[opendtv] Re: 5 October 05 NAB press release on STBs
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 23:32:26 -0400
> Will there be more hurdles? Like, will there be a reasonable
> set of features available in these new STBs, or a range of
> products? The descriptions sound very bare bones.
On a lark I bought another HD STB yesterday at my local Radio Shack
store for $89.98.
<http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=16-3499>
It actually performs fairly well (OTA only, not cable) and has a decent
(but slow) guide including details of individual shows. And it can pick
up all the major channels except WB using a double bow tie in my living
room on a 12' mast. (I live alone so I can get away with this ;-) )
Dunno if it would be good enough to be Mark-proof but I was fairly
impressed for the price and will likely keep this one. And someone else
today said they got one there for only $79.95.
Maybe there is hope yet.
- Tom
Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
> I had estimated 20M homes relying on OTA, and at least 40M
> receivers needed. Eddie Fritts says 21M homes and 73M
> receivers.
>
> Whatever the actual number is, and we shouldn't forget that
> cable and DBS homes also have OTA-only sets in use, the
> market for transitional STBs should be substantial by any
> reckoning.
>
> Will there be more hurdles? Like, will there be a reasonable
> set of features available in these new STBs, or a range of
> products? The descriptions sound very bare bones.
>
> Bert
>
> ------------------------------------------
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> October 5, 2005 David Donovan, MSTV
> 202-966-1956
> Dennis Wharton, NAB
> 202-429-5350
> John Taylor, LG Electronics
> 202-719-3490
> Dave Arland, Thomson
> 317-701-0084
>
> Thomson and LG Electronics Partner with Broadcasters
> to Develop Terrestrial Digital-to-Analog Converter
> Boxes
>
> WASHINGTON, DC - The Association for Maximum Service
> Television, Inc. and the National Association of
> Broadcasters have selected LG Electronics Inc. and
> Thomson, SA to each develop prototype high quality,
> low cost Terrestrial Digital Converter Boxes to
> receive digital signals on conventional analog
> televisions.
>
> Jointly funded by MSTV and NAB with development support
> from Thomson and LG Electronics, these prototypes will
> serve as blueprints for future products from
> manufacturers to ensure that the more than 70 million
> analog TVs relying exclusively on terrestrial broadcast
> signals will continue to receive free over-the-air TV
> service when all-digital broadcasting begins.
>
> MSTV President David Donovan explained that today's
> announcement follows an extensive evaluation over the
> past several months of more than a dozen proposals
> submitted by leading electronics and integrated circuit
> manufacturers from around the world in response to a
> Request for Quotation released by NAB and MSTV on June
> 20.
>
> "No viewer should be left behind when this nation
> converts to all-digital signals," said Donovan.
> "Developing a high-quality, low-cost digital-to-analog
> converter box ensures that all Americans will be able
> to receive emergency information and their favorite TV
> shows using existing analog television sets. We are
> delighted to be working with these companies, both
> leaders in the consumer electronics industry. This
> collaborative effort benefits all consumers. Also, it
> comports with Congressional efforts to subsidize
> quality converter boxes that provide an alternative
> for consumers that want to keep their current analog
> equipment."
>
> NAB President Eddie Fritts observed, "There are 21
> million homes and 73 million receivers relying
> exclusively on antennas to receive local television
> signals. Disenfranchising these viewers would present
> a significant problem for broadcasters, the government
> and consumers. This project demonstrates a willingness
> by both broadcasters and two of the world's leading
> electronics companies to ensure that all Americans
> have affordable access to local television signals
> both during and after the transition to digital."
>
> "LG Electronics is honored to be selected by the NAB
> and MSTV, and we're enthusiastic about joining forces
> with broadcasters to develop the next-generation of
> DTV reception technology," said Dr. Jong Kim, vice
> president, research, LG Electronics. "As a long-time
> participant in the digital television transition, LG
> and our Zenith subsidiary look forward to working
> with the broadcasting industry to develop this
> important product, which we expect to set the
> performance benchmark against which others should be
> measured to assure consumer satisfaction with digital
> reception. As I testified before a Congressional
> committee earlier this year, this kind of product is
> a key to the digital TV transition."
>
> "We are delighted to be working with the broadcast
> television industry to develop a new digital-to-analog
> converter box platform," said Barb Birnbaum, director
> of business development for Thomson's Access Platforms
> & Gateways business. "We know that Congress desires an
> inexpensive digital to analog converter box in order
> to ensure consumers are not disenfranchised when
> analog broadcasts cease, and we believe there will be
> a market for a variety of digital-to-analog conversion
> products. Thomson has a long history of providing top
> quality receiving devices and we look forward to
> working collaboratively with the broadcast industry to
> help meet Congressional expectations."
>
>
>
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