TELETEXT FIELD-TESTS

Teletext is a technology that has “arrived”, and is capable of providing the U.S. broadcast television audience with a wide variety of new services. CBS has therefore proposed a major test program to help determine appropriate technical standards. After obtaining a preliminary and informal opinion from the FCC that a request to conduct an over-the-air test of teletext systems would probably receive favorable action, CBS embarked on a program to test television System M (525-line, 60-field) versions of the British CEEFAX/ORACLE system, and the French ANTIOPE system. The proposed tests would be technical in nature and would not, for the present, consider the types of services that might be provided by a U.S. teletext system. A formal application for Special Temporary Authority to conduct the teletext tests over the CBS-owned station KMOX-TV Channel 4 in St. Louis, MO was filed with the FCC on February 23, 1979 and subsequently granted on March 12, 1979. Test transmissions commenced on March 23, 1979, and are currently in progress. Subject to renewal authority from the FCC the tests will continue until about the end of 1979. This paper describes the technical details of the test installation and test program; the measurements currently being made, and the additional measurements proposed to be made this summer. At this time, insufficient data has been analyzed as yet to justify any conclusions. CBS is actively participating in the Broadcast Television Systems Committee, Subcommittee on Teletext. This is an industry committee sponsored by the EIA which is charged with developing a set of technical standards that could form the basis for the submission of a Petition For Rule Making to the FCC, looking towards the authorization of such standards for teletext service. Copyright © 1979 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.