Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 4, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
ASTRA and sports broadcaster DSF have concluded an agreement on the use of additional satellite transmission capacity. Under this agreement, effective from February 1, 2008, DSF will increase the bandwidth of its digital TV signal by almost 50 percent. Transmission will be increased to a maximum video bitrate of 8.0 Mbit/s at a resolution of 720×576 pixels, providing the highest possible picture quality at standard-definition resolution. Just in time for the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season, this will significantly improve the picture quality of the DSF digital channel.
Manfred Eisele, Head of Production at DSF: “By upgrading our digital programme signal, we are fully meeting the rapid development in the digitisation of Germany’s TV infrastructure. The dynamics of moving images in sports productions place particular demands on digital processing and distribution. With the capacity expansion, we are creating the basis for high-quality transmission of our top sporting events, particularly the Bundesliga. This will allow us to provide viewers, advertising customers and sports-rights providers with a significantly improved programme signal in future. DSF will thereby expand its position as Germany’s number-one sports broadcaster even further.”
Wolfgang Elsäßer, Managing Director of ASTRA Germany: “The new long-term contract with DSF underlines the growing importance of digital satellite reception. Broadcasters and viewers benefit equally from the technical advantages of satellite transmission. Because of the dynamic nature of the subjects, the increase in picture quality is particularly apparent in sports broadcasts. In addition, the trend towards ever higher-quality and larger flat-screen televisions is continuing, thereby further driving demand for additional digital satellite capacity.”
Further links:
- ASTRA
