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CEDIA Urges Members To Voice Support To The FCC For The Retention Of Current Digital Television Standard
The Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) has initiated an association-wide campaign to urge the FCC to retain the digital television standard it adopted in 1996. In addition to addressing the FCC as an Association, CEDIA has issued a letter to its membership asking that they too write to FCC Chairman William Kennard and the four FCC commissioners in response to a recent proposal filed by Sinclair Broadcasting Group. The proposal asks that the FCC readdress its 1996 decision to adopt 8-VSB as the broadcast standard. According to CEDIA Executive Director Billilynne Keller, Sinclairís petition is not justifiable. ""The FCC adopted 8-VSB as the standard for digital modulation following more than 10 years of exhaustive research and trials. It is incomprehensible that three years later, the FCC would be asked to revisit a standard by which an entire new industry is based,"" said Keller. Keller explains that, ""CEDIA members have more experience in installing DTV than any other retail group. At this point in time, the overwhelming majority of installations are large screen systems where the use of indoor antennas is specially avoided. For that reason, any minor installation or reception problems that may be caused by the current system are not evident to our customers."" ""Sinclairís petition hinders the introduction of digital television and puts consumersí investments in jeopardy. We are acting in support of the Office of Technologyís recommendation to retain the adopted standards and believe that any other action will only further compromise the introduction of digital TV,"" said Keller. ""As the commissionís own report, as well as those of others, indicates, a switch to COFDM would decrease coverage areas for the same transmitter power. CEDIA believes that any potential benefits made possible by a change in the system would be greatly outweighed by the inability of consumers in outlying areas to receive DTV."" Keller explained that many investments are at stake. CEDIA members, as independent business people, have also made significant investments in capital equipment to demonstrate DTV and HDTV to their clients and prospects. And, consumers have already invested more than $300 million in digital equipment. Reopening the standard at this point would cause significant economic injury to those investors,"" said Keller. CEDIA was founded in 1989 and represents more than 1,600 member companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems ñ typically media rooms, single or multi-room entertainment systems, home automation and communication systems, and integrated whole house subsystems providing control of lighting, security and HVAC systems. Members are established, insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field.