CEA Working Group Announces New Logos And Terminology For Products With 1394 Interface

1-Nov-01

Easing consumer adoption and retail marketing of various digital video products using the IEEE 1394 standard connector, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced the Video Division Board's approval of identification and self-certification logos crafted by the association's 1394 Interface Strategy Working Group. Since the 1394 standard allows for different types of content streams, a ""matching logos"" process will aid retail sales staff in determining product compatibility and simplify purchasing decisions for consumers. CEA's Video Division Board approved the 1394 logos at a meeting during the Industry Forum and Fall Conference held La Quinta, California. EIA-775A is a digital interface based on the IEEE 1394 standard adopted by CEA and the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) for connection of a digital cable box and a digital television. The new 1394 interface logos were developed with the goal of creating graphics and descriptors that would allow a consumer to see a product at retail, note the graphic, and then match that graphic with another product that they already own or may want to purchase. Through this matching logos process, the consumer would readily know the two products would interoperate. Newly-appointed Video Division Board Chair and Mitsubishi Electronics Vice President of Marketing Bob Perry, who also chaired the 1394 Working Group said, ""These consumer-friendly logos will make the consumer's digital video product buying experience the fun, simple and exciting experience it should be. We all want retailers and consumers to quickly identify compliant products and easily discern what works with what. These logos and definitions achieve that goal.""The baseline 1394 term and logo, ""DTVLink,"" is the label applied to a product that is capable of interfacing with other products with the following minimum attributes: - Utilizes a 1394 serial connection- Conforms to the applicable EIA/CEA technology and standards profiles based on EIA-849 and - Uses the Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP or 5C) system. DTCP is an encryption and authentication technology that can be used to protect content as it is being transferred over a digital connection in a home network, such as from a DVD player or set-top box to a digital television (DTV) set or from a set-top box to a recorder or other devices. CEA announced in May that the majority of digital television manufacturers who are CEA members endorsed the DTCP system. Currently, two major studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Brothers, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the 5C group to support DTCP, as well.Supplementary descriptors include ""DCAMLink,"" ""DVDLink,"" and ""WEBLink."" These supplementary terms may be used in conjunction with the baseline ""DTVLink"" logo, but will not be a required descriptor. ""DCAMLink"" has been finalized and indicates the product is capable of processing digital video content streams according to the technical standards established by EIA and CEA. ""DVDLink"" and ""WEBLink"" have been adopted as descriptors, but remain to be further clarified as the standard is developed. Use of all logos requires an agreement between CEA and the manufacturer. Each company is responsible for self-certification and testing of those products it determines to conform to the new descriptors. For more information about the CEA, visit www.ce.org.

Read More:
http://www.ce.org