[opendtv] FCC on post-transition cable system obligations

FCC 07-71:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-71A1.pdf

shows that the FCC is proposing exactly what I figured they should
allow. There is no substitute for common sense.

The manifestation of common sense in this instance is that to serve
their existing analog cable customers, cable companies should be allowed
to either provide a non-degraded digital signal to the customer
premises, and perform D/A conversion there, or they can also perform
that D/A conversion at the head end and transmit these signals over an
analog tier over through their network.

Note how, in the FCC's collective mind, "material degradation" has no
impact at all on the cable companies' options in how they deliver their
content to ensure "viewability." I didn't see any evidence of obsession
on this issue.

From the intro paragraphs:

"3. First, we remind industry of our 2001 decision regarding material
degradation: A broadcast signal delivered in HDTV [high-definition
television] to a cable system must be carried by that system in HDTV.5
In addition, we seek comment on exactly what constitutes material
degradation.

"4. Furthermore, we address the statutory requirement that cable
operators must make the signal transmitted by a broadcaster electing
mandatory carriage viewable by all of their subscribers, and seek
comment on how cable operators can implement this requirement after the
end of analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009. Specifically, we
propose that cable operators must comply with this 'viewability'
provision and ensure that cable subscribers with analog television sets
are able to continue to view all must-carry stations after the end of
the DTV transition by either: (1) carrying the digital signal in analog
format, or (2) carrying the signal only in digital format, provided that
all subscribers have the necessary equipment to view the broadcast
content. In the absence of such a requirement, analog cable subscribers
(currently about 50% of all cable subscribers, or approximately 32
million house holds) would no longer be able to view commercial
must-carry stations or non-commercial stations after February 17, 2009.
We believe such an outcome would adversely impact the DTV transition and
would unduly burden millions of consumers.

"5. In interpreting both of these statutory provisions, we are mindful
of the need to minimize the burden imposed upon consumers by the end of
analog broadcasting in order to facilitate the successful and timely
conclusion of the DTV transition. The prohibition against material
degradation ensures that cable subscribers who invest in a HDTV are not
denied the ability to view broadcast signals transmitted in this
improved format. The requirement that cable operators make must-carry
stations viewable by all cable subscribers ensures that analog cable
subscribers, who today are able to view all of their broadcast stations,
do not lose access to those stations as a result of the switch to
digital-only broadcasting."

On the subject of "material degradation," the FCC is seeking comment on
how to measure this. Because just going on bit rate wouldn't take into
account use of "null bits" by a broadcaster (e.g. if sending the stream
as CBR rather than VBR), or compression algorithm being used.

Bert
 
 
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