By Clyde Roboins, General Instrument Corporation
Stereo programming is presently available to the cable operator. The enhanced entertainment value of stereo video programs should be provided to the cable subscriber as soon as possible in order to stay competitive. BTSC is the best choice of stereo formats for video program audio because of the ease of interface and compatibility, both in the headend and the home. Video buzz interference has been the major drawback to BTSC stereo, but it has been eliminated with the dual detector system. Other limitations such as bandwidth and separation are minimal and turn out to be audibly insignificant. BTSC stereo has a better dynamic range than the typical FM stereo receiver. BTSC requires no separate tuning system as out of band FM systems do, which makes BTSC the easiest to operate and the least expensive alternative.