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DVB

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DVB is a set of international rules for digital television. These rules are called open standards. They make sure different devices can talk to each other. A group called the DVB Project maintains these rules. They work with several large organizations to publish them. These groups include ETSI, CENELEC, and the EBU.

Digital broadcast standards
Digital broadcast standards

These standards are very important for how we watch shows. They help send video and sound to our homes and phones.

There are many ways to send these digital signals. Some signals travel from satellites in space using DVB-S. Other signals move through cables using DVB-C. Some signals travel through the air to antennas using DVB-T. There is even a way to send TV to handheld devices using DVB-H.

Digital broadcast standards
Digital broadcast standards

Each method uses different technical tricks to work well. For example, DVB-T uses something called OFDM to stay strong. Different systems use different codes to fix errors in the signal. This helps the picture stay clear even if the signal is weak.

People have been working on these rules for a long time. DVB-S and DVB-C were first ratified in 1994. DVB-T was ratified in early 1997. The United Kingdom performed the first commercial DVB-T broadcasts in late 1998. In 2003, Berlin, Germany, became the first area to stop all analog TV signals.

Digital broadcast standards
Digital broadcast standards

Later, the DVB-T2 standard was approved in June 2008. ETSI officially adopted it on 9 September 2009. This newer version helps signals stay even more robust.

These rules are used all over the world today. Many European countries use them for their digital television. They are also used in Australia, South Africa, and India.

Digital broadcast standards
Digital broadcast standards

In Kenya, DVB-T broadcasts started on 9 December 2009. The President, Mwai Kibaki, launched them. In Israel, full DVB-T broadcasts began on 2 August 2009. Some places like the United States use a different system called ATSC. However, DVB is still very common in many Asian and African countries.

DVB does more than just send simple video. It helps provide extra information like electronic program guides. This helps you search for shows easily. It also includes rules for 3D TV. A special group called CM-3DTV held a workshop in Geneva on 25 January 2010.

Digital broadcast standards
Digital broadcast standards

They wanted to see what kind of 3D TV people wanted. DVB even works with the internet through DVB-I. This allows devices to find shows on both the internet and traditional TV. It brings many different ways of watching together in one place.

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