1394 Trade Association and IDB Forum Cite New FCC Ruling as Major Boost to In-Vehicle Automotive Audio/Visual Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

DALLAS & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2003

Endorsement of "Plug-and-Play" TV/Cable Plan Will Propel IDB-1394

Vehicle Networks

The 1394 Trade Association and the IDB Forum today said the Sept. 10 Federal Communications Commission vote approving an agreement between cable operators and television manufacturers will help speed development of in-vehicle networks based on the IDB-1394 automotive standard.

The two organizations have worked closely together to develop the leading in-vehicle network for multimedia equipment, IDB-1394. They cited the Sept. 10 FCC decision that approves an agreement between cable operators and TV manufacturers to establish 'plug-and-play' digital television that must supply high-definition set-top boxes that include IEEE 1394. The FCC's 5-0 vote follows a December 2002 memo of understanding that requires high definition tuners on all HDTVs by 2007. The mandates are encouraging manufacturers to add IEEE 1394 technology to all new digital TVs.

Key elements in the FCC-endorsed agreement are the users' right to copy broadcast programs, and the right of content providers to restrict copying of pay-per-view and video-on-demand.

By including copy protection and digital rights, the cable and TV suppliers effectively endorse the 5C copy protection program that has guaranteed the expansion of home networks based on the IEEE 1394 standard. Consumer and computer products built with 1394 and marketed under the FireWire and i.LINK brands are being introduced worldwide at a rapid pace; most of these products are ready for "plug-and-play" use in IDB-1394 vehicle networks.

"The vehicle network, as the 1394 Trade Association and IDB Forum have defined it, is an extension of the home network. Many of the devices that plug into 1394-based networks also will plug into 1394 the vehicle network," said Max Bassler, vice chair of the 1394 Trade Association. "This new FCC decision gives the green light to a comprehensive digital home network and to our 1394-based vehicle network."

"The 2002 FCC regulation mandating high definition tuners and the decision Sept. 10 to endorse this agreement together deliver a powerful incentive for consumer electronics manufacturers to install IEEE 1394, so consumers can take advantage of the reliability and convenience of the audio-visual standard," said Brad Little of Texas Instruments, president of the IDB Forum and chairman of the 1394 Trade Association's Automotive Work Group. "The IDB-1394 specification enables those same incentives to be applied in vehicle networks, beginning with aftermarket installations, then extending to OEM installed networks."

"IDB-1394 was designed to be the highest performance in-vehicle network available, and taking advantage of 1394 technology was a key decision to leverage on a proven high performance interface," said Arlan Stehney, executive director of the IDB Forum. "The FCC ruling makes clear that 1394 will become a part of every household as the interface for digital content between providers and consumers. We view the vehicle as a key component in their 'personal entertainment network,' which provides them with a consistent experience from home theater to vehicle."

About the 1394 Trade Association

The 1394 Trade Association is a worldwide ANSI standards organization dedicated to the advancement and proliferation of the 1394 standard technology. The TA sponsors a rigorous compliance and interoperability program for all 1394-equipped products, along with developers' conferences and trade events worldwide throughout the year. The Association also conducts programs that assist installers and system integrators implement the IEEE 1394 standard. For more information visit www.1394ta.org.

About the IDB Forum

The IDB Forum is an independent trade association that actively promotes the global integration of open architecture high-speed IDB-1394 networking into the automotive, military, commercial vehicle, marine, and automotive electronics markets. As an international organization, the Forum represents members from Europe, Japan, and North America and promotes the technology at conferences and trade events worldwide. For more information visit www.idbforum.org.