[opendtv] Re: News: NAB, CEA Agree on Converter Box Basics

  • From: "John Shutt" <shuttj@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 10:16:24 -0400

Has anybody read this month's Mario Orazio in TV Technology?

S/He makes the argument that the way the NTIA enabling legislation is written, STBs with an Electronic Program Guide is ineligible for the coupon subsidy. Mario writes:

"Congress said the box is "a stand-alone device that does not contain features or functions except those necessary to enable a consumer to convert any channel broadcast in the digital television service into a format that the consumer can display on television receivers designed to receive and display signals only in the analog television service, but may also include a remote control device.""

Mario continues:

"So, if the box offers a program guide, you can't use a coupon to buy it. If it's got a recording output spigot, it's likewise taboo. Methinks even baseband audio and video outputs would put it off limits. So what manufacturer is going to want to make boxes that most consumers won't want to buy? It's a head scratcher, all right."

John

----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Birkmaier" <craig@xxxxxxxxx>


http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375082.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&nid=2228

NAB, CEA Agree on Converter Box Basics
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/25/2006 3:51:00 PM




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