[Technologist]

The promotion and operation of the UK DTT platform is a glorious British mish-mash
which works remarkably well after a very uncertain start and 2002 relaunch.

Freeview was set up as  pure marketing operation and ensured that peoples receivers would work by enforcing licensing of the Freeview <X> logo
to those equipment that complied (and were tested)  to the D book (which also constrains what is transmitted to ensure interoperability )
and now plus Freeview Play.
It has rolled in what what DMOL which provided Platform management -
survived one of the largest Mux operators pulling out of the company
and now has taken over the operation and thus with a wider stake holder base Freesat
(which lincenses STB not their performance set by an external body) 

On the HD front is annoyed DTI /BEIS etc by unilaterally changing the rules and enforcing Freeview HD 
And dropping Freeview and Freeview plus.....
On the Other Hand the government/ OFCOM pushed though PSB3 to be HD at DSO
But the lack of the Vaizey plan at 700 MHz clearance or something like it was a mistake ....
But the implications of more or less loosing a PSB mux
And /or forcing the Non PSB channels of the PSBs to tend to lie on PSB coverage mux.
and the efficiencies of having the existing PSB mux refarmed as a Regional (3) a National (1) and a UK wide (not really PSB) mux (2)  had many Commercial Regulatory and Competition issues.

Picture quality has not  had much effect on UK viewer who seem to want More ....
(unless of course they pay Sky for the HD quality!!!)
and no one has lobbied DTG to make the D book say that any SD AVC should be 720*576.

On the IP front Freeview play STB/TV  has been about for over 5 year now
and with technologically advanced features like HDR  and UHD incorporated.
On CLM - I have to observe that no one really understands EPGs !!!
And on fall back - if the itv had not funded the new PSB3 Code and mux  then the BBC would have followed PAra 33 of their Distribution strategy and not emitted BBC one Regions HD...
that would concentrate a number of minds!!! 
But the BBC like all broadcaster have issues about data collection  but have not as yet set up an intentional (or even UK ) standard for doing so!  hence the Broadcasters Apps.

But going HD is NOT a for Freeview action at all
- it is up to the Mux operators to provide the technical means of doing so
and they will not do this until the broadcasters want to emit HD on DTT
.. and pay for it!!........................ with no more Income!!!!!






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