CableCARD primer from Ars Technia

Over at Ars they have a great CableCARD primer that includes everything from the origin to the nitty-gritty technical details, but here's the gist. It all started with Congress back in 1996; the FCC has let the cable companies push it back 10 years already and there is still no end in sight. CableCARD 1.0 is a let down because it is crippled out of the gate (no two-way or multi-stream functionality).

CableCARD 2.0 will be here this year but no one will care, because compatible devices won't be here till 2007, and by then Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS) will replace it. No worries, because CableCARD is backwards compatible, but you won't get the new features. Add in some technical details on how the DRM is bullet proof to will prevent you from doing anything like enjoying shows on your iPod and that pretty much sums it up. Joy! Oh and  one more thing: if you want to use Vista Media Center with CableCARD it will require an HDCP display.

Thanks, Frankie and Warren.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2006 10:23AM]

Ben,

Do you know of a website out there that is keeping score on which cable providors have rolled-out CableCard technology and which haven't? Or do we have to call our local know-nothing service reps.?

Do you think there is any hope FIOS providors won't be this "anit-consumer"?

Thanks,
Dan

PS. Warren will be missed.

[BenD Posted Feb 8th 2006 10:35AM]

All large Cable companies are mandated by the FCC to support CableCARD. So if yours isn't, file a complaint with the FCC. It seems that most are.

No I have even lower hopes for FIOS in this area since they are not included in the mandate. Our only hope is that someone cracks it, but that seems unlikely on a two-way system.

[davezatz Posted Feb 8th 2006 11:03AM]

CableCARD 2.0 cards will not arrive in 2006. Multistream CableCARDs will (which I like to call the CableCARD 1.5 spec). The bidirectional features described in CableCARD 2.0 (for things like PPV/VOD) is what won't be here for any time soon due to fighting amongst the various players and their inability to ratify the technology.

[BenD Posted Feb 8th 2006 11:19AM]

Thanks Dave, may I ask how you know this. The only reason I ask is because it contradicts other things I have read including the Ars article. I read your post from October and other posts on your site and none seem to mention the delay either.
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2005-10/multistream-cablecard-status-report/

Thanks!
Ben

[davezatz Posted Feb 8th 2006 11:44AM]

I've learned quite a lot since my original CableCARD post in October which isn't 100% accurate... Much has been gathered by trolling documents filed with the FCC. Also member dt_dc on the TiVo Community is an insider who's explained quite a bit. A listing of his posts is here: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/search.php?searchid=1644372

I feel like I have a much better handle on the situation now and if I ever get the time and motivation, I'll post my own CableCARD primer.

[BenD Posted Feb 8th 2006 11:55AM]

Yes I am famliar with dt_dc, he posts at AVS also. I have questioned his posts on this as well but have yet to be convinced.
I will read his posts on Tivocommunity too.
Thanks.

Ben

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2006 1:01PM]

Will we need a HDCP monitor to view any HD content on a Vista Media Center.

[BenD Posted Feb 8th 2006 1:03PM]

Any protected HD content will require a complete HDCP system. See my previous post on HDCP.

http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/02/02/got-hdcp-you-might-need-it/

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 9th 2006 2:38PM]

I love it, but why does my cable company charge me a $30 installation fee?

Installation?

Yes, slipping the card into the slot. $30, for that.