UPV’s iTEAM achieves UHD and HFR broadcasts for second-generation DTT

Researchers at the iTEAM institute of the UPV (Universitat Politècnica de València) have achieved the first second-generation DVB-T2 DTT broadcasts using Ultra High Definition, also called UHD. The intention is that this format is implemented commercially from 2017.

These tests have demonstrated a twofold technological advance. On the one hand we have the improvement in sharpness by using up to 120fps, which doubles the current 4K broadcasts in Europe, which are being done at 50fps; and on the other, HEVC encoding, which allows 4K at 100fps to remain compatible with existing 4K displays at 50fps.

UHD technology is a significant improvement on the current HD broadcast system, based on 5 factors:

• Increased resolution: doubles the number of lines offered by HD.
• Bit increment: from 8 to 10 bits.
• Improved colorimetry: thanks to the new BT standard. 2020.
• Increased dynamic range of display brightness (HDR).
• Increased temporal resolution of the image (HFR).

Here you can read the full press release.