[opendtv] Re: News: NAB, CEA Agree on Converter Box Basics
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 12:31:35 -0400
John Shutt wrote:
> Has anybody read this month's Mario Orazio in TV Technology?
>
> S/He makes the argument that the way the NTIA enabling
> legislation is written, STBs with an Electronic Program Guide
> is ineligible for the coupon subsidy.
Funny you mention that. I had not read that specific column, but the Act
that allocated the money to this purpose was perhaps not totally well
conceived. It does indeed place upper limits on the features the STB can
have, and I find it hard to justify that position. Minimum limits are
fine, but why the upper limit?
There were some very good arguments made to the NTIA list. Some people
said "Hey, if the govt is changing the way *my* public spectrum is used,
and is doing so to make megabucks from auctions, it is incumbent upon
the govt to pay me for the privilege of doing this with my property." Or
words to that effect.
I can see the $40 reimbusement, the limited time we have request a
coupon, and the two per household limit. But to me, this should apply to
any STB used for ATSC that is purchased directly by a consumer. Even
fancy ones with PVRs. (I'm trying to rationalize why integrated TV sets
should NOT be included.) What better way to ensure a rapid transition?
Allocate $1.5B, if that's the accepted figure, advertize the scheme
widely, then just let it be on a first come first served basis.
Bert
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