Consumer electronics group calls for broad FCC set top box review

It's been more than six years since federal regulators looked at competition in the market for video set-top boxes. And in that time, the video landscape has dramatically changed. Telecom companies AT&T and Verizon have joined cable companies in bringing shows and movies to U.S. living rooms. They are also joined by satellite companies such as Dish Network and Direct TV. So the Consumer Electronics Association wants to make sure the Federal Communications Commission looks at the broader market for video service as it begins its review of set-top boxes. Public interest groups say there is no reason why the set-top box can't be a slimmed down device with scores of applications for videos, movies, games, and Internet content. There are currently two main set-top box makers - Motorola and Cisco - though many more device makers have expressed interest in getting into the industry, particularly as more people spend time in front of the TV.