Open Cable....................................
cablelabs.com
Mike Schwartz
CableLabs
303-661-9100
m.schwartz@cablelabs.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CableLabsã Releases OpenCable? Consumer Electronics Compatibility Spec
Louisville, Colorado, March 15, 2000 ? Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs©) today released to the public a final revision of its OpenCable? Network Interface specification (OCI-N).
The specification, originally completed in October 1999, has been modified to reflect the terms of a February 23, 2000, agreement between the cable industry and consumer electronics manufacturers on issues related to cable compatibility with digital television receivers.
OpenCable is a fast-track initiative sponsored by leading cable television companies, managed through CableLabs, with a goal of attaining interoperable digital set-top boxes and other advanced digital devices manufactured by multiple vendors.
"The integration of these final changes into the OCI-N specification means that manufacturers have clear direction on how to build digital television receivers that will work with cable?s digital distribution plant," said Dr. Richard R. Green, CableLabs president and CEO. "It also means that manufacturers will have a way to test interoperability through CableLabs? open interoperability events," Green added.
"We look forward to working cooperatively with the suppliers to ensure that the implementation of these specifications meets the needs of the consumer electronics and cable industries and that the results benefit the consumer," said Mark Coblitz, senior vice president of strategic planning for Comcast Corporation and a key executive in the OpenCable project.
The next interoperability event is scheduled for the week of March 20. Fourteen consumer electronics and digital video headend manufacturers are scheduled to participate, including DiviCom, LG Electronics, MARGI Systems, Microsoft, Mindport, Motorola, NAGRA, NDS, Philips, Samsung, Scientific Atlanta, SCM Microsystems, Thomson Consumer Electronics, and Zenith.
The OCI-N specification also will be submitted shortly to the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) Digital Video Subcommittee (DVS) with the goal of turning the specification into a due process standard. The prior version of the specification had been sent to the SCTE DVS as an informative submission.
CableLabs is a research and development consortium of cable television system operators representing the continents of North America and South America. CableLabs plans and funds research and development projects that will help cable companies take advantage of future opportunities and meet future challenges in the cable television industry.
It also transfers relevant technologies to member companies and to the industry. In addition, CableLabs acts as a clearinghouse to provide information on current and prospective technological developments that are of interest to the cable industry. CableLabs maintains web sites at www.cablelabs.com; www.cablemodem.com; www.cablenet.org; www.opencable.com; and www.packetcable.com. |
