Partnering with RAI, Astra Enhances 3D Demo Channel

SES Astra said it has enhanced the programme offer for its 3D demo channel and entered into a partnership with Italian public broadcaster RAI for the delivery of experimental 3D content. The Astra 3D demo channel is broadcast free-to-air via their orbital position 23.5 degrees East and features high quality 3D content including sports, music and entertainment.

Markus Fritz, SES Astra’s Vice President & General Manager Marketing and Managing Director of SES Astra in Italy, said in a statement: “We are very pleased to have entered into this cooperation with Rai which significantly enhances the variety of 3D programming offered via our demo channel. Following the first 3D television sets now available in the market, we are confident that our 3D demo channel will significantly help retailers, installers, the manufacturing industry and our customers to promote 3D television and bring this exciting new technology to the end-consumers.”

To receive 3D television signals from Astra’s 3D demo channel’s viewers need a 3D enabled television screen, and HD set-top-box and 3D glasses. The reception parameters are as follows: Satellite: Astra 1E (until Astra 3B is operational), Position: 23.5 degrees East, Transponder: 3.204, Frequency: 11,778 GHz, Polarisation: Vertical, Symbol Rate: 27.5 MS/s, Modulation: DVB-S2 QPSK, FEC: 9/10 and pilots: off.

By Robert Briel, Broadband TV News