ETSI TS 126 116 specifies requirements and guidelines on video source formats (frame rate, resolution, aspect ratio, colorimetry, bit depth...) and encoding parameters (codec format, random access point period, SEI messages...) for different types of TV services, including linear TV, catch-up TV or on-demand services. A limited set of Operation Points (e.g. SDTV, HDTV...) are defined to provide confidence to content providers/broadcasters on the quality of experience offered by 3GPP services when used for TV-like distribution. Operation Points define format and encoding restrictions, but may also be viewed as compatibility points for UEs.

In particular, the Operation Points defined in the present document may serve as the primary tested configurations for TV centric video distribution. The initial set of Operation Points are defined based on the analysis and findings in the technical report TR 26.949 [2].

In addition, in the context of DASH operations, not only the main distribution format are defined, but also a subset of spatial and temporal resolutions. In order to minimize testing for seamless switching experience, suitable lower resolutions of distribution formats are defined. Furthermore, to compensate congestion situations, a minimum service quality is defined in order to provide service continuity.