![[Photo of Panel]](mvc-005fa.jpg)
Chief engineers and engineering representatives from most Detroit television stations gathered at WKBD Channel 50 to discuss their plans for implementing DTV in the nation's 9th largest market.
Detroit Section Chair Frank Maynard introduced the six other panel members to the audience of over fifty members and guests. In addition to the stations' engineering representatives, Mr. John F.X. Browne of acclaimed consulting firm John F.X. Browne and Associates participated and opened up the meeting with a report on some of the latest DTV reception testing being conducted around the country. Mr. Browne also pointed out some of the discrepancies in the FCC's calculations of interference by DTV into NTSC.
Frank Maynard, representing UPN affiliate and meeting host WKBD, stated that his station is currently taking a "wait-and-see" approach to DTV. Mike Doback of ABC affiliate WXYZ promised that his station would be on the air by November 1st of this year. They are going to use a side mounted antenna for their DTV signal. Phil Hejtmanek of CBS-owned WWJ is in the process of building a new tower for both NTSC and DTV and expects to be on the air with DTV in May 1999. Tim Redmond of FOX affiliate WJBK reported progress on tower upgrades and installation of their side mounted DTV antenna. His station is also committed to being on the air by November 1st. Marcus Williams of NBC affiliate WDIV had hoped to join the others with a DTV signal on the air by November 1st, but reported that his station is now looking at May of 1999 as their DTV startup date, also with a side mounted antenna. Helge Blucher, representing public broadcaster WTVS, explained that although his station has secured a spot on WWJ's new tower and purchased an antenna and 1,100 feet of transmission line, financial limitations makes it necessary to hold off on buying a transmitter until spring of 2000. However, a more enthusiastic acceptance of DTV in the Detroit market may accelerate their plans. WWJ and WTVS will be sharing a stacked Dielectric antenna for their channels 43 and 44 DTV transmission, to be installed on WWJ's new tower in early 1999.
The discussion then turned to the issue of multipath, and the panel was in agreement that this is an issue that they watch closely. The tests done in Washington, D.C. and Chicago created a lively exchange of opinion between panel members. While the tests performed in Washington, D.C. were characterized as "typical", the recent Chicago tests appear to be unique to that city, in the opinion of most panel members. "We'll know after November 1st if viewers in Detroit will have severe multipath reception problems" was the final comment on that subject.
Next up were plant upgrades, DTV recording, upconversion, and progressive versus interlaced, with several questions from the audience. The stations are divided on their use of 780p and 1080I for HDTV. Most of the stations' infrastructures are now digital or they are in the process of converting their facility. Public broadcaster WTVS has plans to build a new facility within the next few years and will only do minor upgrades in their current NTSC analog plant.
The second part of the meeting was an opportunity for the members and guests to direct questions to the panel members about their DTV plans. Questions were asked about the panel's view on the lack of interface standards for DTV sets. The audience was then asked how many were considering buying a DTV receiver before May 1999. Only a handful stated that they would consider buying, and some of the attendees suggested that prices would have to drop well below $2,000 before they would buy a DTV receiver.