Dielectric

Source: Manufacturing Digital

Date :11/04/2008 02:07:14

Garrett Van Atta, President of Dielectric Communications, talks to Ian Armitage about the broadcasting industry’s exciting future as we venture into a new digital age

Written by Ian Armitage and Produced by Pat Harlow

We all know what broadcast media is – it’s TV, it’s radio, it’s where we get weather reports, find news and seek entertainment. There is a wide variety of broadcasting systems, all of which have different capabilities and help us gain a wider understanding of the world.

The most common forms are those used by national radio and television broadcasters, which use re-transmitter towers, satellite systems and cable distribution. Satellite radio and television broadcasters can cover even wider areas, such as entire continents, and internet channels can distribute text or streamed music worldwide.

Nation’s largest

There is no doubt that broadcasting is a truly wonderful thing – after all, we all watch TV and listen to the radio. As the nation’s largest manufacturer of DTV and NTSC (UHF and VHF) and FM broadcast antennas, Rigid Transmission Line and RF Filter Systems, Dielectric Communications plays an important role in broadcasting, helping us access media. Indeed, from its 125,000 square foot facility in the rural community of Raymond, Maine, about 45 minutes west of Portland, Dielectric leads the world in complete systems from the transmitter to the tower top, including A antennas, transmission lines, filters, combiners, switches and patch panels. “Our service and installation capabilities complete the package,” says Garrett Van Atta, Dielectric’s President.

Van Atta took over as President in March this year and is excited about his new role, as well as the future of the broadcast industry, generally, as we venture into a new digital era. “We look forward to opportunities here and around the globe,” says Van Atta.

What is DTV?

Digital television, or DTV, refers to the sending and receiving of moving images and sound by means of discreet digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV. First introduced in the mid 1990s, DTV appeals to the television broadcasting and consumer electronics industries as it represents a huge business opportunity.

When used properly by broadcasters, DTV allows higher-quality images and sound as well as more programming choices than analog.

This has led to what we now call the ‘digital switch over’ - a process in which analog broadcast television will be converted to DTV. “This is also referred to as analog switch-off and between now and February 2009 we are going to be very busy because we are trying to get all the broadcasters up and running with their new digital systems,” says Van Atta. “This is a major step forward for the broadcasting industry and will improve quality as well as choice.”

A new era

By no later than February 17, 2009, all full-power U.S. television broadcasts will be exclusively digital and analog transmissions will be terminated. By then, digital will be everywhere. However, it is already commonplace - some reports indicate one in two households already has a digital TV. “DTV is growing rapidly and we are playing an important role in that,” says Van Atta.

“The digital switch over is a huge commercial opportunity for broadcasters and manufacturers alike and it will pave the way for many more media advancements,” says Van Atta. “We are already witnessing an increase in mobile broadcasting – a signal that the analog switch off is having a positive effect on the industry.

“Even now, broadcasters are looking for new ways to transmit their media to include items like handheld devices - such as cell phones,” says Van Atta, stating that such themes are commonplace in Europe where you can watch the latest episode of Lost or The West Wing on your cell. “We are committed to finding new, innovative ways of making this a reality both here and abroad.”

To help herald the new digital age, Dielectric has placed a huge emphasis on its people – a resource Van Atta believes is the company’s greatest asset. Dielectric is fortunate in that it is located in a state whose workforce demonstrates a superior work ethic; an ethic where boundaries are continually pushed and new standards of customer interaction and innovation are reached. “We have a number of workers who have been here over 30 years and we experience a very low turnover rate. We are also able to recruit high calibre talent from around the country based on our reputation in our field and also on the quality of life experienced here in Maine,” says Van Atta.

Exciting times

This is an exciting time for both the broadcast industry and Dielectric. The digital age signals a huge opportunity, an opportunity that will take Dielectric even further around the globe. “We will broaden our markets and seek new opportunities,” says Van Atta, who is excited by the potential of wireless communication – a market Dielectric has broken into, as a result of its proven engineering expertise in traditional broadcasting.

“Up until now we’ve been focused on TV, radio and global media markets, which require high power antennas. Thanks to that we have a lot of experience and feel we have a lot to offer, particularly in wireless markets, which could benefit from our high-power engineering expertise,” says Van Atta.

Technology is also changing, almost as fast as the broadcasting industry is growing and developing. “That means our challenge, alongside international growth, will be to stay ahead in terms of technology, particularly when it comes to converging technology.”

As part of the SPX Group, Dielectric is well placed to capitalize upon the current potential within the broadcast industry, both here and abroad.

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