FCC Consumer Advisory Committee
The FCC CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE received a report and recommendations from its Advanced Technologies Working Group regarding capabilities of digital-to-analog set-top boxes, closed captioning related to digital television and multicast channels, and a proposed consumer/disability impact statement for inclusion in FCC proceedings. The ATWG is charged with understanding consumer interest obligations and arriving at a consensus on the benefits to the public of advanced technologies. Early in the meeting, it was clarified that the ATWG cannot file petitions – however, it can submit comments on FCC rulemakings.
Highlights of the ATWG Recommendations
Rec 1: The FCC has proposed a consumer/disability impact statement for inclusion in the FCC proceedings. The Commission will establish a consumer disability statement & emerging technologies checklist. The purpose of this is to investigate and disclose the potential impact on existing services by disruptive new technologies (e.g., wired line removal, etc.).
Rec. 2: DTA Converter Boxes. The ATWG wants to understand what the capabilities of these boxes will be. There is a sentiment that at least basic analog-legacy broadcaster services must be supported: pass through of captioning, and other video services. The question was raised, “should it be the burden on the manufacturer to prove compliance?” One committee member joked, “will instructions be included?”
According to another committee member, the NTIA will open an NPRM to ask for public comments on what the DTA is: its functionality, as well as remarks on coupon distribution. A proposal was made that individual members of the group should be actively involved in the NTIA rulemaking. It was pointed out that the NTIA has no language – “someone is working on it” – on what the box functionality should be. Anne (Orr?) at NAB gave the invitation for the public to “work with us.” Julie Carney, CEA, said that the goal is to maintain analog functionality. Joel Snyder, NTIA, said accessibility of the user interface is important – regarding disability issues. Joe Gordon, (???) said that “we already have two boxes on the the set – cable and [???] – can the public be expected to have a third?"
A suggestion was made to encourage the FCC to work with NTIA on the DTA definitions. Among other topics, the ATWG wants clarification from the FCC concerning analog vs digital captioning; e.g., will captioning show up on digital channels?
During the public comments section of the meeting, Andrew Cotler of the Association of Public TV Stations reiterated that there is considerable consumer confusion about digital television: most consumers don’t know what it is, or how and when it will affect them. There is a lesson to be learned, he said, in the digital transitions underway in the UK and Germany: a unified, consistent, widely distributed message to consumers, wherever they are, is critical.
Highlights of the ATWG Recommendations
Rec 1: The FCC has proposed a consumer/disability impact statement for inclusion in the FCC proceedings. The Commission will establish a consumer disability statement & emerging technologies checklist. The purpose of this is to investigate and disclose the potential impact on existing services by disruptive new technologies (e.g., wired line removal, etc.).
Rec. 2: DTA Converter Boxes. The ATWG wants to understand what the capabilities of these boxes will be. There is a sentiment that at least basic analog-legacy broadcaster services must be supported: pass through of captioning, and other video services. The question was raised, “should it be the burden on the manufacturer to prove compliance?” One committee member joked, “will instructions be included?”
According to another committee member, the NTIA will open an NPRM to ask for public comments on what the DTA is: its functionality, as well as remarks on coupon distribution. A proposal was made that individual members of the group should be actively involved in the NTIA rulemaking. It was pointed out that the NTIA has no language – “someone is working on it” – on what the box functionality should be. Anne (Orr?) at NAB gave the invitation for the public to “work with us.” Julie Carney, CEA, said that the goal is to maintain analog functionality. Joel Snyder, NTIA, said accessibility of the user interface is important – regarding disability issues. Joe Gordon, (???) said that “we already have two boxes on the the set – cable and [???] – can the public be expected to have a third?"
A suggestion was made to encourage the FCC to work with NTIA on the DTA definitions. Among other topics, the ATWG wants clarification from the FCC concerning analog vs digital captioning; e.g., will captioning show up on digital channels?
During the public comments section of the meeting, Andrew Cotler of the Association of Public TV Stations reiterated that there is considerable consumer confusion about digital television: most consumers don’t know what it is, or how and when it will affect them. There is a lesson to be learned, he said, in the digital transitions underway in the UK and Germany: a unified, consistent, widely distributed message to consumers, wherever they are, is critical.
(See my NAB BEC 2004 paper, “Global Deployment of Terrestrial DTV.” - agc)
Several times during the meeting, we heard that there is need for a multi-industry consensus on the DTV transition – but where is the action item to carry this out? Everyone says we need better coordination of information, but there is no one spearheading the issue. It reminds me of Jonathan Winters' character in the film, "The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming." Amidst growing chaos, the police officer repeatedly admonishes the townsfolk, "We've just got to get organized."
- agc
posted by Aldo at 12:07 PM
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