RTL Germany plans "HD teletext"

Germany’s leading commercial broadcaster RTL wants to launch a teletext service with improved visual possibilities next year. The offer, which enables more detailed pictures, will use the CE-HTML standard developed for entertainment electronics devices.

Compliant set-top-boxes and TV sets will be presented at the upcoming consumer electronics fair Internationale Funkausstellung, which will take place in Berlin from September 4 to 9. In addition to visually elaborate pictures and logos, the new service will also allow the integration of videos, for example news clips, programme trailers or commercials.

The look and feel of HD-Text, which despite its name has no connection with TV broadcasts in high-definition (HDTV), resembles the look of internet pages. Like with conventional teletext, each page has its own number with navigation through direct entering of the page number or the arrow buttons on the remote control.