Re:The Fight for Patent-Unencumbered Media Codecs Is Nearly Won
by ajross on Wednesday January 10, 2018 @01:25PM
(#16117459)
Broadcast TV is rapidly dying, though. The very fact that they're changing codecs around to "free some frequencies" for more valuable spectrum users is the proof of that.
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Re:The Fight for Patent-Unencumbered Media Codecs Is Nearly Won
by vvanders on Wednesday January 10, 2018 @01:31PM
(#16117525)
No, that's just the general progression of frequency allocation as we develop better coding and modulation schemes to more effectively use frequency.
On the analog side all new voice specifications on VHF/UHF are mandated to use 12.5kHz instead of the old 25kHz wide channels for the same reasons. Amateur radio is currently the only one I know of that still can use 25kHz wide FM frequencies[1].
P25, DMR, DStar and Fusion all use 12.5kHz since they can get digital audio into much narrower spectrum(DMR in fact supports two channels over one 12.5kHz channel using TMDA which is pretty awesome).
Re:The Fight for Patent-Unencumbered Media Codecs Is Nearly Won
by vvanders on Wednesday January 10, 2018 @01:34PM
(#16117561)
Also, as second point, broadcast TV is still very relevant for rural areas where high speed internet access hasn't made significant inroads. It's pretty straightforward to get a VHU/UHF antenna up on a roof/tower and get a reasonable number of channels.
It's anecdotal but I also know of a fair number of cord cutters who supplement their Netflix/Amazon/Hulu with local broadcasting.