Digital TV dominates U.S. broadcasters meeting
By Brendan Intindola
LAS VEGAS, April 19 (Reuters) - Beyond offering improved sound
and images, the advent of digital television is expected to speed the
convergence of televisions and computers, members of the National
Association of Broadcasters heard at the their annual meeting on
Monday.
In remarks opening the gathering of more than 100,000 delegates, Howard Stringer, chairman of Sony Corp of America , said: ''Digital TV is inevitable, and not just because the FCC said it is so. Digital TV will change the world.''
''Our homes will be as connected tomorrow as our offices are today, with digital technology transforming the living room into an entirely new experience,'' he added.
Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates, affiliates of the top four U.S. television networks -- ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC -- must begin transmitting by May 1 digital television signals in the top 10 U.S. television markets.
According to FCC guidelines, everyone will have DTV access by 2002, and traditional analog service will continue until (article missing a line here)
According to FCC guidelines, everyone will have DTV access by 2002, and traditional analog service will continue until 2006.
Digital TV promises to deliver compact dics-quality sound and improved images, and is expected to speed the convergence of TVs and personal computers partly because DTV's signal is composed of the same
binary mix of zeros and ones that is the foundation of computing.
In one of the day's major announcements, Intel Corp (INTC - news) and NBC, a unit of General Electric (GE - news) , said they will jointly develop enhanced digital programming, expected hit the television airwaves this fall.
The companies, already partners in the MSNBC 24-hour cable news network and its sister Web site said the programming will be available on personal computers, digital television sets or a traditional analog
television with a set-top box.
Viewers of the digital programming, they said, will be able to watch television while engaged in interactive chat.
''We are taking the next step in creating converged content for both the PC and the television,'' said Tom Rogers, president of NBC's cable and business development.
To make the digital switchover, television stations will need new transmitters, antennae and production facilities -- upgrades that many of the more than 1,400 exhibitors here are angling to furnish.
Among the companies debuting new products and technical advancements were: Eastman Kodak Co. (EK - news) Co., Oracle Corp.(ORCL - news) , SANYO Electric Co Ltc., Sharp Electronics Corp.,
Scientific-Atlanta Inc. and Lucent Technologies (LU - news) .
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chris |
