issue: December 2003 APPLIANCE Magazine European Report European HDTV and Home Connectivity	Share  Printable format  Email this Article  Search
by Paul Roggema, European correspondent, APPLIANCE magazine Belgian TV production company Alfacam surprised European TV professionals by announcing the first European HDTV station.

Previously, Europe did not have HDTV, despite the fact that for many large events in Europe, HDTV signals are recorded for the Americas and for Asia. Households are targeted, as well as cinemas with electronic projection systems. Large events such as the New Year's Vienna concert, Euro2004 Soccer, the Olympics, and the Eurovision Song Contest could be a reason for audiences to enjoy large-screen vision and full-surround sound in so-called "Event Cinemas."

As the name suggests, the well-known 1080-by-1920 standard (50 Hz, interlaced) also known as 1080i, was chosen. Signals can be transmitted through satellite feeds or added to existing cable networks. Technically, transmissions have been active since September, but the official introduction is Jan. 1, 2004.