New ATSC Technology Group to Explore Next-Generation Broadcasting

Posted on September 6, 2011 in Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Long-Term Project Designed to Develop TV Standards Serving Viewers and Broadcasters for Decades to Come

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2011 –The Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc. (ATSC) has formed a new technology group to develop “ATSC 3.0,” a series of voluntary technical standards and recommended practices for the next-generation digital terrestrial television broadcast system that would serve viewers and TV stations for decades to come.

“ATSC 3.0 is a crucial long-term project that paves the way for futuristic terrestrial television broadcasting technologies,” said ATSC President Mark Richer. “As we look to the horizon, the ATSC will be exploring technologies that perhaps haven’t even been invented yet.”

Because ATSC 3.0 is likely to be incompatible with current broadcast systems, it must provide improvements in performance, functionality and efficiency significant enough to warrant implementation of a non-backwards-compatible system, according Richer. Interoperability with production systems and non-broadcast distribution systems should be considered by the new technology group, he explained.

“The future of broadcast television is bright, both for the near- and long-term,” said Richer, referring to current work on ATSC 2.0, which includes Internet-enhanced broadcasting and non-real-time (NRT) and 3D broadcast standards, as well as ongoing support for the ATSC Mobile DTV standard.

Formation of the new ATSC 3.0 Technology Group, called “TG3”, will allow the ATSC Technology & Standards Group (now called “TG1”), chaired by Dr. Richard Chernock of Triveni Digital, to accelerate its current activities including development of ATSC 2.0, NRT, 3D and Mobile DTV. TG3 was recommended by the ATSC Board of Directors in July and adopted by the membership on Sept 2, 2011.

ATSC Board Chairman, Samsung Vice President John Godfrey, has appointed James Kutzner as TG3 Chairman. Kutzner, Senior Director of Advanced Technology for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), chaired the ATSC 3.0 Planning Team for the past year. At PBS, Kutzner manages engineering and technology projects. An ATSC board member, SMPTE fellow and IEEE member, he also is vice chairman of the Open Mobile Video Coalition’s Technical Advisory Group.

About the ATSC: The Advanced Television Systems Committee is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. The ATSC member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries. For more information visit atscnextgentv.vp77wsn4-liquidwebsites.com

END

Media Contacts:
Lindsay Shelton-Gross, ATSC (202) 872-9160
Dave Arland, Arland Communications (317) 701-0084

Posted in Press Releases