• June 16, 2005

The National Association of Broadcasters is joining forces with broadcasting technology advocate The Association for Maximum Service Television Stations, Inc. to develop a prototype low-cost digital-to-analog converter box for digital television reception.

MSTV and NAB will be publishing a Request for Quote shortly, in which the two groups will solicit proposals from the consumer electronics industry to build such a converter box with the hope of having a workable model by the end of the year. It is anticipated that the prototype would serve as a blueprint for future products from manufacturers to serve broadcast-only television sets.

"The trick will be to put a high-quality receiver in a low-cost, consumer-friendly product," said David Donovan, the MSTV's president. "The goal of this transition should be: No viewer left behind."

--David Kaplan