DTV Standards Update - Jerry Whitaker

An update of ATSC Standards, the SMPTE BXF Standard and the DTV Performance Measurement Standard. As the broadcast industry approaches the end of analog transmissions on February 17, 2009, proper implementation of key ATSC standards becomes more important than ever. This talk will provide an overview of PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol), with an emphasis on how stations can do it correctly. Along these lines, the role of PMCP (Programming Metadata Communications Protocol) in getting PSIP right will be outlined. With the backdrop of the end of analog broadcasting, ATSC has launched a number of new initiatives intended to take the broadcast industry into a new era of service to the public. Among the initiatives to be discussed are: (1) ATSC-M/H, an end-to-end standard for mobile and handheld DTV transmission. (2) ATSC NRT, a complete solution for non-real-time delivery of new services to consumers. (3) ATSC ITV, a field trial of the ACAP (Advanced Common Application Platform) standard for interactive television. All of these service are being designed to fit within the existing DTV system so that consumer receivers will continue to enjoy full functionality, including HDTV.