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/db.widescreenreview.com/weeknews/FMPro?-db=webnewsearch.fp5&-format=record%5fdetail.htm&-sortfield=rank&-op=cn&Type=Web%20News&Year=2005&Month=03&Day=16&-recid=42368&-find=
March 16, 2005
Four Out Of Four Congressional Leaders Agree: Analog Cut-Off Date
Needed To Complete DTV Transition
CEA's 10th Annual HDTV Summit Focuses On The End Of Analog; Success
Of HDTV
With the end of the analog television era in clear sight, digital
television (DTV) government and industry leaders convened for the
Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) 10th annual HDTV Summit -
"The Analog Cut-Off: What Will It Take? What Are the
Opportunities?" Four congressional DTV leaders led a chorus of
support for the establishment of a hard cut-off date for analog
television broadcasts that resounded throughout the conference.
"Soon, DTV will be known as TV," said CEA President and CEO Gary
Shapiro as he opened the conference. "The standout will remain HDTV.
CEA has aggressive projections for future HDTV sales, but how American
consumers will judge our work remains to be seen and largely depends on
our actions going forward."
Stating CEA's support for a date-certain for the analog cut-off,
Shapiro laid out policy prescriptions for the swift completion of the
DTV transition, including Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
enforcement of cable industry reliance upon the same security as
consumer electronics manufacturers. Shapiro also pushed for DTV
promotions by all industries involved in the transition.
Several members of Congress addressed the crowded convention center
during morning keynotes, all expressing their support for a
date-certain for the end of analog broadcasts The first keynote
speaker, Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), chairman of the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce, indicated he would introduce legislation on the
issue later this spring or summer.
"Everybody wants the certainty of a set date except for the
broadcasters," Barton said. He stated that the projected $4 billion
to $5 billion windfall that is expected from the auction of the
returned spectrum could help fund the transition costs for those
consumers who cannot afford to buy digital tuners. He concluded by
encouraging Summit attendees to get involved on Capitol Hill and
educate lawmakers about how the digital transition affects consumers.
"I'm on the same page as Joe Barton," said Chairman of the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Fred Upton (R-MI),
as he took the podium following Chairman Barton. "The cut-off could
be financed by the proceeds of the spectrum auction. Education is a
critical component in preparing the consumer."
Senator John Ensign (R-NV), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology,
Innovation and Competitiveness, completed the morning keynotes. "A
date certain is what we need so there is predictability in the market
so consumers will invest." He added, "Educate members of Congress
why a date certain is so important."
The first panel session of the day featured industry experts and
policymakers who weighed in on factors impeding the transition. Gigi
Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, and CEA's Shapiro
immediately agreed broadcasters were the most notable hurdle to the
transition. Defending his industry, MSTV President David Donovan
countered that consumers were ultimately blocking the transition. The
entire panel agreed more consumer education is needed by industry and
Congress and that the best date for an analog cut-off is sooner, rather
than later. Several argued, however, that the original date of 2006 is
still the goal.
DTV trends and sales projections dominated an informative sales
forecast panel moderated by Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Jon Healey.
Panelists who had been "bearish" about DTV sales in the early years
of the transition, noted that falling prices and increasing content
were driving larger numbers of DTV sales than they had previously
predicted.
"An important consideration for driving future sales is to sell the
experience, including what HD shows are available, instead of just
focusing on the technology," offered panelist Philip Swann, CEO of TV
Predictions. Fellow panelists Sean Wargo, CEA Director of Industry
Analysis, and Josh Bernoff, Forrester Vice President and Principal
Analyst, announced updated DTV sales projections. Wargo said DTV unit
sales would reach 20 million units in 2005 alone, amounting to 36
million cumulative units sold since introduction; Bernoff was more
cautious, projecting total DTV unit sales of 50 million from market
introduction in 1998 through 2009.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ), former Chairman of the Senate Commerce
Committee, addressed Summit attendees during the 5th Annual Academy of
Digital Television Pioneers Awards luncheon as he accepted his award
for Best DTV Government Leadership. McCain, who also backs a hard
analog cut-off date, expressed his support for Chairman Barton's bill
and pledged to continue to work so that millions would be able to
appreciate high-definition television. Awards also were presented to
other leaders in the digital television transition and content
development. For a full list of award winners, visit www.ce.org.
The future of the analog spectrum and the end of the 18-year DTV
transition were the topics of discussion in the final session of the
Summit, entitled "Beyond HD Technology: Opportunities for the
Returned Analog Spectrum." Moderator Drew Clark of the National
Journal's Technology Daily led a dialogue on how companies expect to
participate in the 700 megahertz band. Panelists from the information
technology and wireless industries pointed to numerous possible uses,
including public safety and third-generation (3G) wireless services,
such as full streaming video. The panelists also debated whether
licensing the spectrum space would inhibit technological innovations
and whether wireless communication would be the best use of the newly
freed space.
The 10th annual HDTV Summit concluded with an HDTV prize drawing from
ESPN HD and speculation about what next year's Summit will have in
store. Many agreed the 11th annual HDTV Summit will likely focus on
financing the cut-off date and continued broadcaster resistance.
http
/db.widescreenreview.com/weeknews/FMPro?-db=webnewsearch.fp5&-format=record%5fdetail.htm&-sortfield=rank&-op=cn&Type=Web%20News&Year=2005&Month=03&Day=16&-recid=42368&-find=March 16, 2005
Four Out Of Four Congressional Leaders Agree: Analog Cut-Off Date
Needed To Complete DTV Transition
CEA's 10th Annual HDTV Summit Focuses On The End Of Analog; Success
Of HDTV
With the end of the analog television era in clear sight, digital
television (DTV) government and industry leaders convened for the
Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) 10th annual HDTV Summit -
"The Analog Cut-Off: What Will It Take? What Are the
Opportunities?" Four congressional DTV leaders led a chorus of
support for the establishment of a hard cut-off date for analog
television broadcasts that resounded throughout the conference.
"Soon, DTV will be known as TV," said CEA President and CEO Gary
Shapiro as he opened the conference. "The standout will remain HDTV.
CEA has aggressive projections for future HDTV sales, but how American
consumers will judge our work remains to be seen and largely depends on
our actions going forward."
Stating CEA's support for a date-certain for the analog cut-off,
Shapiro laid out policy prescriptions for the swift completion of the
DTV transition, including Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
enforcement of cable industry reliance upon the same security as
consumer electronics manufacturers. Shapiro also pushed for DTV
promotions by all industries involved in the transition.
Several members of Congress addressed the crowded convention center
during morning keynotes, all expressing their support for a
date-certain for the end of analog broadcasts The first keynote
speaker, Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), chairman of the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce, indicated he would introduce legislation on the
issue later this spring or summer.
"Everybody wants the certainty of a set date except for the
broadcasters," Barton said. He stated that the projected $4 billion
to $5 billion windfall that is expected from the auction of the
returned spectrum could help fund the transition costs for those
consumers who cannot afford to buy digital tuners. He concluded by
encouraging Summit attendees to get involved on Capitol Hill and
educate lawmakers about how the digital transition affects consumers.
"I'm on the same page as Joe Barton," said Chairman of the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Fred Upton (R-MI),
as he took the podium following Chairman Barton. "The cut-off could
be financed by the proceeds of the spectrum auction. Education is a
critical component in preparing the consumer."
Senator John Ensign (R-NV), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology,
Innovation and Competitiveness, completed the morning keynotes. "A
date certain is what we need so there is predictability in the market
so consumers will invest." He added, "Educate members of Congress
why a date certain is so important."
The first panel session of the day featured industry experts and
policymakers who weighed in on factors impeding the transition. Gigi
Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, and CEA's Shapiro
immediately agreed broadcasters were the most notable hurdle to the
transition. Defending his industry, MSTV President David Donovan
countered that consumers were ultimately blocking the transition. The
entire panel agreed more consumer education is needed by industry and
Congress and that the best date for an analog cut-off is sooner, rather
than later. Several argued, however, that the original date of 2006 is
still the goal.
DTV trends and sales projections dominated an informative sales
forecast panel moderated by Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Jon Healey.
Panelists who had been "bearish" about DTV sales in the early years
of the transition, noted that falling prices and increasing content
were driving larger numbers of DTV sales than they had previously
predicted.
"An important consideration for driving future sales is to sell the
experience, including what HD shows are available, instead of just
focusing on the technology," offered panelist Philip Swann, CEO of TV
Predictions. Fellow panelists Sean Wargo, CEA Director of Industry
Analysis, and Josh Bernoff, Forrester Vice President and Principal
Analyst, announced updated DTV sales projections. Wargo said DTV unit
sales would reach 20 million units in 2005 alone, amounting to 36
million cumulative units sold since introduction; Bernoff was more
cautious, projecting total DTV unit sales of 50 million from market
introduction in 1998 through 2009.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ), former Chairman of the Senate Commerce
Committee, addressed Summit attendees during the 5th Annual Academy of
Digital Television Pioneers Awards luncheon as he accepted his award
for Best DTV Government Leadership. McCain, who also backs a hard
analog cut-off date, expressed his support for Chairman Barton's bill
and pledged to continue to work so that millions would be able to
appreciate high-definition television. Awards also were presented to
other leaders in the digital television transition and content
development. For a full list of award winners, visit www.ce.org.
The future of the analog spectrum and the end of the 18-year DTV
transition were the topics of discussion in the final session of the
Summit, entitled "Beyond HD Technology: Opportunities for the
Returned Analog Spectrum." Moderator Drew Clark of the National
Journal's Technology Daily led a dialogue on how companies expect to
participate in the 700 megahertz band. Panelists from the information
technology and wireless industries pointed to numerous possible uses,
including public safety and third-generation (3G) wireless services,
such as full streaming video. The panelists also debated whether
licensing the spectrum space would inhibit technological innovations
and whether wireless communication would be the best use of the newly
freed space.
The 10th annual HDTV Summit concluded with an HDTV prize drawing from
ESPN HD and speculation about what next year's Summit will have in
store. Many agreed the 11th annual HDTV Summit will likely focus on
financing the cut-off date and continued broadcaster resistance.
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