CEA Reaffirms Commitment To Resolving Outstanding Cable Compatibility Issues

Association Urges The Adoption Of Reasonable Licensing Terms For Copy Protection Technology

25-May-00

Resolution of the remaining public policy and technology issues must not be permitted to slow the transition to digital television (DTV), argued the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission. CEA specifically urged that the implementation of DTV not be delayed because of copy protection concerns. CEA filed its comments in response to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Cable Compatibility and Digital Television. ""The consumer electronics industry has worked for more than a decade to bring DTV technology to consumers and the transition is moving forward steadily,"" noted CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. ""DTV products are in the market and sales are strong. We have made significant progress in partnership with the cable industry. It is essential that we quickly resolve the remaining technical issues and keep the momentum going.""While CEA argued that concerns over copy protection should not be allowed to derail the transition, the association called for the Commission to enable consumers to transfer the same viewing and recording rights they have enjoyed in the analog realm to the new digital age.""We are gratified that the Commission recognizes the critical importance of copy protection to the DTV transition,"" Shapiro stated. ""Even as technology changes, it is imperative that reasonable and customary consumer home video rights be preserved. Specifically the Commission must be prepared to halt any attempt by the content industry to impose copy protection requirements that are falsely masquerading as conditional access measures.""""We are gratified that the Commission recognizes the critical importance of copy protection to the DTV transition,"" Shapiro stated. ""Even as technology changes, it is imperative CEA also stressed that broadcasters' digital signals, including electronic program guides, must be accessible to all cable consumers in the digital world. ""We are asking the Commission to ensure that the broadcasters' digital signal delivered by cable to consumers is the entire digital signal with all its original attributes - including resolution and EPG data - regardless of the terms of cable carriage. Only in this way can we ensure that that American cable consumers get the full benefit of DTV.""Shapiro also thanked Chairman Kennard and the FCC for moving aggressively to promote a rapid and consumer-friendly DTV transition.The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 76-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing and connecting the industries that define the digital age. CEA represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products that are sold through consumer channels. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.