In reply comments on receiver performance standards, the CEA said...

CEA Vp- Technology Policy Michael Petricone said. “Government mandates seldom create business incentives or result in product innovations. When it comes to DTV receiver standards, manufacturers already are competing in a highly competitive market that requires products to exceed consumer expectations.” Petricone said that if the FCC really wanted to ensure maximum consumer reception of broadcast HDTV, it should require that all licensed broadcasters transmit a DTV signal at full power as soon as possible. CEA said a majority of the stations on-air with digital signals were on low power. It also contended that changes in the radio frequency environment were much too fast-paced to be subjected to the delays inherent in the regulatory rulemaking process for products such as receivers. “Our goal -- and it should be that of the Commission as well -- is to ensure an environment that fosters research and development in receiver technologies and is conducive to improvements being implemented promptly in consumer receivers on an ongoing basis without regulatory delay,” CEA wrote. It said it was working with other DTV industry leaders through a Specialist Group of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) to develop recommended practices for DTV receivers, to provide the flexibility required for the receiver market that a government mandate could not allow (CD Aug 19 p6).