More DTV Doings
CEA projects that 3mln Digital Cable Ready sets will be sold factory-to-dealer this year, building on the install base of more than 1mln sold last year. Thomson’s David Arland complained during a Hill hearing that the CE industry has had issues with cable operators running out of CableCARDs or the cards not functioning properly. NCTA previously told the FCC that 2 unnamed Digital Cable Ready TVs require a tech visit before they function properly. The industry has deployed more than 27K CableCARDs. — The FCC granted extensions Thurs to 40 commercial and 45 non-commercial broadcasters for missing deadlines to construct digital facilities. These are the broadcasters’ 3rd extensions. Three of the stations will lose their license if they are not broadcasting in digital by this time next year.