Programme Delivery Control

The Video Programming System ( VPS) [ ˌ ˌ vɪdioʊ proʊgɹæmɪŋ sɪstəm ] is used VCRs to react when recording broadcasts to delays in start time, transmission failures and excesses of the planned program time. It is based on a signal transmitted some television stations in the blanking interval (more precisely in the video line 16) of the television signal. The signal was first broadcast in Germany in 1985 by the ARD.

The system transfers during the duration of the program or of the contribution specified in the teletext and TV magazines VPS time. The VCR compares the user-programmed start time with the VPS time indication: If both times the same, the recording is started. The recording runs as long as the transmitted VPS time and the programmed start time match.

Shows Newly recorded in the day's program usually get a VPS time one minute before going on air, so that there is no collision with the failing / postponed shipment.

With digital distribution via DVB the VPS signal is no longer applicable. Therefore has been developed with Programme Delivery Control (PDC), a VPS -like digital signal which is sent in the form of additional data of the DVB Service Information. By now offer the German public programs at this digital recording control signal.

VPS has nothing to do with Show View. Both are independent systems that complement each other. VIDEO Plus was developed to simplify the timer programming of VCRs and works even when there is no VPS data is transmitted from the transmitter. VPS contrast controls an already programmed (with or without Show View) recording.

Technical details

The VPS data are continuously transmitted. This are in the vertical blanking interval of the row 16 of each frame reserved 15 bytes ( corresponding to a transmission cycle of 40 ms):

Structure of the 32-bit ( byte 11 to 14) large VPS Labels:

  • 2 bits: identification of the address range
  • 5 bits: Announced Broadcast
  • Bit 4: Announced transmit month
  • 5 Bit: Post announced the start hour
  • 6 Bit: Post announced the start, minute
  • Bit 4: Nationality Code
  • 6 bits: Program source code ( station code)

In addition, three system codes are also provided:

  • System status code ( broadcast if no VPS label is present and the VCR is in timer mode to work )
  • Interrupt code ( broadcast in intended and unintended program interruptions, such as advertising or inserted News during a long sports program, will be used regularly in commercial breaks on ARD and ZDF in the early evening )
  • Blank code ( not broadcast for the recording of certain posts, such as when test image )

Practical information

Above all private broadcasters use little care on a VPS correct coding, so that it is risky for the user to rely on recording programming on VPS. This is also reflected in the fact that many stations without VPS (about RTL, Pro7 ) groundless transmit the VPS carrier signal, so that many VCRs recognize these stations falsely as VPS provider. Only in the public service broadcasters VPS works now (2009 ) in Germany halfway reliable. For digital reception (DVB- T, DVB -S, DVB- C) functionality also depends on the receiver (see below).

Some DVD recorders with HDD need after transfer beginning of the VPS signal some time to start, so that the recording starts late. In these cases it may be more appropriate to waive the VPS control and instead generously admit time ( especially since the recording can then be cut).

When shooting with the VPS must be programmed as the initial time principle specified in the program guide or teletext VPS time. At any other time, even if they differ only by one minute, the recording will not start. The end time is not critical, however, each time can be programmed, just not the same as the start time.

It must also be programmed individually for each shipment VPS. Even if two or more directly consecutive consignments from the same sender to be included, they must be programmed individually with the use of VPS, otherwise only the first received.

Digital VPS

With the introduction of digital television (DVB) the transfer of the VPS signal is no longer possible.

1997 the DVB SI ( Service Information ) Standard ( ETSI EN 300 468 ) to VPS ( PDC) has been extended. SI is comprised of a plurality of data tables, and includes, inter alia, the data for the electronic program guide (EPG). In addition to the previous information, the PDC descriptor ( Descriptortag 0x69 ) can be used. This descriptor consists essentially of a label, which is composed of day, month, hour and minute. Now, if a shipment moved, which is noted in the EPG with the note: "The following program is broadcast with a new start time ", based on the labels, however, recognizes the receiver that it is the same program and begins later recording. The recording lasts as long as the EPG of the currently running (current running ) is.

In addition, the foundation was established in 2000 with the standard ETSI EN 301775 created the known analog (see above) to transfer VPS signals over DVB. This is done as in teletext based on the VBI ( Vertical Blanking Information ). It allows you to insert the VPS signal at the analog receiver output (eg SCART ), whereby a VCR can resume using the VPS. This standard is only supported by very few DVB receivers.

Another method that has been specifically designed for digital transmission paths ( eg DVB) and digital devices developed (eg PVR, PDR), was first published in 2004 by ETSI. It is under the name of Accurate Recording (also called " Perfect Recording" or " automatic time control " or " signal -assisted recording" ) is known and is supported in Germany mostly by public service broadcasters. A detailed description of this method can be found in Chapter 11 of the technical specification ETSI TS 102 323 V1.5.1 ( 2012-01 ).

Thus, various solutions have been created that are designed for different devices ( HDD recorder or VCR ).

German -language broadcasters with a functioning VPS signal

ARD ( ARD), ARTE, BR, BR -alpha, 3sat, hr, KI.KA, MDR, NDR, ORF one, ORF 2, ServusTV, Phoenix, Radio Bremen, RBB, SRF 1, SRF two, SR, SWR, Tele 5, WDR, ZDF

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