ATSC and CableLabsÒ to Harmonize Interactive DTV Specifications

[Gregg Lengling]

Washington, D.C., December 11, 2002 – The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabsÒ) have signed a strategic agreement to harmonize their technical specifications for interactive television.  The agreement provides an architectural framework defining a combination of elements of the existing ATSC DASE Standard and the CableLabs OCAPÔ Specifications to achieve a harmonized standard.

 

[Insert Dick Green Quote]"This is an important accord for our industries as we seek to serve consumers with advanced interactive services," said CableLabs President and CEO Dr. Richard R. Green.

 

"Harmonization of DASE and OCAP are critical to the success of interactive television," said Mark Richer, President of ATSC. "We are pleased to be working with CableLabs on this collaborative effort."

ATSC and CableLabs will work with other standards organizations to maximize commonality in an effort to achieve global standardization.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. ATSC member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries.

 

Founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry, Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs®) is a nonprofit research and development consortium that is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those technical advancements into their business objectives.