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The 2009 Analog Shut Off. The NBC Network Uses and Supports: Aspect ratio control – Active Format Description Conforming to SMPTE 2016, AFD has been working actively at 30 Rock starting with the HD launch of SNL to control the aspect ratio of the SD down-conversion of commercials for the show - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
CENTER
The 2009 Analog Shut Off
• The NBC Network Uses and Supports:– Aspect ratio control – Active Format Description
• Conforming to SMPTE 2016, AFD has been working actively at 30 Rock starting with the HD launch of SNL to control the aspect ratio of the SD down-conversion of commercials for the show
• 30 Rock is fully outfitted to distribute AFD on line 11 of the VANC - all HD-SDI signals on switchers, servers, VTRs and the plant router
– ATSC Dialog Normalization:• Live and recorded shows are mixed to a network
standard –23 Leq-a• Majority of network spots play-out at –22 Leq-a• Ten Owned and Operated DTV stations practice
dialnorm per the dialog averaging method and the NABA recommended practice, conforming to ATSC A53/Part 5.
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
CENTER
Coding and Active Area
The aspect ratio of the active video area is 16:9; when associated with a 4:3-coded frame, the active video is top-justified.• Active video area is 16:9; when associated with a 4:3 coded frame, the active video is centered vertically.• Active video area is 4:3; when associated with a 16:9 coded frame, the active video is centered horizontally.• Active video area exceeds 16:9 aspect ratio; active video is centered vertically (in whatever coded frame is used).• Active video area is 14:9; when associated with a 4:3-coded frame, active video is centered vertically; when associated with a 16:9 coded frame, it is centered horizontally.
In addition to AFD, ATSC defined another data structure-bar data-also for use in the video elementary stream. While the AFD gives a general view of the relationship between the coded frame and the geometry of the active video within it, bar data is able to indicate precisely the number of lines of black video at the top and bottom of a letterboxed image, or the number of black pixels at the left and right side of a pillar-boxed image.For the ATSC system, AFD and/or bar data are included in video user data whenever the rectangular picture area containing useful information does not extend to the full height or width of the coded frame. Such data may optionally also be included in user data when the rectangular picture area containing useful information extends to the full height and width of the coded frame.
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
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Network Infrastructure for AFD
AFD: Letterbox or Centercut data set by the provider is distributed in the VANC
Video
Audio
AFD data
HD-SDI SAT
ENCODER
SAT
IRD
VANC L11
ATSC
Auto AFD
The Tonight ShowAccurately displays in 4:3
Network Distribution to
TV Stations
16:9 HD w/center cut AFD
TV Station
Downconvert
Cable & DBS
Jim Starzynski, NBC-NY 4
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
CENTER
Scoping the Problem
HDTV – OTA, Cable, DBS
DBS / Cable Digital SD
Analog cable
OTA analog – “converter box”
HHs Addt’l Sets
15 5
60 15
30 150
5 50
Station Operator Consumer
no issue………… X
?direct feed X X
?direct feed X -
- - X
110MM HHs 220+MM addt’l
Who Controls?How Many Screens?
potentially solved by
agreement w Operator
new
reality
– c
on
su
mer
has “
fin
al
say”
new reality – nonuniformity
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
CENTER
Audio LOUDNESS
-23
-23 audio-23 dialnorm(mix level)
-23 audio-23 dialnorm
(mix level)
-23 audio -23 DN
(mix level)
Dialnorm: NBCU Audio soundtracks match dialnorm metadata from the network and from the DTV station
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
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Industry Efforts
• Actively collaborating in inter-industry dialog
• Proponent of ATSC Recommended Practice
• “DTV Hot Spot” demo at NAB 2008
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
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DBS / Cable Subscribers
A company wide initiative is underway to provide our Stations with the best possible format and aspect ratio conversion in cooperation with Cable & DBS operators
Direct from station fiber connectivity
Over-the-air ATSC reception with AFD
etc.A request for information has been issued with manufacturers for inclusion of AFD and Dolby Digital Dynamic Range profiles
for professional ATSC receivers / IRDs
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
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Consumer “Converter Boxes”
• Outreach to CE manufacturers
• The National Telecommunications and Information Agency has been approached with a request that AFD capability be included in future digital consumer set-top converters. (targeting those offered under the government coupon program)
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
CENTER
Interim – Fall 2008
In an interim measure, the NBCU September 2008 HDTV Content Technical Specification will recommend “center-cut safe” to program providers. This recommendation will be superseded when 16:9 displays and AFD reach market saturation
ADVANCED ENGINEERINGTECHNOLOGY GROWTH
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Q&A
• NBCU supports AFD and Dialnorm to provide the best audience experience• ATSC should rapidly complete RP for HD conversion to analog & digital SD• NBCU has implemented AFD and dialnorm at 30 Rock; Satellite distribution of
metadata (AFD & dialnorm) to stations is in development• Broadcasters should practice AFD and dialnorm in every market in the country • The FCC should require MVSPs use of AFD if it is in a broadcast signal• An initiative is underway to establish optimum connectivity from NBC DTV
stations to cable and satellite providers• CE and Pro Receivers should include AFD
So Glenn:1.) Where are you in the transition?2.) What’s been resolved?3.) What’s remaining?4.) What should the industry know?5.) What should industry and gov’t be doing?
