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Background
Like broadcast television, cable television
and other video media distributors are also transitioning to
digital delivery technologies. The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has adopted rules that will help smooth this
transition for millions of Americans. The FCC’s “plug-and-play”
rules will ensure that most cable systems are compatible with
digital television (DTV) receivers and related consumer
electronics equipment. This compatibility is crucial to developing
products and services to help spur the digital transition.
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Plug-and-Play Digital Television
Increasingly, cable
services are being provided in digital format and
broadcast stations are in the midst of a transition from
analog to all-digital service. Currently, analog
cable-ready TVs are available for basic analog services
over cable, but not for digital services over cable. A
“plug-and-play” DTV is a television that you can plug
directly into your cable system to receive analog and most
digital cable services without the need for a set-top box.
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Benefits of Plug-and-Play
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Many consumers prefer the convenience (and
cost savings) of receiving cable programming without the need of
a set-top box.
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You will be able to take your plug-and-play
set virtually anywhere in the country and know it will work on
cable systems offering digital services.
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Plug-and-play will allow you to fully
utilize the features and functions provided by the television
set that often are unavailable when connected to a cable set-top
box.
Will Digital Plug-and-Play Work Like Analog?
Digital plug-and-play is a new technology. To
use it, you need to get a security card (also known as a "CableCARDTM")
from your cable provider. The CableCard will plug into a slot on
your plug-and-play set and will permit you to receive scrambled
programming, including premium services, to which you’ve
subscribed.
Will I Need A Set-Top Box if I Have a Plug-and-Play Set?
The first generation of plug-and-play sets
will be able to receive one-way programming only, including analog
basic, digital basic, and digital premium cable programming.
If you want to receive certain advanced
digital cable services like pay-per-view, video-on-demand, cable
operator enhanced program guide, or interactive data enhanced
television service, using a first generation set, you will need a
set-top box. You may also need a set-top box to receive other
cable operator-provided services, such as those that incorporate
the features of a personal video recorder.
Negotiations are underway between the cable
and consumer electronics industries to establish standards that
would permit plug-and-play sets to provide advanced two-way
services as well.
Availability of Plug-and-Play Sets
Plug-and-play sets built pursuant to the new
standards are currently in retail stores. To verify that you are
buying a plug-and-play set, ask your retailer if the set is
“digital cable ready” and look for the label. Manufacturers that
use that label must meet certain technical standards and must
complete a testing and verification process.
Viewing High-Definition Programming On Plug-and-Play Sets
Plug-and-play will permit you to watch
digital programming, but not all sets will display full
high-definition quality. To be sure, check with your retailer on
whether the set displays full high-definition quality or a lower
resolution. You can also ask your local cable provider if it
offers HDTV programming.
For More Information
For more information about DTV in general,
visit our DTV Web site at www.dtv.gov
or see our DTV consumer fact sheet at
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html. You may
also call our Consumer Center at: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
voice, 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY, or send an e-mail to
fccinfo@fcc.gov.
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Federal Communications Commission
