Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Cable Industry Responds Regarding HD TiVo Problems

Posted by samzenpus on from the just-wrap-some-duct-tape-on-it dept.

Lauren Weinstein writes "The day after the issue of cable system incompatibilities with the new HD TiVo and similar devices was discussed on Slashdot, the cable television industry has responded with a workaround proposal in a new FCC filing, though key issues remain to be fully resolved."

8 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Are cable companies trying to be cell carriers? by swb · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You kind of get the feeling they want to own the network and the devices, which I guess is an appealing idea from a monopoly standpoint.

    I'm curious, though, how much money they actually make on set top boxes vs. what has to be nearly constant breakage and wear and tear.

    1. Re:Are cable companies trying to be cell carriers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yes. The cable companies would love to own the devices allowed on the network. That's why in 1996 the FTC ruled that they *have* to allow cable card standards to exist, so customers can use off-the-shelf set top boxes in the name of competition. Ten years later, and we still can only *barely* do this -- the cable companies have dragged their feet at every turn. It's frustrating.

    2. Re:Are cable companies trying to be cell carriers? by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 3, Interesting
      For about 100 years, the phone company wouldn't allow anyone to connect their own equipment to their network. You had to lease your phone. That ended around 1969, when the government ruled that they had to allow people to own their own phones, etc. They ruled this after a company called Carterphone sued... because they provided what was basically an acoustic coupler modem for people to use with their phones.

      If it had gone the other way, there would be no internet as we know it. Sprint followed Carterphone, letting people "steal" long distance calls by paying them rather than ma bell.

      Openness drives innovation, which creates new industries and technologies - which corporations then try to own completely and milk every last cent out of, while killing any competing technology.

      It was a boon for AT&T to have a stranglehold on communications, they were the wealthiest company on earth. But it held technological progress back by decades. Hell, they didn't even introduce phones in colors other than black for over 50 years.

      --
      This space available.
  2. Re:A usb dongle does not work when TV don't have u by ivan256 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's a problem with more than just HD TiVo devices. They are merely the most used CableCARD devices out there now, and are thus getting all the attention. Don't worry, unless you've got a DOCSIS chipset in your television (you almost certainly don't) your CableCARD "compliant" television is equally as hosed by SDV.

    You should apologize to the the guy for making fun of his reading comprehension, since he was actually right.

  3. Does anyone remember when TV was simple? by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Does anyone remember when TV simple to use, and most of the shows were better?

    My goodness, the media industry has turned watching TV into something about as fun as dealing with Microsoft software.

    There's nothing that can't be turned into a total nightmare by adding technology.

    --
    You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
    1. Re:Does anyone remember when TV was simple? by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Now, with the addition of cheap postal rental of DVDs and the Internet, broadcast TV has a hard time competing for the time I have for entertainment.

      And yet they insist on doing everything they can to further antagonize me. Random schedules, reality shows, more advertising per hour, advertisements _during_ the programs... I cancelled my satellite subscription years ago and with Netflix and my own personal collection (including The Simpsons, MST3K and plenty of other nerdy shows), I don't miss network TV at all.

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
  4. Re:A usb dongle does not work when TV don't have u by Secrity · · Score: 3, Interesting

    TFA is specifically about TiVo, it does not address any other devices that may also be hosed.

    TiVo is unique from most other CableCARD devices because it contains what is essentially a general purpose computer running Linux, it can be connected to the Internet, it is remotely programmable, and it has standard USB ports.

    No apology is necessary.

  5. Re:Motorola, SA, CSG systems by The+Vulture · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Disclaimer: My personal opinion, not that of the company I work for.

    Actually, the big part of it is that Motorola and SA know that with a fully open encryption system, cable operators wouldn't have to continue to purchase their equipment, operators could choose to integrate competitors' equipment in the mix more easily. Working for an upstart competitor, one problem that we see is that cable operators just spent a ton of money on Mot/SA equipment, and don't want to lose that "investment".

    If they would actually have an open standard, made by somebody other than CableLabs (having dealt with CableLabs in the past, it left a bad taste in my mouth), we would see a whole new world of features.

    -- Joe