The Impact of Unestablished Picture Format Standards on TV Systems

Across various industries, there are established standards to ensure compatibility and facilitate technological advancements. However, when it comes to picture formats for TV systems, the absence of such standards can lead to significant consequences. In this article, we explore the potential ripple effects and the eventual path to convergence in the absence of formal picture format standards.

Industry Standards and Proprietary Formats

Printer companies, for instance, use patented formats to drive customers to purchase their specific brand of ink. Similarly, DSLR cameras utilize different mounts for lenses, resulting in a variety of proprietary formats. Digital camera manufacturers agreed to use the JPEG standard for images but continue to employ proprietary “raw” formats to promote their software and services. This ensures higher quality images and encourages the exclusive use of their products.

The format war over digital photo cards is another example. The SD format ultimately won, becoming the standard for almost all cameras. Meanwhile, battery standardization has seen some consistency over the decades, with AAA, AA, C, and D formats becoming the norm. However, rechargeable batteries remain proprietary, limiting compatibility.

In the realm of cellular technology, companies regularly convene to set new standards, like the current 5G, ensuring interoperability and commercial success. Similarly, computer data connectors have converged to predominantly use USB, with only a few proprietary connectors remaining.

The Potential Chaos in the Absence of TV Picture Format Standards

With the freedom to choose whatever picture format they desire, television broadcasters and manufacturers could face a situation of fragmented formats. Each big broadcaster might opt for a unique format, leading to manufacturers espousing a range of supported formats. Multiformat receivers could become more expensive, as the market would have to support multiple standards. Eventually, less popular formats might be phased out, but this process could be slow and require significant market forces.

The Path to Convergence: Business and Commercial Needs

Initially, chaos could ensue as various TV systems employ different picture formats. However, the market dynamics and commercial needs would eventually drive a rapid convergence to a single standard. This process could be informal, with manufacturers, content creators, and distributors settling on the most commercially viable format.

The goal for any business in the TV entertainment industry is to maximize viewership. Selling a product that can only be seen by a limited number of people would be economically unviable. Over time, these stakeholders would gravitate towards the format that gives them the largest audience base, thus creating a de facto standard.

The convergence towards a single standard would be driven by market forces and commercial necessity, ensuring that the television industry maintains its strong economy while benefiting consumers with a seamless viewing experience.

Conclusion

While the absence of established picture format standards for TV systems might initially lead to chaos and fragmentation, the natural evolution of the market and commercial needs will ultimately drive convergence. This process, though potentially cumbersome, ensures that the industry remains vibrant and offers a unified viewing experience to consumers.