Multiple sound channels in satellite broadcasting

Since the agreement in 1977 of the plans for satellite broadcasting, there has been a growing interest among broadcasters for improved sound services to accompany the television picture by satellite. The original plans were for one analogue sound channel, but requirements now exist for stereophonic sound, multilanguage sound and also high-quality sound services not associated with the television picture. It has become clear that the requirements on both quantity and quality of sound channels can only be met by the use of digital techniques, and that this provides also for the possibility of extra data services with capacities in excess of that of the current teletext systems. The paper describes some of the proposals currently being considered by broadcasters for a common European standard for sound for satellite broadcasting. No decisions have been made as yet, and so this paper presents a review of the current position.