The agreements detail the technical specifications that will enable consumers to receive DTV programming and services over cable systems.

"This is good news for cable customers contemplating a purchase of a digital television receiver," said Robert Sachs, President and CEO of the NCTA. "The cable and consumer electronics industries now have specifications that ensure that signals transmitted on cable will be easily viewed on digital sets. This voluntary solution makes unnecessary government involvement in setting compatibility standards for the dynamic digital TV marketplace."

"While our industries celebrate the announcement, the true winner is the American consumer," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "With these agreements, many more consumers will soon be able to access the wonders of digital television through cable. This is yet another giant step forward in the transition to DTV. Indeed, all parties with a true interest in the success of DTV should celebrate."

Both Shapiro and Sachs praised Chairman Kennard and the FCC for expediting industry resolution of these issues and contributing greatly to the success of the joint CEA/NCTA discussions. They also pledged their respective industries’ commitment to implementing these agreements promptly and to resolving the remaining issues.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to FCC Chairman Kennard for his leadership role in expediting this agreement," said Dr. Richard R. Green, CableLabs President and CEO. "This agreement is great for consumers who now have a clearer path to receiving digital video," Green added.

CableLabs has incorporated the agreed upon technical specifications into the OpenCable™ Network Interface specification (OCI-N). This specification is will be available soon as an OpenCable document. Further, the specification will be submitted for standardization by the SCTE. OpenCable is a fast-track initiative sponsored by leading cable television companies, managed through CableLabs, with a goal of attaining interoperable digital set-top boxes and other advanced digital devices manufactured by multiple vendors.

The OpenCable specification with these amendments now provides a complete technical blueprint for construction of compatible digital television receivers. Receivers meeting these guidelines provide interoperability with cable systems throughout North America.

The agreements announced in late February detail the technical requirements that permit the direct connection of digital television receivers to cable television systems, specifying the signal levels and quality as well as video formats. They also provide for the carriage of Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) data on cable systems to support on-screen guide functions in digital receivers. Subject to certain conditions, PSIP data enables features such as on-screen program guides, virtual channel tables, program name and description (for a minimum 12-hour period) and content advisory information.