High Definition Television

The 40-year history of high definition television technology is traced from initial studies in Japan, through its development in Europe, and then to the United States, where the first all-digital systems were implemented. Details are provided about advances in HDTV technology in Australia and Japan, Europe’s introduction of HDTV, Brazil’s innovative use of MPEG-4 and China’s terrestrial standard.
The impact of HDTV on broadcast facility conversion and the influx of computer systems and information technology are described, as well as the contributions of the first entrepreneurial HD videographers and engineers. This thoroughly researched volume highlights several of the landmark high-definition broadcasts from 1988 onward, includes input gathered from more than 50 international participants, and concludes with the rollout of consumer HDTV services throughout the world.

Philip J. Cianci worked with HDTV systems at Philips Research USA and ESPN, was the editor of Broadcast Engineering magazine’s e-newsletter Transition to Digital from 2005 through 2007, and is the author of two books about television technology. He lives in Lake Peekskill, New York.

Philip J. Cianci
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 384
Bibliographic Info: drawings, diagrams, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4975-0
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8797-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix

Foreword by Bernard S. Finn      1

Preface      3

Introduction      5

Abbreviations      7

1. “Being There”      13

2. Road Blocked      27

3. Techno-Industrial War      50

4. America’s International Competition      71

5. All-Digital Makes the Scene      96

6. Domestic Tranquility      130

7. For the Greater Good      164

8. Launch Preparations      182

9. On the Appointed Day      209

10. HD’s Highlight Moment      234

11. A Resolution Renaissance      259

12. An Unknown Factor      278

13. Exceeds All Expectations      300

Afterword      312

Notes      315

Annotated Bibliography      343

References      349

Index      361

“the definitive technical history of the development of high definition television in the United States…well-researched…the first full-length historical study of the technology that we’ve seen”—Communication Booknotes Quarterly; “recommended”—CEDMagazine.com; “I’ve no doubt it’s the most comprehensive behind the scenes look at the development and launch of HDTV that’s ever been penned.”—Rob Sabin, Editor in Chief, Home Theater Magazine; “Deserves a prime place on my shelf of TV books, bringing the story up to date…extremely detailed, with loads of colorful information…the cast of characters is huge…a scholarly work.”—Walt S. Ciciora, CED Magazine; “Provides a comprehensive look at how we got to where we are today with HDTV.”—Russ Brown, Editor, The Online Engineer; “The first full-length study of the technology…an important record.”—Chris Sterling, Communication Booknotes Quarterly.