European harmony and interactivity for in-building TV
The various rooms or apartments in a building can be served by a single external TV connection, by using either a terrestrial receiver, known as Master Antenna TV (MATV) or a satellite dish, referred to as Satellite Master Antenna TV (SMATV). By implementing a standardised control channel in the system, the project has unlocked the potential of many new applications. The ability to communicate interactively with the centralised receiver will enable the use of such systems for security and information services as well as entertainment. The project has prepared a set of guidelines for the installation and use of the interactive control channel. Where the TV set top boxes (STBs) include a PC-type serial port for communication, there is no need for extra hardware. The project team has developed software that can be loaded onto the STB for this purpose. The FleximaTV guidelines and recommendations on the practicalities of such systems are also of great interest to the European digital TV industry. Their contribution to a harmonised, interoperable system means that different manufacturers products will be used together, making life easier for both manufacturers and customers, and accelerating the growth of the market.
