CEMA Finalizes Indoor Antenna Specifications

The Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA) has announced another significant milestone in the industry's TV Antenna Selector Map Program. The program, which makes antenna sales easy for consumers by using color-coded maps that match outdoor antenna performance, has recently implemented a certification program for indoor antennas that comply with stringent technical specifications to ensure maximum performance. Outdoor antenna performance specifications were completed last year, corresponding to the color labels on product packaging that makes proper product selection a snap for consumers. The specifications for both types of antennas are contained in EIA (Electronic Industries Association) standards, which are available for use by any antenna manufacturer. Ray Conover of Conus Communications and chairman of the CEMA R-5 (antenna engineering) Committee, stated, ""This is another industry milestone because once again the antenna industry has worked together to create standards that will give consumers the information they need when determining what antenna to buy. They can be assured that if their antenna contains the CEMA indoor or outdoor mark, that product complies with strict standards on manufacturing and labeling."" The voluntary standards were prepared by the R-5 Committee to provide manufacturers of television receive antennas with appropriate guidance on determining antenna categories and minimum performance requirements to comply with the CEMA program. Essential elements of this program includes the color coding of various television reception environments in a market, and corresponding color-coded labels on antenna packaging. The standards serve as a guide to manufacturers for categorizing both indoor (Engineering Bulletin EIA/CEB-7) and outdoor (Engineering Bulletin EIA/CEB-6-C) antennas. They discuss antenna types and characteristics, packaging and marking specifications, as well as provide minimum performance requirements. CEMA's R-5 Committee also developed EIA-774 for manufacturers, a document which standardizes all antenna test and measurement procedures. Outdoor antennas that meet or exceed these criteria are allowed to carry the outdoor antenna mark, which corresponds to the color coded maps and have been available to retailers since early this year. Indoor antennas, which do not correspond to the maps because of the multiple factors in determining good reception in a specific location, are CEMA-certified as meeting or exceeding minimum industry-wide performance requirements. CEMA antenna manufacturers are already using the mark on outdoor product, and will begin displaying the indoor mark at the retail level starting May 1, 2000. Over the next few months, manufacturers not yet in compliance will make improvements to indoor product to meet the CEMA certification. The mapping program has expanded the number of U.S. maps to 272. Conover explains, ""For technical reasons based on the location of transmit towers, we have created separate maps for adjacent, ""sister"" markets in some areas, so some areas might have two maps to cover a city - now we have 272 maps representing 197 markets. All but about 20 of the smallest markets have been mapped, and to date, over 70 percent of the map kits are available for order. We expect all market map kits to be finished, printed and ready for distribution by the end of the summer.""Neil Terk, President of Terk Technologies and Chairman of CEMA's Antenna Subdivision, commented, ""So far we have had over 400 retailers and installers even overseas order map kits. Antenna manufacturers, retailers and consumers are all benefiting from this program which provides retailers with the tools they need to increase antenna sales and consumers with the tools they need to make the right purchasing decision."" Terk continued, ""As consumers continue to embrace digital satellite TV systems, and as they are becoming more excited about high definition television, they are looking for today's antennas to provide them with that digital link ñ the reception of local off-air signals. The initial results of the CEMA map program have been phenomenal and we expect it to grow given the cost-effective, space-saving technology solution that antennas offer.""Those wishing to receive a copy of any EIA standard may refer to the CEMA web site at www.CEMAcity.org/works/engineering/standards, or call Global Engineering Documents at (800) 854-7179. Map kits may be ordered for a nominal charge from: The CEMA Antenna Selector Map Program, c/o Dan Dolan Printing, 2301 E. Hennepin Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55413, fax: 612 676 0080.