INTERNATIONAL

Europe Closer to High-Definition TV: Cinema-quality television may soon be a reality in living rooms on the Continent under a plan launched to adopt a common standard for digital transmission. A group of satellite operators, broadcasters, manufacturers and regulators signed a memorandum of understanding in Bonn. The European group came together after the recent formation of an American industry alliance working on a single all-digital HDTV system for the United States. The Digital Video Broadcasting Project groups 85 members, including at least one Japanese electronics firm. But the core firms are from Britain, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.