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Epic wins North Carolina tech award
Mark Rein and company will have another memento to share during the office barbeque as Epic has been recognized as the "Top Industry Driven Technology Company of the Year," at least on the Atlantic Seaboard. The accolade was given by the North Carolina Technology Association, or NCTA, as part of the organization's annual NCTA 21 awards ceremony, which applauds technology go-getters in the Tar Heel State. Other finalists for the award included Parata Systems, PeopleClick and Railinc, companies we imagine lost out due to their flagrant disregard for rag doll physics and courtroom shenanigans.
Verizon vs tru2way, and the hits roll on
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.
tru2way camp reassures FCC this is the open standard they are looking for
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]
Courts favor AT&T / Verizon, back new video franchising rules
While 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 - ReutersRead - Verizon's response
Cable ops, consumer electronics manufacturers sign agreement on tru2way roll out
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]
Sony signs up to support tru2way
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.
Tuning adapters hit CableLabs testing lair, still not ready for public consumption
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.
Broadcasting & Cable has a nice sit down with the FCC chairman
The 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.
Two-way communications for TiVo on the way
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.
CableCard fight continues: Courts uphold integration ban, NCTA seeks delay waiver
CableCard 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 SevenRead - Cable companies lose round in CableCard battleRead - NCTA Requests Limited-Time Waiver of Set-Top Box Rule That Will Otherwise Impose Unnecessary Costs on Cable Customers
