Spanish TV sets currently able to receive HDTV which are installed in the country’s homes number around 3 million compared with 12 million TV sets receiving standard definition only, according to latest figures from the association ASIMELEC. Out of these 12 million TV sets, 11 million are flat screen sets, although these could receive it provided an HDTV tuner is plugged into them.

In order to extend implementation of HDTV, Spain’s government will force manufacturers of TV sets of 21 inches or larger to offer HDTV from December 3. The requirement is set down in to the Royal Decree regulating this new technology which has already been officially published.
The Decree also regulates the conditions broadcasters must fulfill to offer HDTV contents. So they will be able to broadcast HDTV programmes provided they have been assigned a complete digital multiplex (containing four channels) or those that sharing a mux reach an agreement between them.

Finally, the Decree also establishes the technical specifications of HDTV broadcasts such as the video vertical resolution will be superior to 720 lines with 16:9 image and the video encoding system will be H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

source: Rapid TV News