US Wide-screen digital television and high-definition broadcasts are set to take off in the fall. The schedule for introducing digital television (DTV), including HDTV, was established by the Federal Communications Commission almost a year ago. DirecTV subscribers in most areas of the US will have access to two channels of HDTV programming this autumn. For terrestrial broadcasters, the FCC has mandated a four-year schedule for introducing DTV. In November the first commercial DTV stations will go on the air. On May 1, 1999 the four major networks are each due to build a total of 40 stations, providing DTV broadcasts to 30% of the US population. This will reach 50% of the population by the following November. By May 1, 2002 all commercial stations must be providing DTV service and by May 1, 2003 all stations, public and commercial, must provide DTV. The DTV standard lets broadcasters use each digital channel for either one HDTV program or up to four programs in standard definition (SDTV). Some predict they will do both: broadcast multiple SDTV programs during the day, for example, and run HDTV for prime time and sports shows. Manufacturers have already begun showing retailers digital sets in various price ranges. The two main categories are full large-screen HDTV sets with movie-like clarity and CD-quality surround sound. Early price estimates range from $5,000 up, though this is expected to drop steadily as production increases. The second category is Standard definition TV (SDTV) sets priced at around $2,000 and up, about the same as current high-end TVs. These sets will offer such DTV features as wide-screen video and surround sound, but will display all programs (including HDTV) at standard resolution, about the same as today’s best satellite pictures. Standard analog broadcasts will still be available at least until the end of 2006-and the FCC may extend that deadline under certain specified conditions.
