The Federal Communications Commission is expected to give set makers language to describe special features of a digital TV set, such as the capability to use interactive services.
Some sets support the new services using a local cable system, while other sets lack the features.
The National Cable Television Association and the Consumer Electronics Association, representing TV manufacturers, have fought over labels for years. An agreement reached in April as FCC Chairman William Kennard warned of possible regulatory action unraveled when retailers such as Circuit City Group complained. FCC action ''is important in the sense of ensuring there is no consumer frustration with respect to the capability of digital televisions when people get their signals over cable,'' said Paul Glenchur, an analyst with Schwab's Washington Research Group. The agency also will resolve a dispute about copy protection technology. The copy protection issue is critical for the movie industry, which fears new digital technology will let pirates make hundreds of perfect copies of their products.