ISSN 1067-490X IEEE Volume 19, Number 3, Fall 2011

The technologies to deliver information and entertainment to audiences worldwide, at home and on the go. From the President William Meintel, BTS Newsletter Editor As you may recall that may lead to the development of from my last col- common strategies for the future of umn, I talked about terrestrial broadcasting, and to ex- Inside The Future of change technical advances in the Future of Television Summit Broadcast Televi- rapidly converging areas of terrestrial Focuses on Global Standard ...... 3 sion (FoBTV) Sum- broadcasting, consumer electronics mit taking place in and networking technologies. Indus- Annual BTS Symposium ...... 10 Shanghai, China in try technology leaders were invited to IBC2011 Draws Record Crowd. . . . 12 Nov. 10–11, 2011. work together to share their visions of BTS is one of the founding organiza- the future of broadcasting. This bring- London Callingp ...... 14 tions of the FoBTV Summit along with ing together of the collective perspec- 10 other organizations representing tives of experts worldwide should ben- Student Impressions North and South America, Europe and efit industry leaders as they identify of IBC 2011 ...... 14 Asia. As one of the founders, BTS has their optimum national path for terres- NAB 3DTV Tutorial Report ...... 17 been very much involved, as BTS vice trial broadcasting. president Bill Hayes and I both were I can now report that the FoBTV Chapter Reports ...... 18 on the program. In addition, BTS Summit was a huge success culminat- Transactions editor Yiyan Wu served ing in a joint declaration signed by Television in Los Angeles: as co-chair of the FoBTV program technical executives from 13 broad- W6XAO, the Don Lee System, committee as well as being one of the cast organizations from around the and Harry Lubcke ...... 22 presenters. world. The full text of the Declaration Nominate a Colleague for The purpose of the FoBTV Sum- IEEE Fellow, Class of 2013 ...... 26 mit was to foster global collaboration continued on page 2 Letters to the Editor ...... 28 From the Editor James E. O’Neal, BTS Newsletter Editor It’s been a very Thanks to Mike Bennett and Paul busy fall season for Shulins, we have some good wrap- many of us who up coverage of IBC2011 and the BTS work in the field of Symposium in this issue. I’d like to broadcasting. commend them both for taking time There’s the annual away from their busy schedules to BTS Symposium, roll up their sleeves and crank out of course, and also these articles for the Newsletter. the AES Conven- This is my second issue of the pub- tions, and the SMPTE Technical Con- lication to go to the printer and I ference. Throw in a regional or local am getting a much better feeling for broadcast-related equipment exhibition the importance of contributions of or two and you find that you’ve got a BTS members who take the trouble very full plate. (And some of us are to prepare news stories and reports still recovering from the IBC Show for the magazine. It would be thin held back in September.) continued on page 2 From the President continued from page 1 can be found in this edition of the erywhere. Although television had I remember my parents watching newsletter. actually been around since the late the political conventions of 1952 and Two key factors led to the success of 1920’s, it did not really take off until the coronation of Queen Elizabeth at this Summit. The first was the willing- after World War II. My first recollec- Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. ness of the proponents of the various tion of broadcasting was via the radio, Later on I witnessed the historic 1960 differing television systems from around but that changed shortly thereafter, presidential debates, and sadly, the the word to come together and actually with the arrival of our first TV set in 1963 assassination of President Kenne- discuss global collaboration. The second 1952. Although initially we could only dy, and not long after that, the gunning was the tremendous effort by the host receive one channel, the TV quickly down of his brother, Bobby, and also organization the National Engineering became a necessity. It provided video Martin Luther King, Jr. Research Center of Digital Television, in the home with news and entertain- About the time I graduated from China along with the other founding ment with well know talent. It gave ac- college with my engineering degree, partners who on short notice were able cess, many cases in real time, to ma- television delivered real-time video of to put together an excellent program terial that had previously only been man’s first visit to the moon in 1969, and a very well managed conference available as pictures in newspapers or and in the 1970’s there was Sesame with many highly respected experts. magazine, or delayed newsreel footage Although this is just the first step, in a movie theater. continued on page 27 and probably the easiest one, it is a very promising start to preserv- ing a future for terrestrial television From the Editor continued from page 1 broadcasting. Most of you know from reading my indeed without such contributions. I’m itself, or maybe just a pat on the back editor’s columns during the past sev- keenly aware that most of us have “day to one of our contributing authors for a eral years that in my “day job” I have jobs” for funding such niceties as food, job well done. been heavily involved in the transition- housing, and clothing and I appreciate I’d like to move along now to an- ing of terrestrial television in the Unit- very much the time taken away from other topic, one that member Charlie ed States to digital. As I prepared for evening and weekend activities to pre- Rhodes has written about rather exten- my talk at FoBTV on “Broadcast Spec- pare the articles that fuel this publica- sively, and this is man-made interfer- trum Issues in North America,” I got tion. Please keep up the good work! ence to digital television signals. I’m to thinking about why I believe that And remember too, that even if you one of those 15 percent or so who terrestrial broadcast television is worth don’t have an article that you’d like rely solely on off-air TV reception at saving. to submit for publication, “letters to both my D.C. Beltway weekday home Today’s young adults and the com- the editor” are always welcomed too. and my country “getaway” place some puter industry have grown up togeth- Reader/member feedback is important 45 miles from the D.C. TV transmitter er. On the other hand, my life started in letting me know if I’m doing a good cluster. As the Beltway house is only about the time television was begin- job or not, or perhaps for flagging im- ning to make its way into homes ev- provements/changes in the Newsletter continued on page 20

Newsletter Deadlines The IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter (ISSN 1067-490X) is published quarterly by the Broadcast Technology Society of the Institute of Electrical and Elec- The BTS Newsletter welcomes contribu- tronics Engineers, Inc. Headquarters address: 3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor New York, tions from every member. Please for- NY 10016-5997. It is sent at a cost of $1.00 per year to each member of the Broadcast Technology Society and printed in USA. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY ward materials you would like included and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: IEEE Broad- to the editor at [email protected] Here cast Technology Society Newsletter, IEEE, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. are our deadlines for upcoming issues: © 2011 IEEE. Permission to copy without fee all or part of any material without a Issue Due Date copyright notice is granted, provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage and the title for publication and its date appear in Spring, 2012 20 Jan. 2012 each copy. To copy a material with a copyright notice requires special permission. Summer, 2012 04 May 2012 Please direct all inquires or requests to the IEEE Intellectual Property Rights Mana- Fall, 2012 20 July 2012 ger, IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Tel: 732 562 3966, Winter, 2012 07 Nov. 2012 Fax: 732 921 8062, EMAIL: [email protected].

2 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 Future of Television Summit Focuses on Global Standard by Bill Hayes BTS Vice President

SHANGHAI, CHINA During the past few years, the BTS, along with 10 other international organizations, has been working to develop a cooperative venture that we have named the Future of Broad- cast Television. The organization’s ori- gins come from the founding members who have recognized that terrestrial broadcasting can plan an important role in a globally connected society. However, in order to insure the participation of terrestrial broad- casting, there must be cooperation and harmonization within the core elements, so that connection to the consumer is maintained regardless of location. This is a daunting task when Bill Meintel, BTS president, spoke on broadcasting issues in North America. we consider that terrestrial broadcast- ing has developed in different ways using different standards throughout device useless outside of a particular South America, Asia, and the rest of the the world. As communications have location. developing world. The second session globally transition to digital, many of It was this vision that lead to the in- focused on the attributes of the next- the old analog standards have fallen augural Future of Broadcast Television generation terrestrial broadcast system. by the wayside, and as new digital Summit that was held Nov. 10-11, 2011 The third session examined the chal- standards are developed and refined, in Shanghai. The opening program lenges and opportunities presented by there is an opportunity to eliminate provided an overview of the current better spectrum use. The fourth ses- much of the incompatibility that ren- status of terrestrial television from the sion looked at the technologies on the ders a terrestrial DTV receiver capable perspective of Europe, North America, horizon and how they might be used

FoBTV Summit Nov. 10 opening ceremony.

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 3 organizations in working together as a team to ensure that as the world be- comes increasingly more connected and mobile, terrestrial broadcasting continues to be one of the fundamental tools used to reach audiences, wher- ever they may be. In recognition and of that commitment a joint declaration was read to the audience and signed by all 11 of the member organizations on Nov. 11, 2011 at 11:11:11 a.m. This document is presented in its entirety in the following pages of the Newsletter. The path that broadcast television will take in the future will not neces- sarily be an easy one. I think it is safe to say that there will be changes and surprises along the way. However, for Yiyan Wu, CRC, presented “Cloud Transmission: A Spectrum Reuse what I believe to be the first time in the Friendly Transmission System.” history of broadcasting, the organiza- tions that will be responsible for that to ensure that terrestrial broadcast- The FoBTV Summit attracted more future have come together and agreed ing reaches its full potential globally. than 200 attendees from all over the to cooperate in creating a global sys- The final session consisted of a panel world, and was considered to be a tem that won’t be restricted by tech- made up of many of the presenters tremendous success for such a first nology differences, incompatible stan- who fielded questions from the audi- event. The founding organizations dards, or political borders. Through ence about the future role of terrestrial have already begun working on the el- communications of this nature we are broadcasting, and how the dynamics of ements and details required to formal- able to gain a better understanding of the global environment will influence ize the organization. There is a tremen- each other, and through such an un- and change over time. dous challenge for all of the member derstanding come better relationships.

The Future of Broadcast Television Summit attracted more than 200 persons.

4 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011

Future of Broadcast Television Summit

Joint Declaration

November 11, 2011 FOBTV 2011, Shanghai

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 5

A Global Approach to the Future of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting

6 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011

FOBTV Shanghai Declaration

It has been nearly a century since the birth of broadcasting. Amid the tremendous changes and innovation taking place in communications, the broadcasting and television industry will evolve and continue to play a critical role in bringing information and entertainment to all: to the rich and the poor; to rural communities and city dwellers; and to viewers in their homes and on the move.

The attribute of wireless delivery of media content to an unlimited number of receivers makes terrestrial broadcasting a vital technology all over the world. Broadcasting is, in fact, the most spectrum-efficient wireless delivery means for popular real-time and file-based media content.

We, broadcasting and television practitioners from all over the world, are gathered in Shanghai today to plan the continued evolution of television broadcasting and, in some respects, a revolution.

From monochrome to colour TV, and from analogue to digital, television technology has undergone revolutionary changes. In the analogue age, colour television technology fragmented into three major systems (PAL, NTSC and SECAM, with many sub-variations). In the digital age, the splintering has continued across the globe with multiple, separately developed digital systems. While television has prospered, it has not been possible for the world to take full advantage of the convenience and economies of scale of a single broadcast standard.

Today, technological innovation may be able to break down many of the long-standing barriers that have prevented common systems. This would enable us to remove the gaps between the different television signal formats and transmission systems used around the world.

Digitization has opened the door for a broadcasting renaissance. We need to explore new ways of cooperation, seek the progressive unification of standards, and realize technology sharing so that the efficiency and convenience enabled by digitization will be realized − not reduced by system fragmentation.

The 21st Century is an era of integration of broadcasting, Internet, and communications, all of which have evolved in parallel. Consumers are calling for more convenient and user-friendly services. The development of digital technology opens the possibility of cooperation among all the different networks and transmission systems.

The world’s resources are limited, and we need to avoid unnecessary spectrum and resource consumption fueled by competition between different sectors or delivery platforms. We must seek the best balance among economic prosperity, technological advances and sustainable development, and we hope to explore the possibility of cross-sectoral,

3 www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 7

cross-border and cross-regional cooperation. Low power consumption, low-cost and environmentally-friendly technology and industrial development models should be our common goals.

Guided by these goals, we undertake our common initiative to:

Define the requirements of future terrestrial broadcast systems We recognize the critical importance of mobility in future broadcast systems and desire that mobile, handheld and portable devices be capable of working across borders and across different communications networks. We also recognize the benefits of deploying higher-resolution systems toward a closer representation of reality, and human friendly services for those who require special needs. Furthermore, the collaboration between broadcast and Internet content will play a vital role in providing attractive services. The broadcast industry is committed to developing necessary technologies to create and deliver new media and information services by taking advantage of future broadcast systems. We also know the critical role played by broadcasting in times of emergency.

Explore unified terrestrial broadcast standards We aim to promote cooperation among broadcasters, communications companies and manufacturers of broadcast equipment and all types of receiving devices. We recognize the potential of modern communications technology to fulfill the needs of a connected society. For widely demanded information and entertainment content, communities will continue to be served by terrestrial broadcasters. We seek to maximize proper and efficient use of spectrum resources, as well as exchanges and cooperation among communication systems and broadcasting on both a technological and business level. We support full exploration of the benefits of common tool sets and interface points in the development of new digital systems and standards that can be globally supported and eventually deployed worldwide. By fully exploiting the advantages of different technology systems, we aim to explore global standard unification and to achieve industrial convergence with technology integration.

Promote global technology sharing A future broadcast ecosystem, with collaboration among broadcasters, research institutes, and manufacturers, will foster new broadcast technological innovation. We seek the elimination of broadcasting technological gaps. We realize that advances in broadcasting technologies should benefit both developed and developing countries. Global technology sharing should be an integral part of the future broadcast system standardization.

We, the undersigned, pledge our support for this joint declaration and look forward to future collaboration to chart the future course of the television industry as a converged future that benefits viewers, broadcasters and manufacturers around the world.

8 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011

Mark S. Richer Anthony Caruso President, Director, New Broadcast Technology Department Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) CBC/Radio-Canada

Bernard Caron Phi lip Laven Vice President, Chairman, Communications Research Center (CRC) Digital Video Broadcast Project (DVB)

Ho-Jin Lee Lieven Vermaele Senior Vice President, Director, Technology & Development, Electronics and Telecommunications European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Research Institute (ETRI)

Fernando Bittencourt William Meintel, General Director of Engineering President, Globo TV Network IEEE Broadcast Technology Society

Kevin Gage Pingjian Xia Executive VP & Chief Technology Officer, President, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) National Engineering Research Center of Digital Television

Keiichi Kubota Director-General, John S. McCoskey NHK Science and Technology Chief Technology Officer, Research Laboratories Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Liliana Nakonechnyj President, SET-Brazilian Society of Television Engineering

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 9 Annual Broadcast Symposium Achieves Global Reach With Live Streaming By Paul Shulins, Director of Technical Operations Greater Media Boston Operations and BTS Symposium Co-Chair

ALEXANDRIA, VA. New IEEE BTS Initiative” by John Luff, the audio division at the FCC’s media The 61st annual IEEE Broadcast Tech- the day’s tutorial activities continued bureau, who provided his thoughts nology Society Symposium took place with Bob Surette chairing a session on several issues concerning today’s at the Westin Hotel here Oct. 19–21, and on some of the newest developments broadcasters. Doyle’s presentation attracted more than 140 paid registrants concerning HD radio. The afternoon’s sparked much interest and he fielded a from all over the world. The three-day papers covered topics on power level large number of questions at the con- event featured an almost continuous measurement, axillary data services for clusion of his speech. flow of informative, lively, and relevant HD radio, rule changes affecting HD Thursday afternoon’s session in- presentations on radio and television radio broadcasting, auxiliary services cluded papers on network distribu- engineering from some of the industry’s for HD radio data, and the business of tion and Mobile DTV and was chaired top leaders. More than 35 papers were HD radio. by James O’Neal. Topics included CBS presented, in addition to a full first-day Following the tutorial sessions, Television’s Pitch Blue real-time store tutorial program. A special feature of a Symposium welcoming reception and forward content delivery system, this year’s Symposium was live stream- held in the hotel’s Wright Room pro- the CBC’s newest program delivery ing of event activities via the Internet vided an opportunity for attendees to network, Mobile DTV conditional ac- to those unable to participate in person. unwind from the day’s activities and cess and digital rights management, Here’s a brief rundown of some of socialize a bit. Live background music advanced T-DMB transmission field the Symposium highlights. for the reception was provided by the trials, ATSC mobile/handheld cover- Wednesday, Oct. 19, was devoted always popular Da Vinci Strings. age map parameters, and ATSC ser- to tutorial sessions, with the morning Thursday Morning’s Session covered vice prediction modeling. block providing information about the radio engineering and RF infrastruc- The day’s activities ended with a relatively new topic of “Connected TV.” ture, and was chaired by Roz Clark reception held in the Westin’s Wright Rich Chernock chaired the session, and from Cox Radio. Papers presented cov- Room and sponsored by industry speakers included Skip Pizzi, who of- ered transmitter cooling, new data on manufacturers. fered “The U.S. Broadcast Perspective;” asymmetrical sideband broadcasting Friday’s program was all about John Simmons from Microsoft, who for HD radio, the Brazilian Association DTV implementation, with Charles spoke about “Emerging International of Broadcasting’s report on AM and Einolf chairing the morning sessions Standards for Internet Television;” and FM stations operating with IBOC, lin- which dealt with digital television, Scott Lincke from Yahoo!, whose pre- ear power amplifiers, and a report on and included a report from Brazil sentation was entitled “The Connected the TIA-222-G structural standards for providing an overview of the ISDB-T TV Landscape.” broadcast towers. selected for DTV transmission in that After a break for lunch, and a pre- The mid-day joint BTS/AFCCE lun- country. Other topics included single sentation on “Bridging the Gap—A cheon featured Peter Doyle, chief of frequency networks, resolving DTV

Lisa Weisser, Ingrid Donnelly and Alicia Zupeck Bill Meintel, BTS president; Bill Hayes, BTS vice president; Lanny Nass; provided support for this year’s Symposium. and Ralph Hogan were on hand to welcome Symposium attendees.

10 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 This year’s event was streamed live via the The FCC’s Peter Doyle drew a packed house at the Thursday joint Internet to those unable to attend in person. BTS/AFCCE luncheon.

Sessions covered a wide range of broadcast topics and were Evening receptions provided an opportunity for socializing always well attended. and relaxing after a full day of activities. interference issues, and an update on the National Broadband Plan by BTS President Bill Meintel. The Friday afternoon Awards Lun- cheon featured as its keynote speaker, Sterling Davis, who recently retired from Cox Media Group as engineer- ing vice president. Davis shared his thoughts on where our industry may be headed. The luncheon served as the backdrop for presentation of numerous awards, including special recognition to Kathy Colabaugh, who served as the BTS’s senior administrator for the past several years before moving into a position with the IEEE’s Robotics and Automation Society earlier this year. Symposium activities wrapped up late Friday afternoon with a session on the future of digital television chaired by former BTS president Bill Hayes. Pa- Sterling Davis provided the keynote pers were presented by some visionar- address at the Friday afternoon Bill Meintel gave an update on the ies in the field of DTV, including Mark Awards Luncheon. FCC’s National Broadband Plan.

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 11 Aitken, James Kutzner, Rich Cher- By all measures, this year’s nock, Sung Ik Park, and Heung event was a huge success, attract- Mook Kim. ing a near record crowd, offer- ing virtual attendance options, Worldwide Symposium attracting world class experts to Availability the sessions, and featuring more As mentioned, the 2011 Broadcast sponsors than ever before. Symposium was streamed world- This year’s Symposium program wide via Internet for the first time was co-chaired by David Layer, di- ever, and a lot of credit for making rector of advanced engineering at this happen is due Tom Gurley, the National Association of Broad- who led a team of five committee casters, and myself, and we will be members to make arrangements taking on this task again next year. for the Webcast. This new virtual Geoff Mendenhall (l) was this year’s recipient We’re both anxious to build on the component included an interactive of the Matti S. Siukola Memorial Award for the success of this year’s event and are component that allowed virtual best technical paper presented at last year’s already thinking about how to top attendees to interact with physical Symposium. Guy Bouchard made the award. it next fall. Your suggestions are attendees via computer, and to always welcome. even ask speakers questions in real attendees. Special thanks are also ex- If you would like further details time. In addition, the entire Sympo- tended to Mark Vasquez from IEEE TV, on the 61st BTS Symposium, please sium was recorded for free on-line and the folks at NewTek for making visit the BTS Website at www.ieee. access within the next year by all paid the virtual component possible. bts.org.

IBC2011 Draws Record Crowd by Mike Bennett, AdCom Member, IEEE, BTS Representative on the IBC Partnership Board

This year’s IBC Show spanned Sept. 8–11, and was again hosted by the RAI Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The IEEE Broadcast Technology Soci- ety is a partner/owner of this very large European convention. More than 50,000 people attended IBC2011, making it not only the big- gest IBC Show ever, but also generat- ing a worldwide buzz of news, views and business. This year’s event witnessed the launch of the IBC Leaders’ Summit, the expansion of the IBC Connected World and major keynote presentations from Amsterdam’s vast RAI Exhibition and Convention Center has hosted Facebook, Sony Corp., Virgin Media, the IBC Show since 1992. and Vodafone. In addition, there was a special appearance from James Camer- industry professionals visiting IBC this to recovery, and also that IBC contin- on and the awarding of the IBC Inter- year swelled attendance to a four per- ues to be relevant to everyone national Honor for Excellence citation cent increase over that at the 2010 involved in creation, management and to the BBC’s Sir David Attenborough. Show. Unlike some other trade shows, delivery of electronic media. IBC total attendance figures are based Record-Breaking on the number of people who actually Strength in Depth at the Attendance attended the show, not the total num- IBC Conference The official attendance tally for this ber of registrations. This very strong Leading industry figures provided year’s event was 50,462, making it the number is a clear indication that the many attention-getting presentations biggest IBC Show ever. The number of industry is robust and well on its way on a broad range of hot topics at this

12 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 year’s conference. Among these were Mainardo de Nardis, CEO of OMD Worldwide; Toby Syfret, chief analyst at Enders Analysis; Steve Hewlett, writer, broadcaster and media analyst; Nick Thexton, senior VP of research and development, and new initiatives at NDS; and Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive at the WPP Group, who pre- sented their views on “The Challenges for Advertiser Funded Broadcasting.” John Smith, CEO of BBC Worldwide; William H Roedy, former chairman and chief executive of MTV Networks In- ternational; and Luke Johnson, founder and chairman of Risk Capital Part- ners presented their collective insight on “The Future of Broadcasting.” Andrew Barron, COO of Virgin Me- dia; Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global; The IBC’s Partnership Village was a popular destination for conference and Thomas Wrede, VP of reception attendees, with representatives on hand from the BTS, SMPTE, the Royal Television Society, IABM and IET. systems for SES ASTRA, shared their views in the presentation “Cable and Satellite: Future Directions in a Hybrid World.” Joanna Shields, VP and manag- ing director of Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Facebook, made the pre- diction that “All TV will be social” in the IBC’s “Convention Keynote: Social Media.” Roberto Viola, secretary general at AGCOM; Richard Feasey, public policy director for Vodafone; and Gina Nieri, director of Mediaset, discussed the management of increasing wireless ser- vices in “Radio Spectrum Policy: Can Broadcast and Telecom Worlds Coop- erate for the Benefit of the Citizens?” Hiroshi Yoshioka, CEO and execu- tive deputy president at Sony Corp.; Neil Gaydon, CEO at Pace; Michael Bill Hayes, BTS vice president, and his wife Ellen provided information about the Comish, CEO of Blinkbox; and Romu- Broadcast Technology Society to many IBC Show visitors. lo C. Pontual, executive VP and chief CTO at DirecTV, discussed a core IBC hot topic in “Connected TV: Re-mak- harder still to pick out highlights. attendees to also view on the impres- ing the TV industry: the battle for the Some of these included the IBC Con- sive IBC Big Screen. home screen.” nected World; the IBC Certified Train- IBC prides itself on being more than The BTS also provided a tutorial, ing Programme; and the opportunity an exhibition and aims to add value to “Evolution and Convergence of TV to get hands-on experience with the everyone’s visit with all there is to dis- and the Internet,” which was chaired latest acquisition technology at the cover at the show. by Yiyan Wu. IBC Production Village. Director James For full details on what happened at Cameron shared an exclusive 18-min- IBC2011, please visit www.ibc.org, and Insight, Information ute preview of “Titanic,” which was don’t forget to add IBC2012 to your and Inspiration spectacularly converted into 3D. There diaries. This next Show will run Sept. At an event with so many show-stop- was also an equally astonishing 3D 8–13, 2012, and again will be held at pers it was hard to see everything and production of Cirque De Soleil for the RAI in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 13 London Calling…. by Mike Bennett, AdCom Member, IEEE, BTS Representative on the IBC Partnership Board

One of the events you may not have printed adjacent to “London Calling” in One last thing—each of the stu- been aware of at this year’s IBC this issue of the Newsletter to make dents has produced a short video on Show is the BTS sponsorship of two their conference experiences and im- what they saw and hoped to gain from students from Russia’s St. Petersburg pressions available to our members. being at IBC. These are both excellent University for Film and Television. (As you may be aware, the Broadcast and very different. I’m hoping that it This was organized through that Technology Society is a partner owner will be possible to provide access to school in the form of a student paper of the IBC Show.) these two videos for BTS members and competition. As part of the prize, the I have requested that the News- other via the IEEE BTS Web page. I’ll winning students would have their letter editor present these two pa- have more information about this in airline and hotel expenses in connec- pers with very minimal editing so my next Newsletter report, and hope tion with attendance at the show that they don’t lose their essential by the time that is ready for publica- paid, and would be given free entry message. Please bear in mind that tion there will be linkage to the videos to the conference. English is a second language for from these students. A requirement of our sponsorship these students, and also the dif- Also, please be sure to read my was that each student would have ficulty that most students or other IBC2011 wrap-up that appears on to produce an essay on what they persons in other European countries page 12 of this Newsletter. gained from being at IBC. The win- and /or the United States would have With Kind Regards, ners were Artem Ditkovskii and Daria in preparing a report in the Russian Mike Bennett Grebenyuk, and their essays are being language. [email protected]

Student Impressions of IBC 2011 By Artem Ditkovskii, Student, St. Petersburg University of Film and Television

I heard about IBC for the first time in companies for one week. It was an ture quality. Many external monitors, 2008 from my tutor who works in the optimal place for people [whose] aim viewfinders, rigs, quick changers were video systems department. She told us was to generate sales leads, raise their widely presented for visitors [consid- how students from our university profile and gather market knowledge eration]. The king of image stabiliza- could attend the largest exhibition of or [to] network with peers. IBC is the tion, Glidecam, presented new image broadcasting industry in Europe. This event for all who interested in creating, stabilization system for 3D cameras. In information came from ex-student producing and delivering media con- addition, they showed a huge variety who was a winner of the student com- tent in the real world. Modern broad- of their famous equipment, which has petition and visited Amsterdam. [How- casting systems, new ways of deliver- already become an important part of ever], it was unattainable for us all to ing content, new methods of device low- to mid-budget film production. attend the conference of such large connection are hot topics at IBC2011. Merlin, Zephyr and Blackbird also pre- scale at that time. So, a few years later My personal aim was investigate the sented original realizations of balance my supervisor advised me to take part evolution in video production [in con- [systems used] in Steadicams. in student conference and competi- nection with] DSLR cameras. This new Rising Stars [at the] conference in- tion, where the main prize was a ful- trend has had a high resonance all over cluded a seminar devoted to produc- ly-paid trip to Amsterdam. I was one the world and companies have begun tion media with DSLR cameras. Nowa- of the winners. It was an indescrib- to develop and manufacture devices days it is very popular among young able feeling. One of the tasks at the helping to use photo cameras like a directors to shoot films using DSLR conference was to draw up a report video camera—for example kits, rigs, cameras, as it’s a very cheap way to on [functions] that I would attend and follow-focus systems, Steadicams and achieve great picture. In narrow rooms visit at the exhibition. I clearly knew other [items]. More than 100 compa- or in similar situations where high mo- that I would be interested in IBC2011. nies working with DSLR cameras pre- bility is needed are ideal situations for IBC2011 was conducted in the sented their products at the exhibition. using DSLR cameras. RAI—the big exhibition center in Am- The American company, Zacuto, one of The IABM 2011 award ceremony sterdam. This biggest television and the famous companies producing such took place on Saturday evening. Com- media event in Europe gathered to- equipment demonstrated many devices panies, engineers and scientists were gether 50,000 visitors and over 1,300 for stabilization and control [of] pic- presented awards for the most valuable

14 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 achievements and inventions. [Awards year’s London Olympic Games will be went to] a new light, a high-speed transmitted in Super-HD. camera with real-time review—[the] Some 3D movies were presented on Hi-Motion II Ultra Slow Motion Camera the big screen. The first was “Trans- System from NAC Image Technology formers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon,” that can capture at more than 10 times and [the] second was “Titanic” in 3D. normal speed in full HD, software for James Cameron presented this remas- the Internet and Sony’s new monitor tered legend of cinematography in 3D. for color correction and picture qual- He said that all frames from start to the ity control. The final first-place went end were converted by his [own] hands to Sony Company. This was an event without using [any] automatic com- where I was honored to be near so puter settings. As a joke, James called [many] famous people. such movies 2.5D. Also, he showed the One of the latest solutions to solve short live performance captured from the problem of video signal stream Las Vegas’ Cirque du Soleil in the big quality is AVC Intra-stream lossless auditorium. coding. This is a new method of cod- Artem Ditkovskii My trip provided me with a lot [of ing based on MPEG-4 AVC, which information] for my further scientific provides the same quality as uncom- this famous software product [has] be- work and study. It was a great opportu- pressed video after coding/decoding come more specialized for work with nity to meet professionals and talk with process. [Such a] codec is used in a 3D and HD content by interface op- them, and made use of it. I saw many new Panasonic camera AG-HPX250EJ. timization and creation-ready presets. amazing things in the Future Zone: a Many companies demonstrated new Practice seminars with experienced six-camera real-time panorama, laser software products, versions, add-ons, and veteran producers and editors, [imaged] 3D, a 32-channel audio sys- plug-ins and other update setups for businessmen and engineers, [as well tem, [an] original 5D attraction with media content processing. The best as] Adobe’s programmers and workers smells and the possibility to touch updates were from Adobe and Nuke. were conducted at the Adobe stand at subjects in 3D space, [as well as an] Adobe presented new add-ons and the IBC2011 Exhibition. eye-control system for home TV and versions of own software. For example, The Super Hi-Vision [from] NHK other things. I tried [out] many types there was a new Photoshop [that] can was at the core of many discussions. of equipment for DSLR shooting, and it work with video frame-to-frame files Super-HD quality content was trans- was great to [get the chance to test it]. I and enable the addition of effects and mitted from London in real time. 4K saw innovations and future’s advanced filters to video. New Adobe Effect sup- format pictures were shown on the technologies in broadcasting. It was ports all popular special file formats of large screen. Video was encoded using [a] very special opportunity to [experi- other powerful editing and composing H.264 encoder with a bit-rate [of] 250 ence] all of these [things]. software systems such as Avid or Final Mbps. The goal is to achieve the same Great thanks IEEE, and especially to Cut. This add-on gives more freedom picture quality at 100 Mbps using High Mike Bennett, for [the] opportunity to to jump between editing systems. Also, Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). Next attend IBC 2011!

IBC 2011—Report on a Trip to the Convention By Daria Grebenyuk, Student, St. Petersburg University of Film and Television St. Petersburg, Russia

When I had been told that I would go Dynamic Range Imaging. I reached the Every company had a stand where to IBC 2011, I thought “Wow, it’s unbe- final stage, but had difficulties with the they could show their products. There lievable!” It was really amazing, English language, because prior to this were several parts: IBC Production because I had dreamed about it [for] I never talked in English only. I am Village, IBC Connected World, Future two years, and now I [was] one of four very grateful to the judges, for despite Zone and an Auditorium with a Big lucky students! It happened because I this, I won an invitation to IBC2011. Screen and Conference zone. I spent had taken part in the international con- IBC was located in the huge area whole week on Exhibition, there was ference and competition at my universi- at RAI. It was a great territory with 13 so many interesting, brand-new and ty with my scientific research on High halls, and more than 100 companies. unbelievable things!

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 15 The exhibition introduced me to ema theaters, I was too young to be new products from the most popular there, so on September 12 I got to see manufacturers like Canon, Panasonic, it for the first time on the big screen Sony, Samsung, and Adobe. We had with 7.1 audio. It was unbelievable! a chance to learn about products and After “Titanic” we saw two episodes production from experts. For me the from “Cirque du Soleil,” and I want most interesting stand was Adobe’s in to note that sometimes it seemed Hall 7. There were daily presentations that the dancers soared outside of devoted to their new software: Adobe the screen. And it was very detailed Photoshop CS5, Adobe Premier Pro video, practically without loss of de- CS 5.5, Adobe After Effects CS 5.5, and tails of movement. The last film was Adobe Final Cut. It is possible to edit “Flying Monsters 3D,” created by Sir video using Photoshop CS 5, and it is David Attenborough. The evening il- possible to easily gain 3D effects from lustrated that 3D technology can be 2D motion picture using After Effects especially useful, not only in sports, CS 5.5. Presentations were not dull; but in dance shows and concerts, in speakers tried to answer questions Daria Grebenyuk documentary films, and of course, in immediately and make their presen- feature films. I think that it’s a won- tations accessible for understanding IBC Big Screen—Auditorium. I was derful idea—to remake cult films in by all. So it was very inspiring and there for the 3D session “3D Live at 3D and show them on a cinema the- informative. the Big Screen: Movie and Programme ater’s big screen again. The latest hi-speed optics, DSLRs Makers Show How it Works in Real Only one thing was more inter- and integrated 3D camcorders were Time.” It was amazing watching high- esting than the new technology for demonstrated at the IBC Production quality 3D video on big screen. Ses- me—meeting people! At the IABM Village. Also there were a lot of ex- sion participant Steve Schklair told party I met some French students amples of Steadicam supports, with about technologies of making 3D by who had won an invitation to IBC attendees being able to try them in using a camera with two lenses. And like I did. We spent three days to- operation. As an added attraction, he showed a 3D video from the IBC gether talking about our countries, this hall [included the] IBC TV news Beach created by this camera, with cultures, professions and plans for studio. four guys playing volleyball. Also future. At the IBC party I [also] met The most unusual place was Fu- there were videos about different an Italian software developer and ture zone. There was a Super Hi- sport games, so spectators could be German producer. We talked about Vision auditorium where we could convinced that 3D has a great future their companies, and discussed new watch a demonstration with 22.2 au- in sport television. After the reports, technologies and possibilities. And dio channels on a big screen. It was there was a discussion on 3D technol- there were a lot of other great meet- a high-quality video presentation from ogies (for example, participants spoke ings with many different, talented, space—very detailed—of a football about 3D without glasses, because creative and interesting people. match, where everybody can see all this is inconvenient for people who In conclusion I want to say, that I’ll details, even faces of football players already wear glasses). never forget this trip, because it was and people behind them! The creators Next day I again was in the Au- first time that I saw so many talented, said that next year’s Olympic Games ditorium watching “Monday Night keen and successful people in one will be shown from London using 3D Showcase.” More than 500 people place, and so many brand new tech- this technology. I hope that in Russia were there, and one of the reasons nologies about which I didn’t know we’ll enjoy it too. And in the Future was to see James Cameron’s perfor- earlier. And certainly, I have found zone were some places exhibiting vir- mance. I was very glad to hear such new friends from different countries tual reality. In one of them you could great director. He spoke about the who have the same interests as me. watch through glasses three balls and future of the cinema and about the Many thanks to organizers for excel- use a needle to destroy them. In an- role that 3D is playing in it, and af- lent conditions, to developers for new other stand you could control a menu ter that we watched some episodes of achievements, and to Mike Bennett on computer by your eyes only. [the] 3D version of “Titanic.” In 1997 and Konstantin Glasman for helping And of course I couldn’t miss [the] when “Titanic” was shown in cin- me get there.

16 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 NAB 3DTV Tutorial Report By Bill Hayes, IEEE BTS Vice President

LAS VEGAS an understanding of the science At the 2011 NAB Show, I had the and technologies fundamental to opportunity to co-chair the very producing, distributing and dis- timely IEEE BTS Tutorial on 3D playing high quality 3D content. TV: “Content, Systems and Visual The critical area of understand- Perception.” There is a tremen- ing human visual perception was dous amount of research going on the topic of Dr. James Tam of the now on a global basis regarding Communications Research Cen- 3D, and specifically targeting de- ter Canada. His presentation ex- livery to homes. plained some of the key concepts The creation of cinema content in how human binocular vision in 3D is not a new phenomenon works. The images received by Dave Bancroft as there is a rich history of exam- our eyes take independent paths ples dating back to the 1920’s. 3D to our brain where they are fused cinema has had a number of revivals Animated features and films heavy into a single 3D image. The horizontal during the last century, including a flur- with computer-generated elements disparity between elements within the ry of features released in the early to have been the leaders in mainstream two images, coupled with the physio- mid-1950’s. However, by the late-1950’s 3D content, and the enormous success logical operation of our eyes (crossed/ the novelty or “wow factor” had worn of James Cameron’s “Avatar” in 2009 has uncrossed disparity, focus distance, off and the shortcomings of anaglyph- seemingly cemented the concept of 3D etc.) allows us to perceive the image based stereoscopic 3D caused the pub- permanently in the cinema landscape. and determine relationships of ele- lic to lose interest. What may make this revival of 3D ments in 3D space. Displaying 3D con- permanent is a relatively new condition tent on a 2D surface disassociates the 3D Re-Energized that exists with regard to digital tele- image disparity from the physiological Many in the film industry recognized vision displays in consumers’ homes. operation of the eye and great care has that there must be a better way to Some of these displays now have the to be taken in how this is done in order present 3D in theaters, but with little performance capabilities on par with to avoid eye strain, fatigue and discom- mainstream interest, research slowed that of movie theater projection. Televi- fort for the viewer. due to high costs and high risks. How- sion has always been more convenient Coding and transmission formats for ever, the concept didn’t die out entire- than going to a movie theater, but it 3D also present some interesting chal- ly, as cinematographers and movie never had comparable image quality lenges and this was the topic covered makers continued to produce 3D con- until recently. Whether the display is by Dr. Anthony Vetro of the Mitsubishi tent for specialized venues such as the traditional big screen in the family Electric Research Laboratory. He ob- IMAX theaters. Additionally, the use of room, or the high-resolution display on served that broadcasters face several polarized light or alternate projection a laptop or personal computer is not challenges when considering the distri- replaced the traditional red/green ana- so relevant, as the convenience fac- bution of 3D content. Capacity, wheth- glyphs, and this greatly improved the tor of home viewing is high and now er within the broadcast RF channel, or quality of experience for the audience. the quality of the experience is also within the infrastructure of the broad- These advances began to make high. Post-release sales of theatrical cast facility, is a prime concern. In the inroads in traditional cinemas, as the content have long been a significant United States, terrestrial broadcasters single large-scale theater has given source of revenue for film makers, and are required to provide an MPEG-2 way to smaller multiplex theaters. This given the interest in 3D coupled with stream of at least standard-definition has allowed has theater owners to the huge potential base of technology quality. Most are already providing convert a small percentage of their purchases, both the film making and high-definition content, and many in- facilities to high-ticket 3D projection display industries are highly motivated clude additional multicast streams as systems and specialized screens, while to invest in the research necessary to part of their overall service offering. still servicing their primary 2D audi- make 3D at home successful. Finding space to accommodate the ences. 3D productions ramped up as additional stereoscopic data requires more theater seats became available Production and Distribution compression technologies far in excess and the film producers and theater to the Home of MPEG-2’s capabilities. owners realized that they could charge The primary focus of the BTS tutorial One interesting solution to this prob- a premium for 3D viewing. at the 2011 NAB Show was to provide lem was the subject of the Electronics

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 17 and Telecommunications Research In- platforms are using a frame-compat- the image with slightly different hori- stitute’s Dr. Namho Hur, who exam- ible approach in which the two full- zontal and vertical disparities. When ined and explained the terrestrial 3D resolution images are anamorphicly viewed on a compatible display, the trial broadcasts now happening in Ko- combined (either horizontally or verti- image is presented in 3D without the rea. There, the stereoscopic broadcast cally), and transmitted via an existing need for special glasses. Since it is a consists of two completely indepen- channel. This method suffers though, matrix of lenses, it also offers a wider dent high-definition streams. The left- in that the resolution of the final im- field of view. This is future technol- eye stream is MPEG-2 encoded and age is halved in either the vertical or ogy that will require the development sent out as a normal HD broadcast. horizontal direction depending on the of both capture and display imagers The right-eye stream is encoded using how the images are combined, and with much higher pixel counts and AVC, and is multiplexed into the ATSC this detracts from the quality of the resolution than standard HD devices. transport stream. 3D-capable receiv- final 3D image. In turn, this will increase the capacity ers decode and synchronize both the Also important in the delivery chain requirement for transport of data, and left- and right-eye streams, and pro- is the consumer’s display, and Dave this should drive the need for more vide them to the appropriate inputs of Bancroft, an independent consultant, efficient encoding and compression a 3D-capable display. Legacy receivers presented his views on this aspect, technologies. decode only the left-eye stream as a stating that as screen resolution capa- Whether or not 3D for home view- traditional 2D high-definition program. bilities continue to grow, it is critical for ers becomes a common technology, The system delivers full high-definition the 3D content producers and distribu- or fades as the novelty wears off, re- resolution content within the space tors to understand and take advantage mains to be seen. Unlike any previous available in the RF channel. of the display’s capabilities. 3D renaissance, the technology within Making use of two separate full- Dr. Takayuki Ito shared some fu- the consumer’s home has reached a resolution streams is certainly one ture-looking research that is being point where the quality of experience way of distributing 3D content. A conducted by NHK on the use of is very close to that of the theater, and number of other methodologies are spatial imaging in which an array of that huge potential customer base may also possible, including use of a dif- micro-lenses overlays the image de- provide the impetus and funding nec- ference signal created from the full- vice (both at the record and display essary to allow development to get resolution left- and right-eye streams. ends of the chain) so what’s captured 3D past the novelty stage and into the Currently a number of distribution is a multitude of different views of main stream.

Chapter Reports:

The Newsletter is interested in report- must be sufficiently large for publica- lish all chapter reports received in a ing news from BTS chapters, both in tion (at least 250 KB; 1 MB preferred). timely fashion; however, due to space the United States and worldwide. Please do not embed photos within considerations and the date received, Reports submitted for publication Word documents. All persons visible some reports may have to be pub- should be addressed to BTSeditor@ in photos must be clearly identified. lished in future editions of the News- IEEE.org and must be in the form of a Reports must contain the name of letter. We reserve the right to edit Word attachment. Any accompanying their author and his or her position reports for clarity and to fit space photos should be sent as JPG files and within the chapter. We will try to pub- requirements.

Argentina BTS Chapter Plans Dinner and Transmitter Programs Submitted by Valentin Trainotti

The IEEE’s BTS Argentina is hosting A Dec. 7, 2011 chapter meeting is tems” being presented by Juan Carlos an end-of-year dinner for members on also scheduled, with a planned presen- Guidobono. Dec. 5, 2011 at the Hotel Las Naciones tation on “New Digital HDTV Trans- in Buenos Aires. mitter Efficiency and Reliability Sys-

18 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 Montreal Chapter Hosts Technical Session at CCBE Convention Submitted by Manijeh Khataie, chair, IEEE BTS, Montreal Chapter

Presenters Focus on DTV Transition Issues A recent highlight of Montreal BTS chapter activities was a special technical session on DTV transition issues that was presented on Sept. 16, 2011 in Bar- rie, Ontario. (The location, about 620 Km distant in an adjoining province, was initially a bit confusing for some members. However, it had been recom- mended by one of our chapter’s key sup- porters, Guy Bouchard, and proved to be an ideal location for the event.) I should explain that the BTS program was part Ma nijeh Khataie, (3rd from left) Montreal chapter chair appears with Skip Pizzi, of the activities at this year’s Central Tony Howard, Bijan Soleymani, Guy Bouchard, and Leon Urban, presenters in a Canada Broadcast Engineers (CCBE) special Central Canada Broadcast Engineers convention technical program that convention, which was held at the was hosted by the Montreal BTS chapter. Horseshoe Resort in Barrie, about 80 Km north of Toronto, on Sept. 15–18. (The CCBE is a member-driven org - anization, with its executive commit- tee composed of active members in the broadcast industry who volun- teer their time to provide information about the latest technologies. This year the organization was celebrating its 60th anniversary, with hundreds of engineers from central Canada getting together to discuss the latest activities in broadcast technologies and enjoying a bit of fun in Barrie.) After some discussion with Harrie Jones, the CCBE convention’s paper co-chair, we were allocated a two-hour After a long day we all enjoyed a grilled old-fashion barbeque meal. technical session slot on Sept. 16 at 3:45 p.m. Thanks to all the partici- • “ATSC Standard Enhancements,” by I want express the chapter’s appre- pants, speakers, and the CCBE, the Skip Pizzi, NAB director of Digital ciation, and offer special thanks, to the event proved to be a great success. Strategies NAB’s Skip Pizzi, who with very short The only difficulty that we encoun- • “Mobile Television,” by Bijan Soley- notice presented an interesting talk on tered in joining with the CCBE confer- mani of AMD an ATSC standard enhancement. He dis- ence was that it happened closely af- • “ATSC Emission Mask Measure- cussed both ATSC 2.0 and 3.0 and what ter the IBC, and it was difficult to find ments,” by Guy Bouchard of Radio they bring to the future of digital TV. speakers. Canada (CBC) Bijan Soleymani’s presentation on Fortunately, we were able to come mobile television was the subject of up with some good presentations, with Mr. Bouchard got the session start- special interest, as he brought along a topics and the speakers as follows: ed with a few words about IEEE BTS, demonstration model of a mobile-TV mentioning that in addition to pub- product from Quebec’s PSQ Technolo- • “PSIP Operation Issues,” by Leon lishing new R&D ideas, the roll of gies. (Soleyman was the key engineer in Urban of Triveni Digital, Inc. IEEE is to define and maintain new its design.) After the session, he turned • “Advances in Video Coding,” by standards that can be used within the on the equipment (which consisted of Tony Howard, Ericsson TV industry. a full DVB-H headend and low power

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 19 UHF transmitter) and demonstrated short to allow everyone to enjoy the rest Once again, I’d like to thank all of the service on two cellular phones of the evening’s activities. We’re plan- the speakers for their wonderful pre- equipped with the DVB-H option. Eight ning to have him give the long version sentations. I regret that there was not channels of video were transmitted, of his presentation on ATSC Emission enough time for extended presenta- with the attendees being able to make a Mask measurements in the near future. tions; however, I am planning to or- selection via a simple Electronic Service Peter Warth, CCBE’s vice president, ganize a similar technical session in Guide in the cell phones. presented some gifts to the speakers, Montreal with adequate time for all Guy Bouchard wrapped up the ses- and I also presented them with IEEE speakers to make their unabridged sion with his presentation, cutting it a bit certificates of appreciation. presentations.

Yiyan Wu Speaks at Seoul BTS Chapter Meeting ‘Cloud Transmission’ Topic in Distinguished Lecturer Program by Prof. Byeungwoo Jeon, senior member at Sungkyunkwan University, and chair of the Seoul IEEE BTS chapter

Dr. Yiyan Wu, IEEE BTS Distinguished Lecturer and IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting editor-in-chief, present- ed a technical seminar for the Seoul BTS chapter entitled “Cloud Transmis- sion: A New Spectrum-Reuse Friendly Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Trans- mission System.” The Nov. 7, 2011 presentation attracted BTS members, as well as attendees from business, research laboratories and academia. In his lecture, Dr. Wu explained Dr. Yiyan Wu (6th from left) poses with audience members after his Nov. 7 the concept of cloud transmission Distinguished Lecturer presentation in Seoul. and presented an overview on several technical issues concerning the effi- was a new and robust transmission ing, and that Dr. Wu’s presentation was cient use of RF spectrum with regard system for mobile digital broadcasting very beneficial in this regard. to broadcasting activities, with partic- and broadband multicasting services After the presentation and question ular emphasis on white space utiliza- for single frequency network operation and answer session, participants were tion issues. His remarks on the recent and spectrum reuse. afforded the opportunity to meet in- issues on spectrum squeezing, analog This was an interactive session, with formally with Dr. Wu and participate transmission switch-off in 700 MHz Dr. Wu fielding numerous questions in a photo session. bands, and spectrum reuse-friendly from those present for the lecture. Au- Special thanks are offered to Prof. techniques such as “cloud transmis- dience members stated that they were Yoonsik Choe, director of the Center for sion” for next-generation broadcasting eager to learn more about next-gener- Advanced DTV Broadcasting Technolo- draw much interest from the audience. ation broadcasting, spectrum issues, gy, and to Yonsei University for hosting He explained that cloud transmission and converged services in broadcast- this BTS Seoul chapter meeting.

From the Editor continued from page 2 about seven miles airline from the the good old analog days) be consid- head down to the basement to do some transmitters in northwest Washington, ered to be in a “fringe” area and re- work in my shop. It wasn’t long before I get by with a very unsophisticated quired a little more in the way of an- I was summoned back upstairs to wit- indoor antenna for pulling in both the tenna systems (I have separate V and ness some severe breakup (blocking new UHF and remaining VHF stations U antennas elevated about 25–30 feet and “stuttering”) in the picture that had and have not had any reception prob- above ground.) Reception there is good been crystal-clear when I left. I tried lems since the June 2009 DTV switcho- too—for the most part. Recently, my a couple of other channels and they ver took place. The country place—on, wife was watching a show that I had were rock solid. Had our local Chan- the other hand—would, I suppose (in little interest in and I excused myself to nel 7 somehow lost transmitter power?

20 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 I decided that it might be instructive to sion receiver. I suggested—strictly in the lution that exists in the low-band VHF measure signal levels at the TV set and interest of science—that he turn it off spectrum, so much so that it is no lon- hiked back down to the basement to or take it out of the room before we ger that valuable for television purpos- round up some test gear. Knowing that broke out the step ladder. Somewhat re- es anymore, especially with the move I probably wouldn’t be returning for a luctantly, he powered it down. Bingo! to 8-VSB transmission. while, I shut off the workshop lights. Perfect kick-off reception! (I’ve never And it’s not just the television When I arrived topside, Channel 7 was noticed any problems when using my broadcasters who are suffering from once again solid. What had changed? laptop around the TV receiver, but it’s man-made TVI—ask any AM broad- On a hunch, I trekked downstairs and not the same brand as my son’s.) caster about how effective their signals turned on the workshop lights again. Is there a lesson here? are in reaching into listening environ- Bingo! I was rewarded by my wife’s cry Yes—Mr. Rhodes was right on target ments anymore—even in vehicles far to undo whatever I had just done. To with his predictions about interference removed from power lines and com- make a long story short, I tracked the to DTV reception from sometimes un- puters. (My last three new cars have trouble down to a bad tube in one of suspected sources. (We all remember been equipped with AM/FM/satellite the fluorescent fixtures in the shop. It the good old analog days when TVI radios, but generate so much on-board made plenty of light and didn’t flicker, was blatant and instantly recognizable interference that many otherwise good but somehow was generating enough by picture tearing, horizontal lines, AM signals are drowned out.) RF at 175 MHz or so as to make off-air and/or noisy audio. Not so with digi- AM isn’t the only radio service to reception problematic. tal.) I wonder how many viewers have be affected either. Whether you love A couple of weeks later (Thanksgiv- given up on trying to watch off-air DTV or hate IBOC digital radio, you have to ing Day) my family was gathered around broadcasts, finally throwing in the tow- admit that man-made RFI has its effect the big screen to watch the annual Macy’s el and calling the local cable company on this sort of transmission too—one parade being carried on the D.C. NBC af- office to start a subscription. More than of the reasons for the continuing es- filiate, WRC-TV, which operates on a high a few I would imagine. Can we do any- calation of FM IBOC signal levels is to UHF frequency. Without any warning, thing about this? Well, yes and no. try and overcome indoor interference the otherwise beautiful HD images began One of the things that broadcasters sources in the 88 to 108 MHz region. to block up and freeze. This time it was could do would be to run an occasional Lax regulations and/or inadequate my wife who was to blame (actually it PSA advising the public about such things enforcement of these regulations have was the electric mixer she was using to and possibly providing a phone number allowed once useful spectrum to be- prepare part of the Thanksgiving meal). It to call for more information. (Are there come a cesspool of noise. was quite evident that the mixer was the any DTV help-desks still in operation I know that the bull is already out of culprit, as the kitchen is located just off after the June 2009 cut-over?) I will ad- the barn with all of the gazillions of light the family room and it was easy to cor- mit that this is a bit far-fetched, given the dimmers, personal computers, CFLs, relate mixer sounds with breakup. staffing level at most TV stations these DVD players, and other consumer de- A couple of days later, the blocky and days. However, if people at home can’t or vices in use, but these things wear out frozen images appeared again; this time won’t try to watch us off-air, that just adds after a while and are deactivated and just as the Alabama/LSU football game that much more fuel to the telecom argu- tossed in the trash. (When’s the last time was getting underway (The game was ment for shutting down TV broadcasting you called in a TV repairman?) When a must-see, as my son, who was home and deeding the spectrum over to wire- replacement time does come round, for the holiday, is in grad school at the less broadband data communications. wouldn’t it be worth spending a few University of Alabama.) His first reac- Something else that, in my humble extra pennies to purchase devices that tion was “let’s reorient the antenna,” as opinion, should have been in done years don’t spread invisible pollution? Yes, I some years earlier he’d been deeply in- ago on the federal government level is believe that we as a nation and society volved in my initial foray into 8-VSB re- very strictly limiting the amount of RF are already grossly over-regulated, but ception and knew how critical antenna interference that consumer devices can this is one area that somehow seems to aiming could be. Having lived through emit. Yes, I know the FCC’s “Part 15” is have escaped a lot of federal scrutiny— the two other recent challenges to DTV supposed to cover this, but practical ex- much to the detriment of broadcasters reception already described, I offered perience leads me to believe otherwise. and viewers/listeners alike. Maybe we that something else might be to blame. I would have to say—again based on my do need some strict RF interference We’d been watching a different station experience with several consumer devic- standards, or perhaps we should just prior to the big game with no problems, es that I’ve owned—no lab or real world go with the telecom flow and shut our and saw the trouble appear only when testing was done before such items were transmitters down and turn the spec- channels were changed at game time. given “rubber stamp” approval. trum back in to be auctioned. I should note that my son had brought Mr. Rhodes and others have been Your thoughts, please. his laptop computer home and was us- voicing (quite correctly) their concern James E. O’Neal ing it a few feet away from the televi- over the amount of man-made RF pol- [email protected]

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 21 Television in Los Angeles: W6XAO, the Don Lee System, and Harry Lubcke By Brian Belanger

Introduction ing the market in California for Cadil- future. Lubcke must have wowed them Thanks to the Don Lee Broadcasting lac dealerships. In 1926 Lee bought with the potential of this new medium System (DLBS) and a man named station KFRC in San Francisco, and in and talked them into committing sub- Harry Lubcke, electronic television 1927, station KHJ in Los Angeles.3 stantial funds to develop television came to Southern California long Soon the stations were connected by broadcasting in Southern California. before it became available in most telephone lines, sharing programs. (At other parts of the country. U.S. history the time, NBC was also just a fledg- Harry Lubcke books sometimes state that electronic ling radio network.) Harry Lubcke was born in 1905 and television began in 1939 at the died in 1991. He received a World’s Fair in New York B.S. in electrical engineering when David Sarnoff and NBC from the University of Cali- kicked off regular broadcast- fornia, and apparently was ing. Certainly that was a major keenly interested in radio milestone in the history of technology. While still in his television, but regular experi- teens, he wrote an article mental electronic television about new developments for broadcasts in the U.S. predat- Radio News, a major national ed the World’s Fair by roughly magazine at the time.5 a decade. (Regular electronic In an oral history inter- television broadcasts began in view,6 Lubcke described how Europe in the mid-1930s.) As he got his start in television: noted in this article, during “In 1928, I gave a talk at the the 1930s, a small number of Institute of Radio Engineers in viewers in Los Angeles had San Francisco. When I fin- access to electronic television. ished speaking, Philo Farn- Very little has been written sworth approached me and about television entrepreneur asked if I would be interested Lubcke and how during TV’s in working for him. While I infancy he promoted it in the was at Farnsworth, I heard PHOTO CREDITS EARLY TELEVISION MUSEUM. Los Angeles area. The various The W6XAO television test pattern Don Lee was interested in tele- books and Internet postings vision. He had a network of that mention Lubcke and the radio stations. I went to see Don Lee television activities sometimes By the late 1920s, stations in other him, and the next day I was hired.” disagree on details, which makes it dif- California towns, (e.g., Fresno, Stock- Other sources say it was 1929 when ficult to ensure that the story told here ton, and Sacramento) had joined the Lubcke began working in Farnsworth’s is completely accurate. The two best Don Lee Network, and it became a true laboratory.7 Perhaps it was late in 1928 overall sources of information on this regional radio network.4 In 1929 the when he gave the IRE talk, and early topic that I have found are: network affiliated with CBS, and in the in 1929 when he actually joined Farn- 1930s, with the Mutual Broadcasting sworth. In any case, Lubcke stayed with • The Internet posting of the Early System. Reference 2 says that by 1939 Farnsworth long enough to absorb his Television Museum.1 (Thanks to the Don Lee network had 31 affiliates, latest technology for electronic television. museum director Steve McVoy for four of which were directly owned Some sources say that it was Don granting permission to use images by the DLBS. In 1953 Don Lee Broad- Lee’s son Thomas who was actually the from that Website.) casting included nearly 50 stations in one pushing for television. Probably • Michael Ritchie’s book on early tele- California, Washington, Oregon, and both Don and Thomas Lee concluded vision, Please Stand By.2 Idaho. The network lasted until 1967. that television was worth pursuing When Don Lee died in 1934, his son when they hired Lubcke as director of The Don Lee Thomas took over management of the television in 1930. The DLBS had suffi- Broadcasting System radio empire. After the two Lees met cient funds to bankroll research efforts Before getting into radio in the 1920s, Harry Lubcke in 1930, they became to make it happen. By November 1930 Don Lee became wealthy by corner- convinced that television had a great Lubcke had a development program

22 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 under way, and by May 1931 images were being transmitted and received in the lab. Given the embryonic nature of camera technology at the time, live telecasting was not the emphasis; in- stead, the focus was on obtaining im- ages from movie film. Several different approaches to scanning movie film were tried.8

The Don Lee System Experiments with Both Mechanical and Electronic Television According to Joseph Udelson, the Don Lee Network experimented with both mechanical television and electronic television in the early 1930s.9 Station W6XS began broadcasting to scanning disc set owners in 1931 using a 2100 to 2200 kHz channel (80 lines, 20 frames per second).1 PHOTO CREDITS EARLY TELEVISION MUSEUM. By December 1931 Lubcke had re- Harry Lubcke adjusts the W6XAO television transmitter. ceived an experimental VHF station license (W6XAO), and was on the air station to show a full-length Hollywood still on the air.10 Most other television on a frequency of 44.5 MHz and a movie (The Crooked Circle2). promoters had fallen victim to those power of 150 watts. The station broad- At the time, getting receivers to early Depression years when busi- cast daily for an hour, Monday through synchronize properly with transmit- nesses of all types were filing for bank- Saturday. The scanning disc transmis- ters was one of the most difficult chal- ruptcy at an alarming rate. Also, the sions on W6XS were discontinued in lenges. Some homes in Southern Cali- technical barriers to a successful system the mid-1930s so that Lubcke could fornia had 50-Hz AC power but others remained daunting. The performance concentrate on all electronic television had 60-Hz power, so using the utility of both camera tubes and picture tubes and station W6XAO. power line to synchronize TV receivers left much to be desired, as did the per- By December 1932 Lubcke was was not an option. formance of vacuum tubes at the high broadcasting television signals every In May 1932 Lubcke actually dem- frequencies needed for television. Until night, with synchronized sound being onstrated television reception in an about 1938, when television cameras broadcast by Lee’s radio station KHJ. airplane flying over Southern Califor- for live broadcasts had been developed Lubcke built prototype TV receivers nia to prove that synchronization with- to a suitable level, W6XAO’s trans-mis- that apparently worked satisfactorily, out resort to utility power lines was sions were from scanned film only. using parts purchased from Southern feasible. In 1933 an earthquake struck Long California radio manufacturer Gilfil- Don McCroskey described Lubcke’s Beach, California. Very quickly W6XAO lan Brothers and picture tubes that he technical contributions thusly:6 obtained and aired film footage of purchased from RCA and Manfred von “His [Lubcke’s] main project [while the damage for its viewers. Today we Ardenne in Germany. Lubcke also built working for Farnsworth] was to develop take rapid TV coverage of disasters for some pictures tubes in his own lab. an all-electronic scanning generator granted, but in 1933, this must have He provided detailed set construction system. This was the first system using an been considered rather remarkable plans to anyone who requested them. electronic sawtooth generator producing by those Southern Californians lucky Lubcke estimated that in the early a linear scan, blanking to eliminate re- enough to own television receivers. 1930s, there were about 300 TV sets in the trace scan, and pulses to synchronize This may have been the first television Los Angeles area. Probably many were in both transmitter and receiver. The pat- coverage of a natural disaster. department stores, appliance stores, or ent (U.S. 2,059,219) also included a bars rather than in private homes. means for suppression of the DC compo- The Don Lee Television The station’s early programming con- nent (the black level) at the transmitter System is Upgraded sisted of Paramount shorts and Pathe and reestablishing at the receiver.” By 1936 Lubcke had upgraded his sys- newsreels, plus interviews with movie By 1933 W6XAO was one of the few tem to a 300-line, 24-frame-per-sec- stars. W6XAO probably was the first TV U.S. experimental television stations ond sequential system and was giving

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 23 RCA, General Electric, Gilfillan Broth- ers, and Stewart-Warner were said to be selling TV sets in Los Angeles, but it is doubtful that very many were sold, given the sparse programming avail- able at the time and the high prices of factory-built sets. During the mid-1930s, it seems like- ly that most of the people in Los An- geles who watched W6XAO built their own sets, since commercial receivers were not generally available. Radio News magazine for May 1937 featured a cover story titled “Build this “Don Lee” Television Receiver.14 It said, “Here is the first chance presented to the televi- sion experimenter and amateur to build a really modern cathode-ray television receiver from a carefully tested and au- thorized design and from plans that are complete, so that the builder can make one and know that it is actually work- able.” The article described the 14-tube receiver in detail and provided hints for successful construction and opera- tion. The set used a 5-inch CRT, type 905. The back cover of that Radio News issue featured an ad from Allied Radio offering to provide all the parts needed to build the television receiver. The same article mentioned that the W6XAO transmitter was located at 7th and Bixel Streets in downtown Los Angeles and operated at 45 MHz. Pro- grams were broadcast according to the following schedule: Monday – 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday – 10 to 11 a.m. The May 1937 Radio News and Short Wave Radio magazine featured a cover story on constructing your own “Don Lee” television receiver. Wednesday – 11 a.m. to Noon Thursday – Noon to 1 p.m. Friday – 1 to 2 p.m. public demonstrations of the new worked for Farnsworth, and presum- Saturday – 2 to 3 p.m. “high-definition” television.11 (Yes, in ably when Lubcke left Farnsworth, he Monday through 1933, 300-line TV was actually called obtained a license from him to use the Saturday − 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. “high-definition television.”) By then technology for the Don Lee System. Video power was 1 kW; audio the broadcasts included both audio RCA had been striving to own all key power, 150 W and video (from scanned film) in television patents rather than purchase W6XAO may have created the first what was then called channel 1 (44 to licenses, so it must have been painful soap opera shown on electronic tele- 50 MHz, with the video carrier cen- for that company to admit that it need- vision when in April 1938, it began a tered at 45 MHz and the sound at ed Lubcke’s technology. 52-episode serial drama called “Vine 49.75 MHz.). When the industry adopted the Ra- Street.” In 1939 the station offered a In 1938 RCA found it necessary to dio Manufacturers Association (RMA) charades game show.2 purchase patents from Farnsworth in recommendation of 441 lines in 1939, the area of synchronization.12 Appar- W6XAO had to shut down briefly to W6XAO in the 1940s ently at least some of these inventions reconfigure its transmitting equipment, Around 1940 a new transmitter site for had been made by Lubcke while he returning to the air in November 1939.13 W6XAO was built in the Hollywood

24 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 Hills atop a hill that Thomas Lee Harry Lubcke was one of the founders Development Center early in his career. named “Mt. Lee.” The station broad- of the Society of Television Engineers.16 He serves on the board of directors of cast on channel 2 from that site until In 1949–50 he served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club the early 1950s. the National Academy of Television Arts and is co-editor of Radio Age, the On New Year’s Day 1940, W6XAO and Sciences. He was the person who club’s newsletter. He is also the editor of broadcast the Rose Bowl Parade live, came up with the name “Emmy” for the Dials and Channels, the newsletter of with iconoscope cameras purchased academy’s top award. (Supposedly, it the Radio & Television Museum. Dr. from RCA. By May of that year the sta- derived from the nickname for the im- Belanger also holds an extra class ama- tion had another setback because the age orthicon camera tube.) teur radio operator’s license. FCC had just issued Order Number Sadly, Lubcke died with little or 67, reconfiguring FM radio channels. no public recognition, and his papers References W6XAO had to shut down its transmit- were thrown out. What a loss! [1] http://www.earlytelevision.org/w6xao.html. ter again and move to a new frequency. [2] Michael Ritchie, Please Stand By: A Prehis- By August 1940 W6XAO had increased Acknowledgment tory of Television, (Woodstock, NY: The Over- its resolution to 525 lines and was on This article originally appeared in the look Press, 1994). the air 14½ hours per week. The station Sept. 2007 issue of Radio & Television [3] http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/donlee.html. claimed that there were approximately Museum News (now Dials and Chan- [4] Christopher Sterling and John Kittross, Stay 500 television sets in the LA area that nels: the Journal of the Radio & Tele- Tuned, 2nd Ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, could receive its broadcasts.15 Live re- vision Museum). It is reprinted here 1990), p. 156. mote broadcasts of special events were with the permission of that publication [5] Harry Lubcke, “Radio Telephone Devel- offered to viewers, such as boxing and the author. For more information, opment in the West,” Radio News, February matches and auto races. please visit www.radiohistory.org.) 1922, p. 702. Also in 1940, the RMA established a [6] Jeff Kisseloff, The Box: An Oral History of committee, called the National Televi- About the Author Television, 1920 –1961, (New York: Viking, sion Standards Committee (NTSC). The Brian Belanger is the volunteer execu- 1995), p. 145. goal was to create standards that the tive director and curator of the Radio & [7] http://www.tech-notes.tv/Biographies/Harry% entire television industry would em- Television Museum in Bowie, Mary- 20L/harry_lubcke_page.htm. brace. The first meeting was held in land. Prior to his retirement in 2000 [8] Albert Abramson, The History of Television, July. The Don Lee Broadcasting System from the National Institute of Standards 1990 to 1941 (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Com- participated in these meetings. and Technology, he held several senior pany, 1987), p. 180–181. In 1941 W6XAO got some serious management positions there, including [9] Joseph Udelson, The Great Television competition when Paramount Pictures Deputy Director of the Advanced Tech- Race (University, Alabama: Univ. of Alabama began station W6XYZ, which later nology Program. He was a Commerce Press, 1982), p. 76. morphed into station KTLA. Actual- Department Science and Technology [10] Abramson, p. 194. ly, Michael Ritchie notes that prior to Fellow in 1983 and a recipient of [11] Ibid, p. 230. WWII Los Angeles had five other ex- Bronze and Silver medals from the [12] Ibid, p. 248. perimental TV stations in addition to Commerce Department. He is an electri- [13] Ibid, p. 254. W6XAO. cal engineer, with a bachelor’s degree [14] Don Lee Television Staff, “Build this Don In the late 1940s W6XAO switched from Caltech and a Ph.D. from the Uni- Lee Television Receiver,” Radio News, May from experimental status to a com- versity of Southern California, Dr. 1937, p. 649. mercial TV station, with the call letters Belanger was also a research engineer [15] Abramson, p. 262. KTSL-TV (for Thomas S. Lee’s initials). at the General Electric Research and [16] http://www.ste-ca.org/content.php?id=102.

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 25 Nominate a Colleague for IEEE Fellow, Class of 2013 The March 1, 2012 Deadline is Rapidly Approaching

IEEE Fellow is a distinction reserved Before Submitting an IEEE holds the correct member grade, for select IEEE members whose Fellow Nomination Form that he/she is in good standing, or extraordinary accomplishments in any As a nominator, you initiate the process has met the minimum requirement of the IEEE fields of interest are to nominate a colleague who has made for membership years. All forms deemed fitting of this prestigious outstanding contributions to the are checked thoroughly and candi- grade elevation. advancement or application of engineer- dates that do not meet the require- Election to IEEE Fellow grade is one ing, science and technology. The first ments will be rejected. The actual of the highest honors that can be be- thing is to fill out a nomination form; date that the nominee joined IEEE stowed upon an individual by the Insti- however, completing the form is not an versus the years of service noted tute. Only one tenth of one percent of easy task. You will need to check and on the IEEE membership cards the total IEEE voting membership—ex- see if the nominee meets all the require- will be checked; system validation cluding students and associates—may ments, then assemble the names of the counts by date the individual be elected each year. individuals who will be supporting your joined the organization. Nominations for the IEEE Fellows nomination, and then explain why the (4) Pay attention to the spelling of Class of 2013 are now being accepted. nominee’s contributions are worthy of the nominee’s name: Many times Nominate a colleague, co-worker or this honor. This requires some amount nominees’ names are misspelled friend whose career and body of work of effort, so allow plenty of time to do it and/or the first and last name you consider eligible for elevation to right. To avoid mistakes, use the follow- transposed. Pay special attention the IEEE Fellow Grade. Online applica- ing checklist prior to submitting your to international names with special tion is available, as are all the forms nominations: characters and/or names that are that may be needed. The deadline hyphenated. This can cause prob- for accepting nominations is March 1, (1) Meet the deadline: All forms lems later on in the nomination 2012. (nomination, reference, endorse- process. Our system validates the Whatever their careers, candidates ment) must be received no later nominee’s name against the IEEE must have made an outstanding con- than March 1. When preparing membership database. tribution to the electrical and electron- your nomination, be sure to allow (5) Check references eligibility: Ref- ics engineering profession. Candidates adequate time for references and erences must be either IEEE Fellows from any field, including academia, endorsers to complete their forms. or IEEE Life Fellows in good stand- government, and industry, may be Waiting until the last minute is not ing, with an exception being made nominated if they meet the following a good idea. for Region 9 (Refer to the nomina- requirements at the time the nomina- (2) Make sure your nomination tion instructions for an explana- tion is submitted: forms are current: Unfortunate- tion). In addition, verify that your ly, nominations submitted on old references do not currently serve on • The candidate must be an IEEE forms will not be accepted. We boards or committees that would Senior Member strongly encourage you to use the make them ineligible to support the • The candidate must have complet- online nomination process to nomination. You are strongly ed five years of service in any IEEE avoid this problem. Doing so encouraged to solicit the maximum grade (IEEE affiliate membership guarantees that all the forms of eight references rather than five. does not apply) (nomination, reference, endorse- This strengthens the chance of ful- • The candidate’s membership dues ments) are current. filling the reference requirement in must be paid in full. (3) Make sure the nominee is eligi- the event that some references are ble for nomination: The nomi- disqualified. Any person is eligible to serve as a nee must be an IEEE Senior (6) Listing endorsers on the nomi- nominator, with the following expec- Member or IEEE Life Senior Mem- nation form: When entering the tations: members of the IEEE board of ber in good standing with dues name of an endorser, input the last directors, members of the IEEE Fellow current, and someone who has name, first name and e-mail committee, IEEE technical society/ been an IEEE member for five address in the appropriate fields. If council Fellow evaluating committees years or more preceding Jan. 1 of you are entering the name of a (only if a nomination will be reviewed the year of proposed elevation. society, corporation, chapter or by their committee), or IEEE staff. Don’t assume that your colleague region, input the information in the

26 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 “organization name” field and leave (8) Nominees that are self-em ployed remember to hit the printable the “first name” field blank, then or retired: Do not enter anything version button and print a copy enter the e-mail address for the in the “organization’s name” field. of the completed nomination contact issuing the endorsement. (9) Proposed Citation: This should form for your records. (7) Entering e-mail addresses: always begin with the word “for”; Input only a single e-mail address e.g. for contributions to…; for the To nominate a Senior or Life Senior for references and/or endorsers. development of…. Member for IEEE Fellow, please visit Entering multiple e-mail addresses (10) Printable version: Prior to sub- the Fellow Website at http://www.ieee. causes system errors. mitting the nomination form, org/fellows.

From the President continued from page 2

Street for my kids. I could go on and along the way prosperity allowed many are watching and this is available on about the countless news, entertain- households the ability to pay for the via terrestrial television broadcasts. ment shows and sporting events I have convenience of not having to deal with (4) As I mentioned above, terrestrial seen over the years. The best part was an antenna, as well as being able to ac- television has evolved over the that we could get it wirelessly in our cess more content. In addition, some years to provide more service than home for FREE, in exchange for watch- television service providers were able to ever before with greatly improved ing periodic sales pitches for various strike deals to share revenue with the technical quality. products. Not a bad deal, considering cable or satellite providers. This led to (5) Broadcasters have a vast amount of that in most cases it would be impos- an entire generation thinking that tele- expertise in determining what con- sible to be there in person for many of vision is only available for purchase tent their television customers want, these events, or what the cost would from cable or satellite providers. while broadband providers have be to attend movies or much more ex- So why should we save terrestrial essentially no experi ence in that pensive live shows with top entertain- broadcasting? Why not turn the spec- area. ers. Also along the way, we moved into trum over to the broadband providers? (6) The FoBTV initiative and the digital television with high-resolution There are several very good reasons: ideas that were presented at the widescreen and surround sound. FoBTV Summit show great prom- Terrestrial television has been a big (1) The argument that the broadband ise for significant improvement in part of people’s lives for more than half providers need a large amount of the spectrum efficiency for terres- a century, and it still has an important new spectrum is driven by the trial television, as well as the abili- part to play as we go forward. Today demand for video; however, deliv- ty to deliver television to a wide in the Unites States, it is estimated that ery of video in the one-to-one variety of devices both fined and on average only about 15 percent of methodology of broadband is on-the-go. the households view off-air delivered extremely wasteful of valuable television, although this figure can be spectrum. Whereas, broadcasting Terrestrial television has served as high as 40 or 50 percent, depend- is extremely efficient in that add- us well and deserves an opportunity ing on the specific area of the country ing new customers in the area of a to once again reinvent itself to serve and program offerings available. The broadcast transmitter requires no the changing needs of its customers. It low average percentage is due to the additional spectrum. would be a huge mistake to abandon increased availability of cable delivery, (2) With the advent of digital, televi- the vast knowledge that broadcasters and to a lesser extent, satellite service. sion stations are no longer limited have and turn over all video delivery to This proliferation of these alternative to a single program stream. There- those with little experience and a very means of delivery came about for sever- fore, a great deal of what is pro- inefficient delivery methodology. al reasons. Initially it was to fill in gaps vided by cable or satellite service As society president, I welcome in terrestrial coverage, such as in moun- is, or could be, available wirelessly your input about this and other issues tain valleys far from TV transmitter sites. from terrestrial television. affecting BTS. Later on it was to fill a gap in program (3) Local news and network television Bill Meintel offerings since analog television was programming still dominate what BTS President limited to a single program stream. Also households in the United States [email protected]

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 27 Letters to the Editor

The IEEE Broadcast Technology spondence will be read and acknowl- received for clarity and to fit space Society Newsletter welcomes corre- edged; however, due to space limi tations requirements. The Newsletter assumes spondence from its readers regarding there is no guarantee that every letter no responsibility for any statements articles published in the Newsletter or will be published. Please limit your made by its correspondents. E-mail other subject matter that may be of comments to no more than 600 words. comments should be addressed to interest to BTS membership. All corre- We reserve the right to edit letters [email protected].

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28 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 The IBBT-WiCa-UGent (Wireless & Cable) group will be organizing a Workshop on The Future of Broadcasting at the medieval congress centre Het Pand, a former dominican convent in the city centre of Ghent, Belgium.

([SHUWVLQWKHÀHOGRIEURDGFDVWLQJfrom all over the world, will be brought together to give their views on the future of broadcasting: st 1 IEEE BTS GOLD 3DEOR$QJXHLUD 839(+86SDLQ  Challenges in Planning Mobile Broadcast Networks -RKQ&RVPDV %UXQHO8QLYHUVLW\8.  Future of Broadcasting and the Future Internet +XJR*DXGHULV 'RPLQLTXH/LHY\QV 1RUNULQJ%HOJLXP  WORKSHOP Local Event Broadcasting :LOOLDP7+D\HV ,RZD3XEOLF7HOHYLVLRQ86$  Future of Broadcast Television: North America 3HWHU0RVV %%&8.  ON THE New Technical Developments in DVB-T2 and DVB-NGH *DEULHO0LUR0XQWHDQ 'XEOLQ&LW\8QLYHUVLW\,UHODQG  Using Adaptive Solutions in the Context of Multimedia Broadcasting (LVXNH1DNDVX 1+.-DSDQ  FUTURE OF Future of Broadcast Television - Super Hi-Vision: A Future TV System Conveying an Enhanced Sense of Reality and Presence %R5RQJ &5&&DQDGD  Error Correction Codes for Next Generation Spectrum Green Mobile DTV Systems /LHYHQ9HUPDHOH (%86ZLW]HUODQG  BROADCASTING Future of Broadcast Television: Europe 'DYLG:RRG (%86ZLW]HUODQG  6 - 7 MARCH 2012 3DTV and UHDTV: Battle of the Giants? HET PAND Moreover, a marvelous VRFLDOHYHQW gives you a chance to meet GHENT with broadcast engineers from around the world. A guided round BELGIUM trip on the canals in the historic city centre, followed by a dinner, is planned.

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www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 29 From the Beginning

In 1913, Proceedings of the IEEE covered numerous key events:

Now you have the unique „ Edwin H. Armstrong, the “father of FM radio,” opportunity to discover patented his regenerative receiver, making 95 years of groundbreaking possible long-range radio reception articles via IEEE Xplore® „ William David Coolidge invented the modern X-ray tube, making possible safe and convenient Every issue is available diagnostic X-rays online, back to the very

fi rst: Volume 1, Issue 1, „ AT&T began installing Lee De Forest’s Audion, the January 1913. fi rst triode electron tube, in networks to boost voice signals as they crossed the United States TO SUBSCRIBE „ The fi rst issue of Proceedings of the IRE began to Call: +1 800 678 4333 chronicle these events or +1 732 981 0060 Fax: +1 732 981 9667 Proceedings of the IEEE contributors are a “Who’s Email: [email protected] Who” of 20th century innovators, from Armstrong www.ieee.org/proceedings to Zworykin. Follow the ideas of Guglielmo Marconi, Lee De Forest, Grace Hopper, Claude Shannon, and John Mauchly in their own words, and feel the excitement of the greatest burst of technological accomplishment in the history of the planet.

30 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter Fall 2011 IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Organization IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Administrative Committee

Society Officers )mretraey3rofpihsrebmemybdetcele(egraL-ta-srebmeMeettimmoCevitartsinimdA President: William Meintel 2009-2011 2010-2012 2011-2013 Vice-President: William T. Hayes Robert W. Denny Jr Richard Friedel Ben Dawson Treasurer: E. Lanny Nass Stephen D. Dukes Shuji Hirakawa David Layer Secretary: Thomas Silliman Joseph Giardina Robert H. Plummer Wayne Luplow Senior Past President: Thomas M. Gurley Michael Simon Valentin Trainotti Bill Miller Junior Past President: William T. Hayes Robert Surette S Merrill Weiss Jian Song

Standing Committees and Representatives Advanced Television Systems Committee on Communications IBC Representatives Standards Committee (ATSC) Policy (CCP) Board: Michael Bennett RF Standards - Greg Best Yiyan Wu Charles W. Einolf Jr. Council: Richard Friedel AV Standards – Vacant Awards Distinguished Lecturer Chair Strategic Planning PACE Guy Bouchard Rich Chernock Pablo Angueira Vacant 2011 Broadband Multimedia Education Chair Technical Activities Symposium Chair Ralph R. Hogan Jr. Membership Chair Edmund A. Williams Albert Hueberger Ralph R. Hogan Jr. James Fang GOLD Committee Chair Wout Joseph Newsletter Editor United States Telecommunications 2011 Broadcast Symposium James E. O’Neal Training Institute (USTTI) David Layer Historian Gerald Berman Paul Shulins James E. O’Neal Publications Chair Charles W. Einolf Jr. IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting BroadcastAsia Representative Nominations Editor Yiyan Wu William T. Hayes Publicity Yiyan Wu Vacant Committee on Man and Radiation Eric Wandel Women in Engineering (WIE) Christine Di Lapi

Angueira, Pablo Denny, Robert Hirakawa, Shuji Plummer, Robert Weiss, S. Merrill Bilbao Engineering College Dallas, TX Toshiba Corporation Consulting Engineer Merrill Weiss Group LLC Bilbao, Spain [email protected] Tokyo, Japan Seattle, WA Metuchen, NJ [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dukes, Stephen Berman, Gerald A. Stanwood, WA Hogan, Ralph R. Shulins Paul Williams, Edmund A. Silver Spring, MD [email protected] Rio Salado College Greater Media [email protected] Tempe, AZ Boston, MA Consulting Engineer Einolf, Charles [email protected] [email protected] The Villages, FL Best, Greg Consulting Engineer [email protected] Mitchellville, MD Greg Best Consulting, Inc. Hueberger Albert Silliman, Thomas [email protected] Kansas City, MO Fraunhofer-Project Electronics Research, Inc. Wu, Yiyan [email protected] Fang, James Ilmenau, Germany Chandler, IN Communications Research Ctr. Consulting Engineer [email protected] [email protected] Station H, Ottawa, Ontario Bennett, Michael Wakefield, MA Canada [email protected] [email protected] Joseph, Wout Simon, Michael [email protected] Ghent University Rohde & Schwarz, Inc. Bouchard, Guy Friedel, Richard Gent, Belgium Columbia, MD CBC Radio Publications Administrator Fox Broadcasting [email protected] [email protected] Montreal, Canada Jennifer Barbato Los Angeles, CA schwarz.com [email protected] [email protected] Broadcast Technology Society 445 Hoes Lane. Meintel, William Surette, Robert Chernock, Rich Giardina, Joseph Piscataway, NJ USA 08854 Meintel, Sgrignoli & Wallace Shively Labs Triveni Digital DSI RF Systems, Inc. tel: 732 562 3905 Warrentown, VA Bridgeton, ME Princeton, NJ Somerset, NJ [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cozad, Kerry Gurley, Thomas M. Nass, E. Lanny Trainotti, Valentin P.O. Box 949 Consulting Engineer CBS Corporation University of Buenos Aires Raymond, ME 04071 Rocky Mount, NC Washington, DC Buenos Aires, Argentina [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Di Lapi, Christine Hayes, William T. O’Neal, James E. Wandel, Eric R., P.E. The MITRE Corporation Iowa Public Television Alexandria, VA Wavepoint Research, Inc. McLean, VA Johnston, IA [email protected] Newburgh, IN 47630 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

www.ieee.org/bts IEEE Broadcast Technology Society Newsletter 31 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane P.O. Box 1331 Piscataway, NJ 08854-1331

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