ATSC 2.0 Progress Highlighted at Annual Tech Retreat
ATSC members Dolby, Harmonic, Triveni Digital, Capitol Broadcasting and the National Association of Broadcasters joined the ATSC in leading a half-day event entitled “ATSC 2.0—Enhancing Today’s DTV Services.” Held Feb. 14 at the 2012 Hollywood Post Alliance Technology Retreat in Indian Wells, California, the ATSC seminar brought together technology experts working on bringing next-generation services to consumers.
The concept of ATSC 2.0 is to take the experience of television watching on fixed receivers to the next level by introducing a number of enhanced features based on newly-developed standards and the focused application of existing standards. Work on ATSC 2.0 is well underway on suite of backwards-compatible new services, including non-real-time transmission, Internet connectivity, 3D TV broadcasting, and advanced video compression. Technology continues its rapid pace of change, with more consumer devices being Internet-enabled, which in turn enables new distribution and consumption models for entertainment programming and information.
“The needs of viewers and broadcasters are changing, and we’re committed to the evolution of the broadcast digital TV standard to keep pace with consumer demands. These enhancements to digital television broadcasting culminate in the initiative we call ATSC 2.0. Among other things, ATSC 2.0 contemplates the marriage of broadcasting and the Internet,” said ATSC President Mark Richer.
ATSC 2.0 is intended to address the increasing desire on the part of consumers for “everything-on-demand,” which has changed customer expectations of media. ATSC 2.0 services will be carried in DTV broadcast channels and their presence will not preclude or interfere with proper operation of current ATSC services in the same RF channel, or have any adverse impact on legacy receiving equipment.
The seminar included an overview of current ATSC activities by Jerry Whitaker, VP of Standards Development. Technology-specific presentations included the following:
- An Overview of ATSC 2.0 by Sam Matheny of WRAL, Chair of the Specialist Group on ATSC 2.0 (TG1/S11).
- NRT—It’s All About Time by Rich Chernock of Triveni Digital, Chair of the Technology and Standards Group (TG1).
- Key Elements of ATSC 2.0 by Oren Williams of Dolby Labs, Chair of the S13-2 ad-hoc group working on ATSC 2.0.
- ATSC 2.0 in Context by Skip Pizzi of NAB, Vice-Chair of the Specialist Group on ATSC 2.0 (TG1/S11).
- Advanced Video Coding: What’s Possible and What’s Practical by Pat Waddell of Harmonic, Chair of the Specialist Group on Video and Audio Coding (TG1/S6).
- Advanced Audio Coding: Capabilities and Features by Oren Williams of Dolby.
Recognizing the importance of perspective in any new project, the session concluded with a look at some of the fascinating history of television by Mark Schubin, the noted industry expert. His talk focused on the history of television predictions. Predictions from the past reveal something about where we are today, and where we may be heading.
Whitaker said, “Each of the speakers addressed an important element of the ATSC 2.0 landscape. Attendees came away with an understanding how the various elements fit together, and what they can mean to broadcasters.”
The Hollywood Post Alliance is the trade association representing the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools, and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media, and other dynamic media content. The ATSC values its long-standing relationship with the HPA Technology Retreat and looks forward to developing another great program for 2013.
Posted in ATSC News
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