Open Letter: What does EC "support" mean?
MJ Ray
mjr at dsl.pipex.com
Wed Aug 11 14:43:15 UTC 2004
I will probably send this to infso-desk at cec.eu.int in a few days, but
I'd appreciate comments sooner, if you have them. This affects free
software's ability to display and use interactive digital television
services, such as Linux-based PVRs.
I note with interest the publication of "Interactive TV : Commission
reiterates its support for open and interoperable standards, but says
implementation should not be made legally binding" at
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1012&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Please note that I don't really understand what this support entails,
if it does not (for example) require public-funded broadcasters to
implement an open interactive TV platform before any closed one. In
the UK, the BBC has interactive TV on DVB-T which I think might be
MHP-based (I can't receive it, being outside the coverage area), but
the DVB-S domestic service on Astra2 uses the dominant proprietary
Sky/OpenTV platform. The BBC hasn't even implemented a full DVB-SI EIT
(7-day electronic programme guide) or DVB-TXT (teletext) on DVB-S, as
I mentioned in
http://mjr.towers.org.uk/blog/2004-5.html#bbcdsatstandards@2004-5.mjr.dsl.pipex.com
and elsewhere, so users wanting programmable Personal Video Recorders
(PVRs) are almost forced to purchase Sky's + system instead of a
DVB-standard set. Basic DVB-S equipment retails from around 80 pounds
sterling, 33% cheaper than Sky, but has very little market share, as
far as I can tell.
For comparison, I believe German broadcasters - ARD, ZDF and various
regional chains - broadcast DVB-TXT, fuller DVB-SI EIT and are
developing MHP-based interactive services. Further, experience during
visits to Germany suggests there is competition between manufacturers
and retailers, both broadcaster-backed (Premiere, for example) and
independent.
Will the commission act against the UK Department of Culture, Media
and Sport's failure to ensure the BBC supports open and interoperable
standards for its DVB-S services, under Article 18 of Directive
2002/21/EC?
--
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