ATSC Update
Jerry Whitaker is VP of Standards Development for the ATSC. You can reach him at
tvtech@imaspub.com.
ATSC Looks to Future With Mobile DTV
by Jerry Whitaker, 11.02.2009
Following a final vote of approval from the ATSC membership on October 15, the long process to develop a comprehensive standard to address the need for a mobile digital television service has reached completion. More...
First ATSC DTV Standard Ballot Closes
by Jerry Whitaker, 07.07.2009
Approval of a standard in ATSC requires at least two levels of balloting: first, the Technology and Standards Group (TSG) and second, the ATSC membership itself. More...
ATSC Highlights Recent Published Standards
by Jerry Whitaker, 04.28.2009
ATSC Mobile DTV is being developed to support a variety of services including free television and interactive services delivered in real-time, subscription-based TV, and file-based content download for playback at a later time. More...
A 'Flexible Framework'
by Jerry Whitaker, 01.05.2009
The work to develop a comprehensive standard for mobile and handheld services—known as "ATSC Mobile DTV"—has reached a milestone with publication of the A/153 Candidate Standard document set. More...
Mobile Handheld DTV Project Moves Forward
by Jerry Whitaker, 12.03.2008
ATSC-M/H is being developed to support a variety of services including free (advertiser-supported) television and interactive services delivered in real time, subscription-based TV, and file-based content download for playback at More...
New DRL Standard Completed
by Jerry Whitaker, 09.03.2008
The DRL channels permit a "feedback" or "return" link to be established from an ENG receive-only (ENG-RO) site to an originating TV pickup station (i.e., ENG truck). This link allows automatic transmitter power control by ENG More...
PSIP, V-Chip and Other Acronyms
by Jerry Whitaker, 11.07.2007
Since the first version of the PSIP standard was published in 1997, compliance reflected good engineering practice on the part of television stations, since the standard offers benefits for both viewers and broadcasters. PSIP is, More...
Work Begins on Mobile-Handheld DTV Standard
by Jerry Whitaker, 07.11.2007
Designated ATSC-M/H, the standard will be backward-compatible, allowing existing DTV services to operate in the same RF channel, without adverse impact on existing receiving equipment. More...
Strategic Plan to Guide Future Work on DTV
by Jerry Whitaker, 05.02.2007
The ATSC has developed a comprehensive plan for future work of the organization, reflecting the evolution of technology over the next two to five years. More...
ACAP Demonstration Project Underway
by Jerry Whitaker, 03.07.2007
ATSC has launched an ambitious project to demonstrate the capabilities of the Advanced Common Application Platform for interactive television. More...
ACAP Interactive TV Summit Coming Up
by Jerry Whitaker, 01.10.2007
The ATSC is organizing a half-day seminar on the Advanced Common Application Platform for interactive television. More...
PSIP Revisited: Getting it Right
by Jerry Whitaker, 09.06.2006
Nearly two years after the FCC mandated the use of PSIP, reports can still be heard of stations struggling to get it right. More...
Using AFD to Resolve Aspect Ratio Discrepancy
by Jerry Whitaker, 07.12.2006
Active Format Description solves a troublesome problem in the transition from conventional 4:3 display devices to widescreen 16:9 displays, and also addresses the variety of aspect ratios that have been used over the years by the More...
ATSC Does Interactive TV Demonstration Project
by Jerry Whitaker, 05.10.2006
The ATSC Planning Committee has undertaken a major demonstration project of the Advanced Common Application Platform interactive TV system. More...