Gary Shapiro

Digital TV Switch 'Won't Be Seamless'; Converters Dwindling

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2009 - 12:17pm.

Washington - The U.S. transition to digital television on June 12 will likely be a bit rocky, acting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Michael Copps told lawmakers this week, and while just 3.6% of households remain unprepared, according to Nielsen, problems could be exacerbated by a shortage of digital TV converters. "Some may say that we won't be ready on June 12 either, and that there will still be consumers left behind. And that is true, this transition will not be seamless," Copps told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee.

Consumer Electronics Sales Expected to Continue Surge in 2007

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 8, 2007 - 10:08am.

Arlington, Va. - Factory-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics are projected to exceed $155 billion in 2007, up 7% from last year, according to new figures released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

Senate Bill Would Limit Satellite Radio Recording Capabilities

Authored by dmw on April 26, 2006 - 12:23pm.

Washington - A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would limit the recording capabilities of satellite radio receivers, and compel satellite radio firms to further compensate record labels. The "Perform Act," backed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), in addition to the Recording Industry Association of America and other copyright holders, targets satellite radios from XM and Sirius that let users record copies of songs and other programming. "Digital sales are finally replacing physical losses," RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol told Reuters. "If someone gets a distribution right without paying for it, that blows a hole in the digital marketplace." The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is opposed to the measure, as is a splinter group called the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC). "The legislation would take away the longstanding rights of consumers to enjoy the benefits and flexibility of digital technology," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the CEA and chairman of the HRRC. "Indeed, it would undo decades of progress. If the bill were enacted, recording onto digital memory chips would be less useful to consumers than recording onto magnetic tape was 40 years ago."