Beyond being an outrage, the limitation on DIY HTPC's is a last ditch effort by the cable companies to make more money and maintain they're monopolistic approach to business. Many providers only make money (or at least the majority) on DVR's and STB's rentals for which they overcharge. I truly believe the time will come when cable companies will be somewhat obsolete. How? While 4G isn't the final death knell, it opens open wireless broadband to the home. Then Verizon, ATT, T-mobile, Sprint, etc. would be able to deliver not only broadband but HD conent such ESPN, Science Channel, etc. via cell tower for certain areas. Granted real world 4G will probably have a speed of only 5-10Mbps (not bad), but 4G could be a viable option for some. 5G whatever and whenever it comes will probably crush the cable companies completely. Not to mention Verizon and ATT are agressively building all fiber networks in some areas, so conent can be accessed via Fios or whatever ATT names theirs. It isn't unreasonable to think a Fiber company like Verizon could buy a Phone company like Qwest to get access to many more areas that are currently not in their market.
Also, If Dish gets is right with Microsoft in Windows 7 cable companies will lose so much business they will be forced to evaluate what went so wrong. PLEASE Dish, make it happen. Dish is lagging behind Direct TV in subscribers, so I think they really would like to open up the DIY HTPC.
I don't think the FCC is doing their job idley accepting Cable Labs practices. Ironically, I don't care if my content is DRMed like many of use here, but there insistance on using an OEM HTPC is going to make me go to satellite.
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Beyond being an outrage, the limitation on DIY HTPC's is a last ditch effort by the cable companies to make more money and maintain they're monopolistic approach to business. Many providers only make money (or at least the majority) on DVR's and STB's rentals for which they overcharge. I truly believe the time will come when cable companies will be somewhat obsolete. How? While 4G isn't the final death knell, it opens open wireless broadband to the home. Then Verizon, ATT, T-mobile, Sprint, etc. would be able to deliver not only broadband but HD conent such ESPN, Science Channel, etc. via cell tower for certain areas. Granted real world 4G will probably have a speed of only 5-10Mbps (not bad), but 4G could be a viable option for some. 5G whatever and whenever it comes will probably crush the cable companies completely. Not to mention Verizon and ATT are agressively building all fiber networks in some areas, so conent can be accessed via Fios or whatever ATT names theirs. It isn't unreasonable to think a Fiber company like Verizon could buy a Phone company like Qwest to get access to many more areas that are currently not in their market.
Also, If Dish gets is right with Microsoft in Windows 7 cable companies will lose so much business they will be forced to evaluate what went so wrong. PLEASE Dish, make it happen. Dish is lagging behind Direct TV in subscribers, so I think they really would like to open up the DIY HTPC.
I don't think the FCC is doing their job idley accepting Cable Labs practices. Ironically, I don't care if my content is DRMed like many of use here, but there insistance on using an OEM HTPC is going to make me go to satellite.