ATSC Update: Jerry Whitaker

Jerry Whitaker is VP of Standards Development for the ATSC. You can reach him at tvtech@imaspub.com.

PSIP, V-Chip and Other Acronyms

by Jerry Whitaker, 11.07.2007

Since the first version of the PSIP standard was published in 1997, compliance reflected good engineering practice on the part of television stations, since the standard offers benefits for both viewers and broadcasters. PSIP is, in fact, critical to proper operation of the DTV system. more

Work Begins on Mobile-Handheld DTV Standard

by Jerry Whitaker, 7.11.2007

Designated ATSC-M/H, the standard will be backward-compatible, allowing existing DTV services to operate in the same RF channel, without adverse impact on existing receiving equipment. more

Strategic Plan to Guide Future Work on DTV

by Jerry Whitaker, 5.02.2007

The ATSC has developed a comprehensive plan for future work of the organization, reflecting the evolution of technology over the next two to five years. more

ACAP Demonstration Project Underway

by Jerry Whitaker, 3.07.2007

ATSC has launched an ambitious project to demonstrate the capabilities of the Advanced Common Application Platform for interactive television. more

ACAP Interactive TV Summit Coming Up

by Jerry Whitaker, 1.10.2007

The ATSC is organizing a half-day seminar on the Advanced Common Application Platform for interactive television. more

PSIP Revisited: Getting it Right

by Jerry Whitaker, 9.06.2006

Nearly two years after the FCC mandated the use of PSIP, reports can still be heard of stations struggling to get it right. more

Using AFD to Resolve Aspect Ratio Discrepancy

by Jerry Whitaker, 7.12.2006

Active Format Description solves a troublesome problem in the transition from conventional 4:3 display devices to widescreen 16:9 displays, and also addresses the variety of aspect ratios that have been used over the years by the motion picture industry to produce feature films. more

ATSC Does Interactive TV Demonstration Project

by Jerry Whitaker, 5.10.2006

The ATSC Planning Committee has undertaken a major demonstration project of the Advanced Common Application Platform interactive TV system. more

Work Progresses on DRL Standard

by Jerry Whitaker, 12.20.2005

ATSC works to provide for automated ENG transmitter control, more efficient use of BAS more

ATSC Updates DTV Standards

by Jerry Whitaker, 9.07.2005

The ATSC has published revisions of several key standards--including A/52, the Digital Audio Compression Standard (AC-3); A/53, the Digital Television Standard; and A/110, the Synchronization Standard for Distributed Transmission. more

Work on Digital ENG Communications Begins

by Jerry Whitaker, 7.06.2005

The ATSC has begun work on defining the basic parameters for digital electronic newsgathering (D-ENG) communications systems. more

DTV Receiver Performance Standards Recommended

by Jerry Whitaker, 3.09.2005

A concerted, cross-industry effort has led the ATSC to publish DTV receiver performance guidelines. A/74, "Recommended Practice: Receiver Performance Guidelines," is the result of a collaboration of broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and other ATSC members. more

PMCP Standard Approved

by Jerry Whitaker, 1.05.2005

In a major step toward automated generation of PSIP data, the ATSC published its newest standard A/76, "Programming and Metadata Communication Protocol." more

ACAP Standard Moves Forward

by Jerry Whitaker, 11.10.2004

The result of a landmark effort between the ATSC DTV Application Software Environment (DASE) and CableLabs' Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP), the specification is now being balloted by the ATSC Technology Group on Distribution (T3). more

Important New Standards Published

by Jerry Whitaker, 9.08.2004

This summer was a busy time for ATSC standards development, with the adoption and publication of several important documents intended to further the DTV transition. more

Advanced Audio Coding Moves Forward

by Jerry Whitaker, 7.07.2004

The ATSC has published two new Candidate Standards documenting enhancements to the AC-3 digital audio compression standard and specifying its use in digital television. more

Making PSIP Work for Broadcasters

by Jerry Whitaker, 3.10.2004

ATSC standards are, by and large, modular in scope. One standard builds upon the functionality of another. This point is demonstrated in the development of the ATSC's latest Candidate Standard known as "Programming Metadata Communication Protocol" (PMCP). more

What We're Working On and Why

by Jerry Whitaker, 1.07.2004

With this issue we begin a bimonthly column that highlights current activities within the Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. (ATSC). more