Regards,
Norm Jacknis
----------
On December 27, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a standard
for the next generation of TV: digital television (DTV). The standard is a
modification of the Advanced Television System Committee's (ATSC) DTV
Standard first proposed for adoption in 1996. The standard is consistent
with a consensus agreement voluntarily developed by a cross-section of
parties, including the broadcasting, equipment manufacturing and computer
industries. The standard allows transmission of one or two High Definition
Television programs; four, five or more Standard Definition Television
programs at a visual quality better than the current analog signal; many CD
quality audio signals; and the delivery of large amounts of data. (The
standard does not include requirements with respect to scanning formats,
aspect ratios and lines of resolution.)
In comments filed at the FCC last year, the Benton Foundation called upon
the Commission to conduct a proceeding to define and quantify broadcasters'
public interest obligations before they receive licenses to do digital
broadcasting. In recent weeks, over twenty organizations and individuals
have filed comments at the FCC in support of Benton's position. To add your
support send an email to dtvallotments@fcc.gov. Say that you are commenting
on Mass Media Docket No. 87-268. Let the FCC know you support defining
broadcasters' public interest obligations before they receive their digital
licenses. (Please send a copy of your note to benton@benton.org as well).
The deadline for filing these comments is this Friday, January 10.
For more information about the transition to digital television, see
Benton's World Wide Web page on the Debate on the Future of Television at
http://www.benton.org/TV/debate.html
*************************************************
Benton Foundation
1634 Eye Street NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20006-4006
phone: 202-638-5770
fax: 202-638-5771
benton@benton.org
http://www.benton.org