CEA Responds To FCC Chairman Powell's Letter Regarding HDTV Transition

Urges Action On Cable Compatibility And Retail Availability Of Set-Top Boxes

10-Apr-02

Responding to a letter sent by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Fritz Hollings (D-South Carolina) and House Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-Louisiana), Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Vice President of Technology Policy Michael Petricone said the following:""We applaud Chairman Powell for taking the lead on the HDTV transition and again demonstrating the FCC's commitment to moving the transition forward. The Chairman's proposal includes many laudable ideas that will have a positive effect on the transition -- particularly those aimed at increasing the amount of high-definition (HD) content and promoting cable carriage of HD programming.""We believe, however, that the Chairman's proposed tuner mandate is unnecessary. As we have long said, compelling programming is the key to DTV tuner adoption. Our sales figures show that consumer demand for integrated digital sets and set-top tuners is directly related to the amount of available high-definition programming. As broadcast hours of high-definition programming and stations sending a digital signal have increased year-to-year, DTV tuner sales have risen concurrently. Additionally, a tuner mandate will undercut consumer choice. Currently, consumers can choose from over 350 digital television products at a wide range of price points.""We urge the Chairman to focus on the critical importance of 'plug-and-play' cable compatibility to the DTV transition. We need a firm timetable for the implementation of a national standard for digital cable transmission and a firm agreement from the cable industry to provide electronic program guide (EPG) information so that consumers can enjoy the full functionality of their DTV products. We also urge the Commission to work to resolve outstanding licensing issues, and ensure that any copy protection provisions related to cable transmission of digital television safeguard the customary home recording and fair use rights of consumers.""The Commission also should work to ensure the establishment of a competitive retail market for cable navigation devices as required by law. A competitive retail market for digital cable set-top boxes would lead to innovation and lower prices, and would substantially benefit the DTV transition. The longer this issue languishes, the more proprietary boxes enter the market, effectively foreclosing a truly competitive landscape.""We restate our continuing commitment to work with all interested parties to help drive the transition and offer our resources to Congress and the FCC as they continue to take a leadership role on DTV issues.""

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