MUMBAI: At a conference a few days ago Frances HD Forum Association, whose mission is to promote High Definition Television (HDTV) launched the HD ready label.
The label offers French consumers a quality sign for the differentiation of display equipment capable of processing and displaying HD programmes.
The European HD Ready label offers the advantage of its unique and permanent nature. It is displayed on HD display devices that meet the specifications adopted by the European
Information & Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) for the whole of Europe..
The HD ready label gives consumers a five-fold guarantee:
1. See more, see better: The HD Ready label guarantees that the screen is a widescreen
format, improving on the 4/3 format of current generation TV sets. The whole surface of the screen is used, enabling all programme detail to be fully displayed.
2. A genuine improvement in picture definition: The screen is guaranteed to have a
minimum of 720 lines. With HD, the viewer can also choose to increase the surface of
the screen by a factor of four, with no need to move further back from the screen than
with a standard picture.
3. Compatibility of display devices with HD programmes produced around the world:
Regardless of the nature of the HD programme, the guarantee is that pictures produced
in the HD production format will be reproduced on screen with true high-definition quality
(1080 i or 720 p).
4. Compatibility of the television set with other equipment: the guarantee is that there
will be optimum connectivity with other consumer digital and analogue equipment.
5. Content protection: guaranteeing content This involves the protection of HD programmes through the European HDCP content protection protocol. Alongside the launch of the HD ready label in France, the HD Forum presented the very latest images filmed in high definition in France. They included the 2005 ladies semi-finals at the French Tennis Grand Slam, the final of the Champions League on 25 May and the operatic production of Puccinis Turandot on 28 May at the Stade de France.
An exchange of views on both professional and
viewer perspectives of HDTV followed the presentation by two producers who have recently produced in HD format.
The conference was also an opportunity for HD Forum display device manufacturers to show an
exceptional range of HD production and reception equipment, including the very latest HD ready TV sets. Demonstrations of the equipment were carried on the permanent HD Forum channel via Eutelsats Hot Bird neighbourhood.
HD Forum president Jean-Pierre Lacotte said, Since the creation of the HD Forum in 2004, the mobilisation of consumer electronics
companies and the broadcasting community has created strong conditions for the launch of
HDTV in France. With sales of flat screens in France doubling each year since 2002,
consumers can now select from new ranges of HD equipment backed by a label of compliance,
supported by manufacturers, distributors and broadcasters.
"HDTV is much more than better television. It is just as important a development as the arrival of colour television, opening up new, creative possibilities due to the remarkable quality of images which can be produced. For viewers it is a totally new experience whether for films, sports or documentary programmes.
Members of the HD Forum include Canal+, Avid Technology, Envivio France, Eutelsat and NDS.
