The FCC actually did something good for once

[namechamps]

GOOD NEWS IN FCC RULING.

Hey everybody I found some good news in the latest FCC ruling.

The whole ruling is available here for download here:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-225A1.pdf

Now most of this ruling is bad news. I posted on this earlier and won't cover that again.
[summary] "Protect yourself buy a HDTV with a DVI or HDMI connector" [/end summary]

I found a couple good points in the ruling.

[quote]
(4) Cable operators shall:
(i) Effective April 1, 2004, upon request of a customer,
replace any leased high definition set-top box, which does not
include a functional IEEE 1394 interface, with one that includes a
functional IEEE 1394 interface or upgrade the customer's set-top
box by download or other means to ensure that the IEEE 1394
interface is functional.

(ii) Effective July 1, 2005, include both a DVI or HDMI
interface and an IEEE 1394 interface on all high definition set-top
boxes acquired by a cable operator for distribution to customers.

(iii) Ensure that these cable operator-provided high
definition set-top boxes shall comply with ANSI/SCTE 26 2001
(formerly DVS 194): “Home Digital Network Interface Specification
with Copy Protection” (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602),"

On April 1, 2004 your cable company MUST provide you with a STB that has working 1394! Note it is only if you ask so I doubt the cable companies will be advertising this.

Also by July 1, 2005 your cable company must have a STB box with DVI or HDMI!

The last point regarding "Home Digital Network Interface Specification" sounds pretty cool but I don't know anything about it. Anyone know something about it?

[namechamps]

I forgot the second good news.

By 1 June 2004 Cable companies must have POD available.

POD is a module that can plug into a "digital cable ready TV" for decoding of DTV & HDTV signals. Basicly your Set Top Box goes inside your TV.

TV manufactures have already expressed interest in making "Digital Cable Ready TV".

So imagine this hypothetical scenario you goto Best Buy and pick up that new 60" DLP Samsung next year with POD slot and firewire.

You call your cable company and have them send you a POD (which they FCC requires them to do after 1 June 2004).

Now your TV controls all cable functions. Less remotes, cables, confusion and clutter. Plus you hook up your HD-DVD by firewire to TV and select which shows to record from the cable on screen guide. TV send firewire signals to HD-DVD as neeeded.

Seems like a pretty cool idea. Look for the "Digital Cable Ready" logo the FCC has ruled that in order for a HDTV to be called "Digital Cable Ready" it must:

(1) Tunes NTSC analog channels transmitted in-the-clear.
(2) Tunes digital channels
(3) Allows navigation of channels based on channel information
(virtual channel map and source names) provided through the cable system
(4) Includes the POD-Host Interface for decoding premium content.
(5) Have DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP Interface*

* Only 50% of 36"+ HDTV need this by July 1, 2004, 100% after July 1, 2005.

So what does anyone think about this POD idea?

[sillygoose]

Originally posted by namechamps

Now your TV controls all cable functions. Less remotes, cables, confusion and clutter. Plus you hook up your HD-DVD by firewire to TV and select which shows to record from the cable on screen guide. TV send firewire signals to HD-DVD as neeeded.

Just don't expect that HD-DVD (whatever that is) to be playable anywhere besides that device.

So what does anyone think of this POD idea?

I think POD is a great idea. Open interfaces are always a good thing. The only disadvantage I see is that it's possible this could end up costing consumers more because right now cableco's typically rent out the boxes. With the way technology is changing so quickly in this area if the consumer has to buy them they might become obsolete before they would have paid more than the price in monthly rental fees for a box from the cableco.

[namechamps]

I think POD is a great idea. Open interfaces are always a good thing. The only disadvantage I see is that it's possible this could end up costing consumers more because right now cableco's typically rent out the boxes. With the way technology is changing so quickly in this area if the consumer has to buy them they might become obsolete before they would have paid more than the price in monthly rental fees for a box from the cableco. [/B]

That is a potential problem but I think the FCC took the customer into consideration.

My understanding (but I may be wrong) is that the cable company would rent the POD also just like STB.

All TVs with POD slot must also have DVI so if the cable company does something stupid like not rent POD or charge more than a STB then the customer could just use the STB by DVI connection!

The Pod should cost the cable companies less in the long run. There is no need for a D/A converter, tuner and other components. So price either rental or purchase for consumer SHOULD be cheaper. However who know :p

[sillygoose]

Originally posted by namechamps
That is a potential problem but I think the FCC took the customer into consideration.

My understanding (but I may be wrong) is that the cable company would rent the POD also just like STB.

All TVs with POD slot must also have DVI so if the cable company does something stupid like not rent POD or charge more than a STB then the customer could just use the STB by DVI connection!

The Pod should cost the cable companies less in the long run. There is no need for a D/A converter, tuner and other components. So price either rental or purchase for consumer SHOULD be cheaper. However who know :p

I wasn't talking about the cost of the POD card itself. I was thinking of the tuner package (digital tuner with POD slot). I would think this will allow for generic cable STBs so you won't have to get Moto or SA depending on your cableco's equipment you just get Sony or whoever and the POD card makes it work with your provider.

So someday soon you can go out an get your POD-compliant Tivo but in 2 years or so when it is obsolete you still wouldn't have paid it off with what you would have had to pay in rental fees for the box from the cableco.

Maybe prices will come down more and this won't be an issue (well I can hope at least).

[spaceman_spiff]

Originally posted by sillygoose
So someday soon you can go out an get your POD-compliant Tivo but in 2 years or so when it is obsolete you still wouldn't have paid it off with what you would have had to pay in rental fees for the box from the cableco. That perhaps is or might be in the process of standardization so that add on modules like TIVO can purchased at a small fee. Or it might already be compatible with current standards. I am just speculating.
Hopefully HTPC or media center picks up more so that consumers can update/upgrade systems easily.