CEA Disses NAB/MSTV Digital Box

The Consumer Electronics Association Wednesday questioned whether the digital-to-analog converter box broadcasters are commissioning would be the low-cost solution Congress is seeking. It took the opportunity of its filing in the FCC's annual inquiry on video competition, to claim that the box being developed under the auspices of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) will include "many additional features that consumers do not need or want," that will make the box more expensive than it needs to be. Congress is expected to propose a subsidy for a low-cost box ($50-$75) as part of DTV transition legislation being teed up in both Commerce Committees. In its filing, CEA predicted that by the expected 2009 date for the switch to digital-only broadcasting, only 6.8% of viewers will be analog-only.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6271496?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
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