LG Electronics will deliver a prototype DTV converter box to MSTV-NAB in Sept. 1/3 the original’s size and integrating most ATSC tuning and reception functions on a single chip, an LG spokesman told us at N.Y. news briefing. The device goes a long way toward meeting the goal of a DTV converter box costing $50 or less by the Feb. 2009 analog cutoff, the spokesman said. The box, which LG plans to self- certify as eligible for the NTIA’s $40 coupon program, has separate ROM and RAM plus a video input and RF 3/4 channel output. It may add a smart antenna output to accommodate a powered or unidirectional DTV antenna, the spokesman said. The box is being developed based on expected demand for 20-40 million units, not all will require a new antenna, he spokesman said. The box will ship in 2008, when the coupon program kicks in.
Only a household relying exclusively on over-the-air analog TV reception would qualify for a $40 coupon voucher redeemable toward purchase of a “certified” bare-bones DTV converter box under the long-awaited NTIA rulemaking released Mon. and scheduled for Federal Register publication today (Tues.). The agency was charged by Congress in DTV transition legislation with running the $1.5-billion subsidy program in advance of the Feb. 2009 analog cutoff. Comments on NTIA’s proposed rules are due in 60 days.
The hybrid Brazilian-Japanese DTV standard emerging from an agreement between those 2 countries probably won’t be adopted by any other Latin American countries, said Peter MacAvock, exec. dir-DVB Project. Details of the standard are still emerging, but observers believe it will incorporate aspects of Brazilian and Japanese technology, MacAvock said: “Our impression is it’s basically a system that cherry picks the Japanese system… That’s fine, but that’s no longer an international standard.”
Broadcasters will study ways they can get involved with the consumer electronics industry, hoping to put DTV and radio receivers in devices such as iPods, cellphones and laptop computers, said Edward Munson, vp-TV for Lin TV. Munson heads an NAB task force, comprised of TV and radio executives on the NAB board, on technology advocacy that will look at the best way to bring broadcasters and device makers together. “We've not had a seat at the table,” as companies develop portable media devices, he said.
LAS VEGAS -- FCC Chmn. Martin wants cable to carry all of TV stations’ digital signals, backing broadcasters’ desire for multicast must-carry and marking his latest departure from his predecessor. Martin told NAB here he'd like the FCC to review a 2005 ruling under Chmn. Michael Powell, who said must-carry would violate cable operators’ First Amendment rights (CD Feb 11/05 p1). “That was one of the missed opportunities for the Commission,” Martin said in a Tues. keynote. “If a majority was willing to relook at that, I think that would be a good opportunity.”
Year-to-date DTV shipments passed 3 million units in week 13 ended March 31, CEA said. This is the earliest DTV has hit that mark in any year since its introduction. The 3,068,030 DTV units shipped as of March 31 include direct- view, LCD and rear-projection and plasma models, plus analog TVs fitted with built-in ATSC tuners under an FCC mandate for all sets 25” and larger. Shipments of analog-only sets in the year’s first 13 weeks were down almost 1/2, to 2,352,969 from 4,561,850 in the same year-earlier period, CEA reported.
Brazil may be near a decision on a DTV standard, ending the last big battle for market share among DTV standards from the U.S. (ATSC), Europe (DVB) and Japan (ISDB). A delegation led by Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim Thurs. signed a memorandum of understanding for Japan to help Brazil develop a “Japanese-Brazilian system” for DTV, AFP reported. But a final decision on the standard would be up to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva, Amorim said.
The “attenuation” of buildings is a “critical factor” in determining whether an unlicensed wireless device can cause harmful interference to over-the-air TV reception and that device’s ability to “autonomously detect” vacant TV channels if it’s to operate reliably, CEA told the FCC in an ex parte filing Wed.
Year-to-date factory DTV shipments have surpassed those of standalone direct-view analog TVs for the first time, CEA reported. The milestone was passed in week 12 ended March 24, when 2,341,358 DTV sets had been shipped in 2006 vs. 2,226,344 for analog TV only. Adding in analog TV/DVD and other combos, analog direct-view still held a slight lead. CEA’s weekly DTV shipments include LCD, plasma, direct-view and projection sets, as well as analog sets containing built- in ATSC tuners required by the FCC. Beginning March 1, under Commission rules, all TV sets shipped with an analog NTSC tuner also must have a digital ATSC tuner built in. The mandate will expand to all sets shipped after March 1, 2007.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is starting work on a voluntary Energy Star specification for digital TV converter boxes with a meeting in June or July of those interested. In a “Dear Stakeholder” letter to business, state govts., nonprofits and European and Canadian counterparts, Katherine Osdoba, Energy Star product mgr.- consumer electronics, said the first meeting will be “key” because the agency will begin developing a draft specification. She said the EPA is tracking work on energy limits for DTV adapters (DTAs) in states such as Cal. and N.Y. and in Canada, Australia and China. The agency’s work on converters will “involve some forecasting,” she said, because unlike other Energy Star products, DTV adapters aren’t yet on the market.