TV & VIDEO - Oct. 18, 1988

High-definition TV has the backing of two major networks: first ABC, now NBC--to the tune of $50 million. The network announced its proposal for production standards for HDTV to the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers at the group’s weekend convention in New York, saying the system could bring enhanced sound and picture quality into American homes within three years. The standards have the backing of a number of television manufacturers and ABC-TV, said NBC. The Federal Communications Commission last month set preliminary guidelines to allow research to proceed toward establishing an American high-definition system. Under the FCC guidelines, a U.S. system must be able to be received on existing TV sets so that current equipment would not become obsolete. About 20 advanced-TV systems are under development and competing to be designated as the U.S. standard.