SECTION MEETING REPORT

Meeting Date:

June 9, 1998

Attendance:

15

Location:

Media Street Communications

Windsor, Ontario

Speaker:

Richard Christensen

Market Development Manager

Leitch Technology International

Subject:

Destination Digital: A Basic Roadmap to DTV and HDTV

This month's program helped to answer the question of how broadcast and teleproduction facilities converting to digital video should design an intraplant transmission system to handle both ITU-R 601 digital video but high-definition pictures as well. The speaker, Richard Christensen, of Leitch Technology International, began with a review of digital television, including its advantages, definitions and modes of operation, and the various uses for both the video stream and ancillary data capacity.

An overview of the Serial Digital Transport Interface followed. Richard explained that the SDTI operates at the same data rate as SMPTE 259M digital video, allowing it to be handled by the same distribution and switching equipment as existing 270 or 360 Mbit/s digital video. Because SDTI packetizes and transmits any type of data within the 259M framework, other types of data or video can be sent. With light compression, this interface can handle mezzanine-level high-definition video at a net payload rate of around 300 Mbit/s.

Mr. Christensen explored the issues of multiple generations of compression and decompression of high definition digital video. Network feeds and local source material are fed at higher than final transmission rates to allow for further local processing without objectionable artifacts.

He concluded with some advice for a sensible transition plan. This included taking one step at a time and avoiding leading-edge technology, timing equipment purchases to match wide market availability and looking at equipment re-use as standards change. His final words of advice were to avoid production in analog composite because of the potentially destructive conversions necessary to move to component digital video. Questions from the audience followed.

Before the presentation, Central Region Governor Harold Miller reported on the first meeting of the newly-formed Student Section at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Southfield, Mich. Eighteen members gathered, elected officers and heard a presentation on offline and online editing by Paul Painter of Unique Film and Video and Chuck Reti, Detroit Section Manager. Section members were urged to participate in the Student Section's activities, and student members would be included on the Detroit Section's mailing list.

Submitted by:

Frank Maynard, WKBD-TV
Secretary/Treasurer, SMPTE Detroit Section
248-355-7129
maynard@oeonline.com