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HDTV Broadcast & Tuner Integrated Displays Gain Momentum – Offer Growing Opportunity |
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Glen Kropuenske SENCORE, Inc. Application Engineer 1.800.736.2673 or 1.605.339.0100 |
All indicators suggest a rapid transition from analog to digital HDTV broadcast over the next few years. HDTV continues to gain momentum thanks to the leadership of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), devoted consumer product manufacturers and HD content providers.
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Fueling the transition is the expediency in which TV broadcast stations have invested and installed digital transmitters. As of August, the FCC reports 1,411 TV stations on the air with digital signals serving 207 markets and over 99% of U.S. TV households. In addition, 87.5% of the more than 106 million U.S. TV households are in markets with five or more DTV broadcasts and 69.2% are in markets with eight or more DTV broadcasts.
The FCC, backed by government policymakers who believe all Americans have the right to over-the-air television, have taken steps to protect TV broadcasting and quicken the transition to digital television. The FCC has set a rigid timetable for broadcasters to implement DTV transmitters and have established incremental ATSC tuner mandates for consumer product manufacturers. Additional steps are being considered by the FCC, such as cable “must-carry” rules, “plug-and-play” cable compatibility rules, and “broadcast flag” copy protection regulations to hasten the digital transition. |
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What is ATSC Digital HDTV?
The ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee) was the technical committee assigned by the FCC to evaluate HDTV system proposals, coordinate testing, and make a recommendation to the FCC regarding selection of an HDTV transmission system in the U.S.
The FCC approved the ATSC recommendation and selected 8VSB as an HDTV transmission system. 8 VSB is an RF modulation format using 8 level vestigial side-band transmission designed by Zenith engineers specifically to transmit a digital signal. 8 VSB was elected for terrestrial broadcast based upon its performance when subjected to noise, interference and other impairments. |
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ATSC system divided into 3 fundamental signal processing blocks. |
The ATSC system can be broken into 3 fundamental signal processing blocks. The video and audio inputs are digitized into a time division multiplex digital stream. The stream employs MPEG/AC3 compression coding, and added program, time and other identifier bits. The newly formed digital stream signal is called an “ATSC Transport Stream.” The 8 VSB encoder further transforms the digital signal with a series of operations, preparing the digital signal for successful transmit/receive operation. The transmitter converts the 8 level signal to an RF channel of 6 MHz bandwidth for transmission. |
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Figure 1. The off-air HDTV signal uses MPEG 2/AC3 encoding and 8 VSB coding for transmission on a 6 MHz channel.
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DTV Implementation in the U.S.
It has been a long process to move a nation from an analog TV broadcast system systematically to a new digital broadcast system. Chart 1 outlines the sequence of events leading up to the FCC Implementation Timetable in figure 2.
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March 1990 March 1990 Nov. 1990 - 91 July 1991
June 1992 Aug. 1992
Feb. 1994 1994 - 1995 Nov. 1995
1995 2006 - 2007 |
FCC selects simulcast as transmission approach to transition to HDTV. FCC Chairman Al Sikes indicates testing delay for digital format proposals. HDTV proposals dwindle to 5 HDTV system proposals. Testing of HDTV proposals begin by ATTC (Advanced TV Test Center) in Alexandria, VA. FCC chairman indicates digital system would likely be selected. An agreement is reached to share technologies and royalties forming Grand Alliance. Grand Alliance proposes 8 VSB (Vestigal Sideband) system. 8 VSB system tested at 175 over-the-air sites. 8 VSB system recommended by ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee) was adopted as the new digital terrestrial standard in the United States. Initial multicast implemented timetable for DTV modified – see figure 1. NTSC Broadcast Ends: (Subject to 86% DTV receiver penetration rate). |
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Chart 1. Timetable to Broadcast DTV in U.S. |
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Figure 2. FCC timetable for DTV simulcast implementation. |
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The timetable defines a gradual increasing number of TV broadcast stations simulcasting or adding DTV transmission along with the existing analog transmission until approximately 2006 or 2007. NTSC or analog transmissions would end in any given coverage area when household penetration of DTV equipped receivers reaches 85%.
In August 2002, the FCC passed the tuner initiative requiring television receiver manufacturers to install ATSC tuners in new television sets starting in July of 2004. While the mandate was quickly challenged in court, the U.S. Court of Appeals found the FCC was within its authority. Chart 2 defines the incremental requirements for including ATSC tuners in newly manufactured TV receivers.
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Receiver sizes |
% Must include DTV tuners |
Effective date |
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Receivers greater than 36 inches |
50% must include DTV tuners 100% must include DTV tuners |
July 1, 2004 July 1, 2005 |
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Receivers 25 – 35 inches |
50% must include DTV tuners 100% must include DTV tuners |
July 1, 2005 July 1, 2006 |
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Receivers 13 – 24 inches |
100% must include DTV tuners |
July 1, 2007 |
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All VCRs, DVD player/recorders, television tuners |
100% must include DTV reception |
After July 1, 2007 |
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Chart 2. FCC Manufacturer Mandate for Inclusion of ATSC Tuners. |
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Digital TV Opportunities
Consumers continue to embrace the new DTV technology. Increasing interest is expected as consumers become more aware of the improved signal quality offered by free off-air HDTV and the availability of desirable high definition program material such as popular sporting events and primetime shows.
The CEA (Consumer Electronic Association) reported sales for the year 2004 through May reached 1,581,011 units and dollar revenues equaled $2.24 billion. This represents an 85 percent increase in units and 59 percent increase in dollar sales compared to the year-to-date totals in May 2003. Cumulative DTV sales (sales since product introduction in 1998) have surpassed the 10 million unit mark, totaling 10.5 million units. |
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Figure 3. Consumer Electronics Association announced upwardly revised projections for DTV product sales. |
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The implementation of digital broadcast television is creating many business opportunities. Professionals are needed to bring ATSC signal reception into the home or commercial site. Trained professionals are needed to sell ATSC tuner integrated receivers/TVs, install HDTV receive antennas, integrate HDTV signals with existing TV-RF distribution systems, install/calibrate home theater displays, integrate audio & video systems and, service ATSC receive equipment.
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Testing ATSC Tuner Inputs
An HDTV integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) accepts the RF-8VSB input signal and decodes it into a component YPrPb or RGB analog output or DVI output for interface to a HDTV ready monitor. Many larger projection and direct view TVs now include an ATSC tuner along with digital decoding circuits to receive off-air 8VSB HDTV digital signals. A generator, such as the Sencore VP403, equipped with an ATSC 8VSB TV-RF signal may be used to test the ATSC tuner/decoder circuits.
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Figure 4. HDTV-RF output to ATSC input.
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To test the ATSC input of an HDTV receiver/monitor, connect the RF test cable between the ATSC output of the generator and the ATSC input of the receiver. Select the HDTV/SDTV – RF – 8VSB Signal Type in the Signal Type menu. Choose a resolution format from the Format menu. The uppermost display menu of HDTV/SDTV formats lists the most popular resolutions used and are compatible with most HD ready displays. After choosing a format an additional menu appears. Select one of the ATSC channel selections that are displayed. You many choose RF channel 2 – 4, 7 – 10 or 30 – 32. Select the ATSC input from the receiver/monitors input menu. Select a channel number that agrees with the generator channel selection. If you choose channel 30 on the display, be sure the receiver is set for broadcast channels and not cable channels. The receiver/monitor should decode the ATSC HDTV signal and display the video test pattern if it is working properly.
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Conclusion
For more information on HDTV Broadcast & Tuner Integrated Displays, or how your business can grow with the Sencore multimedia video generators or color analyzers, call your Sencore sales representative 1.800.736.2673 or outside of the U.S. 1.605.339.0100.
Learn more - VP400 VideoPro family: http://www.sencore.com/vp400/index.htm
Learn more - CP5000 ColorPro: http://www.sencore.com/products/cp5000.htm
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1.800.736.2673 1.605.339.0100 |
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