Austria to test DVB-T2

Austria wants to launch the country’s first DVB-T2 trial on the occasion of the Soccer World Cup this summer, led by ORS, the technical subsidiary of public broadcaster ORF.

ORS plans to test the new DTT technology, which enables more channels and higher picture quality, in Vienna and Graz, writes Austrian news magazine Profil.

ORS spokesman Michael Weber confirmed the plans, adding that this development was a logical step as the quality offered by the current DVB-T version was not sufficient for large, modern flat-screen TV sets. DVB-T2 could be used for transmitting HD channels, which is currently only the case via cable, satellite and IPTV in Austria.

The downside is that viewers will need new set-top-boxes for reception. Transmissions in the current DVB-T standard are expected to continue until at least 2016 in Austria.

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