Widescreen television at ZDF

The 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio will be the next innovative step in the TV world. To remain competitive broadcasters have to prepare themselves for this step by an up-grading of their production and transmission facilities. ZDF decided very early to change over from analogue CVBS technology to digital serial components (DSC) whenever any equipment was replaced inside the studio. This strategy also included the widescreen option for 16:9 transmissions. Due to this strategy it was already possible to start in mid 1994 with regular 16:9 broadcasts in PALplus, which is backwards compatible with the traditional PAL infrastructure. Since the beginning of this year, ZDF is also broadcasting its main programme simultaneously in MPEG 2 via the Astra 1E satellite. Concerning widescreen television, the most important event was the Atlanta Olympics this year where ZDF produced more than 400 hours in 16:9 for several broadcasters in Europe as well as NHK in Japan. The author concentrates on the development of 16:9 format receivers in the discussion