NAB and NCTA Jointly Endorse IEEE 1394 FireWire with 5C Copy Protection for DTV-Cable Interoperability

NAB Calls on TV Set Manufacturers to Build Technology Into TV Sets by 1999 Holiday Buying Season

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 1999 – In a joint letter to FCC Chairman William Kennard the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Cable Television Association endorsed specific technology that will promote compatibility between digital television receivers and digital set-top boxes while providing copyright protection for content owners.
The two groups strongly endorsed the IEEE 1394 "Firewire" digital interface with "5C" copy protection. "The ability to interconnect devices such as digital television receivers and set-top boxes is critical to the effective development and introduction of a myriad of new services, including broadcast digital video programming," the groups said.
Meanwhile, the NAB called on manufactures to produce 1394-enabled digital television receivers with 5C content protection technology for retail distribution by the 1999 holiday buying season. Without such technology, DTV sets will not be able to easily connect to digital cable boxes that will be deployed in the year 2000, NAB warned.
"The time for deliberation on technical standards is past," said NAB President and CEO Edward O. Fritts. "The technology is here. The consumers are waiting. Only by building this technology into sets immediately can we take advantage of the vanishing window of opportunity to bring interoperable DTV sets to the American consumer this holiday selling season."
Fritts continued, "Broadcasters have done their part by exceeding the FCC’s DTV implementation schedule. It’s time for TV set manufactures to step up the plate to ensure that DTV sets will work with digital cable, VCRs and other digital devices. Consumer confidence is at stake."
NAB serves and represents America’s radio and television stations and all major broadcast networks.
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Contact:   Ann Marie Cumming
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