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Technology Stocks : COM21 (CMTO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ftth who wrote (1835)	2/24/2000 4:33:00 AM
From: pat mudge	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2347

Dave -- Since Terayon took down the Gilder article, you may want to submit your version. Okay, I need your help understanding the implications of this article: <<< Partial cable, DTV agreement reached By George Leopold EE Times (02/23/00, 6:39 p.m. EST) WASHINGTON?The cable industry and TV manufacturers have settled a lengthy dispute over digital TV-cable compatibility but must still resolve copy-protection issues or face a government review. The National Cable Television Association (NCTA), based here, and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA, Arlington, Va.) said Wednesday (Feb. 23) they have reached agreement on two of four issues holding up cable reception over digital TVs: technical standards for direct connection of digital TVs to cable systems and on-screen program guides. Unresolved are disputes over licensing terms for copy protection technology and labeling of TV sets without two-way digital connections to other consumer devices. The Federal Communications Commission, which has been pressing both sides for months to resolve the DTV-cable compatibility dispute, praised the partial agreement but warned that it would still consider proposed rules for technical standards. FCC Chairman William Kennard said the agreement resolves "the issues that were holding up DTV set production. Taking into account the lead-time required for TV set manufacturing, this will allow consumers to buy digital cable-ready sets by Christmas-time next year." Kennard said he will pull a proposal off the FCC's agenda on the technical standards and program guide but would recommend continued review of the copy protection and labeling issues. "We can't declare victory when the game's only at halftime," agreed FCC member Susan Ness. She also backed a regulatory review of the copy protection and labeling issues if the two industries fail to reach agreement soon. However, neither official mentioned a deadline for an industry deal on the outstanding DTV-cable issues. Copy-protection problem lingers Both industries pledged to resolve the remaining issues in time to avoid federal intervention, but observers said the two sides remain far apart. The copy-protection issue involves the licensing terms applied to copy-protection technology and the equipment used to implement it. The labeling issue will determine how consumers are notified about whether their digital TV set connects to other digital appliances, such as an advanced set-top box or a digital VCR. The two sides put the best face on the deal and vowed to continue talks on the remaining compatibility issues. "The cable and consumer electronics industries now have specifications that ensure that signals transmitted on cable will be easily viewed on digital sets," said NCTA President Robert Sachs. "With these agreements, many more consumers will soon be able to access the wonders of digital television through cable," added CEA head Gary Shapiro. "This is yet another giant step forward in the transition to DTV." The agreement on direct connection specifies signal levels and quality as well as video formats, the parties said. The agreement also provides for carriage of "Program and System Information Protocol" data on cable systems to support on-screen guide functions in digital receivers. The FCC has yet to act on a separate dispute about whether the cable industry must carry digital broadcasts. The cable industry opposes broadcasters' efforts to impose "must carry" rules for digital broadcasts as an unconstitutional "taking" of its property. Broadcasters argue that digital TV will not take off without mandatory cable carriage. >>>>

To: ftth who wrote (1835)	2/24/2000 6:21:00 AM
From: Dan B.	Respond to of 2347

Dave, Well, my stomach isn't quite so weak as you imagine. I liked your piece. It is, if nothing else, fairly plainly coming from a biased source- hence most would think twice before buying into it. I have to laugh with you in this case. It's just good satire, and I have to like it even if I disagree. It's a hatchet job, and of course, I naturally feel anyone who accepts the generalities it implies about Mr. Gilder and even, of course, S-CDMA at face value, is probably a mindless robot. I hope folks have noticed I have no desire to bash com21. I wish both companies well. If Terayon finally becomes a part of DOCSIS, then it will be compatible with Com21...and the two may one day be running side by side somewhere. S-CDMA after all, is intended to be a noisy plant solution, one which its own CEO knows is but a step on the way to faster modems like those from com21, for instance(I hope I'm not underestimating TERN here, my apologies, if so). I think Mr. Gilder believes that so long as there is Coax, there will be noise which will make S-CDMA a valuable commodity in many instances. Dan B