ReRe: [BC] TV Standards

[Robert Orban]

At 12:26 PM 10/18/2005, you wrote:
>rom: DANA PUOPOLO <dpuopolo at usa.net>
>Subject: Re: [BC] TV Standards
>To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Message-ID: <000JJRTBj2704S01.1129662095 at uwdvg001.cms.usa.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
>
>Power wise, 8-VSB be a bit more efficent then COFDM, but a COFDM transmitter
>is much easier to align and maintain.

8VSB is 6 dB more efficient in terms of peak power than COFDM. If you are 
on a high UHF frequency and are running 1 MW ERP, the same coverage with 
COFDM would require a TX with four times the peak power capability. With 
high-power plants like this, this is a BIG deal.

OYOH, COFDM makes it easier to run single-frequency networks with lower 
power transmitters, which is more in line with the European broadcasting 
model. I understand that people are now starting seriously consider 8VSB 
SFNs and gap fillers, but this puts even more demand on the receivers. 
Since I am on the wrong side of a hill and cannot receive a single one of 
the San Francisco UHF DTV stations with a large, amplified outdoor antenna 
(even though the Sutro TX site is only about 25 miles from my house), gap 
fillers could not come soon enough for me and other people shadowed by terrain.

Bob Orban