EPISODE

European
Pre-operational
Implementation
Survey
On further
Development and
Evaluation of RDS-TMC (Broadcast Sector)

2.1 What is the EPISODE project?

The EPISODE Project is assessing the research and implementation projects, in the European Commission 4th Framework Research and Technology Development (RTD) programme, with any "TMC (Traffic Message Channel) components" at the European and National Levels and is creating a single database of activities that affect broadcasters in Europe. This database will be regularly updated during the project timetable (Jan 1996 to March 1998) and disseminated widely.

Whilst previous RTD projects, such as DRIVE 1 and 2, have developed RDS (Radio Data System)-TMC components that are nearing readiness for implementation, full specification broadcast systems for the provision of continuous, 24 hr per day, delivery of RDS-TMC have not been assembled before. It is vital to the broadcast community that the EPISODE data base is disseminated to broadcasters, network operators, service providers and equipment suppliers to ensure common approaches and economic solutions.

In essence, broadcasters will be affected by RDS-TMC in 2 key ways. Firstly new message generation systems, manual or automatic, will create many new sources of Traffic and Travel Information (TTI) which will require editorial management by broadcasters, to ensure compatibility on-air between RDS-TMC and the continuing spoken travel messages on radio and TV together with teletext on TV. Secondly the integration of these TTI messages, no matter where they are generated, into a data channel between studio and transmitter is a complex matter. So that existing broadcasting is not compromised, great care will be needed in adding the RDS-TMC data to the programme related data, to ensure reliable service to the user/listener.

The EPISODE project ensures that a detailed survey of these issues is undertaken and it informs all parties about the issues of integrating RDS-TMC into live broadcast systems. The key benefit will be to give an impetus to commonly agreed broadcast systems and methodologies, to agreed European standards, that can be implemented more widely. This should lead to economic equipment supply, speedier installations and therefore more efficient and quicker European expansion of RDS-TMC services.

Prime contractor:	European Broadcasting Union.
Associated contractors:	ORF (AT), RF (FR), ARD (DE), RAI (IT), NOS/NOB (NL), BBC (UK), SBC (SE), SRG/SSR (CH)

	EPISODE Project Office: EBU/UER, Ancienne Route 17A, Case postale 67, CH-1218 GRAND - SACONNEX (GE), Switzerland Tel: +41 22 717 2711 Fax: +41 22 717 248 E-mail: kopitz@ebu.ch

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