Last week ATSC approved the Advanced Common Application Platform (ACAP) Standard. ACAP harmonizes the ATSC DTV Application Software Environment (DASE), with CableLabs' OCAP Specifications. "This is important for content creators and consumer electronics manufacturers, because a ubiquitous standard is necessary for consumer acceptance of enhanced and interactive services," Mark Richer, president of the ATSC, explained, "It is also a great example of industry cooperation and another step forward in the ongoing evolution of digital television."
The ACAP standard can be used with ATSC Standard A/96, "Interaction Channel Protocols," to forward broadcast download channels from terrestrial, cable and satellite networks in providing a complete interactive system.
Both standards can be downloaded from www.atsc.org/standards.html. If you haven't visited www.atsc.org recently, check out the site's new Web page design.
