multicasting
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LG proposes an update to ATSC for non-real-time content
Broadcasters are always looking for ways to make better use of their allotted spectrum and since even the highest quality HD signals use a variable bit rate, there are always some bits that go to waste. Up until now broadcasters have used multicasting to put those extra bits to work, but since each channel has a minimum bitrate, this tends to lower the maximum bit rate of the primary HD feed -- which usually causes some very blocky HD. At NAB this week, LG was demonstrating new tech that could allow broadcasters to use those extra bits to send high quality (3D even) non-real-time programming -- of course the TV or set-top would need some disk space available to store the programming until you are ready to watch it -- kind of like the old Moviebeam service worked, but obviously a digital version. LG hopes this will make it into ATSC 2.0 in the next few years and we do too as this concept has lots of bandwidth potential. You see because while the big game on Sunday afternoon might require the full 19.3 Mbps, most other programming uses half that. So in other words, if a channel doesn't multicast, they are probably sending you about 553 Gigabytes of null bits a week. Show full PR text LG Electronics Demonstrates World's First ATSC Non-Real-Time 3D TV Broadcast Spare broadband capacity utilized to cache 3D programming for more home entertainment options LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics is paving the way for next-generation digital television (DTV) broadcast standards and advancing its leadership in 3D television with the first public demonstration of Non-Real-Time (NRT) technologies contemplated in ATSC 2.0, a new activity of the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC). The world's first broadcast of NRT 3D TV takes place at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters convention which runs through April 15 in Las Vegas. LG's NRT technology takes advantage of unused bandwidth in broadband digital TV transmissions. While viewers are watching live ATSC DTV broadcasts, the NRT function can simultaneously cache other broadcasts in the background onto hard drives or USB flash drives so the content can be viewed at a later time. LG has successfully tested the ATSC-compatible technology in Korea with SBS, one of the country's premier terrestrial broadcasters. "LG is at the forefront of developing this technology for digital broadcasting," said Dr. Woo Paik, president and chief technology officer, LG Electronics Inc. "NRT 3D broadcast is a prime example of our leadership in 3D TV, and it fits very well with LG's efforts in the developments associated with the newest ATSC technologies." The demonstration at the NAB show, conducted in cooperation with SBS, is built around prototype LG NRT- and 3D-capable HDTVs to record and replay 3D ATSC programming stored on an external USB drive. The experimental broadcast showcases the capabilities of emerging ATSC 2.0 technologies, expected to be the next enhancement in the ATSC family of standards, perhaps as early as 2011 or 2012. LG expects NRT technology to have enormous commercial potential with broadcasters and content providers taking full advantage of the flexibility of ATSC broadcasting to deliver additional services such as Internet radio and video-on-demand (VOD). For consumers who have already bought or plan to purchase LG 3D HDTVs, the company plans to offer a software upgrade so they can take full advantage of additional content through the NRT and 3D ATSC services when they become commercially available in the years ahead. Also at the NAB show, LG Electronics is demonstrating how Internet connectivity related to ATSC 2.0 will help enhance the DTV viewing experience. With a hybrid terrestrial transmission and IP (Internet-Protocol) service, Korean broadcaster KBS and LG will showcase enriched content for viewers and exciting applications for broadcasters. The demonstration will highlight features on prototype LG broadband TVs, including an advanced electronic service guide, VOD capability, and clip services.
Phoenix's KPHO multicasting NCAA Men's Tournament over-the-air
Granted, many CBS affiliates -- Raleigh's WRAL and Indianapolis' WISH, just to name a couple -- have been multicasting the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament OTA for years now, but after seeing a breakdown of the schedule over at KPHO, we felt it prudent to remind sports fanatics that busting out the antenna may not be such a bad idea tomorrow. Phoenix -- which just had seven HD channels flipped on by Cox -- is one area in which the local CBS affiliate is multicasting every remaining March Madness game on its array of digital OTA channels, and five other carriers in the heart of Arizona are also providing ways to see every matchup. Granted, we doubt each of these will be seen everywhere in high-def, but feel free to check with your local CBS affiliate to see if you'll be left out of any of the Madness.[Thanks, Steven]
Recent survey shows broadcasters are into multicasting
Multicasting is a bad word around here, and even if you don't know what it means, we'd bet that you've seen it before. You know, your kicking back watching your favorite team and just when the action really gets goin', your beautiful HD picture turns into big ugly blocks as all the players move towards the ball. At that point all the expensive equipment at the stadium and your entire investment in your HDTV is all for naught, as your local affiliate decided it'd rather provide a useless 24 hour weather channel than deliver you the big game, sans blocks. We've all seen it happen and the beauty of the situation is usually the cable co' or satellite provider gets the blame instead of good 'ol News Channel 8. If you're one of the lucky few who doesn't know what this is like, according to a survey of broadcasters there's a good chance that you will, as 55 percent of those broadcasters surveyed said it had plans to multicast. The same survey indicated that only 66 percent planned to upgrade its facility so it could actually generate some HD content -- rather than just pass on the network feed. Unfortunately no one surveys us because no one cares, and the only thing we can do in protest is to not watch the useless channel -- like we need another 24 hour weather channel.
Ambit Broadband's Channel Bonding cable modem does 144Mbps / 30Mbps
Questions surrounding cable's ability to keep up with the big boys have been circulating for what feels like ages, but an intriguing new product from the labs of Ambit Broadband has some fairly substantial numbers to go along with it. The firm's Channel Bonding cable model will be available exclusively to subscribers of Hanaro, and by partnering with Netwave, the device will enable "triple play service" consisting of VoIP, IPTV, and high-speed internet. More interesting, however, is the reported maximum speeds that this thing can handle, as it boasts the "capability to bond three downstream channels to enable a maximum 144Mbps downstream and up to 30Mbps upstream." The modem also supports the usual interfaces such as gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0, but it supposedly comes pre-ready for DOCSIS 3.0 and IPv6 -- you know, the protocols used to shatter the Internet2 transmission record. While it may all sound a bit sensational at the moment, the truth shall be unveiled when Ambit / Netwave delivers 150,000 of said modems to Hanaro "during Q2" of this year.
NAB scolds cable companies for downconverting HD locals
We've certainly seen the head honchos give the cable companies a piece of their mind before, but this time the carriers are receiving a fairly stiff scolding care of the National Association of Broadcasters. David Rehr made sure to make every moment of his speech segment count, as he ripped cable providers for "downconverting" the signals of local channels in order to boost the bandwidth available to "their own high-definition signals." Mr. Rehr even went so far as to call the process "broadcast discrimination," and we can only presume that certain providers -- such as Time Warner, who has ties to HBO and Comcast, which is strongly linked to Versus / Golf Channel -- are the targets of recent battles. Unsurprisingly, anonymous cable services have reportedly denied the claims of delusion, but how do the actual end-users see it? Let us know folks: is your cable company giving preferential treatment to channels it has vested interest in?[Via HiDefster]
NAB speaks out against downconverting
The National Association of Broadcasters has joined the Big Four in petitioning Congress to stop a bill that would include provisions allowing cable television providers the right to downconvert HDTV broadcasts to DTV. Between this new article and a note on TV Predictions, we were also able to better understand what all the fuss is about. If you're as confused as I was, the point of contention here are "must-carry" laws, that would require cable companies to carry multiple HDTV streams that the local affiliates broadcast. The cable companies say this would use up their valuable bandwidth, while the affiliates fear that cable companies could refuse to carry their high definition broadcast unless the affiliates paid them to.That still seems to be a longshot, as we all know the most desirable HD programming is on the network stations, if cable companies limited that then why would their subscribers pay extra for HD? Additionally, if the reason I can't get HGTV-HD is because there are three ABC affiliates in my area, that would really suck. Of course in some areas cable is all there is and if they refused to carry an HD Super Bowl or other event without payment, customers would be stuck with HDTVs and no HD. Worse yet, they are still trying to force Broadcast Flag legislation through that could prevent you from recording high-def broadcasts. All this government talk makes me want to turn to C-SPAN, why aren't they in 720p yet?Read - Broadcasting & CableRead - TV Predictions
