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This is a call to all one every one who wants to put a stop to hdlite! For the past few weeks a group of us got to gether trying to figure out one letter to send to the fcc, and the atsc. We seperated the letters into two. One, that poses a solution of Single bandwith sharing for the sat companies and standards for HDTV! The 2nd one is a shorter version to get your voice heard. We feel strongly that this will help make a diffrence and we want you to help out! Not only are we asking you to send a letter to these guys's but tell them what you really think about HD LITE! Its very obvious that the Sat companies are not listening to us, So we need to let them know that we cant be bought off or forgoten!

To Contact the FCC:
Chairman Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: dtaylortateweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
OR fccinfo@fcc.gov

OR Call them @
1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC) Voice: toll-free
1-888-835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC) TTY: toll-free
1-866-418-0232 FAX: toll-free
(202) 418-2830 FAX on Demand

To Contact The ATSC:
Mark Richer, ATSC President mricher@atsc.org
Jerry Whitaker, ATSC Vice President of Standards Development jwhitaker@atsc.org
OR
1750 K Street NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20006
202-872-9160 – Office
202-872-9161 – Fax

Letter #1

Dear FCC/ATSC:

I am emailing to inform you of a growing problem within the satellite community. This issue was discovered some time ago for satellite provider DirecTV with Echostar/Dish Network joining in about six months ago. Both providers are now filtering many of their High Definition signals to a lower resolution than ATSC standards (ie 1280x1080i). Many have come to refer to this vertical filtering as "HD Lite". HDTV signals should be broadcast at the defined ATSC standards for HDTV broadcasts; either 1920x1080 i/p or 1280x720p.


Currently DirecTV filters their HD channels to 1280X1080I while the provider supplies the programming at 1920X1080I. As an example, HBO is one channel subject to this filtration. Dish Network currently sends only part of its national HD at its true HD resolution of 1920X1080I. In addition, CBS and NBC Local into Local networks are vertically filtered to a lower quality than their over the air counterparts. The signals vary from 1280X1080I to 1440X1080I on Dish Network's distribution system. Dish Network also provides its Voom Lineup in 1280 X 1080I while Rainbow Media (the programming originator) provides this service for at full resolution, ie 1920X1080I. We do not believe this was the intent of the FCC and congress.


Consumers have noticed this reduction in picture quality as it is noticeably inferior to true 1920x1080i broadcasts. What it lacks is the WOW factor, and that's the price you pay for the filtration. What it really does is remove fine detail and lowers the required bandwidth to transmit the channel. Many consumers visit sites like avsforum.com and satelliteguys.us, complaining of poor picture quality from their supposed HD channels. Consumers are growing angrier about this issue and would like results. Within this open discussion we have came up with some solutions that we would like the FCC to act on in the interest of consumers.

We want to see the FCC create a mandate that all content providers, regardless of transmission method (OTA, Cable, Satellite, Broadband) deliver HD broadcasts in their original format; either 720p or 1080i with no vertical filtering. Our displays are improving and the era of 1080p television sets is well underway. We are already into the second generation of sets supporting 1080p resolution. The picture quality differences between "HD Lite" and full resolution HD is readily apparent on these displays. It is also quite obvious on 1080i and 720p sets.


This approach is taken to minimize the bandwidth footprint on their satellites. Satellite bandwidth is a finite resource and the investment for a satellite is substantial. We are also seeing the beginnings of transmission of HD Local into Local service via satellite. Because of the nature of the business, Dish Network and DirecTV are duplicating all of the local channels across their constellations of satellites. This is an extremely poor use of that finite bandwidth and a poor usage of that finite resource. Cable and Broadband providers need only carry the appropriate local channels for their area. Even spot beam distribution on satellite carries multiple markets of stations that is above and beyond the requirements of Cable and Broadband.


Given the inherent bandwidth constraints and additional carriage requirements for satellite distribution, we suggest that the pooling of resources for delivery of local channels be strongly considered. Rather than duplicating each local market's lineup of channels, a pooled set of satellites could be used by both content providers.

This will have the advantage of bringing full coverage to all local markets for Standard Definition LiL channels and immediately increase the transponder space available for High Definition LiL. Much of the United States has issues receiving HD channels over the air. By pooling resources this will speed up the availability of HD LiL delivered via satellite. Pooling resources has been a very effective technique with C-Band and it is possible to build a common solution to handle DBS.

In the end, both sides gain from this scenario. The satellite providers no longer have to spend precious resources duplicating OTA channels with their infrastructures and consumers have their LiL HD stations delivered on a faster timeline than would otherwise be possible. A side benefit of this approach is that the customers satellite antenna will not need to be changed out, which has happened on several occasions with both DirecTV and Dish Network.

Sincerely,

Your Name HERE


Letter # 2 (short Version)
Dear FCC/ATSC:

I am emailing to inform you of a growing problem within the satellite community. This issue was discovered some time ago with both DirecTV and Echostar/Dish Network. Both providers are now lowering most of their High Definition signal resolutions to far below that of the ATSC standards (ie 1280x1080i). Many users have come to refer to this vertical filtering as "HD Lite". HDTV signals should ONLY be broadcast at the defined ATSC standards for HDTV broadcasts; either 1920x1080 i/p or 1280x720p.


Currently DirecTV lowers their HD signals to 1280x1080i while the provider is suppling the same programming to them at 1920x1080i; and is intended to reach the end user as such. As an example, HBO is one channel subject to this lowering of resolution. Dish Network currently sends only some of its national HD at its true HD resolution of 1920x1080i.

In addition, CBS and NBC Local into Local networks are vertically filtered to a lower quality than their over the air counterparts. The signals vary from 1280x1080i to 1440x1080i via Dish Network's system. Dish Network also provides its Voom package at 1280x1080i while Rainbow Media (the programming originator) provides this service at full resolution (ie 1920x1080i).

We do not believe this was the intent of the FCC and congress, nor the expectation of the programming provider that supplies its signals to cable and satellite.

We want the FCC create a mandate, that all companies, regardless of their transmission method, be it OTA, cable, satellite, or broadband, be required by law to deliver HD broadcasts in their original format; either 720p or 1080i with no lowering of resolution to the end users.
We are not getting what is advertised and paid for. Our displays are improving very rapidly, as we are already into the second generation of displays supporting 1080p resolution, yet they are regressing, and being allowed to do so.

In the end, this law would be the best for consumers and ultimately both sides would gain from this scenario by supplying consumers with what they are told they are paying for, and ultimately avoiding the needless litigation or class action suits that will result if this is allowed to continued.

Sincerely,
Your Name HERE