What is Digg?106 Comments
- aspec, on 01/08/2008, -4/+33There is no way that companies like comcast will give up the extra 5 dollars a month per cable box that they currently earn for no good reason.
- colincornaby, on 01/08/2008, -2/+24Otherwise known as the second version of the existing CableCard standard! Way to go MSNBC, reporting 2006's news in 2008.
- Perk, on 01/08/2008, -4/+17Sure there is. Cable boxes are not cheap, the newer HD and DVR boxes can run two or three hundred dollars wholesale. Then there's the hassle of warehousing and redeploying, and the high loss rate from people who cancel service or move and never return the box. Of all the fees we charge (franchise fee, universal service recovery fee, etc. etc. etc.) that one is probably the most legitimate as the cable boxes are one of the biggest cost centers involved in delivering video service.
We'd much rather there were a consistent standard for digital video CE devices with an associated unique hardware address stamped on the back. That way assuming your residence was physically turned up, you could just plug the TV into the coax, call us with the hardware address, and have service as soon as the CSR can plug the number into the billing system and the DAC can address your TV. This saves the cable company much more in truck roll time and box inventorying costs than we'd ever hope to make back from the box lease fee.
As proof, look at the way cable modems are installed and provisioned. Since all cable modems follow a standard (DOCSIS) and have a unique hardware address (the MAC), they're much more easily provisioned than video boxes. As such, the cable companies encourage customers to buy their own modems, take them home, and plug them in. Generally the modem comes on, syncs to the CMTS, and pulls a "walled garden" IP. The customer then attempts to access the web and is automatically redirected to an internal site where they can run through "self install". They never have to have a tech come to the home, and in a lot of cases, never even have to talk to a CSR. - Nudar, on 01/08/2008, -1/+14This is for cable not satellite.
- deadbaby, on 01/08/2008, -0/+9That's not entirely true. It builds on CableCARD technology only for security/decryption. Tru2Way/OCAP also includes a Java runtime environment for software development and a DOCSIS cable modem for two-way communication. CableCARD is just a security system -- Tru2Way/OCAP is an entire platform of different technologies that (in theory) will allow a level playing field without crippling services like VOD/PPV/SDV and other interactive services. It's a good thing but it's going to be a bumpy ride at first.
- Derelict267, on 01/08/2008, -2/+10Cable?
- scootinger, on 01/08/2008, -1/+9It's ridiculous that you need to rent a cable box even now, since practically all HDTVs come with QAM (cable) tuners built in. They could easily transmit cable channels over QAM but many choose not to. For instance I cannot get ANYTHING over QAM on Cox, and I can only get NBC/ABC/CBS/Fox on Suddenlink (smaller cable provider in the town where I go to school). However both are more than happy to sell you HD channels over their cable box!
- deadbaby, on 01/08/2008, -0/+8There's a few of them.
1) Implementing Tru2Way/OCAP is expensive. Those costs will probably be passed onto consumers.
2) Buying a DVR box comparable to the Motorola/SA boxes most cable companies offer is going to be expensive. At least $300 -- probably more like $500+ when they first come out.
3) You own the box. If it has any problems outside of your manufacturer warranty period you will be buying another $300+ box instead of getting a free replacement from your cable provider. - brufleth, on 01/08/2008, -0/+8I second ayeroxor. Coax is an excellent cabling standard. You have a relatively cheap and durable cable that can carry quite a lot of data over a fairly wide range of frequencies without creating large amounts of external noise or being affected by ambient noise.
Until we can all get fiber to the home coax is super for the last mile to the home. - systemghost, on 01/08/2008, -0/+7I'm more embarrassed by the name. What kind of demographic makes up the focus groups that liked "tru2way" more than any other name?
- eboskie1, on 01/08/2008, -0/+6Cable boxes go for anywhere between 250-400 per unit depending on what type of box it is, hard drive size and what not. A cable card probably costs a lot less to make and would will cost cable company's a less then boxes would. I work for a large cable company on the west coast I can tell you I would love to troubleshoot CC problems than box problems any day. There are too many variables with a box that its hard to troubleshot large scale issues. The current code in use for cable cards is pretty sturdy with a new code on the way. Iv used all 3 cable cards available by SA and most of the boxes SA sells and I can tell you, I will thank the lord when 2-Way CC ready TVs are in EVERY customers house.
- zetec, on 01/08/2008, -1/+6You're telling me that sticking Java in my STB is an upgrade? I call *****.
- brufleth, on 01/08/2008, -0/+5I was going to make exactly the same comment. Comcast has provided effectively the same cable and internet services for over a decade now (with a bit more on demand stuff but not much) and their prices have only gone up.
Let me repeat, same service, more expensive. They certainly haven't been investing in infrastructure.
It will be a cold day in hell before they reduce their costs for any reason. Unless of course your particular area gets Fios in which case Comcast might actually have to compete for their customers. - ayeroxor, on 01/08/2008, -0/+5Coax cable is ***** brilliant. Why would you hate it?
- michelspc, on 01/08/2008, -0/+5The digital conversion is ONLY for broadcast (over the air) TV.
- TheWriteGuy, on 01/08/2008, -0/+4The cynic in me warns that this sounds way too good for the consumer to be true. So what's the catch?
- samssf, on 01/08/2008, -2/+6Hmm... sorry, but unless this can somehow be hacked to get me free cable pr0n, I'm still going to just torrent all the TV I need instead of paying an outrageous cable bill.
- mayan, on 01/08/2008, -0/+4Wow. I wish. We bought our own cable modem and Charter still sent out a tech guy to cut off a coaxial cable, plug it into the wall, plug it into our modem ... and that was it. And we were still charged $30 for the "installation fee". I tried to refute it, but you can only stand the incompetence of outsourced customer service for so long. :(
- directrix13, on 01/08/2008, -0/+4Its what connects your bunny ears to your TV.
- Filter, on 01/08/2008, -0/+4The cable card slots where supposed to do the same thing but they are just a big mess. Cable companies intentionally made their systems incompatible with most of them so they could rent out their set-top-boxes.
- MindTrigger, on 01/08/2008, -4/+8I love watching all these old technologies die. I was just bitching earlier today about how much I hate coax cable.
- Farik, on 01/08/2008, -1/+4The cableco's do not transmit over QAM because it needs to be unencrypted and thus have no control over it.
- doublsh0t, on 01/08/2008, -1/+4i'd love it simply to have one less remote in the living room.
- eboskie1, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3You still have to pay a rental fee for our cards...
- scootinger, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3Some channels (HBO and some others) are required to be encrypted, but a lot of them aren't. I've heard of some cable providers that do transmit the unencrypted ones over QAM, but most don't.
- supermanred, on 01/08/2008, -2/+5What's a cable box?
- ORBAT, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3Amen. I live in Finland, have cable TV and can't remember the last time I saw a cable box. Well, except now that we moved over to DVB and I have an analog TV...
- winmywii, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3JAVA sucks
- michelspc, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3I would have voted for tru3way.
- tcpip4lyfe, on 01/08/2008, -1/+4Don't worry. The cable companies will come up with another way to screw you soon enough.
- GhostFreeman, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3Like cable carriers are actually going to let Tru2Way survive in the real world. They sure as hell didn't let CableCARD live.
- gkiltz, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2This has been something that is "Certain to be the next major development" for the last 20 years.
Truth is, most "Digital Cable Boxes" are converted C-band satellite receivers. The one Comcast uses on most of it's systems does not even support Stereo sound! I'll remain a DirecTV customer, thank you very much! - warlokaz2004, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2"the standard also could encourage the development of new services, and eliminate the need to rent a cable box!" -- I always assumed thats what 'cable ready' was -- just plug the cable fromj the wall into the TV, call the company for service and viola! cable TV. But no, It just meant one LESS Piece of equipment to be attached to the TV (and one more remote to misplace)
- Proggie, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2This is one thing that I'd like Canada to follow the US on. I want a Tivo 3 in canada damnit!
- blackmage439, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2Agree with all the above. Even IF you manage to have every major television maker and cable provider agree on universal standards, each company will find it's own way to offer it's own content over a "higher quality" and PROPRIETARY device/signal. It's obvious offering the same crap for a decade at ever increasing prices hasn't hurt their business; why change now?
- suprememilo, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2Aren't we going to still have to pay for the Cablecard?
- jadus, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2You're forgetting about the $5 "convenience" fee that they'll tack on.
- MarkOfTheDead, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2Dude, there's Java in everything these days from your mobile phone to the console in your car.
- mahdaeng, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2Why even watch TV?
- applebyte, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2cable industry has a history of overpromising and underdelivering, while gouging customers with equipment rental and other fees. i'll believe this when i see it.
- Double0Doug, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2I’m no programmer, but I’m not sure I like the idea of Java on my TV. I know I have enough problems with Java on my computers.
- kryo, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2Time Warner already uses CableCard/OCAP boxes... and the Java interface is so slow, buggy, and unstable that even the techs openly refer to them in conversation with customers as "OH CRAP" boxes. Not something I'd look forward to "upgrading" my TV to.
- jgarruba, on 04/10/2009, -0/+1More to Consider. CableCard doesn't permit the cable provider to monitor what you watch and when you are watching. CableCard is one way to you not them. The Cablebox can be used to track viewing habits. I would also assume tru2way will enable the cable provider to track your habits as well. Boxes can even track when you pop in a dvd and watch a movie you rented from blockbuster. As it is entirely possible to monitor all IR infrared remote activity in the vicinity of the box. since all IR remote codes are publish for universal remotes. They can tell when you use a DVD, DVR, VCR and even when you turn on that fancy ceiling fan you have that uses an IR remote to control it. So they will even know when you are too hot. Cable Card protects your privacy. Also i believe that it is the two way nature of the box that makes it demand so much power. The electricity is needed to transmit data back to head end at the cable provider. I find it interesting that the one way OTA boxes only need about 1 or 2 watts of power i think.
- bmnrocks, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1Soon eh?
Burried for being lame - ivoices, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1I watch Hulu.com
- Double0Doug, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1I knew my phone used Java, but I didn’t realize my car did. Interesting to know. Thanks
- Beylan, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1Please, box rental is a HUGE profit stream for the cable companies and that is the sole reason they are fighting tooth and nail to prevent anyone from poaching in their private preserve. Comcast currently charges $20/month (or $240/year) here for a DVR. Even at $300/box wholesale it will be paid off in in 15 months. If the box lasts a minimum of 5 years then the cable company has made a easy profit of $900 on that one single box. Multiply that by the millions of boxes that are rented out, and you'll see why they will never willingly give that up.
- jgarruba, on 04/10/2009, -0/+1If you did pay for it you could have saved the $200 in rental fees for a box by now and be working on saving more money.
$6.95/ month $84/year, $34/year in electricity to power the box + $12/year for rental of the remote. the inconvenience of having to exchange the box every time it fails. the first year ran you about $160 bucks. if you include time and gas used to exchange the box. Plus your stuck using inferior technology and you have a box sitting on a table underneath that beautiful 52inch Plasma tv that you spent $5000 on mounted to your wall and cables hanging everywhere.
Gee if you bought the TV with CableCard you would just have a TV on the wall that you could actually turn on and use all of it features with one remote the remote the manufacturer designed to control it. Not the dorky remote that you have to rent from your cable provider. that can only turn it on and off.
Enjoy having your coffee table cluttered with remotes. I only have one that controls my TV DVD, and Stereo. The one that came with my TV.
So now your stuck renting Cable Box of doom (hope it doesn't catch fire like so many have) and waiting for a technology that may never arrive because it threatens revenue streams.
CableCard never got wide acceptance because up until TIVO adopted it cable providers pretended it didn't exist. It took TIVO fanatics to get providers to start renting the cards. - Beylan, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1My current Comcast boxes cost me $7/mo each. Thats $84 a year for a single box. Their cost for DVR service is in the neighborhood of $20 per month the last time I checked ($7 box rental + $13 DVR service fee) for a total of $240/year per box. Thats an awful lot of cash on box rentals when you consider what else you could buy for that much money.
If I go with an outside DVR like a Tivo its going to be about the same as I will still need to rent a box from the cable co for it, and with that I even have to pay a nice chunk of change up front for the Tivo box itself.
So yes, those rental fees add up fast over time. If I have 1 regular box and 1 DVR I'd pay $324/year in box rentals alone. Thats what I consider an absurd rental fee. - ayeroxor, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1ZING!
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