The flexibility and extensibility of the standard will ensure that the first digital consumer television sets will continue to work well into the future, even as new and better features are added in future years that may serve computers as well as television sets. This flexibility is permitted by both our modified DTV standard and the ATSC Standard. Finally, our standard permits broadcasters to compete in quality with multi-channel subscription television services. Consumers should not have to settle for a second- rate free broadcast service. Opposing Viewpoints I carefully weighed the arguments of those opposing the modified standard.
Consumers enjoy seeing films displayed in their original format.
The standard we adopt today does not prescribe the aspect ratio. However, the system is capable of instructing television sets to display a wide variety of formats. It would be commendable if digital broadcasters voluntarily committed to transmitting films and other works in their original aspect ratios. I would applaud such a voluntary undertaking, and so would the public. I also carefully considered the opposing comments of several audio interests.