State of the DTV & HDTV Transition on the CBS /CW TV Networks 02 /20 / 2008

Robert P. Seidel CBS Television Network V.P. Engineering & Technology

February 17, 2009 Deadline n On February 17, 2009 the U.S. Government has mandated that the NTSC standard definition analog service be turned off. n In preparing for this transition, CBS will stop distributing a standard definition satellite signal to our 207 affiliates in Sept

Ghost Whisperer CSI: Miami CBS HDTV PRIME TIME 2007/2008 7:308:008:309:009:3010:0010:307:00 60 Minutes tuesday sunday monday saturday wednesday thursday friday How I Met Your Mother Two & a Half Men Hack Crime Time Saturday CSI NCIS Moonlight Simulcast in HDTV Without a Trace Survivor CSI:NY Numb3rs Cold Case 48 Hours Criminal Minds Crime Time Saturday Simulcast in HDTV & 5.1 Surround Sound Cane Rules of Engagement Dexter Jericho The Big Bang Theory The Unit Kid Nation Big Brother

WWE Friday Night SmackDown (HDTV in Jan 2008) America’s Next Top Model CW HDTV PRIME TIME 2007/2008 7:308:008:309:009:3010:007:00 tuesday sunday monday wednesday thursday friday Beauty and the Geek Simulcast in HDTV Gossip Girls Everybody Hates Chris Aliens in America Girlfriends The Game Life is Wild Reaper America’s Next Top Model Smallville Supernatural Online Nation CW Now

CBS HDTV Sports Programming n US Tennis Open. n College NCAA Football every Saturday. n All NFL Football games on Sunday. n All College Basketball including all 64 teams at the start of “March Madness” and NCAA Final Four Basketball in 5.1 n The Masters Golf Tournament in 5.1 and the PGA coverage in the summer.

CBS HDTV Programming n In June 2001 CBS announced, “The Young and The Restless”, the number one daytime drama. n The Late Show with David Letterman Sept n CBS Owned & Operated station in NY, LA and Philadelphia are producing all of their local news in HD.

Future CBS HDTV Programming n The Price is Right Game show. n The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. n The CBS Morning News - The Early Show. n 60 Minutes news magazine. n In addition to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy; Programs to be Syndicated by CBS/King World to local TV stations:  Everybody Loves Raymond  CSI  CSI NY  Entertainment Tonight/ Insider

CBS HDTV Programming n Grammys in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound with over 800 individual audio sources. n On average, 40 hours per week of original HD programming, increasing to 60 hrs. n Daytime programming, Primetime, Sports, Movies and Specials.

Audio Loudness in the Digital Television System

Program Dial Normalization

Comfort Zone n +2.5 dB to -5.5 dB normal listen level. n When the loudness falls outside the comfort zone, the viewer reaches for the remote. Normal Listen Loudness }+2.5 dB } -5.5 dB } } Too Soft Too Loud

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21.5%32.7%45.8%Percent Sunday 12345Saturday 15546Friday 16664Thursday Wednesday 15258Tuesday 17278Monday TotalFailedNo BenefitImprovedDay Effectiveness of Dial Normalizing programs and all commercials

809 HD Commercials

Loudness Histogram

Commercials after Loudness Control

Loudness Histogram after Controller

Conclusions & Recommendations n Don’t author Dialogue Normalization values for each piece of content, because it’s an operational nightmare. n Standardize the mixing room sound pressure level. ( 75 dB ?) n If commercials exceed a loudness value of -24 dB, then they should be rejected or process the commercial with a Loudness controller.

Conclusions & Recommendations n Measuring & authoring Dialogue Normalization over the length of a program is an ineffective method for controlling loudness. Long term averaging does not address short term variations that occur when interstitial material is inserted. n Since Dialogue Normalization has no effect or is ineffective 54% of the time, disable it by setting a value of 31 ( 0 attn in the home). Use traditional dynamic range control devices to manage loudness with attack times in msec.

Remaining Challenges n Complete the ENG microwave conversion in association with the Nextel digital radio exchange program, so that “live shots” will be in HD. n Transition SNG to MPEG4 so that satellite News Gathering is in HD. n Educate the production community that they must protect the 4 x 3 center cut for safe action and title of the HD signal to ensure that 100% of their audience receives the essential content.

Thank You