scope:

The scope of this Recommendation defines the Service Information that conveys the relevant description of the services contained in a multiplex of audio, video, and data that is distributed by cable networks (e.g., CATV systems). [ITU-T J.83] defines the transmission characteristics for digital multi-programme signals distributed through cable networks.

NOTE - The service information is specified to be contained within the MPEG-2 transport layer as Program Specific Information (PSI). This mechanism provides some ancillary data capacity in the forward channel, which can be used to accommodate the needs of other services such as program guides (a description of the provision and characteristics of these services is outside the scope of this Recommendation).

Being highly flexible, the MPEG-2 transport layer can be configured to deliver any desired mix of television, sound and data signals (with sound either related or unrelated to the video signal content, and at various possible levels of quality).

This Recommendation is intended to ensure that the designers and operators of cable distribution (e.g., CATV) networks carrying multi-programme signals will have the information they need to be able to establish and maintain fully satisfactory networks. It also provides the information needed by the designers and manufacturers of equipment (including receivers) for digital multi-programme signals distributed by cable networks.