Mass Communication and Broadcasting

Broadcasting with analogue and radio television systems had been one of the most important inventions of the 20 th Century until the birth of digital broadcasting. Migration from analogue to digital affected the entire broadcasting value chain right from content to production, production and reception. It is worth noting that just as in other industries, upgrading to digital is propelled by the emergence of technological innovations. With this in mind, it is worth examining the transition to digital including the importance and timelines among other factors that have led us to the current status in digital broadcasting. 

We needed to transition from analog to digital television because of the numerous benefits associated with it. To begin with, digital television has the ability to show sharply and high defines pictures because of its ability to compress more than an analog signal can (Hess, 2017). The feature of compression allows more information in the signal and sequentially a clearer image. Another reason stems from the availability of an extra bandwidth. As such, more channels are available to the viewers with the digital television contrary to the analogue. Digital television also offers additional language in form of subtitles implying that its usability across diverse cultures in the U.S 

It is worth noting that the transition from analog to digital television took the United States longer than it had anticipated. According to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), the initial deadline was 2006. The U.S., however was too big to meet the deadline. The FCC extended the deadline to June 12 2009. As from the date, TV stations ceased broadcasting on their analogue channels and completely switched to digital. It took the U.S exactly 11 years to completely shut off its analog TV stations. 

The transition was without some key requirements about resolution and compression particularly amongst major broadcasters. ATSC standards were introduced in the 90s with ATSC 1.0 unveiling digital television that would replace analogue. The agreement has become outdated over the years due ATSC 3.0 approval by the FCC. At its core, ATSC 3.0, is the world’s fastest Internet-Protocol (IP) television-based standard capable of resolutions up to Ultra HD 4K. ATSC 3.0 enables broadcast and broadband to converge (Hess, 2017). The overall compression is to do away with redundancies and transmit less data. It is voluntary and market-based unlike the mandatory resolution and compression that came with ATSC 1.0. 

The simultaneous broadcast of both analogue and digital television was mandatory up to 12 th June 2009. This was approximately four months after the initial date 17 th February 2009 was extended following projections that not everyone will have migrated to digital television. The simultaneous analogue and digital was to allow Americans to miss out on their favorite programs. In addition, it would give time for the prices of converter boxes to decrease and become affordable to households of low income. With the Next Generation television, the same is likely to happen. As stated earlier, ATSC 3.0 on which Next Gen television is based is voluntary. However, it might become mandatory in a span of five years after the simulcast mandate ceases. 

Contrasting differences between analog and digital have sparked debates between professions and also in the new. Mostly the announcements and debates were done from design and construction perspectives. In terms of design, digital converters are capable of combining signals unlike the analog. Digital television has logic “gates” that when given particular set of inputs, gives a similar output. There are also converters that enumerate the size of the signal. Analog tv, on the other hand, changes characteristics such as level, timing, and combines various levels of voltage for different purposes other than that of a better-quality signal. From a standpoint of construction, analogue differs from digital in that the latter has its circuits made of processors while the former is based on an operational amplifier. As such those were the ways in which they were debated. 

Before consumers purchase new sets, they should be keen because just as the previous digital transmission, there are more improvements to be made within the systems. As such HDR formats, the likes of Dolby Vision, HCD-10, and HLG should be concerned for their consumers to avoid a scenario of having to purchase a television set more than once due to the constantly changing features. Dolby Vision for instance, requires particular hardware to support. Showing concern for its customers requires the organization to come combine various features that will not force consumers to keep buying a new set each time there is an upgrade. It is without a doubt, however, that there will be profits and pitfalls for both the consumer and the HDR formats. Furthermore, a consumer will be after video standards while on the other hand, the various HDR formats may come in numerous forms that may require the TV manufacturers to support various standards and consequently decrease the price of the tv set. 

At the time of transitioning from digital to analog, it is worth noting that not all consumers were willing to purchase new televisions. Mostly, the unwillingness arose from low income and hence the incapability to migrate. As such the FDD had to accommodate such consumers in a number of ways to ensure they continued to enjoy their favorite programs. To begin with, the FDD combined efforts with FCC to put in place measures that would provide incentives for consumers to purchase digital televisions. This was made possible by making the prices of digital converters reasonable. In addition, the government subsidized was put in place. The FCC required that auction winners bear the costs of transitioning, particularly broadcasters to shoulder some of these transmission costs. The other way the consumers were accommodated is by allowing free airship of broadcasts. Through the cable compatibility standards, some household that had not been able to switch to digital Television at the time of the deadline were able to continue enjoying free channels. According to FCC, the accommodations ended the digital transition wave successfully without locking out a large number of consumers. 

Based on the Next Gen television, it is evident that we are transitioning from one digital format to another. To some the transition may not be significant. However, looking at the constantly changing technology environment, it is critical to brace a change to another digital television era. Besides the ATSC president, Mark Richer cited that the new systems Internet Protocol will enhance capabilities of broadcasting television to deliver personalized content for viewers and consumers at large (Hess, 2017). Also, new digital format implies there are improvements from the previous one which will be handy in the delivery of geo rich media emergency texts over a wide range of consumer devices. 

In conclusion, the transition from analog to digital television ahs come a long way in the U.S. It is projected that although the Next Gen television is currently not mandatory but voluntary, this could change after a five-year period. As such consumers should be keen on the television sets, they enjoy because the constantly changing technological environments might force to purchase more to meet the standards. We should embrace the oncoming digital to a more advanced digital television transition to enjoy benefits that come with it. 

Reference 

Hess, M. (2017).  FCC Approves ATSC 3.0 Standard . TWICE. Retrieved from https://www.twice.com/product/fcc-approves-atsc-3-0-standard-next-gen-tv .