James E. O'Neal

James E. O'Neal

James E. O’Neal has more than 50 years of experience in the broadcast arena, serving for nearly 37 years as a television broadcast engineer and, following his retirement from that field in 2005, moving into journalism as technology editor for TV Technology for almost the next decade. He continues to provide content for this publication, as well as sister publication Radio World, and others. He authored the chapter on HF shortwave radio for the 11th Edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook, and serves as contributing editor of the IEEE’s Broadcast Technology publication, and as associate editor of the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal. He is a SMPTE Life Fellow, and a member of the SBE and Life Senior Member of the IEEE.

Latest articles by James E. O'Neal

ENG

The History of ENG, Part 3: Camera Advances Push ENG Into the Modern Era

By James E. O'Neal published

ENG HISTORY Newsgathering gear got lighter, more compact and more reliable

ENG HISTORY
Triangle Publications used this modified Chevrolet panel truck in their ENG trialing some 60 years ago at its Altoona, Pa., property, WFBG-TV. In addition to a rooftop hatch, the van was also equipped with a “24-volt battery box,” a 1-kilowatt DC-to-AC inverter and a second generator coupled to the vehicle’s engine. The vidicon camera used in the project was a Sylvania industrial model with a small TV set mounted on top, as the camera had no electronic viewfinder.

The History of ENG, Part 2: Turning ‘You Are There’ Into Reality

By James E. O'Neal published

Eng History ENG moves into true electronic journalism with the Triangle experiment

Eng History
‘Ground zero’ for ENG appears to be ‘on-the-scene’ coverage in August 1928 of New York Gov. Al Smith announcing his candidacy for U.S. president. The event was televised over General Electric’s Schenectady station, WGY. Ernst Alexanderson (right), who headed up GE’s early television research and was responsible for the live event coverage, is seen here with assistant Ray Kell, examining a 48-line mechanical scanner used in his TV broadcasting initiative.

The Origins of Electronic Newsgathering

By James E. O'Neal published

Tracing the beginnings of television news’ most essential ingredient

Broadcast Engineering
C. Frances Jenkins (second from left) explains the workings of his apparatus to those present at his June 13, 1925, television demonstration.

Television and Film Pioneer C. Francis Jenkins Honored

By James E. O'Neal published

HISTORY Ceremony commemorates 100th anniversary of video transmission

HISTORY
Interop

ONE Media Technologies Hosts NextGen TV ‘Interop’

By James E. O'Neal published

NEXTGEN TV Latest trials focused on DRM, BPS, cloud-delivered 3.0 and more

NEXTGEN TV
The West Hall ATSC exhibit is an excellent place to learn about the latest NextGen TV developments. While an artist’s rendering of the 2025 booth wasn’t available at press time, an ATSC spokesperson said it would be similar to last year’s exhibit space depicted here.

ATSC To Showcase NextGen TV Progress at 2025 NAB Show

By James E. O'Neal published

Expect numerous ATSC 3.0 demos, product rollouts and technology presentations

NAB Show
Paris Summer Olympics opening ceremony

Five Years Later, Has 5G Lived Up to Its Promise?

By James E. O'Neal published

The high-speed connectivity standard continues to drive change in live production

Sports
SMPTE Media Technology Summit

SMPTE’s Media Tech Summit Puts AI, IP in the Hollywood Spotlight

By James E. O'Neal published

Seven years after its adoption, panelists say ST 2110 is entering its ‘mature phase’

Events
Westinghouse

Looking Back at Broadcasting's First 100 Years

By James E. O'Neal published

Broadcasting's Centennial The early 1920s saw rapid advances

Broadcasting's Centennial
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NextGen TV Poised to Move Out in Big Way in 2020

By James E. O'Neal published

Television gets ready for its next chapter

NAB Show
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SFNs: ATSC 3.0 a Great Enabler for an Old Technology

By James E. O'Neal published

Digital television technology eliminates the old “ghost” problem for single-frequency networks

NextGen TV
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Dallas ATSC 3.0 SFN Buildout Nears Completion

By James E. O'Neal published

Project will serve as information source for other markets

NextGen TV
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NAB Show Celebrates Next Gen TV

By James E. O'Neal published

Next-Gen television rose to the forefront as both subject and object of the 2018 NAB Show.

Events
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Ohio Conference Celebrates Television’s Beginnings

By James E. O'Neal published

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NAB Show Product Review : Signal Processing & Analysis

By James E. O'Neal published

Whether its IP, SDI or analog one thing is inevitable, and that’s the need for monitoring, signal processing, and test and measurement gear

Products
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BMSB 2018 Probes Content Delivery Technology And Strategies

By James E. O'Neal published

Three-day event examines 5G, ATSC 3.0, spectrum scarcity & other alternative means of content delivery

Regulatory and Standards
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Searching for ATSC 3.0 at CES 2019

By James E. O'Neal published

Industry executives offer their views on standard’s absence.

NextGen TV
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ATSC Conference Examines Next Phase of 3.0 Rollout

By James E. O'Neal published

Compliance testing, branding and more all part of launch process.

NextGen TV
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The FCC Responds About Repack

By James E. O'Neal published

"The broadcast repack is progressing as designed."

Repack
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FCC Says Repack Progressing Nicely; Others Disagree

By James E. O'Neal published

Stations are relocating, but with STAs and temp facilities.

Repack
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Next Gen TV Dominates IEEE-BTS Gathering

By James E. O'Neal published

Annual symposium probes broadcast technologies, practices.

Events
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IEEE BTS Explores Changes in Audio Technologies

By James E. O'Neal published

Smart speakers, 5G, spectrum and more receive attention

Events
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NAB Developing ‘Best Practices’ Guidelines for Next Gen TV

By James E. O'Neal published

Broadcast execs discuss ATSC 3.0 on HPA

NextGen TV
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$110,000 Raised to Preserve Television’s Technical History

By James E. O'Neal published

A large number of rare items came from the estate of television historian and collector Ed Reitan, who passed away in January.

Events
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SMPTE ‘Bits By The Bay’ Regional Conference Is ‘Sell-Out’

By James E. O'Neal published

Bits By The Bay,” a two-day regional technical conference organized by the Washington, D.C. Section of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, once again played to a sell-out audience

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