`:top

`!Programme delivery control`! (`!PDC`!) is specified by the `F33f`_`[standard`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Standardization]`_`f ETS 300 231 (ETSI EN 300 231), published by the `F33f`_`[European Telecommunications Standards Institute`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=European_Telecommunications_Standards_Institute]`_`f (ETSI). This specifies the signals sent as hidden codes in the `F33f`_`[teletext`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Teletext]`_`f service, indicating when transmission of a programme starts and finishes.

PDC (also known as Enhanced Teletext Packet 8/30 Format 2) is often used together with StarText, enabling the user to select a programme to record using specially coded teletext programme listings. The combination of features is often called `!PDC/StarText`!.

In Germany and some other European countries, the older standard `!video programming system`! (`!VPS`!) is in use also known as format 2. Effectively, the two systems do the same thing and most modern `F33f`_`[VCRs`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Videocassette_recorder]`_`f and stand-alone `F33f`_`[DVD recorders`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=DVD_recorder]`_`f work with both signals.

In digital TV (see `F33f`_`[Freeview+`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Freeview+]`_`f), the feature Accurate Recording (AR) that was based on the PDC specification for analogue recording devices is now used for a `F33f`_`[DVB`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Digital_Video_Broadcasting]`_`f-SI event based scheduling system. This was due to the BBC discontinuing the `F33f`_`[Ceefax`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Ceefax]`_`f service.

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[PDC Packets`#pdc-packets]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f

-─

>>PDC Packets

PDC is transmitted once a second in special packets addressed as magazine 8 and text row 30. Since this row is not displayable it does not interfere with normal pages. Packet 8/30 has various formats specified by ETSI and PDC is format 2. Each packet 8/30 format 2 also has a label number and there can be up to four labels transmitted at a time. Each label contains the scheduled start time and date for a programme and flags to indicate the state. Each programme is assigned a label and in general a label will follow this sequence.

• PRF Set – Prepare for Record. This will tell a VCR to wake up and get ready. This happens about 40 seconds before the programme is active.

• PRF Clear – The VCR should be recording.

• RTI – Record Terminate/Interrupt – Tells the VCR to stop recording. This label is held for 30 seconds after the programme ends.

There are complicated rules for the case where a programme is interrupted by another one as in the case of a film with a break for news in the middle.

There is also a TIMER flag that indicates that there is no valid PDC and that the VCR should use its own timer.

>>References

>>External links

Technical specifications and FAQ

• ETSI standards

• ETSI EN 300 231 V1.3.1 (2003–04), Specification of the domestic video Programme Delivery Control system (PDC)

• ETSI EN 301 775 V1.2.1 (2003–05), Specification for the carriage of Vertical Blanking Information (VBI) data in DVB bitstreams

• ETSI TS 102 323 V1.5.1 (2012-01), Chapter 11: "Accurate recording" and Annex A: "Example recorder behaviour"

• CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROGRAMME DELIVERY CONTROL (PDC) SYSTEM FOR VIDEO RECORDING (1990)

• "Everything you ever wanted to know about PDC"

• "Padding versus Accurate Recording"

• Original VPS invention (European Patent Office) German and English

`c`F0af`_`[↑ Back to top`#top]`_`f`a