CEA AND COMCAST MEDIA CENTER UNVEIL CONSUMER EDUCATION HDTV VIDEO AT 2004 INTERNATIONAL CES

“CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO HDTV”AVAILABLE TO RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Las Vegas, Nev., January 8, 2004 – Joining forces to help bring consumers more information regarding the analog to digital television (DTV) transition, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Comcast Media Center (CMC) today unveiled a consumer-oriented video about high-definition television (HDTV) technology at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The 2004 International CES runs today through Sunday, January 11, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Produced in high-definition (HD) and displayed in the CES HDTV Sports Bar, located in the LVCC South Hall Upper Level Lobby, the “Consumer’s Guide to HDTV” video is based on CEA’s original print brochure titled, “A Consumer’s Guide to the Wonderful World of HDTV.” CEA is making the video available to a wide audience, including consumers, in standard-definition DVD format. The video is available to retailers from CMC in HD format.

In the video, Suzanne Kantra, technology editor for Popular Science Magazine and a member of the 2004 International CES Advisory Committee, and Jim Barry, the media spokesman for CEA who has been leading its HDTV Updates in local markets nationwide, guide consumers through a menu of eight segments, including: “What is HDTV?,” “How Do I Receive it?,” “Digital Cable Ready HDTV” and “Digital TV Shopping Guide.” The video also includes Internet resources providing further information for consumers.

“This new HDTV video guide is a stand-out addition to CEA’s ever-expanding HDTV consumer education programs,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “Having a guide to HDTV that uses HD technology is a perfect way to give consumers the information they need at the time and place they need it most – at the retail point-of-sale. By making the content available in DVD as well, we are offering consumers the opportunity to review the information in the comfort of their own home.”

According to sales figures from CEA Market Research, more than 8 million DTV units have been sold since DTV was introduced in the fourth quarter of 1998. The increasing array of HDTV programming available via digital cable, satellite and over-the-air is further propelling the DTV transition forward.

“CEA recognizes that as consumer interest and demand continue to grow, it’s important to provide accurate and timely information,” Shapiro continued. “We also appreciate Comcast Media Center’s support and participation in our growing HDTV education initiative, which will help to increase consumers’ and the retail industry’s access to our informational materials. Interindustry cooperation is essential to help consumers better understand the value and benefits of DTV.”

“We were very impressed with the efforts that CEA is making to educate consumers about HDTV and viewed collaborating on the HDTV video as a great way to lend support while demonstrating our HDTV production and distribution capabilities,” said Gary Traver, senior vice president and COO for the CMC.

Copies of the “Consumer’s Guide to HDTV” DVD are available in the HDTV Sports Bar located in the LVCC South Hall Upper Level Lobby at the 2004 International CES. In addition, copies of the video are available by request from CEA or at upcoming CEA HDTV events posted online at www.ce.org/hdtv. More information about the “Consumer’s Guide to HDTV” and CEA's comprehensive HDTV program is available online at www.ce.org/hdtv.

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,200 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $90 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

About Comcast Media Center:
Comcast Media Center (CMC), a unit of Comcast Cable, provides standard definition and HDTV network origination services, global transmission via satellite and terrestrial fiber optics, broadcast quality studio, mobile and post production services, interactive applications and streaming distribution capabilities. CMC’s HITS (Headend in the Sky) digital platform, founded in 1994, delivers 150 digital services to more than 2,000 cable system headends. More information is available at: h ttp://www.comcastmediacenter.com /
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. Operating in 17 of the United States' 20 largest metropolitan areas, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment companies in the world. Providing basic cable, digital cable and high-speed Internet services, Comcast Cable is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what's important in their lives. The company's 55,000 employees serve more than 21 million customers.