Abstract
This report describes the development and technical specification of the NICAM 728 system for broadcasting digital two-channel sound with terrestrial television transmissions. NICAM 728 conveys two high-quality digitally-coded sound signals along with the picture and monophonic FM sound signals of the existing system I and systems B, G and H terrestrial television transmission standards.
The NICAM 728 system was developed initially by the BBC, and finalised in consultation with the IBA and BREMA. Tests have proved that the system is compatible with existing transmission standards; and that the digital sound signals are rugged and will be reliably received wherever the colour picture is satisfactory.
In September 1986, the joint BBC/IBA/BREMA technical specification was approved by the United Kingdom government for use in the UK with the System I television transmission standard. The system has been successfully adapted, with the minimum of modifications, for operation with television Systems B,G and H, which are used in much of Europe and elsewhere in the world. As a result, NICAM 728 has attracted considerable international interest, and the system now forms the basis of a technical specification and recommendation from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) with the CCIR having drafted a similar recommendation.
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