Founded in 1999, EICTA (European Industry Association for Information Systems, Communication Technology and Consumer Electronics) replaced the two former European federations of the information and telecommunications industries, ECTEL and eurobit . Its mission is to be the voice of the digital technology industry in Europe , and to promote the collective interests of the information and communications technology and consumer electronics sector.
On January 19, 2005 EICTA issued a specifications sheet called ‘ Conditions for High Definition Labelling of Display Services ' and its associated HD Ready label. It is proposed as a quality label to Video and HDTV manufacturers. This specifications sheet is recommended as a quality sign for the differentiation of display equipment capable to process and display HD signals. The associated HD Ready label should foster consumer confidence when purchasing new display devices assumed to be ready for use with High Def broadcasts and HD equipment. The HD Ready label is awarded within a self-certification regime on the basis of minimum functionality requirements detailed in the “EICTA conditions for HD Labelling of Display Devices” .
PIONEER has been among the first manufacturers to respond favourably to the HD Ready label, this because both their newest PDP-435FDE, PDP 435HDE, PDP 505HDE, but also the older PDP-434HDE and PDP 504HDE are all HD Ready compliant.
Requirements for the label “HD Ready”:
The minimum native resolution of the display (LCD, PDP) or display engine (DLP) is 720 physical lines in a wide aspect ratio The display device accepts input via Analogue YPbPr, and DVI or HDMI HD capable inputs accept 1280x720 @ 50 and 60Hz progressive (“720p”) or 1920x1080 @ 50 and 60Hz interlaced (“1080i”) DVI or HDMI input supports content protection.The benefit of such a certification authority is to promote a Europe-wide standard to which all manufacturers can comply. In addition, most European cable and satellite operators are likely to propose HDTV offers in the coming months.
See www.ectia.org