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. Mario writes:
"Congress said the box is "a stand-alone device that does not contain
features or functions except those necessary to enable a consumer to convert
any channel broadcast in the digital television service into a format that
the consumer can display on television receivers designed to receive and
display signals only in the analog television service, but may also include
a remote control device.""
Mario continues:
"So, if the box offers a program guide, you can't use a coupon to buy it.
If it's got a recording output spigot, it's likewise taboo. Methinks even
baseband audio and video outputs would put it off limits. So what
manufacturer is going to want to make boxes that most consumers won't want
to buy? It's a head scratcher, all right."
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Birkmaier" <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
>
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375082.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&nid=2228
>
> NAB, CEA Agree on Converter Box Basics
> By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/25/2006 3:51:00 PM
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