DTV receiver guidelines approved

[Gregg Lengling]

EE Times
June 22, 2004 (5:00 PM EDT)    
 


WASHINGTON — The U.S. digital TV standards clearinghouse has issued manufacturers' guidelines for DTV receiver performance.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., based here, said Tuesday (June 22) that the voluntary industry guidelines cover receiver sensitivity, multiple signal overload, phase noise, selectivity and multipath interference.

The guidelines, known as "recommended practices," also suggest that DTV receiver manufacturers use an antenna control interface specified by the Consumer Electronics Association (Arlington, Va.) to automatically control antenna parameters.

 
 

ATSC President Mark Richer said the guidelines meet a commitment to the Federal Communications Commission, which has been urging receiver manufacturers, broadcasters and cable TV operators to forge voluntary industry standards. The slow deployment of digital TV broadcasts prompted Congress over the last several years to threaten action unless rival industries worked out their differences on DTV deployment issues, including whether cable operators are obligated to carry HDTV broadcasts.

"The recommended practice provides guidance for the receiver manufacturers while allowing for product innovation," said Hitachi executive John Henderson, chairman of the ATSC specialist group on receivers that developed the guidelines.