DirecTV Eyes Plug-and-Play at FCC

[Gregg Lengling]

DirecTV urged the Federal Communications Commission to take a hands-off approach in some of its efforts associated with the continuing plug-and-play proceeding.

The second round of the plug-and-play debate at the FCC surrounds interactivity and uni-directional devices used for the delivery of video programming. In its comments, DirecTV asked the commission to "defer to the marketplace" when considering standards and procedures for new connectors and content protection technologies that may be tied to plug-and-play issues.

"Given the pace of technological change and convergence in the MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) marketplace, including in areas of distribution and content protection technology, the best policy at this juncture is for the commission to grant the MVPD, consumer electronics and content industries maximum leeway both to innovate and to address problems as they arise," the company said.

DirecTV also urged the FCC to permit the down-resolution of non-broadcast programming by all pay-TV providers. And the satellite TV provider reiterated its opposition to CableLabs, the wired industry's source for the development of standards and technology, becoming the sole entity in charge of developing technology for uni-directional pay-TV products.

DirecTV also commented on previous moves in the FCC's plug-and-play proceeding, saying all parties - including DBS - need to be included in any relevant discussions. "DirecTV has expressed previously its dismay at the exclusive nature of the process to date, and the failure of the cable and consumer electronics industries to include certain key constituencies, such as content providers and DBS operators, at the table for the discussions that ultimately led to the commission's adoption of the plug-and-play order," the company said.

"DirecTV is hopeful that the cable and consumer electronics industries will heed the commission's admonition they include content providers and DBS operators, among others, in all future discussions on these and related topics."

The plug-and-play proceeding at the FCC aims to develop standards and technology to make video delivery systems compatible with consumer electronics.