§  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 § 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 § 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 § 15.38)).

   (4) Includes the POD-Host Interface specified in SCTE 28 2003 (formerly
   DVS 295): “Host-POD Interface Standard” (incorporated by reference, see
   § 15.38), and SCTE 41 2003 (formerly DVS 301): “POD Copy Protection
   System” (incorporated by reference, see § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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 § 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]