NEW YORK: AES executive director Roger Furness reports that David Bialik, systems consultant and long-time AES Convention Broadcast Chair, has developed a stimulating series of events for the 119th Convention.

“Our Audio for HDTV: panel will examine shifts and advances in the evolution of this important technology,” Bialik says. “Chaired by PBS Director of Engineering, Andy Butler, the panel will consider the many complex issues facing broadcast engineers transitioning to HDTV. Initial panelists include: Rocky Graham of Dolby Laboratories, Alan Kraemer (tbc) of SRS and Geir Skaaden of Neural Audio. Topics will cover: Production, Transmission, Reception and other high priority issues critical to establishing wide acceptance for HDTV.”

Other AES Broadcast events include:

Digital Radio Broadcast Forum: Chaired by David Bialik, and celebrating its 14th anniversary as a convention staple, this panel is comprised of: KAHN Communications principal Leonard Kahn; David Wilson of CE; Mike Lyons of Ibiquity; David Layer of the NAB; Skip Pizzi of Microsoft; Tony Massielo of XM Radio; Mark Kalman of SIRIUS, and representatives of the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium.

Surround Sound for Digital Radio, chaired by Herb Squire of DSI, the panel will examine station implementation of and listener reactions to this increasingly popular format. Participants include: Robert Reems of Neural Audio; Stephan Geyersberger of Fraunhaufer; SRS CTO Alan Kraemer; Frank Foti of Telos-Omnia; XM Radio’s Tony Massielo; Steve Lyman of Dolby Labs and Mike Pappas of KUVO FM (Colorado). Demos are being coordinated.

Two Tutorials are scheduled: Mixing A Live Broadcast In Surround, demonstrated by Mike Pappas and, Designing A Broadcast Facility for 5.1, by Radio Magazine editor Chriss Scherer, and other industry leaders.

A Special Historical Event marking the 70th Anniversary of FM Radio: Coordinated by Paul McLane, Editor in Chief/U.S. Radio World, NorthEast Radio Watch editor Scott Fybush, Solid Electronics Labs principal Steve Hemphill and David Bialik, this salute to the enduring popularity of this pivotal broadcast format will include panel members: Robert Carter Brecht, a descendant of FM innovator Edwin Howard Armstrong; Henry G. Dietz a developer of the first FM receivers and transmitters and other key players in FM’s rise.

“The 119th AES Convention will offer the most broadcast-related events in the organization’s history,” Bialik reports. “Capping this extraordinary program will be the live performance of an audio drama produced on stage at the Javits Convention Center by Himan Brown, 93-year-old doyen of live radio production. Himan is talking with some high-profile actors, and this production promises to be an unforgettable experience.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have David Bialik on our Committee,” AES chair Jim Anderson remarked. “His enthusiasm, coupled with the scope his knowledge and industry contacts is an invaluable asset. He has provided us with a series of panels, demos guaranteed to appeal to audio pros far beyond the traditional radio broadcast circle.”