[opendtv] Re: News: Reps. Barton, Stearns Offer Alternative DTV Bill

  • From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 11:20:39 -0500

Craig Birkmaier wrote:

> If HD is included in the mix the number of SD channels (or
> their quality) is significantly reduced. You are well aware
> of this based on all of your posts regarding the issues that
> the UK is facing relative to adding HD to the Freeview mix.

Again, with HD in the mix, I now get 29 channels (30 reported after the
last channel scan, but we must have lost one multicast along the way --
oh yeah, it's Mark Aitken's fault, on CW54). Granted, not all stations
transmit an HD stream. The PAX station and the fun independent station
only transmit SD streams (respectively 4 and 5 streams). *However*, to
balance that out, most of the main network stations either transmit just
one stream, or maybe two. Only PBS and these other two I just mentioned
are using their spectrum efficiently. So there's plenty of growth
possible.

Besides which, 8T-VSB is relatively high in spectrum efficiency. Given
that stations in the US are separated into markets, and that many
markets are adjacent with no discontinuity in coverage possible between
them, there is not a whole lot better you can do. Even DVB-T2 would not
provide higher spectral efficiency, at least not while staying *within
the FCC planning factors* that apply here. When DVB-T2 is tuned to
higher spectral efficiency than 8T-VSB, it also requires higher power
density. I showed you this already. And it still has a higher peak to
average ratio, that also conspires against it in some ways. There is
simply no free lunch.

> The only way to attain the spectral efficiency necessary to
> deliver the number of channels I am talking abut would be to
> move to a national service like the UK (which ain't gonna
> happen), or to move to a transmission infrastructure with
> improved spectral efficiency (i.e. lower power that does not
> radiate into adjacent markets).

First off, there's nothing in the UK system that differs substantially
from the one here. I'm speaking in terms of RF spectrum usage. They also
have to achieve continuous coverage (with multiple translators), or they
rely of Freesat. Even with national service. They rely on lower power,
but many more towers. Essentially the same scheme, scaled down. Ditto
with Italy and France.

> Your situation is both unique and illustrative of why you are
> wrong. You are receiving duplicated broadcasts from two
> markets that are so close together that they cannot prevent
> you from receiving both from their high powered big sticks.

At the very most, I get THREE programs that are duplicated, and mostly
in prime time. Because those 29 channels I'm talking about come with my
current antenna setup, which does not receive all of the Baltimore
stations. So no, there is not much duplication at all now. Below, is a
list of the programs, so you can see (a) how many stations do not
multicast, or not enough, and (b) just what the Baltimore content really
is.

Also, remember that broadcasters can transmit whatever they want on
their multicast channels. For example, EVEN during prime time, the Fox
affiliate in Baltimore transmits a multicast channel that our local Fox
station does not provide. And the ABC affiliate here similarly transmits
multicasts not available in Baltimore.

The content is in fact varied, and it could be far more so, if
broadcasters made it happen.

Bert

-----------------------------
4-1 Wash NBC
4-2
5-1 Wash Fox
7-1 Wash ABC
7-2
7-3
9-1 Wash CBS
9-2
13-1 Balt CBS
14-1 Wash Univision
20-1 Wash MNT
26-1 Wash PBS
26-2
26-3
26-4
30-1 Wash Independent
30-2
30-3
30-4
30-5
32-1 Wash Howard U PBS
45-1 Balt Fox
45-2
50-1 Wash CW
54-1 Balt CW
66-1 Wash PAX
66-2
66-3
66-4

Total: 29

My contention being, there's loads of potential here, and there's no
"cheating" with lots of Baltimore stations, either. Add multicasts to
local stations 4, 5, 9, 14, 20, 32, and 50, and you can very easily
attain 40 program channels.
 
 
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