Sec.  15.123   Labeling of digital cable ready products.

   (a) The requirements of this section shall apply to unidirectional digital
   cable products. Unidirectional digital cable products are one-way devices
   that accept a Point of Deployment module (POD) and which include, but are
   not limited to televisions, set-top-boxes and recording devices connected to
   digital cable systems. Unidirectional digital cable products do not include
   interactive two-way digital television products.

   (b)  A unidirectional digital cable product may not be labeled with or
   marketed using the term “digital cable ready,” or other terminology that
   describes the device as “cable ready” or “cable compatible,” or otherwise
   indicates that the device accepts a POD or conveys the impression that the
   device is compatible with digital cable service unless it implements at a
   minimum the following features:

   (1) Tunes NTSC analog channels transmitted in-the-clear.

   (2) Tunes digital channels that are transmitted in compliance with SCTE 40
   2003  (formerly  DVS  313): “Digital Cable Network Interface Standard”
   (incorporated  by reference, see  Sec. 15.38), provided, however, that with
   respect to Table B.11 of that standard, the phase noise requirement shall be
   –86 dB/Hz including both in-the-clear channels and channels that are subject
   to conditional access.

   (3) Allows navigation of channels based on channel information (virtual
   channel  map  and  source  names) provided through the cable system in
   compliance with ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234): “Service Information
   Delivered  Out-of-Band  for Digital Cable Television” (incorporated by
   reference, see  Sec. 15.38), and/or PSIP-enabled navigation (ANSI/SCTE 54 2003
   (formerly DVS 241): “Digital Video Service Multiplex and Transport System
   Standard for Cable Television” (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38)).

   (4) Includes the POD-Host Interface specified in SCTE 28 2003 (formerly DVS
   295): “Host-POD Interface Standard” (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38),
   and  SCTE  41  2003  (formerly  DVS 301): “POD Copy Protection System”
   (incorporated  by  reference, see  Sec. 15.38), or implementation of a more
   advanced  POD-Host Interface based on successor standards. Support for
   Internet protocol flows is not required.

   (5) Responds to emergency alerts that are transmitted in compliance with
   ANSI/SCTE 54 2003 (formerly DVS 241): “Digital Video Service Multiplex and
   Transport System Standard for Cable Television” (incorporated by reference,
   see  Sec. 15.38).

   (6) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) through (5) of this
   section, a unidirectional digital cable television may not be labeled or
   marketed as digital cable ready or with other terminology as described in
   paragraph (b) of this section, unless it includes a DTV broadcast tuner as
   set forth in  Sec. 15.117(i) and employs at least one specified interface in
   accordance with the following schedule:

   (i)  For 480p grade unidirectional digital cable televisions, either a
   DVI/HDCP, HDMI/HDCP, or 480p Y,Pb,Pr interface:

   (A) Models with screen sizes 36 inches and above: 50% of a manufacturer's or
   importer's models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2004; 100% of such
   models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2005.

   (B) Models with screen sizes 32 to 35 inches: 50% of a manufacturer's or
   importer's models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2005; 100% of such
   models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2006.

   (ii) For 720p/1080i grade unidirectional digital cable televisions, either a
   DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP interface:

   (A) Models with screen sizes 36 inches and above: 50% of a manufacturer's or
   importer's models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2004; 100% of such
   models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2005.

   (B) Models with screen sizes 25 to 35 inches: 50% of a manufacturer's or
   importer's models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2005; 100% of such
   models manufactured or imported after July l, 2006.

   (C) Models with screen sizes 13 to 24 inches: 100% of a manufacturer's or
   importer's models manufactured or imported after July 1, 2007.

   (c) Before a manufacturer's or importer's first unidirectional digital cable
   product may be labeled or marketed as digital cable ready or with other
   terminology as described in paragraph (b) of this section, the manufacturer
   or importer shall verify the device as follows:

   (1) The manufacturer or importer shall have a sample of its first model of a
   unidirectional digital cable product tested to show compliance with the
   procedures set forth in Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903: “Uni-Directional Receiving
   Device: Conformance Checklist: PICS Proforma” (incorporated by reference,
   see  Sec. 15.38) at a qualified test facility. The manufacturer or importer shall
   have any modifications to the product to correct failures of the procedures
   in Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903: “Uni-Directional Receiving Device: Conformance
   Checklist: PICS Proforma” (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38) retested
   at a qualified test facility.

   (2) A qualified test facility is a facility representing cable television
   system operators serving a majority of the cable television subscribers in
   the United States or an independent laboratory with personnel knowledgeable
   with respect to the standards referenced in paragraph (b) of this section
   concerning   the  procedures  set  forth  in  Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903:
   “Uni-Directional Receiving Device: Conformance Checklist: PICS Proforma”
   (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38).

   (3) Subsequent to the testing of its initial unidirectional digital cable
   product model, a manufacturer or importer is not required to have other
   models of unidirectional digital cable products tested at a qualified test
   facility for compliance with the procedures of Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903:
   “Uni-Directional Receiving Device: Conformance Checklist: PICS Proforma”
   (incorporated  by reference, see  Sec. 15.38). However, the manufacturer or
   importer shall ensure that all subsequent models of unidirectional digital
   cable products comply with the procedures in the Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903:
   “Uni-Directional Receiving Device: Conformance Checklist: PICS Proforma”
   (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38) and all other applicable rules and
   standards. The manufacturer or importer shall maintain records indicating
   such compliance in accordance with the verification procedure requirements
   in part 2, subpart J of this chapter. The manufacturer or importer shall
   further submit documentation verifying compliance with the procedures in the
   Uni-Dir-PICS-I01-030903: “Uni-Directional Receiving Device: Conformance
   Checklist: PICS Proforma” (incorporated by reference, see  Sec. 15.38) to a
   facility representing cable television system operators serving a majority
   of the cable television subscribers in the United States.

   (d) Manufacturers and importers shall provide in appropriate post-sale
   material that describes the features and functionality of the product, such
   as the owner's guide, the following language: “This digital television is
   capable of receiving analog basic, digital basic and digital premium cable
   television programming by direct connection to a cable system providing such
   programming. A security card provided by your cable operator is required to
   view encrypted digital programming. Certain advanced and interactive digital
   cable services such as video-on-demand, a cable operator's enhanced program
   guide and data-enhanced television services may require the use of a set-top
   box. For more information call your local cable operator.”

   [ 68 FR 66733 , Nov. 28, 2003]