6:30 PM Social hour with refreshments courtesy of JVC DigitalBroadcast Systems Group
7:30 PM ProgramEquipmentdemonstrations before and after the program
Almost 18 months later, how is terrestrial digital TV doing, both locallyand nationally? The 8VSB transmission standard has come under challengefrom the pro-COFDM forces, a result of reception difficulties even withinA-contours. Other technical problems still persist, including out-of-syncaudio. HDTV seems to languish at some stations around the country as theyopt for the financially safer route of multiple- or even single-channelDTV signals. Although most stations are generally adhering to federallyimposed DTV deadlines, some have no plans for high-definition broadcasts-- ever. Cablecasters, broadcasters, and the FCC are still arguing aboutcable's "must-carry" rules for (H)DTV signals. Home receiver sales arebelow expectations, according to some sources.
Despite these and other problems, optimism remains high among many broadcastersand DTV viewers. In addition to better video pictures and improved audio,DTV offers "opportunistic datacasting", allowing program providers to leapfrogthe Internet and put high-speed web access and digital content into people'shands via data that they piggyback on the growing number of local DTV signalsaround the country. Some say this technology will ultimately help pay fora DTV system that currently seems to lack a coherent financial model.
The April SMPTE-SF meeting will offer a local perspective on DTV fromseveral San Francisco stations, as well as equipment manufacturers. Basedon their experiences over the past 18 months, we'll hear about the impactDTV is having on their engineering and production departments. In a paneldiscussion, our presenters will also share their views on the near-termfuture of the technology.
Time permitting, we'll also discuss some "hot picks" from this year'sNAB and have an open a discussion about them with the audience.