Eutelsat and TDF are working together to transmit a sequence of programs in HDTV MPEG-4 to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmitters in Paris, Marseille and Lyon, France.
Eutelsat's satellite channel will deliver HDTV programs supplied by French channels, including France Télévisions, TF1, M6 and Canal Plus to DTT transmitters in France’s three largest cities June 1-July 17.
The six-week test, coordinated by the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA), France's broadcasting authority, is intended to validate the full HD broadcasting chain to DTT homes from encoding, transport and broadcasting, through to reception.
Eutelsat is providing satellite capacity on Atlantic Bird 3, which is also the satellite used to deliver all five DTT multiplexes to over-the-air transmitters in France.
The HD test began June 1 with live coverage by national public broadcaster France Télévisions of tennis matches from the center court at Roland Garros shot by six HD cameras set up at center court.
