Interesting that the jointly filed petition is asking the FCC to allow ATSC 1.0
and 3.0 simulcasting, from different stations in a market. I'd expect many of
those current subchannels will have to go off the air, until the transition to
ATSC 3.0 is complete.
The IP aspect of the broadcast stream continues to be senselessly overhyped, as
expected. Like "interactivity," which they always neglect to specify, requires
a broadband connection. You won't get that with the broadcast channel. What is
broadcast is the linear stream, and that's it. But if the local broadcasters do
become web sites, to offer the interactive aspects of ATSC 3.0 service, that
might be interesting. Problem is, if any detail is mentioned at all, it's
always about the old and familiar broadcast aspect. Leading the innocent to
infer that all the interactivity hype applies to the broadcast channel.
Another point is, broadcasters can already offer these interactive web based TV
services today, at least as far as the technology goes. No need to wait for
anything.
Here's something for Deborah to pursue. Another article in TV Technology
explains how many players out there are working to get live TV on the Internet,
legally. At what point will people be asking, hmmm, then why can't we implement
this interactive, higher quality, ATSC 3.0 TV, without bothering with the
broadcast channel at all?
Says TV manufacturers are interested in incorporating ATSC 3.0 voluntarily?
That's interesting too, but as a one-way broadcast linear service upgrade
beyond ATSC 1.0.
Bert
----------------------------------------
http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0002/nab-cta-pubcasters-ask-fcc-for-voluntary-atsc-30/278460
NAB, CTA, Pubcasters Ask FCC for Voluntary ATSC 3.0
CE makers throw in
April 13, 2016
By Deborah D. McAdams
WASHINGTON - TV set makers are joining broadcasters on ATSC 3.0, the new
IP-based broadcast transmission standard now in fast-track development. The
Consumer Technology Association (formerly the Consumer Electronics
Association), the National Association of Broadcasters, America's Public
Television Stations and the Advanced Warning and Response Network Alliance
together filed a joint petition with the Federal Communications Commission to
voluntarily implement ATSC 3.0, the standard being created by the Advanced
Television Systems Committee. ATSC 3.0 would enable web-browser type
functionality in broadcast television services, as well as delivery of Ultra
High-Definition resolution, interactive emergency alerts, mobile services,
immersive audio, datacasting, and service models yet unknown.
"This petition... asks the commission to amend its rules to allow broadcasters
to use the signaling portion of the physical layer of the new ATSC 3.0
broadcast standard, while they continue to deliver current-generation DTV
broadcast service to their communities," the filing states.
The petition requests the FCC approve the core "bootstrap" transmission
technology for the new standard as an option for local broadcasters and
receiver manufacturers. (See, "First Element of ATSC 3.0 Approved for
Standard," March 28, 2016.) Since ATSC 3.0 is not backward compatible with the
current transmission format (known as "ATSC 1.0"), the petitioners seek rule
changes to permit local simulcasting to they could transmit both 1.0 and 3.0 to
mitigate viewer disruption. They also ask that ATSC 3.0 be given the same
status that "television broadcasting" is given in the current digital
television standard.
Under the simulcasting approach, a temporary host broadcaster in a market would
agree to simulcast the 3.0 signals generated by other stations in the market.
The host station's programming would reciprocally be carried as a programming
stream by one of the stations deploying 3.0.
No additional spectrum or government funds are required for the new standard,
and consumers would have no equipment mandates. Carriage by pay TV providers
would be hammered out in negotiations, the petitioners said.
"This is an exciting time for the broadcast industry. Next-Gen TV will provide
broadcasters with the voluntary option of offering a higher-quality viewing
experience, an IP-based infrastructure and greater interactivity with viewers,"
said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "We believe our viewers will be the
beneficiaries of new services ranging from breathtaking picture quality to
in-depth emergency alerts and more personalized program content."
"From 4K UHD TV to mobility and more, ATSC 3.0 offers consumers the most
immersive viewing experience and more viewing options than ever before," said
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. "Our
television manufacturers are excited to partner voluntarily with broadcasters,
the public safety community and the ATSC to usher in this exciting new Golden
Age of television technology and bring the benefits of this standard to devices
throughout the home and beyond."
"America's Public Television Stations believe the Next-Gen broadcast standard
will give us even greater opportunities to pursue our public service missions
of education, public safety and civic leadership," said Patrick Butler,
president and CEO of APTS. "The FCC's timely adoption of the new standard may
also help public television stations save money by combining some of the
investments needed to deploy the new standard and to affect the repacking
transition required by the broadcast spectrum auctions."
"AWARN will provide a resilient and pervasive emergency communications system
for a 21st Century America, a major upgrade to systems we have now," said John
Lawson, executive director of the AWARN Alliance. "In response to manmade and
natural threats, AWARN can deliver rich media, geo-targeted, and multilingual
content-including video, storm tracks, evacuation routes, flood maps, and
earthquake early warnings. And these alerts can reach millions of people
simultaneously, even when the cellular network overloads or the grid goes down.
ATSC 3.0 makes all of this possible."
David Smith, president and CEO of Sinclair BroadcastGroup, one of the most
active proponents of ATSC 3.0, said, "We are delighted to see the consumer
electronics and public safety industries join broadcasters in taking our joint
industries into the 21st century with a dramatic improvement in our
distribution capabilities. Freeing the broadcasting industry as a powerful
engine of innovation has been Sinclair's long-sought goal. This petition is an
important first step, and our hope is that the FCC will move with great speed
to unleash that innovation."
Elements of the Next-Gen TV standard will be on display at NAB Show April 18-21
in South Upper Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition to
featuring the first live Next-Gen TV broadcast in the U.S. originating from the
"ATSC 3.0 Studio" (SU16712), the "ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Pavilion" (SU15709 -
SU15814) offers broadcasters a variety of new equipment options and key
technologies. The "ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience" (South Upper Lobby) is
providing demonstrations on the benefits of the new standard for viewers.
For more information about the Next-Gen TV standard, please watch this video
produced by Pearl, a consortium of major U.S. broadcast companies working on
the standard.
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