General Instrument, Mindport, NDS, Nagra, Philips Electronics, SCM Microsystems, and Scientific-Atlanta were among the manufacturers that demonstrated functionality successfully. Many of the firms that demonstrated this functionality also partnered with suppliers of headend equipment and set-top boxes, including Divicom, Samsung, and Panasonic.

Approximately 40 representatives from these companies were at CableLabs for the week of testing. CableLabs expects to attract additional supplying companies to future interoperability events.

This event focused on testing the scrambling and de-scrambling functions associated with the removable security cards for compliance with the OpenCable™ point-of-deployment (POD) module interface specification.

OpenCable is the CableLabs-managed project that seeks to facilitate the development of advanced digital devices from multiple suppliers that will communicate, or interoperate, with one another. The project is working to achieve a retail available set-top box or integrated television set that employs a POD module by the July 1, 2000, deadline established by the FCC. Additional interoperability events are scheduled to help meet FCC deadlines.

In preparation for these future interoperability events, CableLabs issued a request for information (RFI) that seeks to identify companies interested in providing set-top boxes, integrated television sets, or computer cards as part of OpenCable interoperability waves beginning in September. The RFI is available on the CableLabs website (www.cablelabs.com).

"These interoperability milestones demonstrate the very real advantages of inter-industry cooperation," said CableLabs president and CEO, Dr. Richard R. Green.

"We appreciate the great support from cable’s traditional suppliers, software companies, consumer electronics suppliers, and Hollywood studios and retailers."