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FCC Opens Market for Cable Boxes

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the this-changes-everything dept.

fistfullast33l writes "The FCC rendered a decision today against a Comcast appeal that centers on integrated security features in set-top cable boxes. The decision comes at the end of a long standing feud between the FCC and cable companies over the matter. The result is that starting July 1st, cable boxes distributed by cable companies must not be tied directly to a cable provider via internal security features. This rule is viewed as the first step in creating a market for set-top cable boxes. Comcast does have the right to appeal and has said they will do so. From the article: 'Several major consumer electronics manufacturers have argued that if set-top boxes weren't directly linked to the provision of cable service, they could enter the set-top market. Consumers could get a cable card from their service provider that they could insert into a set-top box purchased at a consumer electronics store. The cards would ensure that consumers could only access channels that they paid for.'"

7 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. step one... by User+956 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The result is that starting July 1st, cable boxes distributed by cable companies must not be tied directly to a cable provider via internal security features.

    Now if only they could accomplish this same feat for mobile phones.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    1. Re:step one... by troll+-1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Now if only they could accomplish this same feat for mobile phones.

      Be thankful cell phone companies aren't running the Internet. If they were you'd buy your computer from your ISP and it wouldn't work with any other ISP. Your equipment would come with Internet access but no email, that would be extra. If you wanted an email sound alert, you could always 'shop for sounds'. Access to overseas sites would be charged at a higher rate and your ISP bill would list every site you visited that month. Cell phone providers pay billions in license fees to the FCC for the privilege of being able to nickel and dime you for every trivial service they can think of.

  2. Re:Appeal? by eclectro · · Score: 5, Insightful

    approximately what the percent chance Comcasts appeal will work?

    It's directly proportional to the wad of cash they give a senator. The FCC doesn't understand technology anyway. Also, consumers are too dumb to be able to make choices for themselves.

    --
    Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  3. man by Trelane · · Score: 3, Insightful

    now, if only we could get a MythTV (i.e. abiltiy to create a Free DVR) clause in there, we'd be golden....

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    --
    Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
  4. Re:Doesn't this already exist... by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Don't higher end TVs have "integrated digital cable tuners" where you put a card in and be able to receive the digital channels? From my understanding, the only thing you'd be missing is the "special" services from your cable provider, mainly guide information.

    Current CableCard technology is one-way only. So you can't order PPV or control VOD programming. CableCard 2.0 is supposed to support two way communication, but it isn't out yet. It also will be a different card interface. So if you bought a TV that includes a CableCard slot, guess what, you have to buy a new TV to use the 2.0 cards.

    Also, cablecos are not yet required to offer CableCards yet. The FCC's plug and play rule that covered it does not take effect until July. So if your cableco currently does not want to offer CableCards, you're SOL.

    I'm not sure what the ownership rules are for CableCards, but from what I've seen it appears they are still the property of the cableco and you still pay a monthly fee for them (you just don't have a big, hot running box to keep around).

    If this rule is allowed to take effect (translation: a bunch of cableco lobbists don't pop up and stop it) soon hooking up digital cable will be as easy as hooking up analog cable. The converter box can be built into the TV the same way we transitioned from having to get a box from the cable company twenty years ago to having "cable ready" TV's. It would help clear the way for people to not have to pay "per box" for their service. DVR recorders can be built that can tune all the channels themselves.

    I think this is fabulous, it's a step to reversing the nickel and diming cablecos and the entertainment industry as a whole have been doing the past ten years.
  5. Re:This benefits me thusly: by /dev/trash · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The USB port is there so that once the Cable companies figure out how to charge for it's use.

  6. Re:How many freakin' choices do you need? by Detritus · · Score: 3, Insightful
    1. The cable company's DVR sucks.
    2. IR control is an unreliable kludge.
    3. Many people can't get DirecTV or Dish.
    4. Many people can't get FIOS or U-Verse.
    5. Most people prefer a DVR that "just works".
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    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat