The Association for Maximum Service Television and the NAB have selected LG Electronics and Thomson to each develop prototype low-cost terrestrial digital converter boxes to receive digital signals on conventional analog televisions.
Jointly funded by the MSTV and the NAB with development support from Thomson and LG Electronics, these prototypes will serve as blueprints for future products that help over-the-air viewers continue to receive broadcast TV service when all-digital broadcasting begins.
MSTV President David Donovan said the selection followed an extensive evaluation over the past several months of more than a dozen proposals submitted by electronics and integrated circuit manufacturers from around the world in response to a Request for Quotation released by both organizations June 20.
The selection process had been widely ridiculed by the Consumer Electronics Association, who contended excellent, low-cost converter box designs already exist.
