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A war of good and bad is raging before the FCC over CableCARD rules
A war has been raging in front of the FCC these past few weeks with judgment day coming later this year. The FCC wants to move beyond CableCARDs but wants to make the best of it for all those consumer who have already bought into the technology by making some changes to the rules in the interim. The battle isn't as fun or exciting as Jacob vs The Man in Black, but all the companies we love and hate are involved. Reading through the comments makes it very easy to see which companies consider us their customers and which know we have little choice but to buy their service. Basically TiVo and the rest of the consumer electronics industry supports the new changes while the NCTA, its members and suppliers think it is unnecessary because things are just fine the way they are. The biggest item of dispute is if Tuning Adapters are working or if a new solution is needed. On one hand the NCTA says they work just fine and on the other TiVo, the CEA and many individual commenters, say they don't and that a IP back channel would be more reliable, cheaper and easier to support. The only problem the NCTA does see with the current rules is that CableCARD host devices cost too much so the FCC should let them deploy cheaper boxes with integrated security -- we say let 'em do it, just as long as CableLabs starts certifying two-way 3rd party devices too. At this point the comment phase of the process is complete and we all have to wait for the FCC to announce when it'll vote one way or another -- although we expect the vote to happen this Summer if the FCC still intends to implement the changes this Fall. If you want to know who was saying what, click through for our interpretation of the comments.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Will Comcast kill my EyeTV?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Comcast has been telling me that I need to start buying or renting new equipment in order to keep watching my normal expanded basic channels like SyFy, USA, and TNT. I mostly watch TV on my Mac using an EyeTV tuner from Elgato. How is the Comcast change going to affect my EyeTV? And exactly how shafted am I? Love and kissies, Your nephew Bruce
Ceton's InfiniTV 4 CableCARD tuner delayed again
Oh man this sucks -- just got word that Ceton has once again delayed the release of its InfiniTV 4 CableCARD tuner. Originally the ability to record four HD channels at once with a single card was going to be delivered in 2009, then it was delayed until the 1st quarter of 2010. The card did go on pre-order in the first quarter, but the ship date was delayed until May 31st. Now with only a week until that date, although the card has already received CableLabs certification, the sad news is revealed that due to some unobtainable flash memory chips and other components, the wonder card will probably ship by the end of June -- but at this point no new hard date is being given. Obviously delays like this aren't good for anyone and although we think the device is worth the wait, the fact that the one and only ATI CableCARD tuner for PCs has been discontinued, HTPC fans are certainly feeling the hurt. Full newsletter with all the bad details after the jump.
Windows 7 Embedded doesn't support CableCARD, yet
Sure the final release of Windows 7 Embedded just got delivered to OEMs last week, but we were afraid that it might not be all its cracked up to be and wondered why CableCARD support wasn't mentioned in the original press release. Well we reached out to Microsoft and learned that the initial release of Windows 7 Embedded doesn't support CableCARD tuners. We're not sure if this is a CableLabs technicality or just one of those things, but Microsoft does expect to release a quality fix engineering (QFE) update by the third quarter of this year that will make things right. Lets just hope it's in time to be included in the first embedded box to market; and that there's nothing else we love that's missing.
HDHomeRun CableCARD will feature three tuners in time for the holidays
What you're looking at here is a picture of the board that makes the new HDHomeRun CableCARD tuner work. You might notice the four squares on the right, those are the tuners, yes there are four -- don't get too excited -- but one of 'em is for the out of band data and can't actually be used to record HD. But that's still one more usable tuner than initially announced at CES and the best news is that the price remains the same at $249. There isn't a hard release data yet, but the goal is to release the beta details in the coming weeks, then submit it to CableLabs for certification and then finally have it in your HTPC in time for the holidays -- when exactly do holidays start again? The actual case isn't done yet, but there won't be a hump like the classic HDHomeRun and as you can see the gigabit network tuner's connections are all on the back including one coax, one USB, power, and a single CableCARD slot for all three tuners -- the USB doesn't do what you're thinking, it's for the Tuning Adapter. Contrary to some reports -- a USB version isn't on the table and we can't say we're surprised as that wouldn't be Silicon Dust's style. A picture of the connections on the prototype after the jump.
CableCARD or AllVid, software choice is the key to innovation
Microsoft and Apple don't agree on much but one point they do agree on is software is key to the success of any consumer electronic device -- the FCC has admitted that CableCARD hasn't succeed at its intended goals, and is looking to a new solution, but if the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has its way, AllVid will end up just like CableCARD. Kyle McSlarrow, the President and CEO of the NCTA, testified at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee meeting yesterday on the subject and the one point that shows they aren't ready to give in yet is that he said "Consumers should also have the option to purchase video devices at retail that can access any multichannel provider's video services through an interface solution offered by that provider." No Kyle, that isn't enough. The key to innovation in the set-top box space is giving consumers a choice of hardware and software. No one would choose to buy a TiVo or Media Center if it meant you had to use the same crappy interface your cable company's DVR uses. We understand that the cable operators don't want to become dumb pipe providers, but the truth is that's what's best for consumers. This is why Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and its why after 14 years the FCC desperately needs to bring the hammer down this time. Update: We received some clarification from the NCTA. Apparently in point number two, the word interface does not mean user interface, but at the same time the NCTA does believe that certain user interface screens should be required to be provided by the operator. The only example given was the VOD buy screen, which isn't a big deal in of itself -- unless of course the user interface depends on tru2way, then you can forget it.
FCC requests comments about the future of CableCARD and AllVid
Who knew that our love for all things technology would lead to us learning about the executive branch of the Federal Government? We sure didn't. We did learn that in order to change the rules, the FCC has to issue a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in order to give everyone involved a chance to have their opinions heard. Well the cable industry and others are officially on the clock as they now have 30 days from yesterday to let the FCC know how they feel about the new rules that are supposed to help fix CableCARD (and another 15 for responses). On the same day the FCC issues a Notice of Inquiry about CableCARD's eventual replacement to which comments will be accepted for 60 days (responses have another 30 after that). The replacement has a new nickname too, AllVid, but other than that it seems everything is up for discussion. In fact the FCC is trying to determine just about everything, but it does believe that industry standards already in place should be required like DLNA and UPnP. Other questions remain though, like how long after the AllVid devices are deployed should the CableCARD mandates stay in effect? One other interesting note in the 28 page PDF is that the FCC thinks that either a dual tuner set-back box would work, or a 6 tuner version for the whole house -- or some combination. At this point it is all speculation but if you want to take an active role in the process download the PDFs yourself and get your comments in before its too late.
Why do CableCARD host devices still cost so much?
We've been talking about CableCARD long before Engadget HD ever existed -- some might remember HD Beat -- and one thing that hasn't changed in the last five years is that 3rd party host devices still can't access VOD and the cheapest ones aren't cheap at all. TiVo, Moxi and ATI aren't the only ones who find it hard to make the economics of a $300+ device work either, as cable operators around the country have been petitioning the FCC for waivers, arguing that CableCARD set-tops cost to much to deploy. The estimates to add a CableCARD slot to a device vary from between $50 and $100, but either way the prices haven't come down much (if any). Well more recently TiVo has stated the obvious and has requested that the FCC conduct a probe to reveal the reasons. Ultimately the cost is just yet another reason why CableCARD is a failure, but since it's all we've got for now, we might as well try to figure out ways to make it cheaper.
HDHomeRun CableCARD tuner beta signup is on
Ever since Microsoft and CableLabs removed the OEM hardware requirement, the CableCARD tuner market for the PC has really heated up. While it has brought some new players to the PC tuner market,it is has also attracted some old favorites. We caught up with SiliconDust at CES and at that point the dual CableCARD tuner was just the test board (pictured above), but today the beta sign up went live. Anyone interested can fill in a few details about their setup and hope to get selected, but the response has been so great that we're told the window will probably be shorter than two weeks. If you are selected you'll receive the beta hardware in about four weeks. We would of course like to try it out for ourselves, at which time you'll hear all about it. %Gallery-82083%
New CableCARD rules get one step closer to reality this month
We're still scratching our head 'cause the FCC mentioned CableCARD reform in the Broadband Plan, but nevertheless, things are moving quickly. Just like all the other agencies in the executive branch, the FCC has to follow a defined process when it wants to change the rules and the big one before the actual report and order is the notice of proposed rule making. The NPRM proceeding will take place this month and shows that the FCC is pretty serious about having the changes layed out in the Broadband Plan in effect by this Fall -- assuming of course the cable industry doesn't have any major objections. Also on the docket for the FCC is the Notice of Inquiry about the IP Gateway. This is where the FCC will ask everyone exactly how it might work, which is the first of many steps that will take place before we'll see some set-top box innovation.
Ceton InfiniTV 4 CableCARD tuner review
We don't review many HTPC tuners around here because honestly they usually aren't that interesting; you plug them in and they either work or they don't, what else is there to really say about 'em? But every so often something totally different comes our way, something that does get us excited. The first HDHomeRun was one of those and the new InfiniTV 4 from Ceton easily qualifies. We mean who wouldn't get excited about being able to record 4 HD shows at once and from any channel you want? This is especially true when you consider how difficult it's been for HTPC fans to record premium content until now. Well it seems that for HD loving HTPC fans, your time has finally come, now anyone can build there own DVR that can do things that no other DVR can -- when the tuner starts shipping in May that is. %Gallery-88624%
A CableCARD replacement is due by December 2012, bandaids by this Fall
While most of the FCC's new Broadband plan has been about, well, broadband, there's also some great news for HDTV fans. We expected a few mentions about CableCARD and its future when the FCC requested comments and declared it a failure, but we're still glad to see that the FCC listened to consumer electronics companies like TiVo and Sony -- among others. The biggest news is that the FCC has asked the industry to come up with a residential IP gateway that is open and that will provide same abilities as your provider's equipment, and most importantly, it should enable the very same gear to work no matter what type of service you prefer, whether it be satellite, cable or fiber -- for example, via various gateways the same TiVo would work with either DirecTV or Comcast. But while the FCC has given the industry until December of 2012 to define and deploy these IP gateways before implementing an "appropriate enforcement mechanism," in the meantime the FCC wants to see the biggest issues with CableCARDs resolved by this Fall. The list below of immediate fixes is pretty impressive, and other than the persistent lack of video on demand support, it'll help make CableCARD a pretty respectable solution. Ditch Tuning Adapters and let devices with Ethernet ports communicate upstream via IP to tune SDV channels. If a customer has a CableCARD in their leased set-top box, it must be reflected on the bill like any other CableCARD would. If the provider offers a self install for leased set-top boxes, they must also allow self install of a CableCARD. Software shouldn't require the same CableLabs certification hardware does.
CableLabs officially defines tru2way set-back box
The technology arm of the cable industry has come forward with an official specification for the tru2way set-back box. We first heard of these when Panasonic was requesting a waiver from the FCC to exclude an analog tuner, but we did find one of the floor of CES -- although it wasn't a functional demo. Basically this makes the box one step closer to reality, and if the cable industry has its way, tru2way with it. The idea of an inexpensive HDTV companion might be the perfect low cost, easy to support, solution that consumer electronic manufactures are looking for. And although we're not fans of tru2way in general, we do think it is an acceptable solution for those who don't want a DVR but do want an HDTV mounted on the wall without a set-top box to be found.
Ceton's quad CableCARD tuner for Media Center available for pre-order
That's right, you can now reserve your place in line to be the first to record four HD cable shows at once on your Windows 7 Media Center. The bad news is that ship date for the InfiniTV 4 is now May 31st. Ceton wasn't willing to share a specific reason for the 60 day delay, but we suspect CableLabs is to blame -- Ceton refuted this and insisted CableLabs has been very helpful, but we don't buy it. The other big news -- for those that were concerned with noise or fitment options -- is that the latest version of the PCI-E card pictured above no longer includes a fan. The InfiniTV name was the result of over 1000 submissions to Ceton's naming contest, of which Gary Petro came up with winner -- the name is not to be confused with Comcast's XFINITY. Future tuners in the line will share a variation of the name, so the dual external tuner would be the InfiniTV ex2 -- for example. But Gary isn't the only one receiving a free tuner, as two more submitters were deemed worthy. Rus Sanchez submitted 94 different product names, while Charles Fraser earned his free card with the funniest submission; Wicked Super, Super Duper, and Super Duper Alleyoopder. The last bit of news out of the Kirkland startup is a littler clarification in regards to the network capabilities of the card. Although you can share the tuners with a small form factor PC on the network, the bad news is that it gets paired per CableCARD, so all four tuners have to go to the same PC. Oh we almost forgot, the best news of all is that we received our review sample, so stay tuned for a full run down.
Ceton CableCARD tuner briefly appears on Amazon flying the InfiniTV flag
It's gone now, but for at least a moment there was an opportunity to pre-order Ceton's quad-tuning CableCARD solution for Media Center PCs on Amazon, a sure sign that it is moving even closer to reality. Branded the Ceton InfiniTV (not to be confused with XFinity) 4 digital cable tuner card, the read link is the now-busted address for your F5ing pleasure -- do it too much and you'll go blind.
TiVo wonders why cable wants TV Everywhere, except on a TiVo
We give TiVo a hard time around here, but very few companies happen to share the same interests as its customers as much as TiVo. One of the hottest topics that TiVo has continuously championed, that helps us just as much, is the good fight to get cable operators to open up their networks to third party devices. Avid readers of Engadget HD know all too well how tru2way falls short to achieve our desired goals and TiVo continues to pound the drum. Up this time around TiVo is pointing to all the TV Everywhere initiatives as further proof that tru2way and CableCARD are nothing more than ways to discriminate against 3rd party set-top box providers. After all, while anyone with a valid FiOS account can no access HBO GO on any PC, TiVo HD owners with CableCARD don't have access to the very same content via VoD -- like those who choose the FiOS DVR for example. TiVo states that this is further proof that cable operators could and should allow TiVo to communicate via IP to access VoD rather than be forced to implement the provider's user interface via tru2way. Of course submitting comments to the FCC is only the first step, but let's just keep hoping the FCC comes around sooner rather than later.
Ceton's CableCARD tuner to work over the network too
Weighing yet to be released CableCARD on PC products against each other? Add this tidbit to the comparison: Ceton's MOCUR should work as a networked tuner, according to a post by VP Jeremy Hammer on The Green Button forums. His post indicates that, like the HDHomeRun CableCARD, Ceton's product will be available to other PCs by bridging it with the host computer's Ethernet card, and not blocked as it was with ATI's product. That might help to smooth the $399 price tag when it goes on sale soon, for those still stuck on reply hit the forums with your questions or check out our CES hands on for another look. [Thanks, @brennokbob] %Gallery-82026%
Hands-on with Panasonic's tru2way set-back box
We searched high and low on the show floor for signs of tru2way and in the back of the Panasonic booth we found the new set-back box we told you about. The box uses the VESA mounting holes so it might make it tough to use with some wall mounts. It wasn't a working demo so we didn't get to see how well the integration was with the TV, but the representative from the company seemed to believe that the box would be designed to only work with Panasonic TVs -- we assume it verifies via HDMI-CEC what type of TV it is connected to. With most cable companies still not ready for retail tru2way devices, and almost no manufactures showing tru2way HDTVs at CES, it seems that 2010 will not be the year for adoption, which leaves next year and by then so much can change who knows if anyone will still care. %Gallery-82747%
Status of the tru2way cable rollout: Still disappointing
Podcast listeners have already heard about the lack of tru2way presence at this year's CES, but the rollout at headends across the country is still continuing, slowly. Cable Digital News has rounded up the results for your perusal, but aside from Cox at 100%, they fall in line under various levels of fail, more than six months after the original deadline. So much for "not that far off."
HDHomeRun's CableCARD implementation lives up to the brand
We have always thought the HDHomeRun was an ingenius idea, especially since it's possible to share multiple tuners with multiple PCs over the network. When we first learned that SiliconDust was going to release an HDHomeRun that supported CableCARD, we were concerned that our favorite features wouldn't make it into the product. So we dropped by the booth and checked out the development board (pictured above) to learned more about the plans -- this is a dual tuner test board, despite the fact it looks like it has three. The best news is that you'll be able to share a tuner with multiple Media Center PCs, which is really cool. Now obviously only one PC can use a tuner at a time and if the content is marked Copy Once, you can only watch it on the PC where it was recorded, but it is still cool. The HDHomeRun software that works with the existing hardware, also works with this, but isn't required. SiliconDust expects to start the beta in the next few months -- no you can't sign up yet -- with a release later this year. The box will look a lot like the existing single tuner HDHomeRun (the blue one pictured in the gallery) but without the hump and will include a CableCARD slot and a USB port. Speaking of the USB port, it is for a Tuning adapter, but you can also plug it directly into the PC like the ATI or the Ceton card, but obviously that kind of defeats the purpose. %Gallery-82083%
