Advantages of SMATV for interactive digital TV

Great efforts have been made in order to study the required adaptation of the collective antenna installations for digital TV reception. Also, the requirements for digital TV transmissions to be compatible with existing SMATV installations have been identified. Success has been achieved in ensuring the compatibility of SMATV installations with respect to digital TV and the SMATV scenario is considered very important for digital TV reception. The initial effort was performed within the DIGISMATV RACE Project. The need to provide the SMATV users with interactive services is also urgent. A solution for the return channel via a satellite based on a VSAT network and the concept of grouping users is described (based on the studies performed in the framework of the DIGISAT ACTS Project). The flexibility of the MPEG-2 codification and the use of digital technology provides a first experience of interactivity for users, these services are known as advanced broadcasting services, and are now a reality. The article describes the reference model for interactivity based on a satellite solution appropriate for SMATV systems as well as the description of the new advanced DVB satellite services. The advantages of the satellite return channel solution for the implementation of interactive services are also described.