FCC Opens Market for Cable Boxes

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.'"

Comments

How many freakin' choices do you need?

[mrshermanoaks]

Why is everyone complaining about not having choices?

1. You can get a cable box or DVR from your cable company
2. You can get a TiVo Series 3 with HD and CableCard support right now, no cable boxes needed.
3. You can get a standard DVR and have it control your cable box via IR control.
4. You can get DirecTV or Dish and use their PVRs
5. You can get DirecTV or Dish and use your own DVR with IR control.
6. FIOS, U-Verse, whatever else is on the way...
7. This is Slashdot - build your own PVR that automatically gathers content via a Perl script from thousands of sources worldwide.

I hate the cable and satellite companies as much as the next person, but the issue isn't that there aren't choices.