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Panasonic's Jeff Merrit shows off their universal format converter.
June Meeting ReviewPanasonic Demos DTV Converter
By Gary Stigall, CSTE
At the June 16 meeting, Panasonic showed off with pride its able Universal ATSC Format Converter at KPBS on the San Diego State University campus. Jeff Merritt, Product Marketing manager for HDTV/DTV products demonstrated the simple-to-operate UFC-1800 box through impressive 32-inch and 30-inch wide monitors. (New monitors are apparently being sold in two-dimensional sizes like lumber now.) Because the conversions were so seamless, the discussion centered around complexities NOT seen, like 3:2 film pulldown, 24-frame origination, upconversion, and channel-hopping at the settop box. (If a consumer's box takes a few seconds to lock-up, how will he channel surf?) Jeff's engaging style and good questions from knowledgable attendees made this meeting a pleasure.
In chapter business, Secretary-Treasurer Fred Gotwald reported a good return on renewing sustaining members. Additionally, Pacific Research & Engineering, ABG's Tony Mezey, Harris's Ellis Terry, and Tektronix's Ken Tondreau have donated generously to the chapter scholarship fund. Speaking of scholarship fund, applications were due July 1. The three-person scholarship committee will be asked to convene in July to decide the fate of the award money. We have the option of donating to the national fund if we have no local applicants. A hearty thanks to John Folsom, Bruce Rogow, Leon Messenie, and Scott Stinson of KPBS for allowing us the use of the facilities, and for their organizing and clean-up. |
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Web site contents ©1999 Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter 36 San Diego. For more information, to become a member or a sponsor, or to make suggestions or comments, e-mail sbe36@broadcast.net. Write to P.O. Box 710702, San Diego, California 92171-0702. Edited by Gary Stigall. Posted 18-June-99. |
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