equipment only qualifies for Logo if it is 2K/8K carrier compatible etc
- ITV Digital boxes do not qualify - were 2000 carrier only
• Modern hardware has a 8000 carrier COFDM receiver
(eg for better interference immunity, SFN TV relays)
• Use cheap adapters if unsure of software support.
• Switch to Digital before you get Switched Off !
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
17
Radio Switchover
- the end of AM & FM ?
In the UK Digital Radios Sales outstrip analogue by £value
One million DAB radios so far sold in the UK and rising rapidly
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
18
Digital Radio
The UK is a leader in deploying Eureka-147:- Digital Audio Broadcasting - DAB
Radio Switchover
may also include
some limited use
of DRM
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
RDS, Popular in Cars,
is NOT Digital Radio
merely Enhanced
Analogue FM
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
19
DAB in Chelmsford Area
• Coverage improved significantly in 2004
• Good aerials can also pick up London & Kent giving 50+ stations
• Current Multiplexes are
11B: 218MHz to 12D:229MHz
• National Multiplexes don’t need retuning
- they are Single Frequency Networks - SFNs
• Proposed new frequency blocks are
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
10A: 209MHz to 11A:217MHz
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
20
Buying DAB
• Considerable choice in shops and prices are dropping
• Check DAB specs for frequency band coverage
• Is it all Band III or just UK only
• Does it support L-Band (not crucial)
• Can its firmware be updated (Some have USB ports)
• Future EPG and Graphics may need software updates
• Integration with MP3 players, mobile phones
• Pause/Record/Playback live radio now featuring
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
21
DAB Spectrum
• DAB Coverage currently 85% but has gaps esp. for regional services
• DAB currently uses 7 Blocks (11B-12D) in Band-III
• Ofcom Consultation on 15-Dec-2004 to displace PMR
to release 4 or 5 additional blocks: 10A to 11A
- will pressure other VHF/UHF allocations
• Deadline for responses is 7-Mar-2005
• L-Band also available for DAB but not in use in the UK
• BBC Submission requested extra space for quality not quantity
• BBC suggest to start preparation for a Switchover Review in 2008
• Need to review status of Long Wave for National Emergencies
• NB Issue with DAB L-Band vs Worldspace
– Worldspace: 1467-1492 MHz
– DAB L-Band: 1452-1490 MHz
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
22
ANY QUESTIONS ?
Ofcom Review after the break
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
23
TLAs - Three Letter Acronyms
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TLAs:PSB - Public Service Broadcasting
DTT - Digital Terrestrial Television
DRLs - Digital Replacement Licences
SFN - Single Frequency Network - BBC/National DAB is a SFN
DVB-T, DVB-H - Digital Video Broadcasting
DAB-S, DAB-T - Digital Audio Broadcasting (Satellite, Terrestrial)
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SFR - Spectrum Framework Review
ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control, - uses SRR and LRR
SRR/LRR - Short /Long Range Car Radar on 79 or 24GHz
UWB - Ultra Wideband
SDR - Software Defined Radio
BPL - Broadband over Power Lines - USA
PLT - Power Line Telecoms - UK
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
24
Threats to Amateur Radio
• Most attention so far on Broadband over Powerlines
• BPL - Broadband over Power Lines - USA
• PLT - Power Line Telecoms - UK
• Data can be Voice, Internet TV
• In use by Southern Electric
• Raises noise floors etc over most of HF bands
• Now a whole new set of threats is on us now. . .
• Ofcom - no amateurs, purely commercial,
attracted by £1m/MHz
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
25
Ofcom Spectrum Framework Review
• Spectrum Framework Review (Deadline Feb-15)
• Advocates total disregard of all international rules in the interest of
national flexibility
• Suggest that 60% of all spectrum is tradable
• Is in favour of Software/Cognitive Radio that could potentially
operate on top of amateurs without warning
• Proposes to withdraw from CB, Amateur, Maritime licensing
• Proposes to simplify access to entrants
- barely after new licence structure is in place
• Has caught RSGB totally off guard, with a weaker structure
• All amateurs and clubs are urged to reply
• Original Documents on www.ofcom.org.uk
• Easier to download from www.essexrepeatergroup.org.uk
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
26
Ofcom Car Radar Review
• 77GHz already used for Adaptive Cruise Control - ACC
• New Consultation in Dec-2004 on 79GHz and 24 GHz bands for
Car Short Range Radar - in Primary Amateur Bands
• For Parking, Pedestrian/Crash Avoidance, Lane Control,
Platooning etc
• Ofcom did not check their own docs and stated that no one used
these bands at all!
• - correction now issued!
• BUT DEADLINE IS JAN-14!
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
27
Backup Slides
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
28
References
• Ofcom:
www.ofcom.org.uk
• Digital Television Project: www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk
• Freeview:
www.freeview.co.uk
• BBC Digital:
www.bbc.co.uk/digital/
• Digital Television Group (DTG): www.dtg.org.uk
(Better for Postcode searches than Freeview)
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Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI): www.cai.org.uk
TV Anytime:www.tv-anytime.org
Digital Spy:
www.digitalspy.co.uk (Terrestrial Section)
Newsgroups: uk.tech.digital-tv, uk.tech.broadcast, alt.radio.digital
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
29
TV Transmitter Frequencies/Powers
Operator
Mux
Mode
Transmitting
Station
BBC
ITV/C4
C5/SDN
BBC
Crown (Sky)
Crown
Mux-1
16QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Mux-2
64QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Mux-A
64QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Mux-B
16QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Mux-C
16QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Mux-D
16QAM
ERP
Ch
(kW)
Crystal
Palace
25
20
22
20
32
20
28
20
34
20
29
20
Sudbury
49
7
68
8.1
48
5
39
7.5
54
1.5
50
1.1
56
1.1
ITV-1
C-4
five
Power
23
41
30
47
37
35
1MW
250kW (except five)
Sudbury B
Analogue
London
Sudbury
BBC-1 BBC-2
26
51
33
44
• Note-1: Power levels not directly comparable, but Frequencies can be an issue
• Note-2: Some parts of Essex can also receive Bluebell Hill in Kent
TV Aerial Groups:A: 21-37 Red B: 35-53 Yellow C/D: 48-68 Green E: 35-68 Brown K: 21-48 Grey W: 21-68 Black
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
Murray Niman G6JYB
Switchover Talk v1.1, Jan-2005
30