DTV Audio Group Appoints NBCUniversal’s Jim Starzynski Chairman

Jim Starzynski, director and principal audio engineer, NBCUniversal Advanced Engineering, has been appointed chairman of the DTV Audio Group. The announcement was made by outgoing DTV Audio Group Chairman Tom Sahara, VP of operations and technology for Turner Sports, who was named chairman of the Sports Video Group Advisory Board in May.

“We are in an era of tremendous changes in technology and within the industry, and Jim is a leader with vision and dedication that are surpassed only by his passion for audio,” said Sahara. “As I settle into my new SVG role, I am confident that you will find Jim as committed to DTVAG as I. Please welcome Jim and provide him with the same trust and confidence that you afforded me.”

Starzynski oversees audio technologies and practices for all NBCUniversal television properties, including the company’s two broadcast networks, 26 owned stations, and 18 cable channels. He is responsible for establishing NBC’s audio strategy for DTV.

“I’m excited and honored to be helping the leadership of DTV Audio Group,” said Starzynski. “I’m very eager to be working alongside so many industry experts as we brainstorm new strategies, develop more timely learning packages, and continue to create interesting programs for our events.

“Among other things,” he added, “I hope my leadership can bring DTVAG closer to other industry organizations that impact our work, like ATSC, NAB, and SMPTE. A flow of information back and forth between groups can only be a plus for digital television audio and all the professionals that create it.”

Starzynski is chairperson of Advanced Television Systems Committee’s Technical Subgroup S34-2 on Next Generation Audio Systems and S6-3 on Digital Television Loudness. He is on the board of directors for the Home Audio Division of the Consumer Electronics Association and a member of SMPTE and AES. He gave expert testimony to Congress on the Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation Act, holds four Emmy Awards for technical achievement for multiple Olympic broadcasts, and is the 2011 recipient of the ATSC’s highest technical honor, the Bernard J. Lechner Outstanding Contributor Award.

“I want to thank Tom for sharing his vision and his generous contribution to the mission of facilitating the practical production application of digital television audio technology and best practices through education and communication,” said DTV Audio Group Executive Director Roger Charlesworth. “In welcoming Jim to the chairman’s role, I am excited about the possibilities of forming closer relations with standards-making and professional organizations to further strengthen the bridges between the television audio engineering and production communities.”

The DTV Audio Group will be holding its Production and Distribution Forum at the AES Convention, Oct. 17-20, in New York City. For more information on this event and the DTV Audio Group visit www.dtvaudio.org.