http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: What is switched digital video (SDV)? http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/how do i know if my cable provider is utilizing sdv in my area?
will my cc1 device not get certain programs? (tivo not record?)
how about more specifics on the tuning adaptor?
would devices using the 2-way cable card work when
they become available?

a couple of more paragraphs would have been great.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 12:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/Aug 7th 2008 1:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/Aug 7th 2008 1:51PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
"Believe it or not, first-generation (read: the ones that everyone has right now) CableCARDs do not posses the ability to talk back to the cable system. What it can do is listen, but it cannot actually request that anything be sent. Thus, CableCARDs are addressed as "one-way" devices."

Yes, it is true that the original cable cards are in fact one way. The new version of cable cards, deemed multi-stream, are in fact two way, but need to be in a converter or other item that has two way capability. As the former owner of a TiVo HD, I feel the pain that some do, but the benefits of SDV, and the fact that it puts food on my table, greatly outweight the inability to not fully use my TiVo.

If anyone has questions, please ask. I will answer them if I can, or am allowed to.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 1:44PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
And feel free to answer any questions, that's what the comments are for!]]>Jul 2nd 2008 1:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
Isn't tru2way supposed to solve this issue when compliant hardware for it finally comes out? ]]>Jul 2nd 2008 1:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
For more specifics on the minutiae, feel free to click the backlinks in the article. Those link to more in-depth pieces on each aspect.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 2:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
Actually, I believe HD channels use less bandwidth than analog SD channels.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 1:43PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/Jul 2nd 2008 2:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
Anything else, it seems to me is plain robbery.
]]>Jul 2nd 2008 2:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/Jul 2nd 2008 3:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
In the current environment I can split my coax to feed multiple TVs. Even if I have a 2-way communicating STB for each of three TVs, it seems like there would be a problem getting three different programs. How would the server passout the appropriate packets to each device? Is it possible to carry multiple channels on the line in this scheme?

This whole idea seems flawed. Why didn't the Cable Cos just go with IPTV? Plug an RJ-45 into the back of your TV and the router you have hooked up to the wall and you are all set.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 3:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
Every channel that is used by at least one person is sent.
If a channel is used by someone else already, then that channel is used.
If every SDV channel is being used there is no bandwidth savings.
That is why SDV is not used for local stations.


]]>Jul 2nd 2008 6:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
If you search for "bi-directional splitter" or "bi-directional amplifier" at Radio Shack's site, you'll find the description says "Allows bidirectional communication so you can enjoy pay-per-view,interactive TV and Internet." So, while you may have to replace your current equipment, I think you're still going to be able to use a splitter on an SDV signal. In fact, if you're using video on demand in your current setup, you might already have the right stuff.
]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/Jul 2nd 2008 3:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/
Actually, the cable companies do. That's why they still have so many analog channels; a lot of basic cable subscribers (their bread and butter) have analog TVs, and would have to get some sort of set-top box to see digital content. SDV is a complicated technology, and it would be worlds easier for the cable companies to switch all those channels over to digital. But they're not doing that yet because it would cause problems for a huge number of their subscribers. They instead chose to alienate the much smaller number of CableCARD users.]]>Jul 2nd 2008 7:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/07/02/ask-engadget-hd-what-is-switched-digital-video-sdv/]]>Jul 2nd 2008 5:40PM