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CEA DRIVES INCREASED EFFORTS TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ON TRANSITION TO DIGITAL TELEVISION
Industry Agrees on Voluntary Label Program for Analog TVs
| Arlington, Virginia | 3/15/2006 |
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) today announced a broad-based, member-driven voluntary effort to help inform consumers about the nation's transition from analog to digital television (DTV). The effort will include a voluntary labeling program for TVs that have only analog TV tuners, as well as general consumer education about the transition to digital.
"We have reached an important milestone in the transition to DTV with the adoption by Congress of the February 17, 2009 date for the switch over to all digital broadcasting," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "CEA has long supported a cut-off date but our job is not yet done. CEA and its members are now focused on continuing to educate consumers about this exciting new era in television. "
The CEA Executive Board asked the Video Division Board to draft and agree upon voluntary language for a Consumer Advisory Label to help inform consumers about television sets that are equipped with only an analog (NTSC) tuner. The language agreed upon is as follows:
- Notice: This TV has only an 'analog' broadcast tuner so will require a converter box after February 17, 2009 to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna, because of the nation's transition to digital broadcasting on that date, as required by Federal law. (It should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV systems, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products.)
The Consumer Advisory Label will be placed prominently on analog only TVs. CE manufacturers also will agree to include such language permanently and conspicuously on the outside of the retail packaging of analog-only TV. CEA and TV manufacturers are working with retailers and others on implementation dates and overall DTV consumer education, in order to have the broadest impact.
CEA forecasts that U.S. consumers will purchase more than 18 million DTV sets and displays this year, marking a 50 percent increase over 2005 sales. Just within the first 8 weeks of 2006, more than 1.6 million DTV units have been sold to dealers. This represents a 60 percent increase over the same period in 2005. By the end of 2006, CEA forecasts total DTV unit shipments will be over 48 million. 2006 also marks a landmark year in which DTV units - even HDTV units - will outsell analog television sets.
CEA also will continue its award-winning efforts to educate consumers about the DTV transition. CEA's wealth of voluntary education and promotional initiatives includes websites, printed collateral and media outreach. CEA currently operates various websites that promote the DTV transition through consumer and retailer education. Resources can be found at www.ce.org/hdtv. CEA will also reach out to consumer advocacy and other organizations representing hard to reach populations to ensure the educational materials reach a broader audience.
"We look forward to working with manufacturers, retailers, government and all other industries involved in the switch to DTV to develop and implement a vast array of consumer educational programs," concluded Shapiro.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
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CEA DRIVES INCREASED EFFORTS TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS