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{{Short description|Open standard for digital television broadcasting}}
{{broader|Digital television}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Multiple issues|
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{{Notability|date=April 2025}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox technology standard
| title             = DVB
| long_name         = Digital Video Broadcasting
| image             = Logo of the DVB Project.svg
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| caption           = DVB Project logo, often used to signify compliance
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| native_name       = <!-- Name in local language. If more than one, separate using {{plain list}} -->
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| year_started      = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
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| version           = 
| version_date      = 
| preview           = 
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| organization      = {{plain list|
* [[ETSI]]
* [[CENELEC]]
* [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]
}}
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| website           = {{URL|https://dvb.org/}}
}}
{{Table Digital video broadcast standards}}

'''Digital Video Broadcasting''' ('''DVB''') is a set of international [[open standard]]s for [[digital television]]. DVB standards are maintained by the '''DVB Project''', an international industry consortium,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvb.org/|title=DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting|website=www.dvb.org|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> and are published by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the [[European Telecommunications Standards Institute]] (ETSI), [[European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization]] (CENELEC) and [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU).

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Transmission==
DVB systems distribute data using a variety of approaches, including:
* [[Satellite television|Satellite]]: [[DVB-S]], [[DVB-DSNG]], [[DVB-S2]], [[DVB-S2X]] and [[DVB-SH]]
** [[DVB-SMATV]] for distribution via [[SMATV]]
* [[Cable television|Cable]]: [[DVB-C]], [[DVB-C2]]
* [[Digital terrestrial television|Terrestrial television]]: [[DVB-T]], [[DVB-T2]]
** Digital terrestrial television for [[handheld]]s: [[DVB-H]], [[DVB-SH]]
* [[Microwave]]: using [[Digital terrestrial television|DTT]] ([[DVB-MT]]), the [[MMDS]] ([[DVB-MC]]), and/or [[MVDS]] standards ([[DVB-MS]])

These standards define the [[physical layer]] and [[data link layer]] of the distribution system. Devices interact with the physical layer via a synchronous parallel interface (SPI), synchronous serial interface (SSI) or [[asynchronous serial interface]] (ASI). All data is transmitted in [[MPEG transport stream]]s with some additional constraints (DVB-MPEG). A standard for temporally-compressed distribution to mobile devices (DVB-H) was published in November 2004.

These distribution systems differ mainly in the [[modulation]] schemes used and error correcting codes used, due to the different technical constraints. DVB-S ([[Super high frequency|SHF]]) uses [[QPSK]], 8-PSK or 16-[[Quadrature amplitude modulation|QAM]]. DVB-S2 uses QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-APSK or 32-APSK, at the broadcasters decision. QPSK and 8-PSK are the only versions regularly used. DVB-C ([[Very high frequency|VHF]]/[[Ultra high frequency|UHF]]) uses [[Quadrature amplitude modulation|QAM]]: 16-QAM, 32-QAM, 64-QAM, 128-QAM or 256-QAM. Lastly, DVB-T (VHF/UHF) uses 16-QAM or 64-QAM (or QPSK) in combination with [[Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing|(C)OFDM]] and can support [[hierarchical modulation]].

The DVB-T2 specification was approved by the DVB Steering Board in June 2008 and sent to ETSI for adoption as a formal standard. ETSI adopted the standard on 9 September 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webapp.etsi.org/workProgram/Report_Schedule.asp?WKI_ID=28396 |title=Work Programme: Details of 'DEN/JTC-DVB-228' Work Item Schedule |publisher=ETSI |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref> The DVB-T2 standard gives more robust TV reception and increases the possible bit rate by over 30% for single transmitters (as in the UK) and will increase the maximum bit rate by over 50% in large [[single-frequency network]]s (as in Germany and [[Sweden]]).

DVB has established a 3D TV group (CM-3DTV) to identify "what kind of 3D-TV solution does the market want and need, and how can DVB play an active part in the creation of that solution?" The CM-3DTV group held a DVB 3D-TV Kick-off Workshop in Geneva on 25 January 2010, followed by the first CM-3DTV meeting the next day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvb.org/news_events/news/dvb-3d-tv-workshop/index.xml |title=DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting - DVB 3D TV Kick-Off Workshop |access-date=2010-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115043236/http://www.dvb.org/news_events/news/dvb-3d-tv-workshop/index.xml |archive-date=15 January 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> DVB now defines a new standard for 3D video broadcast: [[DVB 3D-TV]].

Modes and features of latest DVB-x2 system standards in comparison:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!
!DVB-S2
!DVB-T2
!DVB-C2
|-
|[[Input device|Input]] [[Interface (computing)|interface]]
|Multiple [[transport stream]] and [[generic stream encapsulation]] (GSE)
|Multiple transport stream and generic stream encapsulation (GSE)
|Multiple transport stream and generic stream encapsulation (GSE)
|-
|Modes
|[[Variable coding]] & modulation and [[adaptive coding]] & modulation
|Variable coding & modulation<ref name="DVB BlueBook A122, page 18">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvb.org/technology/standards/A122_DVB-T2_Spec.pdf|title=Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Frame structure channel coding and modulation for a second generation digital terrestrial television broadcasting system (DVB-T2)|publisher=DVB consortium|date=February 2011}}</ref>
|Variable coding & modulation and adaptive coding & modulation
|-
|[[Forward error correction|FEC]]
|[[LDPC]] + [[BCH code|BCH]] 1/4, 1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
|LDPC + BCH 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6
|LDPC + BCH 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10<ref name="DVB BlueBook A138, page 29">{{cite web|url=http://www.telcogroup.ru/files/materials-pdf/DVB_standards/DVB-C/a138_DVB-C2.pdf|title=Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Frame structure channel coding and modulation for a second generation digital transmission system for cable systems (DVB-C2)|publisher=DVB consortium|date=2010-05-07}}</ref>
|-
|[[Modulation]]
|Single carrier, [[phase-shift keying|PSK]] or [[Amplitude and phase-shift keying|APSK]], multiple streams
|[[Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing|OFDM]]
|absolute OFDM<ref name="DVB BlueBook A147, page 31, New concept of absolute OFDM">{{cite web|url=http://digitus.itk.ppke.hu/~takacsgy/a147_DVB-C2_Imp-Guide%5B1%5D.pdf|title=Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Implementation Guidelines for a second generation digital cable transmission system (DVB-C2)|publisher=DVB consortium|date=2010-11-19}}</ref>
|-
|Modulation schemes
|QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-APSK, 32-APSK
|QPSK, 16-[[QAM]], 64-QAM, 256-QAM
|16- to 4096-QAM
|-
|[[Guard interval]]
|Not applicable
|1/4, 19/256, 1/8, 19/128, 1/16, 1/32, 1/128
|1/64 or 1/128
|-
|Fourier transform size
|Not applicable
|1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k, 32k [[Discrete Fourier transform|DFT]]
|4k [[Fast Fourier transform|Inverse FFT]]<ref name="DVB-C2 The second generation transmission technology for broadband cable, page 5, OFDM generator">{{cite web|url=http://www.ict-redesign.eu/fileadmin/documents/0904_DVB-C2_Cable_Show_Washington_Jaeger_rev2.pdf|title=DVB-C2 The second generation transmission technology for broadband cable|publisher=Dirk Jaeger, Philipp Hasse, Joerg Robert, Institut fuer Nachrichtentechnik at Technische Universitaet Braunschweig|date=2009-04-08|access-date=24 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402083731/http://www.ict-redesign.eu/fileadmin/documents/0904_DVB-C2_Cable_Show_Washington_Jaeger_rev2.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Interleaving (bitmaps)|Interleaving]]
|Bit-Interleaving
|Bit- time- and frequency-interleaving
|Bit- time- and frequency-interleaving
|-
|[[Pilot signal|Pilots]]
|Pilot symbols
| Scattered and continual pilots
| Scattered and continual pilots
|}

==Content==
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
[[Digital video]] content is encoded using [[discrete cosine transform]] (DCT) based [[video coding standards]], such as the [[H.26x]] and [[MPEG]] formats. [[Digital audio]] content is encoded using [[modified discrete cosine transform]] (MDCT) based [[audio coding standards]], such as [[Advanced Audio Coding]] (AAC), [[Dolby Digital]] (AC-3) and [[MP3]].

Besides [[digital audio]] and [[digital video]] transmission, DVB also defines data connections (DVB-DATA - [[European standards|EN]] 301 192) with [[return channel]]s (DVB-RC) for several media ([[Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications|DECT]], [[Global System for Mobile Communications|GSM]], [[Public Switched Telephone Network|PSTN]]/[[Integrated Services Digital Network|ISDN]], [[satellite]] etc.) and protocols ([[DVB-IPTV]]: [[Internet Protocol]]; DVB-NPI: network protocol independent).

{{anchor|DVB-TXT|DVB-VBI|DVB-SUB|}}Older technologies such as [[teletext]] (DVB-TXT) and [[vertical blanking interval]] data (DVB-VBI) are also supported by the standards to ease conversion. However, for many applications more advanced alternatives like DVB-SUB for subtitling are available.

==Encryption and metadata==
The [[conditional access]] system (DVB-CA) defines a [[Common Scrambling Algorithm]] (DVB-CSA) and a physical [[Common Interface]] ([[DVB-CI]]) for accessing [[scrambler|scrambled]] content. DVB-CA providers develop their wholly proprietary conditional access systems with reference to these specifications. Multiple simultaneous CA systems can be assigned to a scrambled DVB program stream providing operational and commercial flexibility for the service provider.

The [[DVB Project]] developed a Content Protection and Copy Management system for protecting content after it has been received ([[DVB-CPCM]]), which was intended to allow flexible use of recorded content on a home network or beyond, while preventing unconstrained sharing on the Internet. DVB-CPCM was the source of much controversy in the popular press and it was said that CPCM was the DVB Project's answer to the failed American [[Broadcast Flag]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/IP/DVB/dvb_critique.php |title=Europe's Broadcast Flag |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=2005-09-29 |access-date=2007-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051013061942/http://www.eff.org/IP/DVB/dvb_critique.php |archive-date=13 October 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The DVB-CPCM specifications, which were standardized by ETSI as a multipart document (TS 102 825) between 2008 and 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://portal.etsi.org/webapp/WorkProgram/Frame_WorkItemList.asp?qSORT=HIGHVERSION&qETSI_ALL=TRUE&SearchPage=TRUE&qETSI_NUMBER=102+825&qINCLUDE_SUB_TB=True&qINCLUDE_MOVED_ON=&qSTOP_FLG=&qKEYWORD_BOOLEAN=&qCLUSTER_BOOLEAN=&qFREQUENCIES_BOOLEAN=&qSTOPPING_OUTDATED=&butSimple=Search&includeNonActiveTB=FALSE&includeSubProjectCode=&qREPORT_TYPE=SUMMARY |title=ETSI Work Programme - Query Result of search for TS 102 825 |website=etsi.org }}</ref> were deprecated by the DVB Steering Board in February 2019.

DVB transports include [[metadata]] called Service Information (DVB-SI, ETSI EN 300 468, ETSI TR 101 211) that links the various elementary streams into coherent programs and provides [[human-readable]] descriptions for [[electronic program guide]]s as well as for automatic searching and filtering.  The dating system used with this metadata suffers from a [[year 2038 problem]] in which due to the limited 16 bits and [[modified Julian day]] offset used will cause an overflow issue similar to the [[year 2000 problem]].  By comparison, the rival [[DigiCipher 2]] based [[ATSC]] system will not have this issue until 2048 due in part to 32 bits being used.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

DVB adopted a profile of the metadata defined by the [[TV-Anytime]] Forum (DVB-TVA, ETSI TS 102323). This is an XML Schema based technology and the DVB profile is tailored for enhanced [[digital video recorder|Personal Digital Recorders]].

In the early 2000s, DVB started an activity to develop specifications for [[IPTV]] (DVB-IPI, ETSI TR 102 033, ETSI TS 102 034, ETSI TS 102 814), which also included metadata definitions for a broadband content guide (DVB-BCG, ETSI TS 102 539).

=== DVB-I ===

In October 2017, the [[DVB Project]] established a working group to begin the definition of a specification for "standalone TV services over IP, referred to as DVB-I services".<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Kicking Off DVB Internet TV Services |url=https://dvb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/dvb-scene51.pdf |journal=DVB Scene |issue=51 |pages=6–7}}</ref> Work on the commercial requirements for DVB-I began in January 2018 and the terms of reference were agreed in March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2018 |title=DVB launches new DVB-I initiative for open internet |url=https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/news-roundup/dvb-launches-new-dvb-i-initiative-for-open-internet/ |website=SVG Europe}}</ref>

The DVB-I specification, titled "Service Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I", was approved by the DVB Project in November 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2019 |title=DVB Approves Internet-Centric Linear TV DVB-I Specification |url=https://www.ibc.org/trends/dvb-approves-internet-centric-linear-tv-dvb-i-specification/5205.article |website=IBC.org}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2019 |title=DVB approves new specification for linear TV delivered over the internet |url=https://www.tvbeurope.com/media-delivery/dvb-approves-new-specification-for-linear-tv-delivered-over-the-internet |website=TVB Europe}}</ref> and first published as DVB BlueBook A177 in June 2020<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://dvb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/A177r1_Service-Discovery-and-Programme-Metadata-for-DVB-I_July-2020.pdf |title=Service Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I: DVB Document A177 |publisher=DVB |year=2020 |edition=Rev.1}}</ref> and as an [[ETSI]] standard TS 103 770 in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/103700_103799/103770/01.01.01_60/ts_103770v010101p.pdf |title=ETSI TS 103 770 V1.1.1 (2020-11): Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Service Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I |publisher=ETSI |year=2020}}</ref>

The DVB-I specification defines ways in which devices and displays connected to the internet can discover and access sets of audiovisual media services. These can include services delivered online through fixed and wireless [[Internet Protocol]] connections as well as [[Broadcasting|broadcast]] [[radio]] and [[television]] channels received over [[radio frequency]] networks using traditional [[Cable television|cable]], [[Satellite television|satellite]], or [[Terrestrial television|terrestrial]] transmissions.

Tests and pilots of DVB-I services have been undertaken in several countries including Iran, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2024 |title=DVB-I Deployments |url=https://dvb-i.tv/deployments/ |website=DVB-I}}</ref>

==Software platform==
{{Main|Interactive television#User Interaction}}
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
The [[Multimedia Home Platform|DVB Multimedia Home Platform]] (DVB-MHP) defines a [[Java (programming language)|Java]]-based platform for the development of consumer video system applications. In addition to providing abstractions for many DVB and [[MPEG-2]] concepts, it provides interfaces for other features like network card control, application download, and layered graphics.

==Return channel==
{{Main|DVB-RCS}}
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
DVB has standardized a number of return channels that work together with DVB(-S/T/C) to create bi-directional communication. RCS is short for [[Return Channel Satellite]], and specifies return channels in [[C band (IEEE)|C]], [[Ku band|K<sub>u</sub>]] and [[Ka band|K<sub>a</sub>]] frequency bands with return bandwidth of up to 2&nbsp;[[Mbit]]/s. DVB-RCT is short for [[Return Channel Terrestrial]], specified by ETSI EN 301958.

==Service discovery==
The DVB-I standard (ETSI TS 103 770) defines an internet-based request and response mechanism to discover and access audiovisual services delivered over traditional digital broadcast transmissions or Internet Protocol networks and present them in a unified way.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2020 |title=Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB): Service Discovery and Programme Metadata for DVB-I |url=https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/103700_103799/103770/01.01.01_60/ts_103770v010101p.pdfhttps://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/103700_103799/103770/01.01.01_60/ts_103770v010101p.pdf |website=ETSI}}</ref>

==Adoption==
[[Image:Digital broadcast standards.svg|thumb|400px|right|DTT broadcasting systems.]]
DVB-S and DVB-C were ratified in 1994. DVB-T was ratified in early 1997. The first commercial DVB-T broadcasts were performed by the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Digital TV Group]] in late 1998. In 2003 [[Berlin]], Germany was the first area to completely stop broadcasting analogue TV signals. Most European countries are fully covered by digital television and many have switched off [[PAL]]/[[SECAM]] services.

DVB standards are used throughout Europe, as well as in Australia, South Africa and India. They are also used for cable and satellite broadcasting in most Asian, African and many South American countries. Some have chosen ISDB-T instead of DVB-T and a few (United States, Canada, Mexico and South Korea) have chosen ATSC instead of DVB-T.

===Africa===
====Kenya====
DVB-T broadcasts were launched by the [[President of Kenya]], [[Mwai Kibaki]] on 9 December 2009. Broadcasts are using [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]], with the [[University of Nairobi]] supplying the decoders. [[Kenya]] has also been broadcasting DVB-H since July 2009, available on selected [[Nokia]] and [[ZTE]] handsets on the [[Safaricom]] and other GSM networks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/819994/-/vnlh64/-/ |title=Digital TV a reality in Kenya |publisher=Nation Media |access-date=2009-12-09}}</ref>

====Madagascar====
Since 2011, the pay TV operator Blueline<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueline.mg|title=Blueline Madagascar|website=www.blueline.mg|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> launched a DVB-T service branded BluelineTV.<ref>[http://www.blueline.mg/tv BluelineTV]</ref> It supplies both smart cards and set-top-boxes.

====South Africa====
Since 1995, the pay TV operator [[DStv]] used the DVB-S standard to broadcast its services. In 2010, it started a DVB over IP service, and in 2011 it started DStv mobile using the DVB-H standard.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.multichoice.co.za/multichoice/content/en/page44122 | title=The MultiChoice Group | date=2 March 2023 }}</ref>

In late 2010, the South African cabinet endorsed a decision by a [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC) task team to adopt the DVB-T2 standard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fin24.com/Economy/SA-to-adopt-European-TV-standard-report-20110104 |title=SA to adopt European TV standard: report |publisher=24.com |access-date=2011-01-18}}</ref>

===Asia===
====Hong Kong====
In Hong Kong, several cable TV operators such as [[TVB Pay Vision]] and [[Cable TV Hong Kong|Cable TV]] have already started using DVB-S or DVB-C. The government however has adopted the [[DMB-T/H]] standard, developed in [[mainland China]], for its digital terrestrial broadcasting services which has started since 31 December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltv.gov.hk/general/news_26112007.htm|title=Digital TV|website=www.digitaltv.gov.hk|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721092023/http://www.digitaltv.gov.hk/general/news_26112007.htm|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Iran====
On 17 March 2009, DVB-H and DVB-T H.264/AAC broadcasting started in [[Tehran]] by the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|IRIB]]. DVB-T broadcasting is now widely available in other cities such as [[Isfahan]], [[Mashhad]], [[Shiraz]], [[Qom]], [[Tabriz]] and [[Rasht]] as well.

====Israel====
DVB-T broadcasts using [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] commenced in Israel on 1 June 2009 with the broadcast trial and the full broadcast began on 2 August 2009. Analog broadcasts were originally planned to end in 18 months after the launch, but analog broadcasts were switched off on 31 March 2011 instead.

During 2010, DVB-T broadcasts have become widely available in most of Israel and an EPG was added to the broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvb.org/about_dvb/dvb_worldwide/israel/index.xml|title=About - DVB|website=www.dvb.org|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref>

====Japan====
With the exception of [[SKY PerfecTV!]], Japan uses different formats in all areas ([[Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting|ISDB]]), which are however quite similar to their DVB counterparts. SkyPerfect is a satellite provider using DVB on its 124 and 128 degrees east satellites. Its satellite at 110 degrees east does not use DVB, however.

====Malaysia====
In Malaysia, a new pay television station [[MiTV]] began service in September 2005 using [[DVB-IPTV]] technology while lone satellite programming provider [[Astro (satellite TV)|ASTRO]] has been transmitting in DVB-S since its inception in 1996. Free-to-air DVB-T trials began in late 2006 with a simulcast of both TV1 and TV2 plus a new channel called RTM3/RTMi. In April 2007, RTM announced that the outcome of the test was favourable and that it expected DVB-T to go public by the end of 2007. However, the system did not go public as planned. As of 2008, the trial digital line-up has expanded to include a music television channel called [[Muzik Aktif]], and a sports channel called Arena, with a news channel called Berita Aktif planned for inclusion in the extended trials soon. Also, high definition trials were performed during the Beijing Olympics and the outcome was also favourable. It was announced that the system would go public in 2009.

In 2009, MiTV closed down, changed its name to U-Television and announced that it was changing to scrambled DVB-T upon relaunch instead of the [[DVB-IPTV]] system used prior to shutting down. However, RTM's digital network again did not go public, although around this time TVs that are first-generation DVB-T capable went on sale. The government has since announced that they will be deploying DVB-T2 instead in stages starting in mid-2015 and analog shutoff has been delayed to April 2019.

====Philippines====
In the Philippines, [[DVB-S]] and [[DVB-S2]] are the two broadcast standards currently used by satellite companies, while [[DVB-C]] is also used by some cable companies. The government adopted [[DVB-T]] in November 2006 for digital terrestrial broadcasting but a year later, it considered other standards to replace DVB-T. The country has chosen the [[ISDB-T]] system instead of [[DVB-T]].

====Taiwan====
{{Update|section|date=May 2016}}
In Taiwan, some digital cable television systems use DVB-C, though most customers still use analogue NTSC cable television. The government planned adopting ATSC or the Japanese ISDB-T standard as NTSC's replacement. However, the country has chosen the European DVB-T system instead. Public Television Service (PTS) and Formosan TV provide high definition television. The former has the channel HiHD; the latter uses its HD channel for broadcasting MLB baseball.

===Europe===
{{Update|European countries that use DVB but are not in this list|January 1018|date=January 2018}}

====Cyprus====
[[Cyprus]] uses DVB-T with MPEG-4 encoding. Analogue transmission stopped on 1 July 2011 for all channels except [[CyBC|CyBC 1]].

====Denmark====
In Denmark, DVB-T replaced the analog transmission system for TV on 1 November 2009. Danish national digital TV transmission has been outsourced to the company Boxer TV A/S,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxertv.dk|title=Fleksible tv-pakker og bredbånd hos Boxer - Tv-udbyder med valgfrihed|website=www.boxertv.dk|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> acting as gatekeeper organization for terrestrial TV transmission in Denmark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kum.dk/graphics/kum/downloads/Pressemeddelelser/Pressemeddelelse+fra+N%25E6vnet+UK.pdf|title=Kulturministeriets hjemmeside|website=www.kum.dk|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kum.dk/sw69161.asp|title=Kulturministeriets hjemmeside|website=www.kum.dk|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008071354/http://www.kum.dk/sw69161.asp|archive-date=8 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, there are still several free channels from [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]].

====Finland====
{{See also|Television in Finland}}
DVB-T transmissions were launched on 21 August 2001. The analogue networks continued alongside the digital ones until 1 September 2007, when they were shut down nationwide. Before the analogue switchoff, the terrestrial network had three multiplexes: MUX A, MUX B and MUX C. MUX A contained the channels of the public broadcaster [[Yleisradio]] and MUX B was shared between the two commercial broadcasters: [[MTV3]] and [[Nelonen (television)|Nelonen]]. MUX C contained channels of various other broadcasters. After the analogue closedown, a fourth multiplex named MUX E was launched. All of the [[Yleisradio]] (YLE) channels are broadcast free-to-air, likewise a handful of commercial ones including [[MTV3]], [[Nelonen (television)|Nelonen]], [[Subtv]], [[Jim (TV channel)|Jim]], [[Nelonen Sport]], [[Liv (TV channel)|Liv]], [[FOX (Finland)|FOX]], [[TV Viisi|TV5]] [[Finland]], [[AVA (TV channel)|AVA]] and [[The Voice TV Finland|Kutonen]]. There are also several pay channels sold by [[PlusTV]].

====Italy====
{{See also|Television in Italy}}
In Italy, DVB-S started in 1996 and the final analogue broadcasts were terminated in 2005. The switch-off from analogue terrestrial network to DVB-T started on 15 October 2008. Analogue broadcast was ended on 4 July 2012 after nearly four years of transition in phases.

====Netherlands====
In the Netherlands, DVB-S broadcasting started on 1 July 1996, satellite provider MultiChoice (now [[CanalDigitaal]]) switched off the analogue service shortly after on 18 August 1996. DVB-T broadcasting started April 2003, and terrestrial analog broadcasting was switched off December 2006. It was initially marketed by [[Digitenne]] but later by [[KPN]]. Multiplex 1 contains the [[NPO 1]], [[NPO 2]] and [[NPO 3]] national TV channels, and a regional channel. Multiplexes 2~5 have the other encrypted commercial and international channels. Multiplex 1 also broadcasts the radio channels Radio 1, Radio 2, 3 FM, Radio 4, Radio 5, Radio 6, Concertzender, FunX and also a regional channel. As of June 2011, the Dutch DVB-T service had 29 TV channels and 20 radio channels (including free to air channels). DVB-T2 will be introduced during 2019/2020.

====Norway====
In Norway, DVB-T broadcasting is marketed under RiksTV (encrypted pay channels) and [[NRK]] (unencrypted public channels). DVB-T broadcasting via the terrestrial network began in November 2007, and has subsequently been rolled out one part of the country at a time. The Norwegian implementation of DVB-T is different from most others, as it uses [[H.264]] with [[HE-AAC]] audio encoding, while most other countries have adapted the less recent [[MPEG-2]] standard. Notably most DVB software for PC has problems with this, though in late 2007 compatible software was released, like [[DVBViewer]] using the [[Advanced Audio Coding#FAAC and FAAD2|libfaad2]] library. [[Sony]] has released several HDTVs (Bravia W3000, X3000, X3500, E4000, V4500, W4000, W4500, X4500) that support Norway's DVB-T implementation without use of a separate [[set-top box]], and Sagem ITD91 HD, Grundig DTR 8720 STBs are others.

====Poland====
Currently, Poland uses the DVB-T2 standard with HEVC encoding. Analogue broadcast switch-off started on 7 November 2012 and was completed on 23 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mac.gov.pl/naziemna-telewizja-cyfrowa/ |title=General information about the digital broadcasting system in Poland |work=Ministerstwo Administracji i Cyfryzacji |publisher=Ministry of Administration and Digitalization of Poland |access-date=2013-08-13}}</ref>

====Portugal====
Portugal follows the DVB-T implementation, using H.264 with AAC audio encoding. It has been live since 29 April 2009 and the switch-off date for all analog signals was on 26 April 2012.

====Romania====
Romania started digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2005 but it was virtually unknown by many people in Romania due to the lack of content, cable TV and satellite TV being far more popular, however it was the first platform to deliver HD content. Today, Romania is using DVB-T2 as terrestrial standard,  but also DVB-S/S2, and DVB-C which is extremely popular. The only analogue broadcast remains on cable. Romania adopted the DVB-T2 standard in 2016 after a series of tests with mpeg2, mpeg4 on DVB-T, and has today fully implemented DVB-T2. DVB-C, which was introduced in late 2005, still remains with mpeg2 on SD content and mpeg4 on HD content. DVB-S (introduced in 2004 focus sat being the first such platform) is used in basic packages with standard definition content, while DVB-S2 set top boxes are provided for both SD and HD content.

====Russia====
Fully switched to digital in 2019, Russia uses the DVB-T2 standard for broadcasting 2 channel packs with about ten main national radio and TV channels ([[Channel One (Russia)|Channel One]], [[Rossiya 1]]/2/K/24, [[NTV (Russia)|NTV]], [[Radio Mayak]], [[Radio Rossii]] etc.

====Spain====
[[Quiero Television|Quiero TV]] started digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2000 as [[pay television]]. The platform closed three years later after gaining 200,000 subscribers. The frequencies used by Quiero TV were used from 2005 to simulcast [[free-to-air]] analogue broadcast as DVB-T, under the name "TDT". The service started with 20 free-to-air national TV channels as well as numerous regional and local channels. Analogue broadcast ended on 2010 after getting 100% digital coverage. Some of the analogue frequencies were used to increase the number of channels and simulcast some of them in HD. Since February 14, 2024, all channels will be required to broadcast exclusively in HD. Frequencies of SD channels will be used to simulcast some of them in 4K using DVB-T2.

====United Kingdom====
{{See also|Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom}}
In the UK DVB-T has been adopted for broadcast of standard definition terrestrial programming, as well as a single DVB-T2 multiplex for high-definition programming. The UK terminated all analogue terrestrial broadcasts by the end of 2012. The vast majority of channels are available [[free-to-air]] through the [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] service. DVB-T was also used for the now-defunct [[ITV Digital|ONDigital/ITV Digital]] and [[Top Up TV]] service.

All satellite programming (some of which is available free-to-air via [[Freesat]] or [[free-to-view]] via [[Freesat from Sky]]; the remainder requires a subscription to [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky]]), is broadcast using either DVB-S or DVB-S2.

Subscription-based cable television from [[Virgin Media]] uses DVB-C.

===North America===
In [[North America]], [[DVB-S]] is often used in encoding and [[video compression]] of digital satellite communications alongside [[Hughes DSS]]. Unlike [[Motorola]]'s [[DigiCipher 2]] standard, DVB has a wider adoption in terms of the number of manufacturers of receivers. Terrestrial digital television broadcasts in Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and the United States use ATSC encoding with [[8VSB]] modulation instead of DVB-T with [[COFDM]].  Television newsgathering links from mobile vans to central receive points (often on mountaintops or tall buildings) use DVB-T with COFDM in the 2&nbsp;GHz frequency band.

===Oceania===
====Australia====
In Australia, DVB broadcasting is marketed under the [[Freeview (Australia)|Freeview]] brand name, and more recently 'Freeview Plus', denoting the integration of online [[HbbTV]] and EPG in certain DVB devices. Regular broadcasts began in January 2001 using MPEG 2 video and MPEG 1 audio{{clarification needed|date=March 2023|reason=MPEG 1 could mean MP2 or MP3, 2 different standars}} in SD and HD.

Changes to broadcasting rules have enabled broadcasters to offer multi-channeling, prompting broadcasters to use H.264 video with MPEG 1{{clarification needed|date=March 2023|reason=MPEG 1 could mean MP2 or MP3, 2 different standars}} or AAC audio encoding for some secondary channels.

Specifications for HD channels now differ depending on the broadcaster. ABC, Nine and Ten use 1920x1080i MPEG 4 video with [[Dolby Digital]] audio. Seven and SBS use 1440x1080i MPEG 2 video with Dolby Digital and MPEG 1 {{clarification needed|date=March 2023|reason=MPEG 1 could mean MP2 or MP3, 2 different standars}} respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/abc-is-changing-to-hd/ |title=ABC HD is now live |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=27 December 2016}}</ref>

====New Zealand====
In New Zealand, DVB broadcasting is marketed under the [[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]] brand name. SD [[MPEG-2]] DVB-S broadcasts via satellite began on 2 May 2007 and DVB-T (terrestrial) broadcasts began April 2008 broadcasting in HD H.264 video with HE-AAC audio.

===South America===
====Colombia====
Since 2008, [[Colombia]] has adopted as a public policy the decision to migrate from the analog television implemented in 1954 to [[Digital terrestrial television|Digital Terrestrial Television]] ([[DVB-T2]]). This measure allows the viewers access to the open television ([[Terrestrial television|OTA]]) of public and private channels, with video quality in [[High-definition television|HD]]. As planned, analogue television broadcasts will end in 2021.

==DVB compliant products==
Companies that manufacture a product which is compliant to one or more DVB standards have the option of registering a declaration of conformity for that product. Wherever the DVB trademark is used in relation to a product – be it a broadcast, a service, an application or equipment – the product must be registered with the DVB project office.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Digital Television : Satellite, Cable, Terrestrial, IPTV, Mobile TV in the DVB Framework.|last=Benoit, Herve.|date=2009|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-136-02714-7|oclc=1024255874}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[CI+]] Common Interface Plus
* [[Digital Audio Broadcasting]] (DAB)
* [[Digital Radio Mondiale]] (DRM, digital broadcasting over short and medium waves)
* [[Digital multimedia broadcasting]] (DMB)
* [[ETSI Satellite Digital Radio]] (SDR)
* [[FTA receiver]]
* [[ISDB]] – Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting
* [[Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast|DTMB]] – Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast, developed in China, also adopted by a few countries beyond
* [[List of digital television deployments by country]]
* [[WiB (digital terrestrial television)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|DVB}}
* {{Official website|https://www.dvb.org/}}

{{Wireless video}}
{{Video formats}}
{{High-definition}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Digital Video Broadcasting| ]]
[[Category:Digital broadcasting|Video]]
[[Category:Digital television]]
[[Category:High-definition television]]
[[Category:MPEG]]
[[Category:Open standards]]
[[Category:Television technology]]
[[Category:Television transmission standards]]