Display Standard - Veritas et Visus

Veritas et Visus Display Standard February 2009
6th Annual DisplaySearch HDTV Conference
September 15-17, 2008, Los Angeles, California
In this second report of two, Phillip Hill covers presentations from DTVAnswers, LG Electronics USA,
Audiovox Accessories Corporation, and Xceive
Get ready for the switch to digital television (DTV)
Harold Protter, DTVAnswers, Washington, District of Columbia
DTVAnswers is the official website of the National Association of Broadcasters. The transition to digital television
(DTV) is coming, Protter said. At the time of the conference, by law, television stations nationwide had switch
from analog to digital broadcasts by February 17, 2009. This date has since been put back to June 12. Digital
television gives dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality, more TV programming options, and it is more
efficient and more flexible than analog. Every household in America that receives free over-the-air broadcasting
signals through antennas on analog television sets will be affected by the transition. 19.6 million households are
analog only. An additional 15 million receive over-the-air signals on at least one analog set. 69 million analog sets
are being used across the country.
To prepare for the transition to enable continued watching on and analog set, consumers need to purchase a
converter box. A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to an analog television set.
The box converts the digital television signal into analog making it viewable on an analog TV. The boxes are
expected to cost between $40 and $70 and are available for purchase at retail stores that sell electronic equipment.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) began issuing coupons for DTV
converter boxes in early 2008. Households may apply for up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, which must be
redeemed within three months (90 days) of receipt. Otherwise consumer can purchase a new television with a builtin
digital tuner. Or they can subscribe to a paid cable, satellite, or telephone company television service. Another
option is to discover free over-the-air HDTV.
LG’s Digital TV Transition Leadership
John Taylor, LG Electronics USA, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
LG supported broadcasters with early converter boxes for testing and evaluations, and testified before Congress on
DTV transition. LG drove the establishment of the DTV Transition Coalition, and partnered with broadcasters to
promote DTV. It is working closely with FCC, NTIA, and CEA on consumer education efforts. The mission of the
Digital TV Transition Coalition is that no consumer loses free over-the-air television reception due to a lack of
information about the DTV transition. It has more than 230 members comprised of business, trade, industry groups,
and grassroots organizations.
LG’s Zenith initiative is supporting the CEA outreach to consumers – reaching the “Baby Boomers” and their
parents, and donating Zenith converter boxes to senior citizens in Wilmington, Denver, and Minneapolis. The
Zenith DTT901 has industry-leading tuner performance; extremely fast channel scan – less than 30 seconds. Zoom
functionality remembers picture format by channel, and a 28-key remote also controls the TV. There is also a
“What’s On Next” program guide, and it is available at Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, and regional retailers at
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