Multiplexed Analogue Components

The simultaneous PAL transmission of all TV-picture elements and the multiplexed transmission of the TV picture elements with D2-MAC.
625-lines MAC signal. From left to right: digital data, chrominance and luminance. Both fields (odd and even lines) are shown.

Multiplexed Analogue Components (MAC) was an analog television standard where luminance and chrominance components were transmitted separately.[1][2] This was an evolution from older color TV systems (such as PAL or SECAM) where there was interference between chrominance and luminance.

MAC was originally proposed in the 1980s[2] for use on a Europe-wide terrestrial HDTV system. Terrestrial transmission tests were conducted in France, although the system was never used for that purpose. Various variants were developed, collectively known as the "MAC/packet" family.[3]

In 1985 MAC was recommended for satellite and cable broadcasts by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), with specific variants for each medium. C-MAC/packet was intended for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), D-MAC/packet for wide-band cable, and D2-MAC/packet for both for DBS and narrow-band cable.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (1992). RECOMMENDATION ITU-R BO.650-2 - Standards for conventional television systems for satellite broadcasting in the channels defined by Appendix 30 of the Radio Regulations (PDF). p. 18.
  2. ^ a b Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (8 October 2009). "D2-MAC [1 record] - TERMIUM Plus® — Search - TERMIUM Plus®". www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca.
  3. ^ a b Mertens, Henri; Wood, David (1 February 1986). "Standards proposed by the EBU for satellite broadcasting and cable distribution". Journal of the Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers. 56 (2): 53–61. doi:10.1049/jiere.1986.0020 – via digital-library.theiet.org.
  4. ^ Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (8 October 2009). "D2-MAC [1 record] - TERMIUM Plus® — Search - TERMIUM Plus®". www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca.
  5. ^ "Glossary and acronyms". Europe's Information Society. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 February 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2023.