Digital television is a reality, and it has brought exciting twists and turns to the broadcast industry. Hundreds of channels are on the air, with hundreds more still preparing to make the move to DTV. With so many technical options (most with very high price tags), broadcasters are being cautious. After all, how does DTV affect your job in broadcasting and video production?
We created this book to help answer that question. Consider this your textbook for DTV 101. The Guide To Digital Television is not a "how to" book as much as it is a "what to do" book. Our goal is to provide a practical guide for the digital transition that helps you make the right decisions for your particular circumstances.
As in previous editions, The Guide To Digital Television follows the typical production cycle from pre-production to delivery and transmission, and has been updated to include the latest DTV developments. We've also added a new chapter, "DTV in the Real World," that puts the DTV transition in perspective for the broadcast industry and non-technical readers. We think this addition will help clarify your goals during this historic time in the broadcast and teleproduction industries.
Michael Silbergleid is president of The SilverKnight Group, a consulting and public relations firm specializing in entertainment technology, and a consulting producer with SilverKnight Entertainment in West Palm Beach, FL. Silbergleid was most recently Editor of Digital TV and Editor-in-Chief of Television Broadcast magazine from March 1998 until June 1999 and had been the editor since September 1994. Prior to joining the magazine, he was Manager of Educational Television and Telecommunication Engineering for the Huntsville City School System in Alabama and has been a producer, director, copywriter, video editor, chief engineer and facilities designer. Mr. Silbergleid has a Master of Arts degree in Telecommunication and Film Management from The University of Alabama and two Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Dramatic Arts & Dance and Speech Communications, both from the State University of New York at Geneseo. He is the editor of the first edition of The Guide To Digital Television published in 1998 and co-editor of the second edition published in 1999 by Miller Freeman PSN (now United Entertainment Media).
Mark J. Pescatore is the editor of Government Video magazine, and has been reporting on the video industry since 1994. A former television station program manager and college instructor, Mr. Pescatore holds a master's degree in telecommunication and film from The University of Alabama, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the co-editor of the second edition of The Guide To Digital Television published by Miller Freeman PSN (now United Entertainment Media) in 1999.
