Hybrid broadcast broadband TV

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Hybrid broadcast broadband TV (HbbTV) is an open and international standard for the signaling, transmission and execution of interactive applications for receiving devices that have both a decoder for digital television (broadcast) and access to the Internet (broadband) ( hybrid -TV ).

Applications

Applications that are provided by television providers can be linked to one or more television channels of the provider. Such applications (broadcast-related applications) are automatically started with appropriate signaling as soon as the user has selected the respective television channel. HbbTV also supports applications without reference to a television channel (broadcast-independent applications).

Typical offers from HbbTV applications include:

history

Origins

Originally, HbbTV was a pan-European initiative by the German-Austrian-Swiss Institute for Broadcasting Technology , the satellite operator SES Astra , the electronics group Philips and the English software company ANT. This initiative started working together at the end of 2008. The aim was to define a variant of the standard of the Open IPTV Forum, which is about to be concluded. The variant should be less complex, but focus on hybrid TV . Accordingly, the first activities were:

  • Profiling the declarative application environment defined by the Open IPTV Forum,
  • Specification of a DVB standard for signaling and transmission of applications over the radio channel (published under ETSI reference number TS 102 809),
  • Definition of an application framework and development of rudimentary operating concepts for applications linked to television programs (broadcast-related applications).

Version 1.0

In the period that followed, the French broadcasters Canal + , France Television and TF1 , the device manufacturer Samsung and the software companies OpenTV and Opera joined the working group. Version 1.0 of the HbbTV specification was submitted to ETSI at the end of 2009 under the reference number ETSI TS 102 796 1.1.1 and published on June 11, 2010. At the same time, the HbbTV consortium was founded.

Version 1.5

At the urging of French companies in particular, HbbTV 1.5 was passed in 2012 and published under the ETSI version number 1.2.1. The most important innovation was the support of the MPEG-DASH streaming format .

Version 2.0

HbbTV 2.0 was adopted in 2015 and published under the ETSI version number 1.3.1. Extensive changes and features have been introduced with this version. This includes:

  • HTML5 ,
  • Communication of the HbbTV device with mobile devices,
  • Synchronization of video and audio streams from different sources on the same or on different devices,
  • Support of a transmission method for push VoD.

Version 2.0.1

Market-specific requirements from the United Kingdom and Italy led to the publication of HbbTV 2.0.1 in 2016 under the ETSI version number 1.4.1. This made version 2.0 obsolete.

Version 2.0.2

The development of HbbTV 2.0.2 had already been running since October 2017 and was published at the end of February under the ETSI version number 1.5.1. The version number replaces 2.0.1 and, in addition to bug fixes that occurred during development for new apps, televisions and set-top boxes in test scenarios, also integrates High Dynamic Range (HDR) via PQ10 and Hybrid-Log Gamma (HLG ), High Frame Rate (HFR) and Next Generation Audio (NGA). The first HbbTV 2.0.2 capable devices are expected for spring 2019.

service

Possibilities of interaction

Remote control of the receiving device

HbbTV defines a series of interaction events that must be provided by every HbbTV-compatible receiving device and which can be evaluated by the applications for their individual operating concept. Often each interaction event is assigned exactly one button on a classic remote control. The interaction events can, however, also be generated by other interaction methods (e.g. screen dialogues or voice control). The interaction events include in particular 6 navigation events, 10 digits and 4 color events.

Control through mobile devices

HbbTV 2.0.1 supports open communication between HbbTV applications and applications on mobile devices. In this case, the interaction concept can be fully defined by the application provider.

Starting HbbTV applications

Autostart

The provider of the channel can assign an autostart application to each television channel. This is started automatically as soon as the user has selected the respective channel. In Germany (as of 2017), many application providers are following the concept proposed by the standard of initially only placing a small and temporary informative overlay over the TV channel. The user can then call up the actual application in full screen by pressing the red button. The term “red button application” has become established for this concept. A deviation from this concept (e.g. for advertising, for interactive television or for applications on radio channels) is possible.

Digital teletext

The provider of the channel can assign a special application as "digital teletext" to each television channel. After selecting the television channel, this can be started by pressing a special button on the remote control (e.g. the "TXT" button). This method has not caught on in Germany (as of 2017).

Change of the running application

A running application can start another application. In this case, the calling application is terminated.

Start through mobile devices

HbbTV 2.0.1 supports the launch of HbbTV applications through applications on mobile devices.

Application menu

Many receiving devices offer an additional menu for calling up HbbTV applications. Often only applications without reference to a television channel are displayed here.

technology

Signaling

To signal HbbTV applications linked to the television program, an additional table (Application Information Table, AIT) is inserted into the MPEG transport stream distributed over the DVB network . This table is read out by the receiving device and contains the names and addresses of all applications linked to the respective television channel. Optionally, applications can be labeled as autostart applications or as digital teletext.

transmission

HbbTV applications can be transmitted both over the radio channel and over the Internet. Applications are broadcast cyclically in the radio channel. The protocol used is the DSMCC Object Carousel. This form of transmission is useful for regions and households that have no or only narrowband internet access. HbbTV applications are transmitted over the Internet using the HTTP protocol . This method is the more common in Germany (as of 2017).

Runtime environment

To display and run HbbTV applications, the receiving devices must implement an HTML / JavaScript browser. Up to version 1.5, this browser is based on CE-HTML , a variant of HTML developed for consumer electronics. Version 2 uses a profile from HTML5 . The HTML environment enables a number of new functionalities:

  • Integration of a reduced TV picture in the application
  • Switch to another television program
  • Overlays synchronized with the television program

distribution

equipment

Most manufacturers have been equipping their high-quality televisions and set-top boxes with HbbTV functionality since around 2011, provided the devices have a network connection. At Samsung z. B. HBBTV is integrated as standard from the 7 series, as is the case with most devices of the 6 series. Devices of the 4 and 5 series are only partially equipped (as of June 2016). As HbbTV competes with your own Smart TV functions, you have to explicitly activate the HBBTV function with some manufacturers. As of June 2016, all Sony televisions with an Android operating system and all 4k televisions have HbbTV. The Giga TV 4k set-top box (Ultra HD-capable receiver) from Vodafone Kabel Deutschland , which was launched in 2018, has limited access to the media libraries. The public service ARD media libraries are currently not available.

TV channel

Germany

In Germany, HbbTV has been used by practically all well-known private and public television broadcasters since the end of 2010. In 2011, similar services were launched by broadcasters in France, the Netherlands and Spain, and other broadcasters practically everywhere in Europe are planning or testing HbbTV. There is also interest from various non-European countries. In some cases, MHP services or country-specific special solutions are being replaced, which were only supported in these countries (if at all) by a larger number of receiving devices.

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This overview should not be considered an exhaustive list.

Channel DVB-C DVB-S DVB-T offer
arte Yes Yes Yes Media library (arte + 7), arteLiveWeb (other video offers), mini program preview
anixe Yes Yes Yes Program preview, media library (under construction), news
ARD Yes Yes Yes Media library, TV program (14 days preview, 7 days review, detailed information & trailer, tips, quick overview), "I like" (possibility to "like" programs and receive suggestions based on them), MeinTV (suggestions, reminder function, program filter according to interests), radio program preview, search, interactive (Tagesschau, EinsExtra Ticker), teletext, help, settings
The first Yes Yes Yes see ARD
tagesschau24 Yes Yes Yes see ARD, individualized start bar
ONE Yes Yes Yes see ARD, individualized start bar
ARD-alpha Yes Yes - see ARD, individualized start bar
3 sat Yes Yes Yes Media library, TV program (14 days preview, 7 days review, detailed information & trailer, tips, quick overview), "I like" (possibility to "like" programs and receive suggestions based on them), MeinTV (suggestions, reminder function, program filter interests), search, teletext, help, settings
Third programs of the ARD Yes Yes Yes see ARD, with its own media library (full range of functions as on the Internet)
ZDF Yes Yes yes (SD) Media library (“Program missed”, “Programs A – Z”, “Categories”, “Topics”, “Recommendations”, “News”, “heute journal plus”), settings, search, favorites, help, imprint
PHOENIX - Yes - see ARD, individualized start bar
PRO7 Yes Yes Yes HD text (news, sport, VIP, service), TV program (daily preview, trailer), media library, maxdome (subject to a charge), applications (votes, puzzles, weather [offered by wetter.com], pairs), bookmarks, options , Imprint
Sat 1 Yes Yes Yes see PRO7, customized start bar
Cable 1 Yes Yes Yes see PRO7, customized start bar
SIXX Yes Yes Yes see PRO7, customized start bar
n-tv Yes Yes - largely complete web portal, initially only via satellite; since September 2013: “ n-tv now ” offers time-shifted television of in-house productions for one week with free access (by n-tv), but HD + RePlay is necessary for this , which is not free and may require certified end devices.
RTL Yes Yes - s. under n-tv
VOX Yes Yes - s. under n-tv
QVC Yes Yes Yes
HSE24 Yes Yes k. A.
RTL II Yes Yes - TV program, videos, program information, games

Switzerland

In November 2012, the Solothurn-based cable television company GA Weissenstein put the first HbbTV service in Switzerland into operation on the regional information channel. At the beginning, the offer included current information, connections to TV cameras and a media library with films from the region. The HbbTV service was designed and set up by the Central Swiss company Soland Media AG.

On March 5, 2013, SRG SSR will start test operations of HbbTV in Switzerland on the TV channels RTSun HD and RTSdeux HD under the name RTS + . The solution was developed by Swiss TXT .

On December 4, 2013, the broadcasters SRF 1 HD and SRF 2 HD began regular HbbTV operations.

Austria

ProSieben Austria and Sat.1 Austria have had regular HbbTV operations via Mux F ( DVB-T2 ) since the start in April 2013; At the end of August, the ORF followed suit for the two main programs in both SD (Mux A) and HD resolution (Mux D).

privacy

For the procedure it is necessary for the television to contact the information provider. While the user remains anonymous with normal television, he is now identifiable. Tests have shown that sometimes personal data is sent without the user having activated the corresponding functions. This is impermissible under data protection law, especially since the television stations are likely to also make the data available to third parties.

The problem also exists with smart TV- enabled televisions. Every network connection capable of back- channeling offers the possibility of transmitting personal or other data to the manufacturer or other parties, mostly content providers.

Competing or alternative systems

All the procedures for replacing teletext, which are considered obsolete, rely on a connection to the Internet. Internet services, v. a. Portals from device manufacturers who appear as platform-in-TV as HbbTV competition:

  • Apple TV as a standalone solution or via Airplay from media library apps
  • Google Chromecast adapter for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets
  • Samsung Smart TV / Smart Hub with Samsung SDK
  • NetTV from Philips (with free web access)
  • Viera Connect from Panasonic
  • Widget solutions such as AQUOS NET + from Sharp: the current TV program can be overlaid with applications from the Internet.
  • Applicast from Sony
  • SmartTV on some LG TVs

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Activate HBBTV on Samsung TVs . Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  2. ↑ n-tv via satellite
  3. ↑ n-tv now
  4. ^ Weber Hannes: SRG is testing HbbTV . In: PCtipp.ch . March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ Swiss TXT develops SmartTV offer for SRG . In: werbewoche . March 7, 2013. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  6. ↑ Teletext successor comes on December 4th . 20min online. November 20, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ Notification of KommAustria dated December 18, 2012
  8. ^ Anne Grauenhorst: Smart Spies - TV stations analyze SmartTV owners. Technical University of Darmstadt, May 15, 2013
  9. ↑ Marco Ghiglieri, Florian Oswald, Erik Tews: HbbTV - I Know What You Are Watching. BSI , 13th German IT Security Congress, accessed on November 20, 2018 .
  10. ↑ Terrifying results - Smart TVs peek at us so brazenly in the living room from Focus Online, Saturday, May 10, 2014
  11. ↑ Zeit.de: "The spy on my television" . LG smart TVs secretly collect user data. November 22, 2013, accessed November 25, 2013
  12. ↑ N24: "Smart TV sends data to South Korea: LG spies on customers" , from November 22, 2013, accessed on November 25, 2013

Web links

TV station information