bob miller

We were delivering HD via MMDS real time IP with VP4/5 in 1999. The only
thing missing was real time. What in the hell was the big rush only to
stop everything in its tracks for the next 6 years? There would have
been HDTV receivers in 2001 that cost no more than 8-VSB receivers cost
then using advanced compression if such had been allowed.

Advanced compression is not forbidden with 8-VSB now. The rules say that
MPEG2 must be used for only ONE SD program. USDTV already plans on using
and their current Hisense receivers already support WM9. Market forces
will demand that most broadcast spectrum be used with the more efficient
codecs so we will be stuck with a combo system where MPEG2 is used for
the most minimum SD program to minimize bits WASTED on it.

The whole idea of saddling the US with MPEG2 and 8-VSB is legacy policy
BS. Does anyone in their right mind think that in this age of rapid
change these outmoded standards will last as long as NTSC? If not how
long will they last? They are already 10 years old as you say.

The pressure to switch to a better modulation will not diminish as more
5th generation receivers are sold and they will be in record numbers. No
the pressure will BUILD to change modulation as FTA TV makes a comeback
and broadcasters find themselves competing with COFDM and advanced
codecs on other spectrum.

The pain will be just be too great and the current idiots in the
broadcast industry that allowed this to happen to OTA broadcasting will
be gone. A new modulation will be proposed and implemented in record
time when we reach this point. There will be no controversy and very
little worry over all those 8-VSB receivers sold.