[BC] Real HD Radio on DTV

[Rich Wood]

------ At 11:21 AM 8/3/2006, Mark Humphrey wrote: -------

>I expect more digital TV stations will begin to offer true "high-def"
>audio-only services to home-based listeners, using spare bandwidth.
>The set-top tuner boxes will likely cost less than "HD" table radios.

My DTV receiver cost me $215. It's my understanding that the DTV 
standard includes Dolby Digital 5.1. All but the Sinclair station 
here (WGGB) delivers network programming in Dolby Digital. So far as 
I can tell, CBS and PBS offer the most true 5.1 audio. Sports is a 
natural for 5.1.

The original arguments against HDTV in favor of DTV of any flavor was 
that the extra channels could be used for data and other moneymaking 
services. I don't think broadcasters expected HDTV to take off as 
quickly as it has. On my regular "Where in the World is Carmen IBUZ" 
tour I'm told that HDTV is their biggest seller. Stations just can't avoid it.

I'm beginning to see additional subchannels popping up with nothing 
on them. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see audio services appear. 
Retailers tell me most DTV buyers connect the audio to their home 
theatre systems via the optical or coax outputs more often than not. 
It'll be interesting to see how many cable systems carry the 
additional channels. I'm stuck with Charter and am lucky to get a 
single noisy analog channel. Nearby areas are Comcast. They carry all 
HDTV local signals and some subs. I expect prayer vigils in my area 
asking for Comcast to buy out Charter or replace it. I'll participate.

Unlike the olden days, TV stations pay as much attention to audio as 
video, though the HDTV audio levels need some work.

Rich


Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-454-3258