Station identification
Source code ( or source detection) is in the permanent display of a television station logos in the form of an insert at the top of the screen, which is only deactivated for television advertising.
History
The source code comes from the U.S. television. In March 1947, the U.S. had only eight TV stations, 3 of which were to receive only in New York. Big cities usually had only one transmitter ( Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Washington, DC). The transmitters were technically still terrestrial television, so that the range was not very big. For this reason, the audience could often receive only one program. For the viewer so it was easy to recognize the received transmitter without special equipment.
The number of receivable in a region, mostly private television stations later made their distinctness by the television viewer required. Evidence of a first source identifier can be observed as early as 1951. In the United States since December 1969 even a legal requirement that radio and television stations must have a regularly be irradiated " station identification". They must consist of the call sign (such as WABC - TV New York ) and the seat of the transmitter exist.
Germany
In Germany, the source code was not introduced until late. Instead, they sent in television as an acoustic signal the break characters from the radio of the same transmitter and used visually the optical channel logo (pause picture). With the start of commercial television in January 1984, the television landscape also changed in Germany. Whereas previously only usually 3 TV programs receivable (ARD, ZDF and the respective third party program ), it came within a few years added more channels. The introduction of cable television abolished the range problems of terrestrial TV and increased again the number of receivable stations. With a station identification, the private television channel had begun in Germany in January 1984.
A dispute arose in August 1997 between kabel eins and ARD because of the similarity of source codes in both television. The stylized " 1" has been displayed since April 15, 1993 as a permanent source ID on the top left of the television image of the "First German Television " ARD. It takes beyond the scope of the ARD otherwise diverse use ( merchandising ) and enjoys trademark protection 1993 since 25 March. Since the end of 1994 bears " kabel eins " its name, its trade mark is protected since 12 June 1995. "Cable One" was banned on 21 August 1997 by means of injunction, to use the brand. It consists of a spiral belt shown in perspective, the end having the shape of a "1". The Federal Court dismissed the application of the ARD in the main proceedings and thus " kabel eins " further utilization.
Technical design
It is mostly a transparent (between 30 and 60% transparency) logo source identifier in the upper left or right corner of the image. Technically, this is implemented through a translator writing in the transmission line. The source code is now an integral part of the "on air style guide " and thus the corporate identity of television. This enables a visual orientation during reception of television programs and identification of the switched-on transmitter. ZDF had found that his " visual brand presence in the competitive comparison underdeveloped, the design features for a successful communication to the outside were not concise enough." It introduced a new umbrella brand character to serve as grading, overarching model for all communication activities. The transmitter had repeatedly changed its logo. The first was from 1962 to 1989, next to 1992. During ZDF and other TV broadcasters, the logo of business cards to merchandising is now being used. The aim is to strengthen the brand and its core values of journalism. Another motive for the source identifier is a certain copyright protection of own productions and movies on TV, because other TV channels or private records take over the source code with.