DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting

The core of DVB''s systems is its series of transmission specifications. First approved in 1994, the DVB-S satellite transmission standard, based on QPSK, is now the de facto world satellite transmission standard for digital TV applications.

DVB-S is DVB’s baseline specification for MCPC and SCPC transmission of digital television, sound and data services in the satellite frequency range.

The DVB-C, cable delivery mechanism, is closely related to DVB-S, and is based around 64-QAM, although higher order modulation schemes are also supported. DVB-T is the youngest of the three core DVB systems and the most sophisticated. Based on COFDM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing) and QPSK, 16 QAM and 64 QAM modulation, it is the most sophisticated and flexible digital terrestrial transmission system available today.

DVB has three strengths indicated by its name:

• Digital: DVB is all-digital. Digital communications systems do not distinguish between the different types of information they convey.
• Video: At the outset, DVB principally was concerned with television, which is a broadband service. However, DVB can deliver any information that can be digitized, whether it is high definition TV, multiple-channel standard definition TV or broadband data and interactive services.
• Broadcasting: DVB is designed as a broadcasting service for many users. So, though based on VSAT concepts, the satcom version, DVB-RCS, with the Return Channel via Satellite (RCS) is scalable to networks far larger than those supported by conventional VSAT systems.

DVB standards are published by the European Telecommunications Standards (ETSI). ETSI, the Center for Electrotechnical Standards (CENELEC) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have formed a joint technical committee (JTC) to handle the DVB family of standards.