The CEA filed reply comments last week with the FCC requesting that the commission accelerate the DTV tuner mandate timetable.
Pointing to the unintended consequences of the 50 percent requirement, the CEA requested that the 100 percent deadline for DTV tuners in television screen sizes 25- to 36in be accelerated to March 1, 2006. The current DTV tuner mandate timetable calls for 50 percent of the TV receivers with an analog tuner in the 25- to 36in screen size range to incorporate a digital tuner by July 1.
The proposed modification, the CEA argued, would expedite the planning for and implementation of 100 percent incorporation of DTV tuners, by providing a clear date for universal reliance on the DTV technology and components. With the proposed accelerated 100 percent deadline, this lead-in period will include the upcoming holiday selling season.
