Six systems in search of approval as HDTV moves to the testing lab

Article Abstract:

The Advanced Television Test Center, an industry-financed laboratory, begins testing six rival HDTV systems in order to determine a standard for the new technology. Two of the systems being evaluated were developed by the Advanced Television Research Consortium, two by General Instrument Corp and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one by Zenith Electronics Corp and AT&T, and another by NHK of Japan. The tests will simulate real-world broadcast situations, such as noise and interference, in a closed laboratory setting. Since each of the prototype HDTV systems offer different trade-offs in broadcast quality and the distance signals can travel, the test results may indicate no clear winner among the six. The Federal Communications Commission will make the final decision in Jun 1993. The winner will have the advantage of reaping large royalties from the broadcast industry, and maybe, even emerging as the market leader for advanced television equipment.

Standards, Innovations, Product development, United States. Federal Communications Commission, T, ZE, GRL, Advanced Television Test Center

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Robotic telephone sales calls come under fire in Congress

Article Abstract:

Automated telephone dialers, which can be programmed to call every number connected to a telephone exchange, are scrutinized in Congress, which might restrict or even ban the devices. Automated dialers, used for promotions and for telemarketing, generate criticism as annoyances and as invasions of privacy. Problems they cause are sometimes more serious. For example, an automated dialer called numbers for three days at Emory University in Dec 1990, disturbing patients in the hospital there and disrupting the campus library. The Senate will consider legislation that would prevent the use of autodialers for calls to peoples' homes, and the House of Representatives might ban telemarketing calls to people who do not want to receive such calls. Small-business owners tend to favor automated dialers, viewing the devices as inexpensive ways to accomplish advertising.

Business services, not elsewhere classified, Laws, regulations and rules, Privacy, Science and technology policy, Telemarketing, United States. Congress, Telephone systems, Telephone System, Legal Issues, Government Regulation, Automatic Dialing, Automated dialing, Automatic dialers, Predictive dialing

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Delays seen in testing HDTV plans: standard not expected before end of next year

Article Abstract:

Plans to test the proposed high-definition television (HDTV) system technology offered by five different groups of companies have been delayed due to the incorporation of digital systems from the originally planned analog systems. The US Federal Government had planned to review the five systems that have been developed and come up with a standard for the industry. The delay will push the standards deadline to the end of 1993. HDTV is designed to offer crisp, wide-screen pictures with sound as clear as that found on compact disks and images as clear as found in film. The five major proposals for testing come from General Instrument Corp and a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Advanced Television Research Consortium owned by Philips NV, NBC, David Sarnoff Research Center and Thomson SA, Zenith Electronics Inc and AT&T and NHK.

Product information, Standard, Standardization, Strategic Planning

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