ETSI TS 102 796

ETSI TS 102 796 defines a platform for signalling, transport and presentation of enhanced and interactive applications designed for running on hybrid terminals that include both a DVB compliant broadcast connection and a broadband connection to the internet.

The main uses of the broadcast connection are the following:

• Transmission of standard TV, radio and data services.
• Signalling of broadcast-related applications.
• Transport of broadcast-related applications and associated data.
• Transport of On Demand content for Push-services.
• Synchronization of applications and TV/radio/data services.

The main uses of the broadband connection are the following:

• Carriage of both On Demand and Live content.
• Transport of broadcast-related and broadcast-independent applications and associated data.
• Exchange of information between applications and application servers.
• Starting applications on a Companion Screen Device.
• Communicating with applications on a Companion Screen Device or a second hybrid terminal.
• Synchronizing media and applications between a hybrid terminal and a Companion Screen Device or a second hybrid terminal.

Applications are presented by an HTML/JavaScript browser.

The platform has the following characteristics:

• It is open and is not based on a single controlling authority or aggregator.
• Services and content from many different and independent providers are accessible by the same terminal.
• Standard functions of the terminal are available to all applications. Sensitive functions of the terminal are only available to trusted applications.
• Services and content may be protected.
• Broadcasted applications can be presented on terminals which are not connected to broadband. This includes both terminals which could be connected but have not yet been connected and terminals located where no broadband connectivity is available.
• Applications or services provided by a device manufacturer are outside the scope of the present document even if they use the same browser and features as described by the present document.
• Video, audio and system formats for the broadcast channel are outside the scope of the present document. Protocols for the broadcast channel are also outside the scope of the present document except for those relating to interactive applications and to synchronization.
• Applications can run on different types of terminals such as IDTVs, set-top boxes, and PVRs.
• Both broadcast-related and broadcast-independent applications are supported.

The platform combines a profile of the Open IPTV Forum specifications with a profile of the DVB specification for signalling and carriage of interactive applications and services in Hybrid Broadcast/Broadband environments. In addition, the present document defines supported media formats, minimum terminal capabilities, and the application life cycle.

The present document requires terminals to run applications signalled as conforming to the two previous revisions. This allows for smooth transitions where the previous revisions have been deployed.

The present document is intended to be usable without additional country/market-specific specifications. It is however also possible to combine it with country/market-specific specifications.