I was very pleased that Brad Fortner provided coverage of the January smpte meeting on Digital Television in Toronto (‘smpte challenges need for terrestrial dtv broadcasting – Canada’s position of dtv,’ Playback, Feb. 22, p. 22). However, I am concerned that the article mentioned above incorrectly quotes me as stating that several of the Task Force on Digital Television recommendations have been ‘accepted by government,’ referring specifically to our recommendations related to picture quality, and the ability of broadcasters to share transmitters. It also incorrectly reports me as stating that ‘it [the government] has also created Canadian Digital Television.’

To set the record straight (and so my colleagues will speak to me!) I would appreciate the following correction, extracted from my overhead presentation.

The Task Force presented 17 recommendation to the Minister of Heritage Canada in October 1977. While Heritage Canada has not yet addressed the contents of our report, three of the recommendations have been acted upon, as follows:

* Industry Canada has gazetted and approved the standard for the over-the-air broadcast of digital television in Canada (ATSC A53 – this is a technical specification);

* Industry Canada has gazzetted the over-the-air allotment plan for digital channels; and,

* Canadian Digital Television Inc (cdtv) has been set up by industry. (Currently there are 28 members, 17 of these representing all facets of the Canadian television industry).

As proposed in the Task Force recommendations, part of cdtv’s role will be to monitor the u.s. rollout of dtv, advise on the timing proposed in the recommendations, and coordinate implementation in Canada.

carol darling,

chair, cdtv

technical working group