Summary

ATSC Chairman Robert K. Graves declares the ATSC/VSB transmission system debate settled following January 2001 actions by the NAB, MSTV, and FCC. He cites improving VSB receiver performance, falling DTV product prices, and growing broadcast content as reasons for optimism about U.S. DTV adoption and international uptake of the ATSC standard.

Source document circa 2001 preserved as-is

Statement of Robert K. Graves, Chairman,
regarding Recent FCC and Industry Actions on
Digital Television Standards


January 19, 2001

"The decisions this week by the NAB and MSTV and by the FCC put an end to
the debate surrounding the ATSC/VSB transmission system used for terrestrial
DTV broadcasts in the U.S. With the transmission system debate behind us,
with the impressive array of DTV and HDTV products now available at ever
lower prices, and with the increasing amount of compelling DTV content
becoming available from broadcasters, the outlook for DTV services in the
U.S. is bright. And we expect this week's actions by the broadcast industry
and the FCC to enhance the prospects for adoption of the ATSC Digital
Television Standard in other countries."

"Significant improvements have already been made in the performance of VSB
receivers, and further improvements are in the pipeline from a variety of
manufacturers. Moreover, work is under way within the ATSC to further
enhance the ATSC/VSB standard by adding more robust transmission modes that
address emerging DTV applications, and we expect to issue a Request for
Proposals for these enhancements shortly. We invite interested parties in
all segments of the industry to join us in the effort to continue to enhance
the ATSC DTV Standard."

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