Los Angeles and New York City, for example, have 11 local broadcasters each. The TV and digital set-top industry appear to be the biggest winners in this transition. If the whole 6 MHz is carried, the broadcaster may decide to use the cable network for interactive services. Only two HDTV channels will fit in the 6 MHz channel depending on the action in the movie and modulation scheme used. This will be done with interlacing or progressive scans.
Progressive scans require more bandwidth to transmit an analog signal than interlaced scanning.
Statistical multiplexing also will need to be done, allowing more efficient carriage of these channels, and keeping them separated and secure at the other end. Remember, the channel speed requirements will be changing dynamically from one second to the next. The FCC won t touch it yet. If AOL and others want high speed, they can build their own networks or buy one. The Canadian regulatory authorities have ordered cable operators to lease access to their systems to traditional ISPs.