Problem is, BOTH sides are confused. Neither one makes convincing arguments.
It is legitimate for people to be concerned, if the government is forcing them
to shell out dollars, for something they don't think they need. Last time
around, the FCC had a good reason for insisting on DTV, because they needed
that 700 MHz spectrum for cellular service. This time, there is no legitimate
excuse like that. So it's perfectly reasonable for people to wonder why the
government is getting in bed with certain special interests.
The other point is that darned few of these exciting new ideas bandied about
require a totally incompatible new standard. Immersive sound can be broadcast
alongside the current Dolby digital sound, even starting tomorrow, with minimal
extra bandwidth (in case anyone can make effective use of it at home, which is
doubtful). Yeah, 4K would require more room, but no problem transmitting 4K and
H.265 compression, over ATSC 1.0, alongside the existing streams. And there is
no problem at all providing interactive content and video on demand either.
None. I use TV VOD and interactive content every day, and have for years,
without having to beg for a change to ATSC 1.0. The real problem is that
today's FCC seems oblivious to these facts. The real problem is that they can
be wowed so easily.
In short, you have a digital scheme in place. Use it. Expand its feature set,
as you would do with any other digital standard.
And yes, the FCC is also unaware that a change in the OTA TV standard does not
mean that everyone must buy a new TV set. That too is incomprehensible, but no
more incomprehensible than the first issue.
BTW, it should be interesting to people that 5G wireless is looking to
so-called "non-orthogonal" modulation standards, one being FBMC, as these rely
heavily on equalizers. 5G is looking into this to eliminate the wasteful guard
interval of OFDM. So you know, the wind blows one way, and then another way. I
think if people were really interested in achieving more robustness with ATSC
1.0, more can be done, without necessarily creating an incompatible standard.
Bert
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/pai-pans-atsc-30-framework-critics/170032
Nov 10, 2017 11:48 AM ET
Pai Pans ATSC 3.0 Framework Critics
Says they want to strangle new tech in cradle
By John Eggerton
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has staked out a "lead, follow, or get out of the way"
position on new technology that is clearly driving his regulatory view,
including of critics of the FCC's proposals promoting next gen TV and migrating
to fiber nets.
That came in a speech at the Reason Media Awards in New York, according to a
copy of his prepared text.
"Whenever a technological innovation creates uncertainty, some will always have
the knee-jerk reaction to presume it's bad and demand that we do whatever's
necessary to maintain the status quo. Strangle it with a study. Call for a
commission. Bemoan those supposedly left behind. Stipulate absolute
certainty. Regulate new services with the paradigms of old," he told his
audience. "But we should be wary of that temptation."
That wariness extends to those who have criticized the FCC's proposal for
rolling out the voluntary adoption of a next gen ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard,
he suggested. Those critics include computer companies, consumer advocates, and
some cable operators who wanted the FCC to restrict how broadcasters could
leverage those new signals in retrans negotiations for current channels, as
well as Democratic Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who is also concerned those
negotiations might boost cable prices for consumers.
The FCC will vote next week on a framework for that rollout, which Pai points
out "could let broadcasters offer much better service in various ways, from 4K
video to immersive audio to advanced emergency alerts to better accessibility
options for Americans with disabilities."
As to the "opponents" of that innovation, he said: "They dwell on the
challenges inherent in any technological transition instead of embracing the
benefits that innovation will bring. And they want to impose extensive
government regulation that could strangle Next Gen TV in its infancy. To be
sure, these opponents inherit a long tradition going all the way back to the
late 19th century, when many denounced the development of the automobile. But
this tradition is rooted in fear and opportunism, not freedom and opportunity."
He also included detractors of his proposal, also being voted next week, to
speed the migration from copper to fiber nets. No one is saying that should not
happen, but some of the "detractors" want to make sure support for legacy
services is not abandoned in that transition.
Pai said of those detractors that "They refuse to let go of the past and stoke
fears about the future. They also complain, ironically, that we don't have
enough Internet access or more competition-precisely what we'd get by ridding
the rust from our regulations."
Pai told his audience he was "amused" that many who reject both proposals call
themselves progressives. "What's progressive about standing in the way of
progress?"
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