ATSC Ballot Update

Posted on May 1, 2014 in ATSC News

3D-TV Standards Momentum Continues

Advancing 3D-TV standards developments, two Technology Group 1 (TG1) ballots are now underway. The ballots are:

• A/104 Part 3 – “Candidate Standard: 3DTV Terrestrial Broadcasting, Part 3 – Frame Compatible Coding and Multi-Resolution Frame Compatible Stereo Coding Using Real-Time Delivery.” This document was approved by TG1 as a Candidate Standard in March 2013 and has been posted on the ATSC Web site since then. TG1/S12 developed updates to the document, and at the March 13, 2014 meeting TG1 authorized issuance of a ballot on the updated document as a Proposed Standard. A/104 Part 3 provides detailed specification of the parameters of the Frame Compatible 3D-TV system using Real-Time delivery, and the Multi-Resolution Frame Compatible 3D-TV system using Real-Time delivery. This part includes the video encoder input scanning formats, and the service multiplex and transport layer characteristics and normative specifications. The ballot was issued on April 23 and closes on May 21.

• A/104 Part 1 – “Working Draft: 3D-TV Terrestrial Broadcasting Part 1.” This document and its normative parts provide detailed specification of the parameters of the 3D system, including the video encoder input scanning formats and characteristics of the service multiplex and transport layers. Documentation of the ATSC 3D standard consists of this part and several related parts. Part 1 provides a general system overview, a list of reference documents and sections relating to the system as a whole. The ATSC 3D-TV system is modular in concept, with the specifications for each of the modules contained in other parts. This ballot was issued April 16 and closes on May 14.

The default open period for Technology Group ballots is four weeks. That time can be extended or shortened by direction from the Technology Group. Voting eligibility for Technology Group ballots is documented in the Voting Eligibility list, which is distributed shortly after TG meetings. Only members with voting eligibility may cast ballots at the Technology Group level. Voting eligibility rules can be found in Section 10.8 of the ATSC Bylaws, which can be found on the ATSC Web site.

TG members should periodically check their voting status on the TG1 and/or TG3 roster. The options for setting the Voting dialog box are Primary, Alternate, or Non-Voter. If you are currently set as Non-Voter, you will not be able to cast a vote. Members can change their Role and Voting settings. If you have any problems making such changes, please let Jerry Whitaker (jwhitaker@atsc.org) know and so the needed adjustments may be made.

For companies with multiple members set as Primary and/or Alternate voters, you should work out internally who casts votes on ballots. If, for example, an Alternate casts a vote on a particular ballot, that vote will stand unless a Primary votes, in which case the Primary voter entry will be the one recorded.

Posted in ATSC News