Japanese HDTV Industry Chooses COFDM Modulation Standard
By David J. Elrich · 2000
Mentioned:
Yoshiaki Kushiki
Summary
Japan's ARIB standards body selected COFDM modulation over 8-VSB for terrestrial DTV broadcasting, citing the country's mountainous terrain as a key factor. Panasonic's Yoshiaki Kushiki announced the decision at CEATEC 2000, lending weight to U.S. arguments by Sinclair Broadcast Group that 8-VSB performs poorly in challenging reception environments.
Source documentcirca 2000preserved as-is
Last Updated Wednesday, October 18, 2000
JAPANESE HDTV INDUSTRY CHOOSES CODFM Modulation standard is at center of US HDTV controversy
10/9/2000
By David J. Elrich
MAKUHARI, JAPAN, October 9, 2000 -- There has been a war going on in the U.S. television industry over the modulation standard chosen as part of the American Television Standards Committee (ATSC) digital television (DTV) specification. But a recent announcement suggests that the Japanese industry has steered clear of this quagmire as it moves toward terrestrial DTV broadcasting in 2003.
The ATSC originally settled on 8-VSB technology for terrestrial U.S. DTV broadcasts. Some industry players, led by Sinclair Broadcast Group, have claimed for months that 8-VSB does not provide adequate performance in congested areas. They have agitated in favor of reconsideration of the standard, and the incorporation of CODFM modulation into the ATSC standard. After months of contentious debate, the FCC agreed to form a task force to examine these issues.
Panasonic's Director of Multimedia R&D, Yoshiaki Kushiki, revealed that the Association of Radio and Industrial Businesses (ARIB) has opted to use the COFDM tuning system rather than 8-VSB. His announcement came during a press conference at the CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) show, held here last week.Mr. Kushiki said that COFDM was chosen in Japan because of the mountainous landscape. That tends to lend credence to claims by some U.S. broadcasters that 8-VSB will not function well in areas where the terrain makes for difficult reception.
etown.com asked Mr. Kushike if ARIB's decision would have any impact on the U.S. He said that his company was working on better equalizers for American tuners in collaboration with the ATSC. They were currently under evaluation, and he could give no time frame for availability other than "soon."
Stay tuned to etown.com for additional developments in the 8-VSB vs. CODFM controversy, as well as other details of the troubled, halting U.S. transition to DTV and high-definition television.
