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BTSC: The Stereo
Sound You Enjoy, But Often
Take for Granted
Stereo
Sound is Born
Until
the mid-1980s, television audio was nice and simple - it was
mono. From 1978 through 1983, the Broadcast Television Systems Committee (BTSC),
a subcommittee of the Electronic Industries Association (EIA),
evaluated various systems for delivering stereo audio over
analog television channels.
In
1983, the EIA recommended one system - now commonly known as the
BTSC system - to the FCC, and it adopted was for use in the
United States.
Innovation
at Risk
Nearly
20 years after revolutionizing television viewing, BTSC is at
risk. Congress has mandated that all broadcasting stations must
convert from analog to digital on February 17, 2009. Analog TVs
receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that
date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes
to change digital broadcasts into analog format. Unfortunately,
the converter box for analog televisions does not contain BTSC,
the technology necessary to provide stereo sound. These
unfortunate individuals will be sent back into the days of the
50's and will only have access to mono sound television, greatly
impacting their ability to enjoy television sound as they have
come to know it.
How
Many Viewers will be Affected?
An
estimated 75 million Americans own analog televisions, the kinds
that rely on rooftop antennas for over the air transmission.
Additionally, nearly 20 million households are estimated to rely
solely on over-the-air TV signals. According to the National
Association of Broadcasters, the elderly, low income and
minority groups are expected to be affected by the DTV
transition more than the rest of the population. According to
Bruce Leichtman, of the Leichtman Research Group, "With
just two and a half years to go before the digital TV transition
takes place, two-thirds of Americans remain unaware of the
pending analog cut-off, helping to explain why this deadline has
had little impact on the purchase of HD and digital TVs to
date." Clearly, a converter box is not enough to prevent
millions of Americans from being disenfranchised during the
Digital TV transition.
The
Solution
For
about the cost of a postage stamp, the government or digital TV
converter box manufacturers can restore and enhance the TV
experience for those left behind in the DTV revolution.
Technology that costs as little as 40 cents per box can be
incorporated into the box to ensure a consistent viewing
experience and meet the current deadlines.
Leading
the Way
Stereo
sound is an important component of the average American's
television experience. No one knows this better than THAT Corp.
For over a decade, THAT Corp. has offered access to a
significant portfolio of patents covering the BTSC system, in
fact, several of THAT's employees, most notably THAT CEO Les
Tyler, were key players in bringing the BTSC standard to life.
THAT's
pool of BTSC-related patents has since been licensed worldwide
to most every major equipment maker in the television industry,
both in the professional and consumer markets, bringing quality
stereo sound to millions.
THAT
is also responsible for maintaining Standard of Quality (SOQ)
guidelines and a specialized test lab to ensure the integrity of
all BTSC-enabled products. Most every BTSC-enabled product ever
realized has been certified against this SOQ.s.
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