President’s Memo: A Change of Seasons

Posted on April 2, 2012 in ATSC News

Mark Richer, President of ATSC

Spring came early to the nation’s capital, as it did to much of the country, and we actually got to enjoy the blooming cherry trees during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in March (rather than weeks later, as usually happens.)

Spring is also the time for the annual National Association of Broadcasters convention, and we’re looking forward to another terrific NAB show, especially in the ATSC TechZone.  Our hats are off to past ATSC Chairman Glenn Reitmeier of NBC Universal, who will honored there with the NAB Technology Achievement Award.  As a past recipient, I can assure you that it’s a humbling experience to receive this special recognition. Congratulations, Glenn!

If you’re attending the NAB Show, please make plans to visit the ATSC TechZone located in the North Hall at the LVH hotel walkway (N4039 – N4136.)  Exhibitors in this year’s TechZone include Decontis, Dolby, ETRI, Linear Acoustic, Ryerson, Samsung, and OSA – all demonstrating unique ways that the ATSC standard is being implemented to help both broadcasters and viewers.

The Future of Broadcast TV (FoBTV) initiative is moving forward.  Stay tuned for announcements about this exciting global collaboration and how ATSC is intimately involved.  The NAB Show will be a great place to catch up on FoBTV.  I hope you’ll look for us at the General Session FoBTV briefing that is set for Tuesday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. in South Hall room S222 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

NEW STANDARDS ARE SPROUTING

With spring comes new growth, and seeds planted at ATSC are sprouting with the anticipated  official adoption of the Non-Real-Time (NRT) Broadcast Standard.  This is the first major step that gives broadcasters the ability to download video and audio files, at the same time that they’re transmitting digital TV.  The adoption of the NRT standard will officially recognize the evolving landscape, as broadcasting and Internet content delivery are developed as complementary and not competing services.

The NRT standard is a fundamental building block of ATSC 2.0 and also an important ingredient in the Mobile DTV standard A/153. Comments received during the initial TG-1 ballot of NRT have been addressed.  The Proposed NRT standard is out for a re-ballot which will close on  April 6.  By the time we reach our next season of the year, it’s very possible that NRT will be a new powerful tool in the toolbox.

IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS COMING, TOO

The proposed revisions to the ATSC bylaws have been approved, including the ability for ATSC to create implementation teams.  The idea with this new approach is a separate activity from standards development.  Implementation teams will provide a forum to address business, regulatory, and technology requirements that must be considered in order to successfully roll out new standards.

Our board has approved participation in Implementation Teams, which are open to all interested organizations offering or planning to offer services or products relating to a given ATSC Standard.  There are some rules of engagement, including that Implementation Teams are not designed to develop standards or recommended practices.  Traditionally, ATSC has not addressed some of these items in a standards-setting environment.  But implementation teams can have non-disclosure agreements that will allow for a freer flow of information and discussion.

Our first team is likely to focus on implementation of ATSC 2.0.  Please let me know If your organization is interested in implementation of ATSC 2.0  – whether you’re making equipment or offering services.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON

It will still be springtime in Washington on May 8 (even if the thermometer seems like summertime by then), we hope you’ll plan to attend the ATSC Annual Meeting.  Registration details are in this newsletter and we’re putting together a great program that will allow us to celebrate digital TV’s champions while looking forward to the “television of tomorrow.”

Whether at the NAB Show in Las Vegas or the ATSC Annual Meeting in Washington, we hope to see you soon.

Mark Richer, ATSC President

Posted in ATSC News