CEA Supports Chairman Tauzinís Demand For High-Definition Television Content From Broadcasters

26-Jul-00

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) expressed its full support for comments made by Congressman Billy Tauzin (R-Louisiana), chairman of the U.S. House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection, demanding broadcasters provide high-definition television (HDTV). The Chairman made his comments during a hearing on the U.S. digital television (DTV) transition held by the Telecommunications Subcommittee.As he closed the hearing, Tauzin sternly told broadcasters that any attempt to lease or sell for subscription data or other services the digital spectrum provided to them for the DTV transition would be a ""deal breaker."" He said that the spectrum must be used to broadcast HDTV and warned that it will be a ""very big mistake"" if broadcasters do not provide HDTV to consumers. ""Congressman Tauzin's comments echo our sentiments exactly,"" said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro, who testified at the hearing. ""Having received their public spectrum, we believe that all broadcasters now have the obligation of keeping their end of the bargain.Broadcaster decisions to use the spectrum primarily for services other than delivering free over the air television abrogates the agreement with Congress and denies the public trust.""CEA also applauded Chairman Tauzin's call to ensure that all consumers can receive a DTV signal. Tauzin argued that cable companies must carry high definition signals on their systems as part of the HDTV ""deal."" ""Consumers are entitled to have a HDTV signal,"" he said.""For our part, our industry has every incentive to make sure that all Americans have access to the wonders of DTV,"" said Shapiro, ""That is why we are offering an ever-increasing array of products at various price points. And that is why we oppose any change in the existing, approved DTV broadcast standard, 8-VSB.""During today's hearing, consumer electronics manufacturers conclusively ended the debate over the DTV transmission standard by demonstrating 8-VSB reception within the congressional hearing room using a simple indoor antenna. A representative of Zenith Electronics ""surfed"" local DTV channels and showed the marked superiority of DTV picture quality over analog picture quality as received within the hearing room. NxtWave Communications, a manufacturer of DTV chips, used an indoor antenna to showcase DTV reception on a PC via a card designed by the company.""Some may conclude that I am biased in favor of the current standard,"" testified NxtWave Chairman and CEO Matt Miller. ""I am, because I understand its superior capabilities and what they can mean for bringing new and better services to the American public in both urban and rural areas. Pausing now for years while we debate the intricacies of this or that standard is the equivalent to 'fiddling while Rome burns.' Our DTV standard is fine, it does the job and will accommodate future requirements. Let's get on with it.""In his testimony, Shapiro described a successful consumer transition to digital television (DTV) characterized by broad product offerings, increased programming from alternative media sources, steady sales and high consumer satisfaction with DTV products.""TV manufacturers have introduced approximately 200 different products and DTV is available at hundreds of retail locations across the country. Already, more than 300,000 DTV products have been sold to dealers (including DTV and HDTV monitors, integrated sets and stand-alone set-top boxes), representing a consumer investment of nearly $800 million. As we have heard from retailers, DTV is meeting and even exceeding consumer expectations,"" said Shapiro.""Broadcasters must now meet their end of the bargain by providing high quality, true high definition programming,"" Shapiro added. ""We look forward to working with Chairman Tauzin and others to ensure that the DTV transition continues to move forward.""

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