The specification, originally completed in October 1999, has been modified to reflect the terms of a February 23, 2000, agreement between the cable industry and consumer electronics manufacturers on issues related to cable compatibility with digital television receivers.

OpenCable is a fast-track initiative sponsored by leading cable system operators, managed through CableLabs, with a goal of attaining interoperable digital set-top boxes and other advanced digital devices manufactured by multiple vendors.

"The integration of these changes into the OCI-N specification means that manufacturers have clear direction on how to build digital television receivers that will work with cable’s digital distribution plant," said Dr. Richard R. Green, CableLabs president and CEO. "It also means that manufacturers will have a way to test interoperability through CableLabs’ open interoperability events," Green added.

"We look forward to working cooperatively with the suppliers to ensure that the implementation of these specifications meets the needs of the consumer electronics and cable industries and that the results benefit the consumer," said Mark Coblitz, senior vice president of strategic planning for Comcast Corporation and a key executive in the OpenCable project.

An interoperability event took place the week of March 20—14 consumer electronics and digital video headend manufacturers participated in the event, including DiviCom, LG Electronics, MARGI Systems, Microsoft, Mindport, Motorola, NAGRA, NDS, Philips, Samsung, Scientific Atlanta, SCM Microsystems, Thomson Consumer Electronics, and Zenith.