[opendtv] CBA and Microprose team up on NTIA DTV Boxes
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 06:15:20 -0400
COMMUNITY BROADCASTERS TEAM UP WITH MICROPROSE SYSTEMS, LLC
TO GET ANALOG PASS-THROUGH BOXES INTO THE HANDS OF CONSUMERS
Marietta, GA. (May 20, 2008) - Microprose Systems, LLC and the
Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) have announced the formation
of a partnership to help the millions of over-the-air (OTA)
television viewers, who's NTIA coupons are set to expire on May 31st
if not used. This partnership provides a much needed solution to
the millions of viewers who watch LPTV and Class A television
stations. These stations typically serve senior citizens, the poor,
rural areas, and minority and niche audiences across the United
States .
Beginning today, May 20th, over-the-air viewers across America will
have immediate access to an online store where they can validate
their DTV Coupons and pre-order the Microprose MPI-500 DTV converter
box. CBA member stations across the United States will help promote
this valuable solution and help people obtain converter boxes with
the essential analog pass-through feature.
The new MPI-500 "PT" series feature the much needed and desired
analog pass-through capability that allows TV owners requiring a
digital converter box to receive digital television programming as
well as allowing them to continue receiving their existing analog TV
signals from their favorite local stations.
Over 40 million households from a potential of 115+ million
non-digital televisions nationwide risk losing service unless they
have cable television, satellite service or a digital-to-analog
converter box. According to the NTIA, more than 13 million DTV
Converter Box coupons have been requested with 11 million sent to
consumers since the launch of the program on January 1, 2008 . To
date, NTIA has certified 82 converter boxes with only 14 having the
pass-through capability. The NTIA-approved, Microprose MPI-500 DTV
converter box with analog pass-through, designed to deliver
DVD-quality digital broadcast images on older analog TVs, will be
available for pre-ordering by going to CBA's
<http://www.keepuson.com/>www.KeepUsOn.com website beginning today,
May 20th.
"With 11 million coupons already mailed to consumers, and so few
NTIA-approved DTV converter boxes with the pass-through capability
available online or in retail stores, the TV Converter Box Coupon
Program has serious challenges." said Amy Brown, Executive Director
and Secretary for the CBA. "While the CBA is pleased with the high
level of awareness the CBA has created about the DTV Transition in
Congress, at the FCC and in homes across America, the need for
pass-through capability and the availability of these particular
boxes is essential. The CBA has answered the call to promote the
right converter boxes to the American public"
"We understand the great importance of being part of such a historic
transition in the United States , helping to take Television into the
Digital Age. However, Microprose wants to provide TV viewers the
ability to not only watch shows in Digital, but to give them the
ability to continue to also watch those TV stations that have not yet
turned on their Digital Transmission," said Curt Vendel, Director of
New Business Development for Microprose. "Most important to
Microprose was to show its strong support to the over 2,900 LPTV
stations who will not be making the move to Digital on the February
2009 deadline. Ultimately, providing a solution to TV viewers in
their viewing area's that look to, need and enjoy having their local
TV broadcasting available. This is why the MPI-500 series
converters offer the pass-through feature among many others. By
simply pressing a convenient Off/Standby button, the MPI-500 is put
into Analog TV pass through mode. This feature allows the continued
viewing and enjoyment of current and future Analog broadcasts to be
received while also providing easy access to all of the newer Digital
TV content. This partnership will ensure that a high quality, easy
to use product is made available to the CBA, its stations and their
TV viewers."
CBA's VP of Technology, Greg Herman said, "The CBA is proud to
provide a workable solution to assist over-the-air television viewers
in solving the severe problem created by the grossly inadequate
supply of DTV converter boxes with the essential analog pass-through
feature. We are pleased to be working with Microprose and look
forward to continuing our efforts to solve the problems that were
created by both Congress and the NTIA in the upcoming full power DTV
transition." Mr. Herman went on to say, "The LPTV and Class A
television industry looks forward to our successful and appropriately
timed transition to digital operations. However, since our
transition deadline has yet to be determined, DTV converter boxes
such as the Microprose MPI-500 offer a substantially more intelligent
and appropriate option for consumers and will help avoid the numerous
problems created by the distribution of boxes which block analog
signals."
Every home in America needs a DTV converter box in the event of an
emergency unless they have a television with a digital tuner. In a
storm or natural disaster, when cable or satellite often goes out, it
is the over-the-air television station that will provide critical
emergency information to the public. LPTV and Class A stations
historically have played an essential role in providing emergency
information to the public when needed most.
DTV converter boxes with analog pass-through are the only intelligent
choice for consumers who will need to be able to receive this
critical information from any broadcast station in their viewing
area, be it a full power, Class A, LPTV or television translator
station. The Microprose MPI-500 series converters provide the
logical solution for this need.
The Community Broadcasters Association represents over 2,900 Class A
and LPTV stations nationwide and is dedicated to their advancement
and protection as well as ensuring a successful transition into the
digital marketplace.
To see the CBA@NAB program, a list of supporting vendors and the
organization's current initiatives, log onto our website at
<http://www.dtvnow.org/>www.DTVNow.org or
<http://www.keepuson.com/>www.KeepUsOn.com.
Microprose Systems LLC is a leading engineering and manufacturing
firm, providing quality consumer electronics and video gaming
accessories for the consumer market. Microprose Systems LLC is
headquartered in New York City, with offices in Wilmington, DE,
Lorain, OH and Mountain View , CA . For more information, please
visit <http://www.microprosesystems.com/>www.microprosesystems.com.
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