COFDM vs. 8-VSB Modulation Debate: FCC Settles on 8-VSB for US DTV

2001

Mentioned: Robert Graves, Dermot Nolan, Dale Cripps, Frank Eory, Nat Ostroff, David J. Elrich, Bob Utne, Mark E. Hyman +10 more

Summary

The FCC issued its Report and Order on January 19, 2001, settling the long-running COFDM vs. 8-VSB modulation debate by confirming 8-VSB as the U.S. DTV transmission standard. The decision drew responses from Zenith, Sinclair Broadcast Group, NAB, MSTV, and international observers who had questioned 8-VSB's real-world reception performance.

Last Updated Saturday, January 20, 2001

Just In

IT'S OVER!

THE MODULATION IS SETTLED ON 8-VSB
NO MORE CONTEST IN USA

FCC

1/19/2001
REPORT AND ORDER
AND
FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING
Adopted: January 18, 2001 Released: January 19, 2001

Review of the Commissions
Rules and Policies
Affecting the Conversion
To Digital Television
MM Docket No. 00-39 (PDF)

FCC PRESS RELEASE ON
DTV REVIEW - 1/19/2001

Statement of Robert Graves, Chairman of the ATSC 1/19/2001

FCC GRANTS MUST CARRY STATUS TO DIGITAL-ONLY TV STATION

8VSB/COFDM Comparison Report

Resolution of the MSTV Board Of Directors and the
NAB Television Board of Januray 15, 2001

Press Releases On FCC Actions

(Related articles & critiques)

USA Today
ZENITH HAILS BROADCAST INDUSTRY DECISION
TO STAY THE COURSE ON DIGITAL TELEVISION STANDARD

Sinclair Reponds Asking for Phase II

Sinclair States Deficiency In Phase I

THE MSTV/NAB DTV TEST AFTERMATH:
ANY FUTURE FOR US TERRESTRIAL BROADCASTING?--
By Dermot Nolan

NAB/MSTV DTV TESTS:BYE BYE OTA TV SOON
By Dermot Nolan

EE Times Article

Can the FCC Fix the Transition
To Digital TV? Please Stay Tuned-Wall Street Journal

From UK Digital TV Group

OTHER HEADLINES

Latvia Goes DVB-T

FEATURE ARTICLES TODAY....

BRAZILIAN ABERT/SET STUDY GROUP FINALIZES THE TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE THREE DIGITAL TELEVISION SYSTEMS

ATSC Ad Hoc Group on Broadcaster Requirements --Draft Report -- 8 May 2000

ALBERT/SET TEST RESULTS IN ENGLISH

These are the results that challenged the 8VSB.

ATSC RESPONSE TO ALBERT/SET

FCC COMMENCES PERIODIC REVIEW OF DIGITAL TELEVISION CONVERSION. Commentsdue May 17; Replies due June 16. by NPRM. Action by: the Commission.
Adopted: March 6, 2000. Dkt No.: MM- 00-39. (FCC No. 00-83) News Media Contact: David Fiske (202) 418-0500. MMB Contact: Gordon Godfrey at (202) 418-2190 or Mania Baghdadi at (202) 418-2120.

10/9/2000

Exclusive Interview with Nat Ostroff, Sinclair Broadcast Group

JAPANESE HDTV INDUSTRY CHOOSES CODFM
Modulation standard is at center of US HDTV controversy
By David J. Elrich

A COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC, STRATEGIC AND TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS by Dermot Nolan

Bob Utne, Member of ATSC

BROADCASTERS OFFER EXCUSES IN EFFORT TO DELAY DTV TRANSITION, SAYS CEA

India Choses DvB-T

"The FCC's review of the DTV conversion appears to be a step in the right direction in addressing the problems of DTV reception using the 8-VSB transmission standard as highlighted by Sinclair last year. We believe a thorough review of 8-VSB shortfalls and deficiencies is a critical first step toward improving the DTV standard and in jump-starting the anemic adoption of DTV receivers. We look forward to working with the Commission in resolving this matter."

Mark E. Hyman
VP, Corporate Relations
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
410.568.1565 (Direct)
410.568.1555 (Fax)

DTV: Real World Channels Are Rayleighian

See Summary of FCC Action Taken On Sinclair Petition

IMPORTANT INTERVIEW WITh GLENN REITMEIER OF SARNOFF RESEARCH CENTER

HDTV NEWSLIST MAILING
ON COFDM Vs. 8-VSB

Contributors...

References and Articles

An Open Letter by Dale Cripps

Sinclair Update August 10, 1999

August 25, 1999-Chips Ahoy

A serious controversy has

broken out over the

validity of the 8-VSB

transmission scheme

adopted by the FCC.

This page contains links

to the comments made

by those involved with

making some very

decisive decisions

in the near future.

"We [have] to base our decision,
not on claims, but on performance."
ATSC Chairman Bob Graves
MediaWeek, p 50, Nov 8, 1999

"We are not advocating that 8VSB be abolished. If broadcasters see fit in their business to use it for "maximum bits" to fixed locations, they may do so with 8VSB if they so wish. As well, with other operating modes of COFDM they can distribute bits at HIGHER rates than ATSC 19.4 Mb/s if they so desire!

Choice!
Allow broadcasters to run their business as they see fit with the limitations being one of not exceeding defined interference criteria. "Free"over-the-air broadcasting."

Mark A. Aitken
Advanced Technology Group
____________________

Sinclair Broadcast Group
2000 West 41st Street
Baltimore, MD 21211-1420
Business TEL: (410) 467-5005 x3125