President’s Memo

Posted on February 3, 2014 in ATSC News

February 2014

One thing is clear from the 2014 International CES, which wrapped three weeks ago: Ultra High-Definition TV is coming in a big way.  Virtually every TV brand, large and small, rolled out a cornucopia of Ultra HD 4K offerings – from dazzling 21:9 widescreen industrial displays to flexible screens, eye-popping OLED demos, and unique projection systems that filled entire walls with entertainment.  Ready or not, consumers are about to be dazzled with 8 million pixels of breathtaking imagery.

Delivery of those amazing pictures is on the drawing board, too.  I was pleased to see a 4K broadcast transmission demo in one booth and various major distribution companies announcing Internet streaming plans for 4K content this year.  Consumer-created 4K video and photos will also find a home on the new displays, with new 4K camcorders introduced last month in Las Vegas.

You can read more about what turned heads at CES in reports in this issue from Brian Markwalter of the Consumer Electronics Association and from ENVISIONEERING’s Richard Doherty, who each offer a their unique expert perspectives on CES ‘14.

The beginning of February means we have only nine weeks until the NAB Show opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  ATSC will have an enhanced presence at this year’s show, with technology demonstrations in the North Hall as usual and a less harried spot for briefings and discussions at the SpringHill Suites (just across Paradise Road from the North Hall.)  Invitations for small group discussions are going out now, and let me know if you’d like to be part of the meetings to discuss where ATSC 2.0 and ATSC 3.0 are headed.

As this newsletter goes to press, we’re also making a successful transition of leadership from Jim Kutzner to Rich Chernock as Chairman of the TG3 technology group working on ATSC 3.0. Our great appreciation  goes out to Jim for his long service to ATSC.  We look forward to working with Rich in his new capacity with ATSC.

Our ATSC Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. should be added to your calendars in early May.   Please mark Thursday, May 8 as a day of informational briefings and forward-looking discussions at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

And plan to bring a friend.  We’re looking to expand the reach of ATSC and make sure that all of our members play a more active, deeper role in the future of TV broadcasting and your Advanced Television Systems Committee.

Mark Richer, ATSC President

Posted in ATSC News