MHEG-5 Profiles
MHEG-5 profiles form the framework specification for the creation of MHEG-5-based technology and the deployment of MHEG-5-based services on a given platform. Profiles define various mandatory and optional features required to successfully deploy interactive services. This ensures that the standard is maintained and developed in unison.
Features specified within a typical MHEG-5 profile include:
- the user experience
- MHEG-5 engine presentation/graphics models
- fonts and language character sets
- extensions/modifications to the MHEG specification
- receiver requirements
- return channel mechanisms
- object carousel profile
- application authoring rules and guidelines
The profile forms the basis for specification and development of conformance test suites leading to better end-to-end interoperability for all stakeholders.
As custodians of the UK Profile, the UK Digital TV Group (DTG) with its stakeholder members consisting of manufacturers, broadcasters and technology providers, plays a key role in driving the specification and development of new requirements for MHEG-5 based products and services.
With the latest UK Profile version 1.06, the Digital Television Group (via DTG Testing) has developed a strong conformance test suite (of over 350 tests) ensuring interoperability for receiver manufacturers, broadcasters and content creators.
Please visit DTG Testing (www.dtg.org.uk/testing) for more information.
MHEG-5 is one of the core technologies embedded in all our TV sets sold in the European region. Our motivation for supporting IMPALA is to see the expansion of broadcast support for MHEG-5 in Europe and beyond. The UK market has proven MHEG stability of operation, and suitability for not only digital teletext delivery, but also for multi-screen video selection of hidden services. Its efficiency in launch speed also makes it ideally placed as an instant display at channel zapping for broadcaster controlled splash-screen, as used for radio screensavers, and non-running service captions.
Mark Londero,
General Manager of
Technical Planning Sony TV Operations Europe
