Data Broadcasting: Understanding the ATSC Data Broadcast Standard

Data broadcasting is set to transform the digital television (DTV) revolution from a video/audio phenomenon to broadband data delivery system. Convergence is here as broadcasters will now be able to beam high bandwidth data along with their traditional programming, creating a new generation of set-top boxes, hand-held devices, and PC add-in cards to handle both data and streaming video. The ATSC data broadcast standard is the document that will make all this possible. Due to be published on 1 October 2000, the standard defines the common mechanisms by which data will be carried over the DTV airwaves to these emerging devices. The standard itself is extremely complex. This volume details and explains the ATSC data broadcast standard for carrying any type of data over the MPEG-2 data transport mechanisms. It addresses the issues of why and why not the standard was implemented in particular ways and provides a wealth of insight on implementation pitfalls to be avoided in service rollout. The book covers both stand alone data-injection and data injection associated with video and audio programmes, and focuses throughout on the optimal ways to carry many different types of data.

It also deals with service creation and rollout issues faced by station engineers and station managers.