ETSI ETS 300 231 ed.1 (1996-08)

Television systems; Specification of the domestic video Programme Delivery Control system (PDC)

DE/JTC-PDC

Televizijski sistemi –Specifikacija domačega video sistema za upravljanje izbire programov (PDC)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Aug-1996
• Technical Committee: BROADCAS - EBU/CENELEC/ETSI on Broadcasting
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Due Date: 26-Jul-1996
• Completion Date: 23-Aug-1996
• Ref Project: SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003 - Television systems; Specification of the domestic video Programme Delivery Control system (PDC)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
01-december-2003
7HOHYL]LMVNLVLVWHPL±6SHFLILNDFLMDGRPDþHJDYLGHRVLVWHPD]DXSUDYOMDQMHL]ELUH
SURJUDPRY3'&
Television systems; Specification of the domestic video Programme Delivery Control
system (PDC)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETS 300 231 Edition 1
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
33.170 Televizijska in radijska Television and radio
difuzija broadcasting
SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
EUROPEAN ETS 300 231
TELECOMMUNICATION August 1996
STANDARD
Source: EBU/CENELEC/ETSI-JTC Reference: DE/JTC-PDC
ICS: 33.020
Key words: Broadcasting, PDC, Teletext, TV, VCR, video
Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision
European Broadcasting Union
Television Systems;
Specification of the domestic video
Programme Delivery Control system (PDC)
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI Secretariat
Postal address: F-06921 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX - FRANCE
Office address: 650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne - FRANCE
X.400: c=fr, a=atlas, p=etsi, s=secretariat - Internet: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
Copyright Notification:
No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. The copyright and the
foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1996.
© European Broadcasting Union 1996.
All rights reserved.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 2
ETS 300 231: August 1996
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation and publication of this document, errors in content,
typographical or otherwise, may occur. If you have comments concerning its accuracy, please write to
"ETSI Editing and Committee Support Dept." at the address shown on the title page.

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 3
ETS 300 231: August 1996
Contents
Foreword .5
Introduction.5
1 Scope .7
2 Normative references.7
3 Definitions and abbreviations .7
3.1 Definitions .7
3.2 Abbreviations .8
4 Application of the PDC system.9
5 The PDC service .9
6 Programme identification .10
6.1 List of programme identification parameters .10
6.2 Coding of the parameters .13
7 Preselection function for recording equipment.19
7.1 Introduction .19
7.2 Manual entry of PDC programme selection data.19
7.3 Preselection via Teletext.20
7.3.1 Specification of transport method "A".20
7.3.1.1 General.20
7.3.1.2 Presentation elements of programme-preview pages.21
7.3.1.3 Definition of the formats.22
7.3.1.4 Position assignment rules between elements .26
7.3.1.5 Interpretation of a normal Teletext display page
transporting data relevant for the preselection of
programmes .28
7.3.2 Specification of transport method "B".30
7.3.2.1 General.30
7.3.2.2 Presentation elements of programme-preview pages.30
7.3.2.3 Coding of preselection data in extension packets X/26.31
8 Recording-control function .33
8.1 Specification of the recording-control commands.33
8.2 The transport of the recording-control commands.33
8.2.1 Transport via Teletext (ITU-R system B).34
8.2.2 Transport via a dedicated television line .35
8.2.2.1 General.35
8.2.2.2 Transmission format for the dedicated line .35
8.3 Availability and repetition rate of the recording-control commands .37
9 Code of practice for broadcasters.38
9.1 Introduction .38
9.2 PDC in programme schedule planning.38
9.2.1 Programme guide.38
9.2.2 Programme labelling .38
9.2.2.1 Normal programmes.38
9.2.2.2 Non-programme items.39
9.2.2.3 Planned segmentation of a programme .39
9.2.2.4 Anticipated changes to schedule dependent upon future
events .39

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 4
ETS 300 231: August 1996
9.2.2.5 Indicating end-of-transmission. 39
9.2.2.6 Network topology changes. 39
9.2.2.7 Daylight-saving time-changes. 40
9.2.2.8 Time zone . 40
9.2.2.9 Special uses of PDC labels. 40
9.3 Rescheduled programmes - validity time windows of PIL and PTY labels . 40
9.3.1 Modification to programme guides and informing the user . 41
9.3.2 Programme labelling. 41
9.3.2.1 Programme cancellation . 41
9.3.2.2 Programme insertion. 41
9.3.2.3 Replacement programme . 41
9.4 PDC in programme presentation and operation. 42
9.4.1 Transmission schedule. 42
9.4.2 Programme labelling. 43
9.4.2.1 Planned interruption. 43
9.4.2.2 Anticipated changes to schedule . 43
9.4.2.3 Other unforeseen events . 44
9.5 System installation and evolution . 44
9.6 General observations . 45
9.6.1 Product information. 45
9.6.2 Programme titles . 45
9.6.3 User priorities. 45
9.6.4 Selected programme list amendment. 45
9.6.5 Manual preselection operation. 45
Annex A (informative): The use of Unified Date and Time (UDT). 46
Annex B (informative): Use of packet 8/30 format 1 in CCIR system B Teletext . 47
Annex C (informative): The use of DIDON III for the transport of the recording control commands. 48
C.1 General. 48
C.2 Error protection. 48
C.3 Transmission format of programme delivery data group. 49
Annex D (informative): Interpretation of services codes at the PDC video recorder . 50
Annex E (informative): Some typical sequences of programme labels. 52
E.1 Introduction. 52
E.2 Data capacity requirement. 52
E.3 Examples of programme sequences and the behaviour of VCRs. 53
Annex F (informative): Use of "random number" programme labels . 78
Annex G (informative): Bibliography . 79
History. 80

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 5
ETS 300 231: August 1996
Foreword
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) has been produced by the Joint Technical Committee
(JTC) of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Comité Européen de Normalisation ELECtrotechnique
(CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
NOTE: The EBU/ETSI JTC was established in 1990 to co-ordinate the drafting of ETSs in the
specific field of broadcasting and related fields. Since 1995 the JTC became a tripartite
body by including in the Memorandum of Understanding also CENELEC, which is
responsible for the standardization of radio and television receivers. The EBU is a
professional association of broadcasting organisations whose work includes the co-
ordination of its Members' activities in the technical, legal, programme-making and
programme-exchange domains. The EBU has Active Members in about 60 countries
in the European Broadcasting Area; its headquarters is in Geneva *.
* European Broadcasting Union
Case Postale 67
CH-1218 GRAND SACONNEX (Geneva)
Switzerland
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Transposition dates
Date of adoption of this ETS (doa): 05 July 1996
Date of latest announcement of this ETS (doa): 30 November 1996
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this ETS (dop/e): 30 April 1997
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 30 April 1997
Introduction
Programme Delivery Control (PDC) is a data broadcasting system which carries programme-related
information for exploitation by suitably-equipped domestic video recorders. In its simplest application the
programmes chosen by the viewer will be recorded by such recorders in their entirety, even if the
transmission time is different from that published in the programme guide (for example owing to the over-
run of a previous programme). More advanced applications may, for example, permit recording to be
suspended and resumed in synchronism with breaks in programme transmission, such as may occur
during a feature film in the event of film breakage.
The PDC system functions may be considered in two parts. Preselection functions deliver information
about the programmes to the domestic recorder; this information may be carried via print media or via
Teletext. In the latter case the user may make his selection of programmes by viewing the Teletext
programme guide pages and, by the use of his remote-control, positions a cursor adjacent to the wanted
programme. At the touch of a button he confirms his choice and the video recorder stores his
requirement. If the video recorder does not incorporate full Teletext decoder functionality, the preselection
information has to be keyed in manually, in the more conventional way. The Recording-control function
depends on the establishment of a match between the viewer's preselection and a programme label
transmitted by the broadcaster with each programme, thereby triggering the start and end of the recording
process in synchronism with the actual transmission time of the programme.
The Programme Delivery Control (PDC) system specification is the result of several years of studies by
the EBU in close collaboration with European industry. In accordance with the wishes of the European
broadcasters, expressed in their replies to an EBU enquiry, the preselection and recording control
functions of the PDC system have been designed mainly around the structure of CCIR Teletext system B.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 6
ETS 300 231: August 1996
The starting point for the development process was the Video Programming System (VPS) in the Federal
Republic of Germany.
The system has been designed to be comprehensive in the facilities it offers, and applicable to the whole
of Europe. It will accommodate all future requirements foreseen by the specialists involved, including
those deriving from the expansion of international television services (e.g. direct broadcasting satellite
services). Downwards compatibility is assured with systems already implemented and optional methods
are provided for performing particular functions where the preferred methods are not appropriate.
To assure the long-term flexibility of the PDC system, the specialists recommend that where ITU-R
Teletext system B is in operation new PDC services should provide both the recording control function and
the programme preselection function by means of data carried in extension data packets. For recording
control this approach offers the most efficient use of the resource represented by the vertical blanking
interval of the television signal; for preselection it allows the Teletext editor greater freedom in the layout of
Teletext programme guide pages. A further advantage is that all PDC data are acquired by a common
process at the receiver.
Although the transport of preselection data by Teletext extension packets is preferred, it is nevertheless
recommend that all decoders should also be able to process preselection data sent within the displayable
Teletext page.
Where no a-priori restriction applies, the preferred method for sending recording control data is in ITU-R
system B Teletext extension data packets of type 8/30 format 2. Other methods nonetheless remain in the
present specification; where these concern services already implemented in certain countries they are
considered in the main text, whilst others are considered in the annexes.
Experience with the services already implemented has highlighted the need for clear operational rules,
and a Code of Practice for Broadcasters has been included to ensure that the intended response is
obtained at the receiver. It will also be necessary to arrange for the orderly introduction of any new
features (see note 1) which the system is potentially able to deliver, or any further enhancements, as they
are specified. The specialists therefore plan to continue their collaboration with industry as the PDC
system is implemented and introduced into service.
NOTE 1: Further enhancements are under study.
Considering that broadcasters may not only wish to modify programme schedules at short notice but also
are required to generate and transmit the real-time commands to VCRs it is essential that both operations
are under their close control.
NOTE 2: The term "PDC" is used here as a technical description of the system and follows the
current ITU-R terminology. Trade names for services provided within the specification
of PDC include VPS, VPT (Video Programming by Teletext) and Startext.

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 7
ETS 300 231: August 1996
1 Scope
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) specifies the Programme Delivery Control (PDC)
transmission system. PDC is a data broadcasting system which carries programme-related information for
exploitation by suitably-equipped domestic video recorders. Not all the features specified need be
implemented in a particular service. Some of the data is essential if a minimum level of functional
performance is to be achieved, whilst other data may be provided only by broadcasters wishing to provide
viewers with a higher level of PDC performance. Optional data may be sent at the broadcaster's
discretion.
2 Normative reference
This ETS incorporates by dated and undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this ETS only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest
edition of the publication referred to applies.
[1] ETS 300 250 : "Television Systems; EBU/ETSI Joint Technical Committee
(JTC); Specification of the D2-MAC/Packet system".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this ETS, the following definitions apply:
Programme Delivery Control (PDC): Is a broadcasting service for domestic use which allows
suitably-equipped recorders to record preselected programmes automatically and completely.
- PDC is made up of two distinct service components, defined as the preselection function and the
recording-control function (see figure 1).
preselection function: For recording control of suitably-equipped recorders, this function performs the
loading of the controller memory of the recorder with the information about all programmes required to
be recorded. The viewer chooses the required programmes from television programme guides then
enters the relevant information into the recorder, for example manually via a keyboard or bar-code
reader, or interactively using a cursor on the display screen.
recording-control function: Allows remote control, from a source of transmission, of a recording
made by a receiving equipment capable of preselecting the programme to be recorded. Such a
function depends on the broadcaster sending a programme label in coded form together with the
programme. In the case where no programme label is transmitted, the recording shall be done under
timer-control.

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 8
ETS 300 231: August 1996
Method A Row Method B Row
0 0
(Country, Network, D ate)
18,25 weather
18,25 weather
18,30 news (VPS 18,29)
18,30 news (18,29)
18,40 sport
18,40 sport
Key board
(18,25, 18,29, 18,40)
23 23
Extension
data packet(s)
Menu 26
Country, Network, Date
cursor
M CP 18,25, M CP 18,29, M C P 18,40
position
link
M anual Automatic Automatic
Preselection function
Programme preselection
Video
Compare
rec order
PDC
(or switc h to
decoder start/stop
timer control)
signals
Recording-c ontrol c ommand
Automatic Automatic
Timer
R ecording-control function
Dedicated TV line Packet 8/30 format 2
Country, Network, Date & Time
Country, Network, Date & Time
(C NI, PIL.)
(C NI, PIL.)
Method A Method B
Figure 1
Preselection Method A is known as VPT, and it is described in subclause 7.3.1. Preselection Method B is
known as PDC, and it is described in subclause 7.3.2.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this ETS, the following abbreviations apply:
AD Announced Date
AT Announced Time
BSDP Broadcast Service Data Packet
CAF Conditional Access Flag
CNI Country and Network Identification
hexadecimal, A number system with base 16. In written form, equivalents of the decimal
or hex numbers 10 to 15 are replaced by the uppercase letters A to F
‘XY Values expressed in hexadecimal notation
INT Interruption code
LCI Label Channel Identifier
LDT Local Date and Time
lsb least significant bit
LTO Local Time Offset
LUF Label Update Flag
MCP Menu Cursor Position
MI Mode Identifier
MJD Modified Julian Date
msb most significant bit

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 9
ETS 300 231: August 1996
NI Network Identification
NSPV No Specific PIL Value (PIL defined below)
PCS Programme Control Status
PD Programme Duration
PDC domestic video Programme/Delivery Control system
PIL Programme Identification Label
PRF Prepare-to-Record Flag
PTL Programme Title
PTY Programme Type
PW Protection Word
RI/T Record Inhibit/Terminate
SPL Short Programme Label
TC Timer-control Code
UDT Universal Date and Time
UTC Co-ordinated Universal Time
VCR Video Cassette Recorder
VPS Video Programme System
VPT Video Programming by Teletext
Other abbreviations and specialised terminology is noted where it occurs in the ETS.
4 Application of the PDC system
PDC is a data broadcasting system which carries programme-related information for exploitation by
suitably-equipped domestic video recorders. In its simplest application the programmes chosen by the
viewer will be recorded by such recorders in their entirety, even if the transmission time is different from
that published in the programme guide (for example owing to the over-run of a previous programme).
More advanced applications may, for example, permit recording to be suspended and resumed in
synchronism with breaks in programme transmission, such as may occur during a feature film in the event
of film breakage.
The PDC system functions may be considered in two parts, Preselection functions and Recording-control
functions, see subclause 3.1.
It is recommend that where ITU-R Teletext system B is in operation new PDC services should provide
both the recording control function and the programme preselection function by means of data carried in
extension data packets.
Although the transport of preselection data by Teletext extension packets is preferred, it is recommend
that all decoders should also be able to process preselection data sent within the displayable Teletext
page.
Where no a-priori restriction applies, the preferred method for sending recording control data is in ITU-R
system B Teletext extension data packets of type 8/30 format 2. Other methods are given in this ETS;
where these other methods concern services already implemented in certain countries they are
considered in the main text, whilst others are considered in the annexes.
5 The PDC service
a) To enable the proper recording of programmes at times which differ from the published time of
transmission (as is typical of flexible scheduling), including facilities for the recording of non
pre-announced programmes;
b) the recording of programmes by programme-type shall be possible;
c) interruption of a transmitted programme for any reason may, at the discretion of the broadcaster, be
accompanied by a corresponding interruption of the recording process;
d) the presentation constraints on existing services (e.g. Teletext and television services) should be
minimised;
e) the service should allow both manual and automatic preselections;

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 10
ETS 300 231: August 1996
f) the service should be user-friendly;
g) the service should be reliable. In the case of failure of the recording-control function, normal timer-
control should operate;
h) the rate of transmission of recording controls shall be such that error detection/correction schemes
and frequency scanning by the receiver are possible (minimum repetition rate 1 Hz);
i) the service should operate consistently regardless of time-zone boundaries and changes to and
from daylight-saving time;
NOTE: CCIR Report 1078 proposes the use of Unified Date and Time for this purpose (see
annex A).
j) the start of the recording process should be close to the start of the required programme, however,
in signalling the latter the broadcaster should make allowance for the varying "run-up"
characteristics of recording equipment;
k) the service should operate for programmes with and without conditional access;
l) the data capacity needed for both the real-time (recording-control) function and the other
background functions should be minimised;
m) provision should be made for the announced date and time to be changed one or more times by the
broadcaster without adverse effect on the service.
6 Programme identification
6.1 List of programme identification parameters
Each parameter listed hereafter defines a certain aspect of the programme identification function and is
used subsequently in the preselection and recording-control functions as shown in table 1.
a) Country and Network Identification (CNI)
The CNI parameter is divided into two groups, one identifying the country, and one identifying the network
or alternatively in some countries the programme provider. In this context a programme provider is the
broadcaster who is responsible for the actual transmission of a programme.
b) Announced Date (AD)
The AD parameter gives the scheduled date of start of transmission of the programme in terms of years,
months and days. When a local time reference is used the applicable local time offset should be made
explicitly available (see note 1).
NOTE 1: If in particular implementations no use is made of Local Time Offset (LTO), and Co-
ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is not presumed, normal operation is still possible
where all services are based on a common time zone.

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 11
ETS 300 231: August 1996
Table 1: Application of programme identification parameters in the programme preselection and
programme recording control functions
Programme preselection Programme recording control
CNI CNI
AD LCI
AT-2 PIL
MCP
PTL PCS
LTO
AT-1
PD
PTY PTY
CAF UDT(see note)
LUF
NOTE: This parameter is carried, for example, in CCIR system B
Teletext by data packet 8/30 format 1.

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------

SIST ETS 300 231 E1:2003
Page 12
ETS 300 231: August 1996
c) Original Announced Time (AT-2)
The AT-2 parameter may be divided into two groups: the first indicates the announced starting time or
where a programme schedule has been altered the original starting time; the second gives the
announced finishing time. Both are expressed in hours and minutes. When a local time reference is
used the applicable local time offset should be made explicitly available in both cases as it may change
between the two (see note 2).
NOTE 2: If in particular implementations no use is made of LTO, and UTC is not presumed,
normal operation is still possible where all services are based on a common time zone.
d) Menu Cursor Position (MCP)
The MCP parameter is used to link parameters to text information.
e) Programme Identification Label (PIL)
The PIL parameter normally carries the local announced broadcast time (day, month, hour, minute)
identifying the transmitted programme. Several special values, known as "service codes", are reserved
for receiver control in certain conditions.
f) Programme Title (PTL)
The PTL parameter provides the programme title in clear text.
g) Local Time Offset (LTO)
The LTO parameter indicates the local time offset from UTC to LDT in 1/4 hour steps (LTO = LDT -
UTC). More than one of this parameter may need to be sent to cover discontinuities in loca
...