Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Boxee and the NCTA debate if ClearQAM is good for us]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/boxee-and-the-ncta-debate-if-clearqam-is-good-for-us/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/boxee-and-the-ncta-debate-if-clearqam-is-good-for-us/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/boxee-and-the-ncta-debate-if-clearqam-is-good-for-us/#comments ClearQAM delivered HDThe National Cable & Telecommunications Association and Boxee don't see eye to eye on whether or not ClearQAM is good or bad for us. Boxee argues that encrypting even those channels free and clear via an antenna, as a few cable companies have requested permission from the FCC to do, will increase your bill and limit competition. The NCTA alternatively claims that eliminating ClearQAM will enable self installs, thus reducing costs and truck rolls, because the coax outside your house will no longer need to be disconnected when you cancel service, and that Boxee should just adopt CableCARD if it wants the Boxee Box to access live cable TV -- of course most anyone who has had a CableCARD setup knows that a simple truck roll to connect a cable outside is child's play. While this struggle has played out in public with FCC filings, social media and blog posts, we all just fondly remember a day when setting up a TV was as simple as connecting a single coax cable and running a channel scan. Of course, it would be nice if the FCC would actually force more QAM to be sent in the clear and require accurate PSIP data while it's at it, but we gave up on that dream years ago.

Boxee and the NCTA debate if ClearQAM is good for us originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BoxeeCableCARDclear qamClearQAMFCChdpostcrosshdpostminiNational Cable Telecommunications AssociationNationalCableTelecommunicationsAssociationNCTAQAMThu, 16 Feb 2012 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Arris' cable technology teases us with 4.5Gbps download speeds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/14/arris-cable-technology-teases-us-with-4-5gbps-download-speeds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/14/arris-cable-technology-teases-us-with-4-5gbps-download-speeds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/14/arris-cable-technology-teases-us-with-4-5gbps-download-speeds/#commentsThink your cable connection's fast? Arris thinks it could be a lot faster. At today's NCTA Cable Show in Chicago, the company will demo a new system that can support download speeds of 4.5Gbps, and upload rates of 575Mbps. To achieve this, Arris devoted more of its DOCSIS 3.0 cable channels to broadband (128 downstream, 24 upstream), sourced through a C4 cable module (pictured on the left). Of course, this would leave less space for conventional TV channels, but we're guessing the accelerated streaming speeds would more than make up for it. Unfortunately, the prototype is still in the proof-of-concept phase, so it may be a while before you reap its benefits. Head past the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Arris' cable technology teases us with 4.5Gbps download speeds

Arris' cable technology teases us with 4.5Gbps download speeds originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.5-inchARRISbroadbandC4C4 CMTSC4Cmtscablecable connectioncable internetCable Show 2011CableConnectionCableInternetCableShow2011channelchicagoconnectionconnectivitydemodocsisDocsis3.0downstreammbpsmoduleNCTANCTA 2011Ncta2011proof of conceptProofOfConceptprototypespeedupstreamTue, 14 Jun 2011 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony, TiVo, NCTA and others chime in on CableCARD's replacement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/sony-tivo-ncta-and-others-chime-in-on-cablecards-replacement/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/sony-tivo-ncta-and-others-chime-in-on-cablecards-replacement/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/sony-tivo-ncta-and-others-chime-in-on-cablecards-replacement/#commentsAllVid IP Gateway The FCC has been unsuccessful in spurring competition in the set-top box market since Congress passed a law requiring changes in 1996. The current situation is exactly why we don't see some of our favorite companies making cable compatible devices -- remember when just about every electronics company made a VCR? CableCARD is a failure because, among other reasons, it is expensive to implement and requires the customer give up certain aspects of their service, like video-on-demand and guide data; on top of that it is a cable only solution and some people prefer satellite TV. And so after giving the market all this time to work out a solution, the FCC issued an Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in an attempt to devise a new mandate that would make give you as many options for a DVR as you have for something like a smart phone. An NOI is just one of the first of many steps on the way to new rules, but the comments do give us a great picture of where each party stands.

Two sides are clearly forming with Sony, TiVo and the Consumer Electronics Association leading up one side and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), its members, and satellite providers on the other. To sum it up the consumer electronics companies make suggestions for an IP video gateway nick named AllVid, which they hope will bring consumers choice in both hardware and software without having to change providers or sacrifice features. And on the other side, they believe that things are just great the way they are and that innovation is happening. They go on to describe how the plans in the NOI will not only fail to spur innovation, but will actually be detrimental to providers and consumers. Then just for good measure, they explain why the FCC doesn't even have the authority to mandate such things.

The entire thing is an interesting perspective into how the Executive Branch of our government works, and while it'll be some time before we are impacted by the outcome, we went ahead and laid out the highlights of a number of the comments after the break so you can play FCC commissioner at home.

Continue reading Sony, TiVo, NCTA and others chime in on CableCARD's replacement

Sony, TiVo, NCTA and others chime in on CableCARD's replacement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AllVidCableCARDCEAFCCGoogleMotorolaMPAANCTAPanasonicSonyTiVoVerizonThu, 15 Jul 2010 19:16:00 EST<![CDATA[A war of good and bad is raging before the FCC over CableCARD rules]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/03/a-war-of-good-and-bad-is-raging-before-the-fcc-over-cablecard-ru/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/03/a-war-of-good-and-bad-is-raging-before-the-fcc-over-cablecard-ru/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/03/a-war-of-good-and-bad-is-raging-before-the-fcc-over-cablecard-ru/#commentsCisco TA A war has been raging in front of the FCC these past few weeks with judgment day coming later this year. The FCC wants to move beyond CableCARDs but wants to make the best of it for all those consumer who have already bought into the technology by making some changes to the rules in the interim. The battle isn't as fun or exciting as Jacob vs The Man in Black, but all the companies we love and hate are involved. Reading through the comments makes it very easy to see which companies consider us their customers and which know we have little choice but to buy their service. Basically TiVo and the rest of the consumer electronics industry supports the new changes while the NCTA, its members and suppliers think it is unnecessary because things are just fine the way they are. The biggest item of dispute is if Tuning Adapters are working or if a new solution is needed. On one hand the NCTA says they work just fine and on the other TiVo, the CEA and many individual commenters, say they don't and that a IP back channel would be more reliable, cheaper and easier to support. The only problem the NCTA does see with the current rules is that CableCARD host devices cost too much so the FCC should let them deploy cheaper boxes with integrated security -- we say let 'em do it, just as long as CableLabs starts certifying two-way 3rd party devices too. At this point the comment phase of the process is complete and we all have to wait for the FCC to announce when it'll vote one way or another -- although we expect the vote to happen this Summer if the FCC still intends to implement the changes this Fall. If you want to know who was saying what, click through for our interpretation of the comments.

Continue reading A war of good and bad is raging before the FCC over CableCARD rules

A war of good and bad is raging before the FCC over CableCARD rules originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CableCARDCEAFCChdNCTASDVTiVoTuning AdaptersTuningAdaptersSat, 03 Jul 2010 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[CableCARD or AllVid, software choice is the key to innovation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/cablecard-or-allvid-software-choice-is-the-key-to-inovation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/cablecard-or-allvid-software-choice-is-the-key-to-inovation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/cablecard-or-allvid-software-choice-is-the-key-to-inovation/#commentsMicrosoft and Apple don't agree on much but one point they do agree on is software is key to the success of any consumer electronic device -- the FCC has admitted that CableCARD hasn't succeed at its intended goals, and is looking to a new solution, but if the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has its way, AllVid will end up just like CableCARD. Kyle McSlarrow, the President and CEO of the NCTA, testified at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee meeting yesterday on the subject and the one point that shows they aren't ready to give in yet is that he said "Consumers should also have the option to purchase video devices at retail that can access any multichannel provider's video services through an interface solution offered by that provider." No Kyle, that isn't enough. The key to innovation in the set-top box space is giving consumers a choice of hardware and software. No one would choose to buy a TiVo or Media Center if it meant you had to use the same crappy interface your cable company's DVR uses. We understand that the cable operators don't want to become dumb pipe providers, but the truth is that's what's best for consumers. This is why Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and its why after 14 years the FCC desperately needs to bring the hammer down this time.

Update: We received some clarification from the NCTA. Apparently in point number two, the word interface does not mean user interface, but at the same time the NCTA does believe that certain user interface screens should be required to be provided by the operator. The only example given was the VOD buy screen, which isn't a big deal in of itself -- unless of course the user interface depends on tru2way, then you can forget it.

CableCARD or AllVid, software choice is the key to innovation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AllVidCableCARDFCChdKyle McSlarrowKyleMcslarrowNCTAThu, 29 Apr 2010 14:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Only 443,000 CableCARDs deployed into consumer's equipment]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/only-443-000-cablecards-depoyed-into-consumers-equipment/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/only-443-000-cablecards-depoyed-into-consumers-equipment/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/only-443-000-cablecards-depoyed-into-consumers-equipment/#commentsCableCARD Here we are about five years after CableCARDs became available and only 443,000 of 'em have been deployed into 3rd party hardware -- you know, like a TiVo HD or a Windows Media Center Digital Cable Tuner. If you think that's a lot, think again, as that is barely 1 percent of the 41.5 million digital cable subscribers in the US. This was according to a report delivered to the FCC by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and really gives credibility to the CEA's claim that the technology is ineffective at its intended purpose. As consumers we know all too well why the currently implementation of the technology is worthless to the other 99 percent of cable subscribers, which is a combination of the fact that 3rd party CableCARD host devices are not privy to all the same features of the cable company's set-top -- like VOD and PPV -- but also because the cable operators do just about everything possible to talk you out of using them. Regardless of the reasons one thing is for sure, CableCARDs have not fulfilled the requirements set by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the FCC needs to stop wasting time and get back to the drawing board.

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Only 443,000 CableCARDs deployed into consumer's equipment originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cableCableCARDCEAFCChdNCTAWed, 30 Sep 2009 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[The slow rollout of interactive TV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/the-slow-rollout-of-interactive-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/the-slow-rollout-of-interactive-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/the-slow-rollout-of-interactive-tv/#comments
The rollout of tru2way and other interactive TV initiatives by the cable companies seems to finally be gaining some momentum, but while we've largely addressed our disappointment with the speed of adoption on the hardware side, the New York Times is questioning why we haven't (and likely won't in the very near future) seen more interactive software. In an age where everything has an app store, the fragmented nature of the cable systems and confusing interconnected platforms reduces the opportunities for developers to jump in, and though Comcast jumped out promoting its Yahoo! widget powered tru2way future, no solid timeline for availability leaves very little to look forward to.

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The slow rollout of interactive TV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecable showcable show 09cable show 2009CableShowCableShow09CableShow2009hdnctaocaptru2wayMon, 06 Apr 2009 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Plenty of tru2way demos planned for The Cable Show in April]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/plenty-of-tru2way-demos-planned-for-the-cable-show-in-april/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/plenty-of-tru2way-demos-planned-for-the-cable-show-in-april/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/plenty-of-tru2way-demos-planned-for-the-cable-show-in-april/#comments
Yes, we were disappointed by the lack of tru2way at CES. Luckily, next month's The Cable Show should give a bit of a lift, with interactive program guides, games, chat, web browsers and more on display. Samsung is the most notable hardware name we noticed on the list, but with only set-top boxes, home networking and portability apps on the menu our question of when its compatible TVs may go one sale will likely remain unanswered. Check out the release for the full listing, whether 2009 is the year of tru2way or not should certainly be more clear once the show is underway from April 1-3.

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Plenty of tru2way demos planned for The Cable Show in April originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecablenethdnctasamsungthe cable showthe cable show 2009TheCableShowTheCableShow2009tru2wayThu, 12 Mar 2009 01:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Digital TV delay bill to ride again next week?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/digital-tv-delay-bill-to-ride-again-next-week/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/digital-tv-delay-bill-to-ride-again-next-week/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/digital-tv-delay-bill-to-ride-again-next-week/#commentsJust when you thought it was safe to rescan your channels, the DTV delay is back, as the L.A. Times reports it could be up for another vote, and pass, as soon as next week. Chairman of the House telecommunications committee Rick Boucher expects the issue to return next week, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is apparently looking for away to hold another vote soon. While we wait for that to sort itself out, the NTIA pegged the converter coupon backlog at 2.6 million (a number expected to swell to 3.27 million in tomorrow's report) people as it waits for existing coupons to expire, and additional funds from from the economic stimulus legislation.

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Digital TV delay bill to ride again next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convertercoupondigital tvDigitalTvdtvdtv delaydtv delay actDtvDelayDtvDelayActhdhouse of representativesHouseOfRepresentativesnctaotaThu, 29 Jan 2009 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon vs tru2way, and the hits roll on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/30/verizon-vs-tru2way-and-the-hits-roll-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/30/verizon-vs-tru2way-and-the-hits-roll-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/30/verizon-vs-tru2way-and-the-hits-roll-on/#commentsVerizon hates tru2way
All this back and forth banter between the cable industry and Verizon is quite entertaining. While ultimately we agree with Verizon that there has to be a better solution than tru2way, we're not buying "it's not compatible with our network" jazz. As pointed out by a podcast listener (thanks Derek) -- the real reason why Verizon isn't down with tru2way, is because it would make all of VZ's new software useless. Either way, in the latest chapter Verizon calls out the NCTA's redicluos "it'll still work with a STB" argument, by pointing out the obvious; which is that the whole point of a system like tru2way, is to eliminate the STB. Although there is nothing new about us saying that we want to choose the software, as well as the hardware, we just hope that if we say it enough times, maybe the FCC will actually stand up and listen.

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Verizon vs tru2way, and the hits roll on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cableCableCARDFCCfiberhdNCTAtru2wayVerizonSat, 30 Aug 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[tru2way camp reassures FCC this is the open standard they are looking for]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/tru2way-camp-reassures-fcc-this-is-the-open-standard-they-are-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/tru2way-camp-reassures-fcc-this-is-the-open-standard-they-are-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/tru2way-camp-reassures-fcc-this-is-the-open-standard-they-are-lo/#comments
The cable industry keeps going out of its way to mention tru2way is open to all, so after Verizon blasted the tech in a letter to the FCC as inhibiting technical innovation, here's National Cable & Telecommunications Association CEO Kyle McSlarrow's waved his hand and sent over this bit of suggestion. Apparently the NCTA is happy to have Verizon as a friend in attempting to rid cable boxes of those icky FCC-mandated FireWire ports (since Ethernet is a suitable replacement, according to them), but wants to clear up the misconception that tru2way devices are incompatible with cable alternatives (satellite, fiber, etc.) since hey, you can still use a set-top box just like you do now. Unfortunately since many of us have the "misconception" that we'd prefer devices that worked with any provider without requiring additional hardware, that's probably not going to cut it. Empty gesture or a real effort towards a unified set of standards across all providers? Take a look at the letter (warning: PDF read link) and decide for yourself.

[Via Cable Digital News]

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tru2way camp reassures FCC this is the open standard they are looking for originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablefccfiberfiosfirewirehdkyle mcslarrowKyleMcslarrownational cable telecommunications associationNationalCableTelecommunicationsAssociationnctasatellitestbtru2wayverizonFri, 15 Aug 2008 01:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Courts favor AT&T / Verizon, back new video franchising rules]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/#commentsWhile Verizon and AT&T try to work their FiOS and U-verse services into new areas, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth circuit in Cincinnati handed them a victory today by ruling that the FCC's new rules setting time limits for local authorities to act on new franchise applications are within its authority. The new ruling at the heart of the debate gives local jurisdictions 90 days to act on apps by providers that already have access to city land to run connections, and 180 days for new entrants to citeis or towns, and bar them from mandating new requirements the FCC finds unreasonable, like building a community swimming pool. While we're big fans of municipal pools, we're also into competition and consumer choice, so if you've been waiting to get TV via telco breathe easy knowing the path just got a little smoother.

Read - Reuters
Read - Verizon's response

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Courts favor AT&T / Verizon, back new video franchising rules originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealsattbreaking newsBreakingNewscablecourtfccfiberfiosfranchisefranchisingfrnachisehdinternetlegalnctarulesu-verseverizonFri, 27 Jun 2008 20:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Cable ops, consumer electronics manufacturers sign agreement on tru2way roll out]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/11/cable-ops-consumer-electronics-manufacturers-sign-agreement-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/11/cable-ops-consumer-electronics-manufacturers-sign-agreement-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/11/cable-ops-consumer-electronics-manufacturers-sign-agreement-on/#comments
Joining Sony & six major cable companies in signing a memorandum of understanding of understanding regarding tru2way technology this week were Intel, ADB, Digeo, Panasonic and Samsung. As these companies have already announced work on compatible technology, some of which we've seen recently at The Cable Show, the names there aren't the surprise, it's the one that isn't (yet), LG. While they -- and presumably other companies -- look over the agreement, details haven't yet been released, but Multichannel News notes some elements include that the MSOs (Comcast. Time Warner Cable, Cox, Cablevision and Bright House) deploy at least 20% tru2way set-top boxes until 10 million are deployed and they've committed to supporting the technology by specific dates. Another element that might concern some companies, according to Cable Digital News, is a "monitor application" that the cable company uses to control how devices use processing resources. All the same, once these details have been hammered out and are out in the open, it should lead to a much smoother roll out of tru2way than its CableCard 1.0 predecessor and ensure everyone's equipment works as planned.

[Via Multichannel News and Cable Digital News]

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Cable ops, consumer electronics manufacturers sign agreement on tru2way roll out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>admcabledigeohdintellgmemorandum of understandingMemorandumOfUnderstandingmonitor applicationMonitorApplicationmoumsonctaocappanasonicsamsungsonytru2wayWed, 11 Jun 2008 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony signs up to support tru2way]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/sony-signs-up-to-support-tru2way/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/sony-signs-up-to-support-tru2way/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/sony-signs-up-to-support-tru2way/#comments
Right on the heals of The Cable Show 2008 -- where tru2way was the talk of the show -- Sony has signed up with the NCTA to support the next generation of two-way cable devices. Today Sony joins Panasonic, LG, and Samsung who have already announced plans to produce cable ready HDTVs, which can take advantage of all the interactive services your cable company has to offer -- including a guide and video-on-demand -- without the need for a cable issued STB. While almost 40 percent of Time Warner Cable markets are already support for tru2way, and Comcast expects to have most of its markets ready to go by the end of the year, there's no word on when Sony expects to release its first device, which we suspect will be an HDTV.

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Sony signs up to support tru2way originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 May 2008 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breaking newsBreakingNewsCableCARDComcasthdNCTASonyTime Warner Cabletru2wayTue, 27 May 2008 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Tuning adapters hit CableLabs testing lair, still not ready for public consumption]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/tuning-adapters-hit-cablelabs-testing-lair-still-not-ready-for/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/tuning-adapters-hit-cablelabs-testing-lair-still-not-ready-for/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/tuning-adapters-hit-cablelabs-testing-lair-still-not-ready-for/#comments
This one probably goes without saying, but just in case you're inclined to waste a few gallons of precious regular unleaded searching for a tuning adapter, don't. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and TiVo have jointly issued a release to inform the public that "several manufacturers of switched digital external tuning adapters have submitted products for formal testing at CableLabs." On the positive side, this means we're inching closer to seeing these devices hit store shelves, but sadly, it also means we're not done wading through red tape just yet. For those unfamiliar, these newfangled "tuning adapters" will enable TiVo Series3, TiVo HD and certain one-way set-top-boxes that utilize CableCARDs to "access digital cable channels delivered using switched digital (SDV) technology." Hit up the read link for all the details, and check out our hands-on galleries with a few of the boxes right here.

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Tuning adapters hit CableLabs testing lair, still not ready for public consumption originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 May 2008 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecable showcable show 2008CableLabsCableShowCableShow2008ciscohdnctasdvset-top-boxstbswitched digitalswitched digital videoSwitchedDigitalSwitchedDigitalVideotestingtime warner cableTimeWarnerCabletivotru2waytuning adaptertuning resolverTuningAdapterTuningResolvertwcTue, 20 May 2008 13:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Broadcasting & Cable has a nice sit down with the FCC chairman]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/25/broadcast-and-cable-has-a-nice-sit-down-with-the-fcc-chairman/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/25/broadcast-and-cable-has-a-nice-sit-down-with-the-fcc-chairman/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/25/broadcast-and-cable-has-a-nice-sit-down-with-the-fcc-chairman/#commentsFCC chairman Kevin MartinThe FCC has been very busy lately pinning down all the details of the digital transition. It has been in the making for a long time and with each month we learn more and more details of exactly how things will go down. Most recently the FCC decided that cable providers throughout the country will be required to continue providing their customers with an analog signal for another three years -- after the airwaves go dark in 2009. This and other decisions under Kevin Martin's lead, have lead to disagreements between the FCC and NCTA. This interview is a good read, especially for anyone who doesn't think the FCC is needed anymore -- or just a corporate shill. The FCC really does mediate some big deals between big time lobby groups.

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Broadcasting & Cable has a nice sit down with the FCC chairman originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analogdigitalFCChdKevin MartinKevinMartinNCTATue, 25 Sep 2007 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Two-way communications for TiVo on the way]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/two-way-communications-for-tivo-on-the-way/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/two-way-communications-for-tivo-on-the-way/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/two-way-communications-for-tivo-on-the-way/#commentsSDV
There's a lot of confusion around CableCARDs and more specifically what's stoppin' companies like TiVo and Microsoft from making OpenCable host devices that can access two-way services. VOD and PPV is one thing, but not having access to programming that you've already paid for just 'cause they're being deployed with the latest distribution technology is another. Don't get us wrong, we love new technology, but we don't like it when we bought the latest HD TiVo or Vista Media Center with a CableCARD slot only to be disappointed 'cause the latest HD channel is only available via our provider issued POS STB. The latest OpenCable specification is supposed to change all this, but for companies like MS and TiVo it isn't worth the price of admission. Now it looks like there will be another option, in the way of a so-called Tuning Resolver. This device will physically resemble a USB tuner, and will plug into your TiVo and your cable co's coax feed, and with a little help from a software update on your TiVo, it'll allow you to watch those switched digital channels that you'd otherwise be denied access to. At this point it's nothing more than a proposal from the NCTA to the FCC, but with any luck it'll materialize and before we know it the Chicken Littles will have to find something else to run around and complain about.

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Two-way communications for TiVo on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CableCARDfcchdNCTAOpenCableothersSDVSwitched Digital VideoSwitchedDigitalVideoTiVoMon, 27 Aug 2007 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[CableCard fight continues: Courts uphold integration ban, NCTA seeks delay waiver]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/20/cablecard-fight-continues-courts-uphold-integration-ban-ncta-s/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/20/cablecard-fight-continues-courts-uphold-integration-ban-ncta-s/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/20/cablecard-fight-continues-courts-uphold-integration-ban-ncta-s/#commentsCableCard is still stuck half-in, half-out of the gate as the cable companies, CE manufacturers and government fight over when and how the technology will be deployed. Currently the deadline for the cable industry to install digital boxes that separate encryption and basic decoding functions in set top boxes is July 2007. After that point, every cable box installed will actually need a CableCard in it to work (existing customers won't need to make any changes) and customers will be able to buy their own digital boxes at retail. Now the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has changed their strategy, requesting a waiver to delay the integration ban until downloadable security technology, which they claim is less expensive and more efficient, is ready or the end of 2009, whichever comes first. They're also calling foul on satellite providers being able to deploy proprietary set-top boxes without having to make them available at retail, but it seems like they have their own problems. If you're looking forward to having the choice of your own box at the store, or plugging a cable straight into your HDTV to get service, it may be a bit further off if the NCTA gets their way.

Read - Countdown to Seven oh Seven
Read - Cable companies lose round in CableCard battle
Read - NCTA Requests Limited-Time Waiver of Set-Top Box Rule That Will Otherwise Impose Unnecessary Costs on Cable Customers

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CableCard fight continues: Courts uphold integration ban, NCTA seeks delay waiver originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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