Extended-definition television service

After giving details of the World Adminstrative Radio Conference plans for satellite broadcasting, the implications of direct broadcasting from satellites in the UK and the rest of Europe are discussed. The technical parameters of the composite television signals in use at present are considered in relation to their transmission via frequency-modulated satellite channels at 12GHz, and a completely new transmission system (MAC, or multiplexed analogue components) is suggested. The MAC system is analysed in some detail, and shown to have many advantages over composite signals; ways in which the system could form the basis of a pan-European satellite television system are discussed. It is shown that MAC transmissions, in combination with suitable video signal processing, could eventually provide extended-definition high-quality television pictures with more efficient use of the RF spectrum than other proposed extended-definition television systems.