DVBS2HD

DVBS2HD is a marketing designation used to describe implementations of DVB-S2 or DVB-S2X technology optimized for delivering high-definition television via satellite. It is not an official DVB standard. The term is used by some manufacturers and service providers to indicate enhanced HD service delivery, greater spectral efficiency, or improved reception performance compared with baseline DVB-S2 deployments.

Technical basis: DVBS2HD builds on DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X core concepts, using robust modulation schemes such as QPSK, 8PSK, and 16APSK, together with forward error correction based on LDPC codes. It typically benefits from higher coding rates and the expanded feature set of DVB-S2X, including wider constellation options and optimizations for higher throughput. In practice, DVBS2HD is used to transport HD content encoded with formats such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, or HEVC, across satellite links with flexible bandwidth allocation and multi-program transport streams.

Applications and deployment: The term appears on consumer set-top boxes and professional receivers as an indicator of HD-capable satellite reception. DVBS2HD aims to improve signal robustness and channel capacity, particularly in challenging reception environments or where satellite transponder bandwidth is limited, by leveraging advanced modulation and coding options associated with DVB-S2/S2X.

Limitations and notes: Because it is not a formal DVB specification, device compatibility can vary. Users should verify support for DVB-S2/S2X, the expected video codecs, and any HD-specific features claimed by a vendor.

See also: DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, HD television, satellite broadcasting.