What is "Multicasting"?

[oldguy1]

What is multicasting and why is it so bad?

 

[Hogarth]

Multicasting is when digital OTA stations send multiple digital subchannels at once.
(E.g. "Main programming" on 8-1, "weather" on 8-2, "news" on 8-3, etc.)

It's bad because it reduces the overall bandwidth available to the Main programming, reducing the bitrate of HD programming, and possibly compromising the picture.

 

[vurbano]

generally all a braodcaster has to play with is 19.3 mbps meg2 stream with about 18+1 audio. That will give you a great HD picture. But if he multicasts, I.e runs SD subchannels in that stream then anything more than a small weather radar it is going to cut into that stream and reduce the portion available for HD to the point where the picture is soft and pixelates.

 

[mcbeevee]

I heard one of the guys on G4TechTV say that the new digital TV stations have the ability to send 16 multicasts. The bandwidth would take a significant hit with 16 channels!

 

[briansanders007]

I have noticed a lot of my local stations multicast but when a hd program is on, they stop. Once the hd program is over they continue. The only way we get upn is on a subchannel.

 

[hdtvtechno]

I have noticed a lot of my local stations multicast but when a hd program is on, they stop. Once the hd program is over they continue.

Now that i think how it should be.

 

[riffjim4069]

Multicasting and 1080i sports to do not mix.