ATSC Welcomes Industry Accord Clearing Path for FCC Adoption of DTV Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) today welcomed an agreement reached yesterday that paves the way for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to adopt a digital broadcast television standard by the end of this year. The agreement by members of the broadcast television, consumer electronics manufacturing, and computing industries, urges the FCC to incorporate most, but not all, aspects of the ATSC Digital Television Standard into its rules for the next generation of broadcast television. Under the agreement, the specific video formats to be used for digital broadcast television would be the subject of voluntary industry standards, rather than specific FCC requirements. "This agreement removes the last obstacle to FCC adoption of the ATSC DTV Standard," said Robert Graves, ATSC Chairman. "With an approved standard firmly in hand, and with voluntary agreements on picture formats, broadcasters, manufacturers, and consumers can invest in digital television with confidence that a universal, cost-effective digital system will be deployed, preserving the benefits of free over-the-air television for decades to come. Consumers can now look forward to the crystal clear pictures and stunning CD-quality sound of high-definition television, plus a wealth of new information services also made possible by this fertile technology. In addition, final FCC action will bolster our ongoing efforts to promote use of the ATSC DTV Standard - based on innovative technology pioneered here in the U.S. - throughout North and South America, Asia, and elsewhere in the world, delivering lower costs and greater product variety to all those who adopt the standard, while preserving and creating jobs for U.S. workers and bringing growth to the U.S. economy." Mark Richer, ATSC Executive Director, added that "by relying on voluntary industry standards for the specific digital television video formats to be supported, this agreement increases the importance of the ongoing standard-setting activities within ATSC. Although all of the affected industries are represented within ATSC, we hope and expect that more members of the computer industry will now join our organization and play an active role in developing the best possible standards and promoting their widest possible use throughout the world." The ATSC is currently working on development of voluntary standards for data broadcasting, satellite, wireless cable (MMDS), and interactive services. The ATSC, composed of approximately 60 member corporations, associations and educational institutions throughout North and South America, is a private sector organization developing voluntary standards for the entire spectrum of advanced television systems, including high-definition television. The membership includes broadcasters, equipment manufacturers, cable operators, and computer, motion picture, and telephone companies.

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Contact: Robert Graves (703) 222-0200, (202) 828-3130; [email protected] Mark Richer (202) 828-3130; [email protected] http://www.atsc.org