SECTION MEETING REPORT

Meeting Date:

April 15, 1997

Attendance:

24

Location:

Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts

Southfield, Michigan

Speakers:

Wallace Murray, Ameritech

John F. X. Browne, John F. X. Browne & Associates

Subjects:

Serial Component Digital Video Transport

DTV Update

John F. X. Browne gave everyone an update on the Federal Communications Commission's Report and Order on Digital TV Broadcasting. He outlined the changes made from previous notices of inquiry with regard to power and channel allotments, the rollout schedule and the Commission's expectations of licensees. He took a few questions.

Wallace Murray updated the audience on the progress of Ameritech's Serial Component Video Service offerings over the past year. Since the prototype of the service was demonstrated for Section members last year, production equipment is now available and is being used in many installations. Also, the carrier has the ability to accept either analog or digital audio from the customer and embed it within the bitstream. Previously, Ameritech carried only video with the SVCS service and required a separate path for the audio.

Technical aspects of the service were discussed, including the impact of cliff effect, signals used for testing circuits, and colorimetry consideratons. A demonstration of the transmission equipment was conducted, and although no fiber connection was available to the outside network, an optical attenuator was used to simulate the presence of 24 km of fiber. The equipment passed the signal with no degradation.

The presentation concluded with discussion of potential applications of SVCS, including fixed point-to-point and switched circuits for ENG use to relieve congestion in the 2 and 7 GHz TV auxiliary bands, and a virtual "video dialtone" service for broadcaster and production houses.

Questions from the audience followed.

Wallace also showed the latest development from Ameritech Engineering. Officially called "Case, monitor, disposable", it conforms to Bell System Practices 528-COKE and has the advantages that it is lightweight, inexpensive and disposable. Reportedly, Tektronix is considering offering it as Option 12-PAK.

Submitted by:

Frank Maynard, WKBD-TV Secretary/Treasurer, SMPTE Detroit Section 810-355-7129 maynard@oeonline.com