Audio Video News

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is celebrating the official July 1 launch of the national "plug-and-play" digital cable standard, one that will deliver digital and high-definition television (HDTV) via cable for the first time without the need for a cable set-top box.

The new standard is already incorporated into HDTV receivers being shipped to stores and catalog retailers from multiple TV manufacturers, according to an announcement from the CEA. The development "gives millions of cable subscribers direct access to their local cable operator's digital basic, premium and subscription program services by directly connecting their digital cable into the DTV," without the need for set-top converter boxes (STBs).

New Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations will allow consumers across the country to enjoy the benefits of digital cable ready products as cable operators make "CableCARD" security modules available to allow customers to receive HDTV programming without a set-top box. Like a key, the CableCARD is inserted into a slot in a digital cable ready product—HDTVs, recorders, computers, and soon other consumer electronics—to unlock a local cable system's "conditional access" security protecting its programming.

"Plug-and-play is as simple as 1-2-3 - buy it, plug it in, turn it on and enjoy the wonders of HDTV—thanks to digital cable ready HDTV," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Millions of cable subscribers nationwide now have an easier path to join the HDTV revolution."

The cable industry reports that half—approximately 35 million—of all cable subscribers do not use a set-top box today, relying instead on their analog cable ready TVs to receive a limited number of analog channels. In addition, millions more have second, third and sometimes more TVs in their homes, which also do not have cable set-top boxes. While none of these cable homes today can access digital cable programming, the new CableCARD can give them first-time access to digital and HDTV on cable. According to the CEA, 54% of consumers surveyed said they would be more likely to buy HDTV if a separate set-top box was not required.

"The DTV transition goes into high-gear today, considering that 70 million US households rely on cable for their primary TV reception," Shapiro stated. "Digital cable ready HDTVs offer cable consumers a variety of features and benefits, including access to premium services and, in many cases, program guide capabilities built right into the new HDTVs.

"Not only do they offer cable DTV reception," Shapiro added, "They include an ATSC tuner for off-air DTV reception, as well, further advancing the analog to DTV transition. For its part, the consumer electronics industry is committed to working with retailers and cable operators to ensure that consumers understand and have access to CableCARDS to receive HDTV and other premium cable programming without a set-top box."

The CEA expects more than one million HDTV products to be sold by the end of this year.