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Gold/Mining/Energy : Leitch Technology Corporation - need more info -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jay Anderson who wrote (173)	1/7/2000 10:13:00 PM
From: Marc	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 202

Kennard Issues Ultimatum To Speed Rollout Of Digital TV Dow Jones Newswires LAS VEGAS -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Friday delivered an ultimatum to broadcasters and manufacturers struggling to deliver interactive digital television to consumers: Come up with a solution by April or face regulation. FCC chairman William Kennard, in his clearest statement to date on the government's role in guiding the future of digital television, chided the industry for creating bottlenecks that have slowed the rollout of the crystal-clear television for more than five years, the Associated Press reported. In a speech at the giant Consumer Electronics Show, Kennard noted that many companies were showcasing models of high-definition television -- some at prices analysts say will prove attractive this year to consumers --with the promise of delivering not only programming but exchanging data through Internet connections and home networks. But none of those televisions can be plugged into cable, the medium through which most Americans still get their programming, because of wrangling over technology compatibility standards for the various equipment and piracy issues, he said. "Your time and our patience are running out," Kennard said. "The commission has tried to let you solve this problem. We have been goading and nagging. But so far you have not finished the job. "The American public will not let the commission wait much longer for you to agree on standards, and the law gives the commission clear responsibility to act if you do not," he said. The first high-definition televisions began selling in late 1998, and more than 100 TV stations reaching 50% of the American people now offer the option of receiving high-quality digital TV signals. But the pictures are eroded through cable converters to quality not much better than traditional analog TVs, Kennard said. "The consumer has to be an informed buyer, with all the technologies out there," said technology consultant William Doolittle. "But those technologies are so complicated, most people don't go through that process, and they're largely driven to buy from the price. But that may give them a product that may not necessarily be the right product when a standard is produced." To address the problem, the chairman said he had directed to FCC to draft proposed rules on compatibility standards and would move toward making those rules law if interactive digital television isn't moving forward by April. Digital technology lets broadcasters squeeze more video and data into existing channel space, giving them numerous options. They could use it to provide high definition TV, which offers sharper pictures then standard digital. They could also offer additional TV channels for sports or movies, or stock quotes and other data transmitted to home computers -- or a combination. The technology, for example, could let people watching a favorite show click an icon on digital TV sets and obtain information on the actors, writers and past episodes. And, it offers new opportunities to make money. For instance, a viewer watching a music video could click on an on-screen icon and buy the CD. Stations would get a piece of the money from these sales, experts say. Or stations could share the revenues from ads that accompany online services. But many industries involved in the interactive television effort have been more concerned about losing money, Kennard said. Instead of working to solve the problem quickly, cable operators are battling with other media providers over standards that would unleash the full promise of interactive TV because of concern about the loss of market share and programming control, Kennard said. Lynn Claudy, senior vice president for science and technology at the National Association of Broadcasters, applauded Kennard for his move. "It's really the logical conclusion to a long debate," he said. "We've gotten to this point after about 10 years, with everyone frustrated. Maybe this will finally bring a resolution."