Analogue TV & radio

For many decades, analogue techniques have been used for the broadcast and distribution of television and radio programmes. Those techniques have served us well, but the advent of digital technologies that have enabled devices as diverse as the GSM phone, the compact disk and the DVD has also revealed the limitations of analogue technologies.

Many countries have embarked on a programme of 'analogue switch-off' that should see existing analogue broadcast services replaced by superior digital solutions, economizing on the valuable radio spectrum and freeing up frequencies to serve the growing demand for more diverse and advanced services.

However, the 'analogue switch-off' programmes extend over many years, and have not even started in some parts of the world. So, analogue broadcasting will be with us for some years yet, and ETSI's standards in this area will remain relevant for some time.

With much of the world now migrating from analogue to digital transmission of television and radio services, ETSI's standards for analogue TV and radio are becoming historical documents. As with the digital technologies, ETSI's work has focused on both technical specifications and Harmonized Standards.

Analogue television

The work of ETSI in analogue TV broadcasting covers standards for transmitting equipment, and also standards and codes of practice for enhancements to analogue TV broadcasting systems. Topics include:

• Programme Delivery Control
• Electronic Programme Guides
• Teletext
• PALplus
• Ghost Canellation
• Wide Screen Signalling
• NICAM audio
• Packet Distribution Systems.

ETSI has developed Harmonized Standards enabling analogue television broadcasting transmitters to be placed on the market under the R&TTE Directive.

Analogue radio

ETSI's work in analogue radio broadcasting includes system standards (and associated codes of practice) and standards for radio transmitters. Standards for radio receivers are published by CENELEC.

ETSI has developed Harmonized Standards enabling analogue radio broadcasting transmitters to be placed on the market under the R&TTE Directive.