Multiplexed Analogue Components (MAC) was an analog television standard where luminance and chrominance components were transmitted separately. This was an evolution from older color TV systems (such as PAL or SECAM) where there was interference between chrominance and luminance. Originally proposed in the 1980s for use on a Europe-wide terrestrial HDTV system, although it was never used terrestrially. However, tests have been done in France with terrestrial transmission but no commercial exploitation. Various systems were developed, collectively known as the "MAC/packet" family. In 1985 these were recommended for satellite and cable broadcasts by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). C-MAC/packet was intended for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), D-MAC/packet was intended for wide-band cable, and D2-MAC/packet was intended both for DBS and narrow-band cable. History MAC was originally developed by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) (dates unknown) in the UK for delivering high quality pictures via direct broadcast satellites that would be independent of European countries' choice of terrestrial colour-coding standard. In 1982 it was adopted as the transmission format for the UK's forthcoming direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television services (eventually provided by British Satellite Broadcasting). The following year MAC was adopted by the EBU as the standard for all DBS. By 1986, despite there being two standards, D-MAC and D2-MAC, favoured by different countries in Europe, an EU Directive imposed MAC on the national DBS broadcasters, to provide a stepping stone from analogue PAL and SECAM formats to the eventual high definition and digital television of the future, with european TV manufacturers in a privileged position to provide the equipment required. However, the Astra satellite system was also starting up at this time (the first satellite, Astra 1A was launched in 1989) and that operated outside of the EU's MAC requirements, due to being a non-DBS satellite. Despite further pressure from the EU (including a further Directive originally intended to make MAC provision compulsory in TV sets, and a subsidy to broadcasters to use the MAC format), most broadcasters outside Scandinavia preferred the lower cost of PAL transmission and receiving equipment. In the 2000s, the use of D-MAC and D2-MAC ceased when satellite broadcasts changed to DVB-S format. Variants A number of broadcasting variants exist, according to the way the digital signals are multiplexed with the MAC vision signal. A-MAC designed as a test-bed for the MAC concept. A-MAC was never deployed by any broadcaster. S-MAC is design descendant A-MAC. B-MAC