ATSC Update
Jerry Whitaker is VP of Standards Development for the ATSC. You can reach him at
tvtech@imaspub.com.
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...
Work Progresses on DRL Standard
by Jerry Whitaker, 12.20.2005
ATSC works to provide for automated ENG transmitter control, more efficient use of BAS More...
ATSC Updates DTV Standards
by Jerry Whitaker, 09.07.2005
The ATSC has published revisions of several key standards--including A/52, the Digital Audio Compression Standard (AC-3); A/53, the Digital Television Standard; and A/110, the Synchronization Standard for Distributed Transmission. More...
Work on Digital ENG Communications Begins
by Jerry Whitaker, 07.06.2005
The ATSC has begun work on defining the basic parameters for digital electronic newsgathering (D-ENG) communications systems. More...
DTV Receiver Performance Standards Recommended
by Jerry Whitaker, 03.09.2005
A concerted, cross-industry effort has led the ATSC to publish DTV receiver performance guidelines. A/74, "Recommended Practice: Receiver Performance Guidelines," is the result of a collaboration of broadcasters, consumer More...
PMCP Standard Approved
by Jerry Whitaker, 01.05.2005
In a major step toward automated generation of PSIP data, the ATSC published its newest standard A/76, "Programming and Metadata Communication Protocol." More...